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Zhang H, Zheng Z, Dong L, Shi N, Yang Y, Chen H, Shen Y, Xia Q. Rational incorporation of any unnatural amino acid into proteins by machine learning on existing experimental proofs. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4930-4941. [PMID: 36147660 PMCID: PMC9472073 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The unnatural amino acid (UAA) incorporation technique through genetic code expansion has been extensively used in protein engineering for the last two decades. Mutations into UAAs offer more dimensions to tune protein structures and functions. However, the huge library of optional UAAs and various circumstances of mutation sites on different proteins urge rational UAA incorporations guided by artificial intelligence. Here we collected existing experimental proofs of UAA-incorporated proteins in literature and established a database of known UAA substitution sites. By program designing and machine learning on the database, we showed that UAA incorporations into proteins are predictable by the observed evolutional, steric and physiochemical factors. Based on the predicted probability of successful UAA substitutions, we tested the model performance using literature-reported and freshly-designed experimental proofs, and demonstrated its potential in screening UAA-incorporated proteins. This work expands structure-based computational biology and virtual screening to UAA-incorporated proteins, and offers a useful tool to automate the rational design of proteins with any UAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhetao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liangzhen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ningning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuelin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hongmin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuxuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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Influence of interfacial tryptophan residues on an arginine-flanked transmembrane helix. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183134. [PMID: 31738898 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.183134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The transmembrane helices of membrane proteins often are flanked by interfacial charged or aromatic residues that potentially help to anchor the membrane-spanning protein. For isolated single-span helices, the interfacial residues may be especially important for stabilizing particular tilted transmembrane orientations. The peptide RWALP23 (acetyl-GR2ALW(LA)6LWLAR22A-amide) has been employed to investigate the interplay between interfacial arginines and tryptophans. Here we replace the tryptophans of RWALP23 with A5 and A19, to investigate arginines alone with respect to helix fraying and orientation in varying lipid bilayers. Deuterated alanines incorporated into the central sequence allow the orientation and stability of the core helix to be assessed by means of solid -state 2H NMR in bilayers of DOPC, DMPC and DLPC. The helix tilt from the bilayer normal is found to increase slightly when R2 and R22 are present, and increases still further when the tryptophans W5 and W19 are replaced by alanines. The extent of helix dynamic averaging remains low in all cases. The preferred helix azimuthal rotation is essentially constant for all of the helices in each of the lipid membranes considered here. The alanines located outside of the core region of the peptide are sensitive to helical integrity. The new alanines, A5 and A19, therefore, provide new information about the length of the core helix and the onset of unraveling of the terminals. Residue A19 remains essentially on the central helix in each lipid membrane, while residues A3, A5 and A21 deviate from the core helix to an extent that depends on the membrane thickness. Differential unraveling of the two ends to expose peptide backbone groups for hydrogen bonding therefore acts together with specific interfacial side chains to stabilize a transmembrane helix.
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Chen X, Garon A, Wieder M, Houtman MJC, Zangerl-Plessl EM, Langer T, van der Heyden MAG, Stary-Weinzinger A. Computational Identification of Novel Kir6 Channel Inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:549. [PMID: 31178728 PMCID: PMC6543810 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
KATP channels consist of four Kir6.x pore-forming subunits and four regulatory sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) subunits. These channels couple the metabolic state of the cell to membrane excitability and play a key role in physiological processes such as insulin secretion in the pancreas, protection of cardiac muscle during ischemia and hypoxic vasodilation of arterial smooth muscle cells. Abnormal channel function resulting from inherited gain or loss-of-function mutations in either the Kir6.x and/or SUR subunits are associated with severe diseases such as neonatal diabetes, congenital hyperinsulinism, or Cantú syndrome (CS). CS is an ultra-rare genetic autosomal dominant disorder, caused by dominant gain-of-function mutations in SUR2A or Kir6.1 subunits. No specific pharmacotherapeutic treatment options are currently available for CS. Kir6 specific inhibitors could be beneficial for the development of novel drug therapies for CS, particular for mutations, which lack high affinity for sulfonylurea inhibitor glibenclamide. By applying a combination of computational methods including atomistic MD simulations, free energy calculations and pharmacophore modeling, we identified several novel Kir6.1 inhibitors, which might be possible candidates for drug repurposing. The in silico predictions were confirmed using inside/out patch-clamp analysis. Importantly, Cantú mutation C166S in Kir6.2 (equivalent to C176S in Kir6.1) and S1020P in SUR2A, retained high affinity toward the novel inhibitors. Summarizing, the inhibitors identified in this study might provide a starting point toward developing novel therapies for Cantú disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Arthur Garon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Wieder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marien J. C. Houtman
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcel A. G. van der Heyden
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medical Physiology, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Wang CK, Lamothe SM, Wang AW, Yang RY, Kurata HT. Pore- and voltage sensor-targeted KCNQ openers have distinct state-dependent actions. J Gen Physiol 2018; 150:1722-1734. [PMID: 30373787 PMCID: PMC6279353 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Ion channels encoded by KCNQ2-5 generate a prominent K+ conductance in the central nervous system, referred to as the M current, which is controlled by membrane voltage and PIP2. The KCNQ2-5 voltage-gated potassium channels are targeted by a variety of activating compounds that cause negative shifts in the voltage dependence of activation. The underlying pharmacology of these effects is of growing interest because of possible clinical applications. Recent studies have revealed multiple binding sites and mechanisms of action of KCNQ activators. For example, retigabine targets the pore domain, but several compounds have been shown to influence the voltage-sensing domain. An important unexplored feature of these compounds is the influence of channel gating on drug binding or effects. In the present study, we compare the state-dependent actions of retigabine and ICA-069673 (ICA73, a voltage sensor-targeted activator). We assess drug binding to preopen states by applying drugs to homomeric KCNQ2 channels at different holding voltages, demonstrating little or no association of ICA73 with resting states. Using rapid solution switching, we also demonstrate that the rate of onset of ICA73 correlates with the voltage dependence of channel activation. Retigabine actions differ significantly, with prominent drug effects seen at very negative holding voltages and distinct voltage dependences of drug binding versus channel activation. Using similar approaches, we investigate the mechanistic basis for attenuation of ICA73 actions by the voltage-sensing domain mutation KCNQ2[A181P]. Our findings demonstrate different state-dependent actions of pore- versus voltage sensor-targeted KCNQ channel activators, which highlight that subtypes of this drug class operate with distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline K Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shawn M Lamothe
- Department of Pharmacology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alice W Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Runying Y Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Harley T Kurata
- Department of Pharmacology, Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Lueck JD, Mackey AL, Infield DT, Galpin JD, Li J, Roux B, Ahern CA. Atomic mutagenesis in ion channels with engineered stoichiometry. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27710770 PMCID: PMC5092047 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
C-type inactivation of potassium channels fine-tunes the electrical signaling in excitable cells through an internal timing mechanism that is mediated by a hydrogen bond network in the channels' selectively filter. Previously, we used nonsense suppression to highlight the role of the conserved Trp434-Asp447 indole hydrogen bond in Shaker potassium channels with a non-hydrogen bonding homologue of tryptophan, Ind (Pless et al., 2013). Here, molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the Trp434Ind hydrogen bonding partner, Asp447, unexpectedly 'flips out' towards the extracellular environment, allowing water to penetrate the space behind the selectivity filter while simultaneously reducing the local negative electrostatic charge. Additionally, a protein engineering approach is presented whereby split intein sequences are flanked by endoplasmic reticulum retention/retrieval motifs (ERret) are incorporated into the N- or C- termini of Shaker monomers or within sodium channels two-domain fragments. This system enabled stoichiometric control of Shaker monomers and the encoding of multiple amino acids within a channel tetramer. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18976.001
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Lueck
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Adam L Mackey
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Daniel T Infield
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Jason D Galpin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Benoît Roux
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Christopher A Ahern
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, United States
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Yang ST, Lim SI, Kiessling V, Kwon I, Tamm LK. Site-specific fluorescent labeling to visualize membrane translocation of a myristoyl switch protein. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32866. [PMID: 27605302 PMCID: PMC5015116 DOI: 10.1038/srep32866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescence approaches have been widely used for elucidating the dynamics of protein-membrane interactions in cells and model systems. However, non-specific multi-site fluorescent labeling often results in a loss of native structure and function, and single cysteine labeling is not feasible when native cysteines are required to support a protein's folding or catalytic activity. Here, we develop a method using genetic incorporation of non-natural amino acids and bio-orthogonal chemistry to site-specifically label with a single fluorescent small molecule or protein the myristoyl-switch protein recoverin, which is involved in rhodopsin-mediated signaling in mammalian visual sensory neurons. We demonstrate reversible Ca(2+)-responsive translocation of labeled recoverin to membranes and show that recoverin favors membranes with negative curvature and high lipid fluidity in complex heterogeneous membranes, which confers spatio-temporal control over down-stream signaling events. The site-specific orthogonal labeling technique is promising for structural, dynamical, and functional studies of many lipid-anchored membrane protein switches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Tae Yang
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Sung In Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Volker Kiessling
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Inchan Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Lukas K. Tamm
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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