1
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Khorsand FR, Uversky VN. Liquid-liquid phase separation as triggering factor of fibril formation. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:143-182. [PMID: 38811080 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) refers to the phenomenon, where a homogeneous solution spontaneously undergoes a transition into two or more immiscible phases. Through transient weak multivalent macromolecular interactions, a homogeneous solution can spontaneously separate into two phases: one rich in biomolecules and the other poor in biomolecules. Phase separation is believed to serve as the physicochemical foundation for the formation of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) and bio-molecular condensates within cells. Moreover, numerous biological processes depend on LLPS, such as transcription, immunological response, chromatin architecture, DNA damage response, stress granule formation, viral infection, etc. Abnormalities in phase separation can lead to diseases, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders. LLPS is regulated by various factors, such as concentration of molecules undergoing LLPS, salt concentration, pH, temperature, post-translational modifications, and molecular chaperones. Recent research on LLPS of biomolecules has progressed rapidly and led to the development of databases containing information pertaining to various aspects of the biomolecule separation analysis. However, more comprehensive research is still required to fully comprehend the specific molecular mechanisms and biological effects of LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino, Moscow, Russia; Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
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2
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Dong L, Xie HZ, Jia L, Hong L, Li G. Inhibition of Amyloid β Aggregation and Cytotoxicity by Berbamine Hydrochloride. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202301865. [PMID: 37470691 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202301865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) continues to be a major global health challenge, and the recent approval of Aduhelm and Leqembi has opened new avenues for its treatment. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aβ aggregation hold promise as an alternative to monoclonal antibodies. In this study, we evaluated the ability of berbamine hydrochloride (BBMH), a member of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, to reduce Aβ aggregation and cytotoxicity. Thioflavin T kinetics, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy results indicated that BBMH effectively inhibited Aβ aggregation. Surface plasmon resonance and molecular docking results further revealed that BBMH could bind to Aβ fibrils, thereby hindering the aggregation process. This physical picture has been confirmed in a quantitative way by chemical kinetics analysis, which showed BBMH tends to bind with the fibril ends and thus prevents the transition from protofibrils to mature fibrils as well as the elongation process. Additionally, our MTT results showed that BBMH was able to reduce the cytotoxicity of Aβ40 on N2a cells. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of BBMH to inhibit Aβ aggregation and cytotoxicity, offering a promising direction for further research and drug development efforts in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Dong
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Huan-Zhang Xie
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
| | - Liu Hong
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510275, China
| | - Gao Li
- Fuzhou Institute of Oceanography, College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
- Fujian-Taiwan-Hongkong-Macao Science and Technology, Cooperation Base of Intelligent Pharmaceutics, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, China
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3
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Zhang X, Ding Y, Zhang Z, Ma Y, Sun X, Wang L, Yang Z, Hu ZW. In Situ Construction of Ferrocene-Containing Membrane-Bound Nanofibers for the Redox Control of Cancer Cell Death and Cancer Therapy. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:7665-7674. [PMID: 37535903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Precise manipulation of cancer cell death by harnessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a promising strategy to defeat malignant tumors. However, it is quite difficult to produce active ROS with spatial precision and regulate their biological outcomes. We succeed here in selectively generating short-lived and lipid-reactive hydroxyl radicals (•OH) adjacent to cancer cell membranes, successively eliciting lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. DiFc-K-pY, a phosphorylated self-assembling precursor that consists of two branched Fc moieties and interacts specifically with epidermal growth factor receptor, can in situ produce membrane-bound nanofibers and enrich ferrocene moieties on cancer cell membranes in response to alkaline phosphatase. Within the acidic tumor microenvironment, DiFc-K-pY nanofibers efficiently convert tumoral H2O2 to active •OH around the target cell membranes via Fenton-like reactions, leading to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis with good cellular selectivity. Our strategy successfully prevents tumor progression with acceptable biocompatibility through intratumoral administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Zhang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yinghao Ding
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhenghao Zhang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Yiping Ma
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, The First Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, P. R. China
| | - Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhimou Yang
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Wen Hu
- Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
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4
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Hou XN, Tang C. The pros and cons of ubiquitination on the formation of protein condensates. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1084-1098. [PMID: 37294105 PMCID: PMC10423694 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification that attaches one or more ubiquitin (Ub) molecules to another protein, plays a crucial role in the phase-separation processes. Ubiquitination can modulate the formation of membrane-less organelles in two ways. First, a scaffold protein drives phase separation, and Ub is recruited to the condensates. Second, Ub actively phase-separates through the interactions with other proteins. Thus, the role of ubiquitination and the resulting polyUb chains ranges from bystanders to active participants in phase separation. Moreover, long polyUb chains may be the primary driving force for phase separation. We further discuss that the different roles can be determined by the lengths and linkages of polyUb chains which provide preorganized and multivalent binding platforms for other client proteins. Together, ubiquitination adds a new layer of regulation for the flow of material and information upon cellular compartmentalization of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ni Hou
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
| | - Chun Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
- Center for Quantitate BiologyPKU-Tsinghua Center for Life ScienceAcademy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesPeking UniversityBeijing100871China
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5
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Frackowiak J, Mazur-Kolecka B. Intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β peptides as the pathomechanism linking autism and its co-morbidities: epilepsy and self-injurious behavior - the hypothesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1160967. [PMID: 37305553 PMCID: PMC10250631 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1160967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with enhanced processing of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) by secretase-α, higher blood levels of sAPPα and intraneuronal accumulation of N-terminally truncated Aβ peptides in the brain cortex - mainly in the GABAergic neurons expressing parvalbumin - and subcortical structures. Brain Aβ accumulation has been also described in epilepsy-the frequent ASD co-morbidity. Furthermore, Aβ peptides have been shown to induce electroconvulsive episodes. Enhanced production and altered processing of APP, as well as accumulation of Aβ in the brain are also frequent consequences of traumatic brain injuries which result from self-injurious behaviors, another ASD co-morbidity. We discuss distinct consequences of accumulation of Aβ in the neurons and synapses depending on the Aβ species, their posttranslational modifications, concentration, level of aggregation and oligomerization, as well as brain structures, cell types and subcellular structures where it occurs. The biological effects of Aβ species which are discussed in the context of the pathomechanisms of ASD, epilepsy, and self-injurious behavior include modulation of transcription-both activation and repression; induction of oxidative stress; activation and alteration of membrane receptors' signaling; formation of calcium channels causing hyper-activation of neurons; reduction of GABAergic signaling - all of which lead to disruption of functions of synapses and neuronal networks. We conclude that ASD, epilepsy, and self-injurious behaviors all contribute to the enhanced production and accumulation of Aβ peptides which in turn cause and enhance dysfunctions of the neuronal networks that manifest as autism clinical symptoms, epilepsy, and self-injurious behaviors.
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6
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Rodgers A, Sawaged M, Ostrovsky D, Vugmeyster L. Effect of Cross-Seeding of Wild-Type Amyloid-β 1-40 Peptides with Post-translationally Modified Fibrils on Internal Dynamics of the Fibrils Using Deuterium Solid-State NMR. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2887-2899. [PMID: 36952330 PMCID: PMC10257444 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Post-translationally modified (PTM) amyloid-β (Aβ) species can play an important role in modulating Alzheimer's disease pathology. These relatively less populated modifications can cross-seed the wild-type Aβ peptides to produce fibrils that retain many structural and functional features of the original PTM variants. We focus on studies of internal flexibility in the cross-seeded Aβ1-40 fibrils originating from seeding with two PTM variants with modifications in the disordered N-terminal domain: ΔE3 truncation and S8-phosphorylation. We employ an array of 2H solid-state NMR techniques, including line shape analysis over a broad temperature range, longitudinal relaxation, and quadrupolar CPMG, to assess the dynamics of the cross-seeded fibrils. The focus is placed on selected side-chain sites in the disordered N-terminal domain (G9 and V12) and hydrophobic core methyl and aromatic groups (L17, L34, M35, V36, and F19). We find that many of the essential features of the dynamics present in the original PTM seeds persist in the cross-seeded fibrils, and several of the characteristic features are even enhanced. This is particularly true for the activation energies of the rotameric motions and large-scale rearrangements of the N-terminal domain. Thus, our results on the dynamics complement prior structural and cell toxicity studies, suggesting that many PTM Aβ species can aggressively cross-seed the wild-type peptide in a manner that propagates the PTM's signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryana Rodgers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Matthew Sawaged
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
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7
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Choi HJ, Lee JY, Kim K. Glutathionylation on RNA-binding proteins: a regulator of liquid‒liquid phase separation in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:735-744. [PMID: 37009800 PMCID: PMC10167235 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00978-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) containing low-sequence complexity domains mediate the formation of cellular condensates and membrane-less organelles with biological functions via liquid‒liquid phase separation (LLPS). However, the abnormal phase transition of these proteins induces the formation of insoluble aggregates. Aggregates are pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The molecular mechanisms underlying aggregate formation by ALS-associated RPBs remain largely unknown. This review highlights emerging studies on various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) related to protein aggregation. We begin with the introduction of several ALS-associated RBPs that form aggregates induced by phase separation. In addition, we highlight our recent discovery of a new PTM involved in the phase transition during the pathogenesis of fused-in-sarcoma (FUS)-associated ALS. We suggest a molecular mechanism through which LLPS mediates glutathionylation in FUS-linked ALS. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of the key molecular mechanisms of LLPS-mediated aggregate formation by PTMs, which will help further the understanding of the pathogenesis and development of ALS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jun Choi
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Korea
| | - Ji Young Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
| | - Kiyoung Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea.
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8
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Ding Y, Zheng D, Xie L, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Wang L, Hu ZW, Yang Z. Enzyme-Instructed Peptide Assembly Favored by Preorganization for Cancer Cell Membrane Engineering. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4366-4371. [PMID: 36669158 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Innovative methods for engineering cancer cell membranes promise to manipulate cell-cell interactions and boost cell-based cancer therapeutics. Here, we illustrate an in situ approach to selectively modify cancer cell membranes by employing an enzyme-instructed peptide self-assembly (EISA) strategy. Using three phosphopeptides (pY1, pY2, and pY3) targeting the membrane-bound epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and differing in just one phosphorylated tyrosine, we reveal that site-specific phosphorylation patterns in pY1, pY2, and pY3 can distinctly command their preorganization levels, self-assembling kinetics, and spatial distributions of the resultant peptide assemblies in cellulo. Overall, pY1 is the most capable of producing preorganized assemblies and shows the fastest dephosphorylation reaction in the presence of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as the highest binding affinity for EGFR after dephosphorylation. Consequently, pY1 exhibits the greatest capacity to construct stable peptide assemblies on cancer cell membranes with the assistance of both ALP and EGFR. We further use peptide-protein and peptide-peptide co-assembly strategies to apply two types of antigens, namely ovalbumin (OVA) protein and dinitrophenyl (DNP) hapten respectively, on cancer cell membranes. This study demonstrates a very useful technique for the in situ construction of membrane-bound peptide assemblies around cancer cells and implies a versatile strategy to artificially enrich cancer cell membrane components for potential cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghao Ding
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Debin Zheng
- Medical Innovation Research Department, General Hospital of PLA, No. 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Limin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhenghao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Wen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Zhimou Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
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9
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Vugmeyster L, Au DF, Smith MC, Ostrovsky D. Comparative Hydrophobic Core Dynamics Between Wild-Type Amyloid-β Fibrils, Glutamate-3 Truncation, and Serine-8 Phosphorylation. Chemphyschem 2022; 23:e202100709. [PMID: 34837296 PMCID: PMC9484291 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of amyloid-β (Aβ) species are implicated in the modulation of overall toxicities and aggregation propensities. We investigated the internal dynamics in the hydrophobic core of the truncated ΔE3 mutant fibrils of Aβ1-40 and compared them with prior and new data for wild-type fibrils as well as with phosphorylated S8 fibrils. Deuteron static solid-state NMR techniques, spanning line-shape analysis, longitudinal relaxation, and chemical exchange saturation transfer methods, were employed to assess the rotameric jumps of several methyl-bearing and aromatic groups in the core of the fibrils. Taken together, the results indicate the rather significant influence of the PTMs on the hydrophobic core dynamics, which propagates far beyond the local site of the chemical modification. The phosphorylated S8 fibrils display an overall rigidifying of the core based on the higher activation barriers of motions than the wild-type fibrils, whereas the ΔE3 fibrils induce a broader variety of changes, some of which are thermodynamic in nature rather than the kinetic ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Dan Fai Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Matthew C. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO USA 80204
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10
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Luo YY, Wu JJ, Li YM. Regulation of liquid-liquid phase separation with focus on post-translational modifications. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:13275-13287. [PMID: 34816836 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05266g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a type of phase transition that is important in organisms, is a unique means of forming biomolecular condensates. LLPS plays a significant role in transcription, genome organisation, immune response and cell signaling, and its dysregulation may cause neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. Exploring the regulatory mechanism of LLPS contributes to the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of abnormal phase transition and enables potential therapeutic targets to be proposed. Many factors have been found to regulate LLPS, of which post-translational modification (PTM) is among the most important. PTMs can change the structure, charge, hydrophobicity and other properties of the proteins involved in phase separation and thereby affect the phase transition behaviour. In this review, we discuss LLPS and the regulatory effects of PTMs, RNA and molecular chaperones in a phase separation system. We introduce several common PTMs (including phosphorylation, arginine methylation, arginine citrullination, acetylation, ubiquitination and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation), highlight recent advances regarding their roles in LLPS and describe the regulatory mechanisms behind these features. This review provides a detailed overview of the field that will help further the understanding of and interventions in LLPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Yi Luo
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China.
| | - Jun-Jun Wu
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China. .,Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100069, P. R. China.,Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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11
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Liu D, Wei Q, Xia W, He C, Zhang Q, Huang L, Wang X, Sun Y, Ma Y, Zhang X, Wang Y, Shi X, Liu C, Dong S. O-Glycosylation Induces Amyloid-β To Form New Fibril Polymorphs Vulnerable for Degradation. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:20216-20223. [PMID: 34841862 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides (resulting from a disrupted balance between biosynthesis and clearance) occurs during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ peptides have diverse posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that variously modulate Aβ aggregation into fibrils, but understanding the mechanistic roles of PTMs in these processes remains a challenge. Here, we chemically synthesized three homogeneously modified isoforms of Aβ (1-42) peptides bearing Tyr10 O-glycosylation, an unusual PTM initially identified from the cerebrospinal fluid samples of AD patients. We discovered that O-glycans significantly affect both the aggregation and degradation of Aβ42. By combining cryo-EM and various biochemical assays, we demonstrate that a Galβ1-3GalNAc modification redirects Aβ42 to form a new fibril polymorphic structure that is less stable and more vulnerable to Aβ-degrading enzymes (e.g., insulin-degrading enzyme). Thus, beyond showing how particular O-glycosylation modifications affect Aβ42 aggregation at the molecular level, our study provides powerful experimental tools to support further investigations about how PTMs affect Aβ42 fibril aggregation and AD-related neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dangliang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qijia Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wencheng Xia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Changdong He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qikai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaoya Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yunpeng Sun
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Yeyang Ma
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaomeng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Cong Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100149, China
| | - Suwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.,Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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12
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Vemulapalli SB, Becker S, Griesinger C, Rezaei-Ghaleh N. Combined High-Pressure and Multiquantum NMR and Molecular Simulation Propose a Role for N-Terminal Salt Bridges in Amyloid-Beta. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:9933-9939. [PMID: 34617758 PMCID: PMC8521524 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence point to the important role of the N-terminal region of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide in its toxic aggregation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is known that charge-altering modifications such as Ser8 phosphorylation promote Aβ fibrillar aggregation. In this Letter, we combine high-pressure NMR, multiquantum chemical exchange saturation transfer (MQ-CEST) NMR, and microseconds-long molecular dynamics simulation and provide evidence of the presence of several salt bridges between Arg5 and its nearby negatively charged residues, in particular, Asp7 and Glu3. The presence of these salt bridges is correlated with less extended structures in the N-terminal region of Aβ. Through density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate how the introduction of negatively charged phosphoserine 8 influences the network of adjacent salt bridges in Aβ and favors more extended N-terminal structures. Our data propose a structural mechanism for the Ser8-phosphorylation-promoted Aβ aggregation and define the N-terminal salt bridges as potential targets for anti-AD drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahithya
Phani Babu Vemulapalli
- Department
of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck
Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany
- Institute
for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg 26129, Germany
| | - Stefan Becker
- Department
of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck
Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Christian Griesinger
- Department
of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck
Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Nasrollah Rezaei-Ghaleh
- Department
of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck
Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen 37077, Germany
- Department
of Neurology, University Medical Center
Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
- Institute
for Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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13
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Hu ZW, Cruceta L, Zhang S, Sun Y, Qiang W. Cross-Seeded Fibrillation Induced by Pyroglutamate-3 and Truncated Aβ 40 Variants Leads to Aβ 40 Structural Polymorphism Modulation and Elevated Toxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3625-3637. [PMID: 34524791 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathological amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients contain not only the wild-type β-amyloid (wt-Aβ) peptide sequences but also a variety of post-translationally modified variants. The pyroglutamate-3 Aβ (pyroE3-Aβ), which is generated from its truncated precursors ΔE3-Aβ, shows the highest abundance among all modified Aβ variants. Previous works have shown that pyroE3-Aβ and/or ΔE3-Aβ, compared with the wild-type sequences, led to a more rapid fibrillation process and final fibrils with higher neuronal cytotoxicity levels. However, much less is known about how the formation of pyroE3/ΔE3-Aβ fibrils would affect the amyloid deposition of wt-Aβ peptides, which are the main pathological events in AD. We show in the present work that the pyroE3/ΔE3-Aβ40 fibrils differ significantly from the wt-Aβ40 fibrils in terms of their molecular structures. When added into monomeric wt-Aβ40 peptides, these variant fibrils can cross-seed the formation of wt-Aβ40 fibrils with fibrillation kinetics that are greater than the self-seeded fibrillation of wt-Aβ40. Furthermore, the cross-seeding process modulates the molecular structures of the yielded wt-Aβ40 fibrils, which show similar features as their variant seeds. The cross-seeded fibrillation process also induces higher cytotoxicity levels compared with the self-seeded fibrillation of wt-Aβ40. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that pyroE3 and ΔE3-Aβ40 variants may serve as triggering factors of the pathological amyloid aggregation of wt-Aβ40 and may underlie the pathological significance of pyroE3/ΔE3-Aβ40 variants on the structural polymorphism of Aβ deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wen Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P. R. China
| | - Letticia Cruceta
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Shiyue Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Yan Sun
- Small Scale Systems Integration and Package (S3IP) Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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14
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Joshi P, Riffel F, Satoh K, Enomoto M, Qamar S, Scheiblich H, Villacampa N, Kumar S, Theil S, Parhizkar S, Haass C, Heneka MT, Fraser PE, St George-Hyslop P, Walter J. Differential interaction with TREM2 modulates microglial uptake of modified Aβ species. Glia 2021; 69:2917-2932. [PMID: 34427354 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rare coding variants of the microglial triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) confer an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) characterized by the progressive accumulation of aggregated forms of amyloid β peptides (Aβ). Aβ peptides are generated by proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Heterogeneity in proteolytic cleavages and additional post-translational modifications result in the production of several distinct Aβ variants that could differ in their aggregation behavior and toxic properties. Here, we sought to assess whether post-translational modifications of Aβ affect the interaction with TREM2. Biophysical and biochemical methods revealed that TREM2 preferentially interacts with oligomeric Aβ, and that phosphorylation of Aβ increases this interaction. Phosphorylation of Aβ also affected the TREM2 dependent interaction and phagocytosis by primary microglia and in APP transgenic mouse models. Thus, TREM2 function is important for sensing phosphorylated Aβ variants in distinct aggregation states and reduces the accumulation and deposition of these toxic Aβ species in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Joshi
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Florian Riffel
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kanayo Satoh
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Medicine (Neurology), Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masahiro Enomoto
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Seema Qamar
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah Scheiblich
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Neuroinflammation Unit, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e. V. (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Nàdia Villacampa
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Neuroinflammation Unit, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e. V. (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Theil
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Samira Parhizkar
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Haass
- Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.,Molecular Neurodegeneration Unit, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e.V. (DZNE) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Gerontopsychiatry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Neuroinflammation Unit, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e. V. (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Paul E Fraser
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Medicine (Neurology), Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter St George-Hyslop
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Medicine (Neurology), Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jochen Walter
- Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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15
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Li G, Zhou Y, Yang WY, Zhang C, Hong L, Jia L. Inhibitory Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides from the Sea Cucumber Cucumaria Frondosa against Aβ40 Aggregation and Cytotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1854-1859. [PMID: 33999600 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal aggregation and deposition of Aβ is one of the causative agents for Alzheimer's disease. The development of inhibitors for Aβ aggregation has been considered a possible method to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. Edible sea cucumbers contain many bioactive molecules, including saponins, phospholipids, peptides, and polysaccharides. Herein, we report that polysaccharides extracted from sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa could reduce the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ40. By utilizing multiple biochemical and biophysical instruments, we found that the polysaccharides could inhibit the aggregation of Aβ40. A chemical kinetics analysis further suggested that the major inhibitory effects of the polysaccharides were achieved by disassembling mature fibrils, which in turn reduced the cytotoxicity of Aβ. These results suggested that the polysaccharides extracted from sea cucumber could be used as an effective inhibitor for Aβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao Li
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Wu-Yue Yang
- Yau Mathematical Sciences Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
| | - Liu Hong
- School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Lee Jia
- Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
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16
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Hu ZW, Au DF, Cruceta L, Vugmeyster L, Qiang W. N-Terminal Modified Aβ Variants Enable Modulations to the Structures and Cytotoxicity Levels of Wild-Type Aβ Fibrils through Cross-Seeding. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:2058-2065. [PMID: 32603584 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides are considered as triggering factors in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. However, studies to show the influence of pre-existing PTM-Aβ fibrils on wild-type Aβ peptides, which directly mimic the triggering scenarios, are rare. Here we show that three types of pathologically relevant PTM-Aβ variants with modifications in a particular segment (from D7 to V12) of the primary sequence lead to distinct impacts on the fibrillization of wild-type Aβ peptides. In general, the triggering effects are observed through cross-seeding between the PTM-Aβ seeds and wild-type peptides, which consequently induce modulations in the resultant wild-type fibril structures and elevations in the fibrillar cytotoxicity levels. Modifications with a similar chemical nature, such as the S8-phosphorylation and Y10-nitration, both of which introduce additional side-chain negative charges, show comparable structural-modulation and cytotoxicity-elevation effects. The results imply the biological influences of PTM-Aβ variants on the formation of amyloid deposits through cross-seeded fibrillization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wen Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Dan Fai Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Letticia Cruceta
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
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17
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Vugmeyster L, Au DF, Ostrovsky D, Rickertsen DRL, Reed SM. Dynamics of Serine-8 Side-Chain in Amyloid-β Fibrils and Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl Serine Amino Acid, Investigated by Solid-State Deuteron NMR. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:4723-4731. [PMID: 32396356 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c02490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Serine side-chains are strategic sites of post-translational modifications, and it is important to establish benchmarks of their internal dynamics. In this work, we compare the dynamics of serine side-chains in several biologically important systems: serine-8 in the disordered domain of Aβ1-40 fibrils in the hydrated and dry states and fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) serine with the bulky group that mimics the hydrophobicity of the fibril contacts yet lacks the complexity of the protein system. Using deuterium solid-state NMR static line shape and longitudinal relaxation techniques in the 310 to 180 K temperature range, we compare the main features of the dynamics in these systems. The main motional modes in the fibrils are large-scale fluctuations in the hydrated state of the fibrils as well as local motions such as 3-site jumps of the Cβ deuterons at high temperatures and small-angle fluctuations of the Cα-Cβ axis at low temperatures. In the hydrated fibrils, two distinct states are present with vastly different extents of large-scale diffusive motions and 3-site-jump rate constants. The hydrated state at the physiological conditions is dominated by the "free" state undergoing large-scale diffusive motions and very fast local 3-site jumps, while in the "bound" state, these large-scale motions are quenched due to transient inter- and intramolecular interactions. Additionally, in the bound state, the 3-site-jump motions are orders of magnitude slower. Details of the dynamics in the serine side-chain are dependent on fine structural features and hydration levels of the systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Dan Fai Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | | | - Scott M Reed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
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18
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Li G, Yang W, Li W, Luo Y, Lim Y, Li Y, Paul A, Segal D, Hong L, Li Y. Rational Design of a Cocktail of Inhibitors against Aβ Aggregation. Chemistry 2020; 26:3499-3503. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201905621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education)Department of ChemistryTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
- Institute of OceanographyMinjiang University 350108 Fuzhou P. R. China
| | - Wu‐Yue Yang
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied MathematicsTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
| | - Wen‐Hao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education)Department of ChemistryTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
| | - Yun‐Yi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education)Department of ChemistryTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
| | - Yeh‐Jun Lim
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education)Department of ChemistryTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
| | - Yang Li
- Institute for Science and TechnologyShandong University of, Traditional Chinese Medicine 250355 Jinan P. R. China
| | - Ashim Paul
- School of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologyTel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Daniel Segal
- School of Molecular Microbiology & BiotechnologyTel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
- Sagol Interdisciplinary School of NeurosciencesTel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Liu Hong
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied MathematicsTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
| | - Yan‐Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education)Department of ChemistryTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders 100069 Beijing P. R. China
- Center for Synthetic and Systems BiologyTsinghua University 100084 Beijing P. R. China
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19
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Vugmeyster L, Au DF, Ostrovsky D, Kierl B, Fu R, Hu ZW, Qiang W. Effect of Post-Translational Modifications and Mutations on Amyloid-β Fibrils Dynamics at N Terminus. Biophys J 2019; 117:1524-1535. [PMID: 31570231 PMCID: PMC6817547 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigate the variability in the dynamics of the disordered N-terminal domain of amyloid-β fibrils (Aβ), comprising residues 1-16 of Aβ1-40, due to post-translational modifications and mutations in the β-bend regions known to modulate aggregation properties. Using 2H static solid-state NMR approaches, we compare the dynamics in the wild-type Aβ fibrils in the threefold symmetric polymorph with the fibrils from three post-translational modification sequences: isoaspartate-D7, the phosphorylation of S8, and an N-terminal truncation ΔE3. Additional comparisons are made with the mutants in the β-bend region (residues 21-23) corresponding to the familial Osaka E22Δ deletion and D23N Iowa mutation. We also include the aggregates induced by Zn2+ ions. The dynamics are probed at the F4 and G9 positions. The main motional model involves two free states undergoing diffusion and conformational exchanges with the bound state in which the diffusion is quenched because of transient interactions involving fibril core and other intrastrand contacts. The fraction of the bound state increases in a sigmoidal fashion with a decrease in temperature. There is clear variability in the dynamics: the phosphorylation of S8 variant is the most rigid at the G9 site in line with structural studies, the ΔE3 fibrils are more flexible at the G9 site in line with the morphological fragmentation pattern, the Zn-induced aggregates are the most mobile, and the two β-bend mutants have the strongest changes at the F4 site toward higher rigidity. Overall, the changes underlie the potential role of conformational ensembles in setting the stage for aggregation-prone states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado.
| | - Dan F Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
| | - Brian Kierl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Field Magnetic Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Zhi-Wen Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
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20
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Vugmeyster L, Au DF, Ostrovsky D, Fu R. Deuteron Solid-State NMR Relaxation Measurements Reveal Two Distinct Conformational Exchange Processes in the Disordered N-Terminal Domain of Amyloid-β Fibrils. Chemphyschem 2019; 20:1680-1689. [PMID: 31087613 PMCID: PMC6663588 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We employed deuterium solid-state NMR techniques under static conditions to discern the details of the μs-ms timescale motions in the flexible N-terminal subdomain of Aβ1-40 amyloid fibrils, which spans residues 1-16. In particular, we utilized a rotating frame (R1ρ ) and the newly developed time domain quadrupolar Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG) relaxation measurements at the selectively deuterated side chains of A2, H6, and G9. The two experiments are complementary in terms of probing somewhat different timescales of motions, governed by the tensor parameters and the sampling window of the magnetization decay curves. The results indicated two mobile "free" states of the N-terminal domain undergoing global diffusive motions, with isotropic diffusion coefficients of 0.7-1 ⋅ 108 and 0.3-3 ⋅ 106 ad2 s-1 . The free states are also involved in the conformational exchange with a single bound state, in which the diffusive motions are quenched, likely due to transient interactions with the structured hydrophobic core. The conformational exchange rate constants are 2-3 ⋅ 105 s-1 and 2-3 ⋅ 104 s-1 for the fast and slow diffusion free states, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO, USA, 80204
| | - Dan Fai Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO, USA, 80204
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver CO, USA, 80204
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Field Magnetic Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, 32310
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21
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Hu ZW, Vugmeyster L, Au DF, Ostrovsky D, Sun Y, Qiang W. Molecular structure of an N-terminal phosphorylated β-amyloid fibril. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:11253-11258. [PMID: 31097588 PMCID: PMC6561245 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818530116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural polymorphism in β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques from Alzheimer disease (AD) has been recognized as an important pathological factor. Plaques from sporadic AD patients contain fibrillar deposits of various amyloid proteins/peptides, including posttranslational modified Aβ (PTM-Aβ) subtypes. Although many PTM-Aβs were shown to accelerate the fibrillation process, increase neuronal cytotoxicity of aggregates, or enhance the stability of fibrils, the contribution of PTM-Aβs to structural polymorphisms and their pathological roles remains unclear. We report here the NMR-based structure for the Ser-8-phosphorylated 40-residue Aβ (pS8-Aβ40) fibrils, which shows significant difference to the wild-type fibrils, with higher cross-seeding efficiency and thermodynamic stability. Given these physicochemical properties, the structures originated from pS8-Aβ40 fibrils may potentially dominate the polymorphisms in the mixture of wild-type and phosphorylated Aβ deposits. Our results imply that Aβ subtypes with "seeding-prone" properties may influence the polymorphisms of amyloid plaques through the cross-seeding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wen Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902
| | - Liliya Vugmeyster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80204;
| | - Dan Fai Au
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80204
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO 80204
| | - Yan Sun
- Health Science Core Facility, Small Scale System Integration and Packaging Center, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902
| | - Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902;
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22
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Au DF, Ostrovsky D, Fu R, Vugmeyster L. Solid-state NMR reveals a comprehensive view of the dynamics of the flexible, disordered N-terminal domain of amyloid-β fibrils. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5840-5853. [PMID: 30737281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibril deposits observed in Alzheimer's disease comprise amyloid-β (Aβ) protein possessing a structured hydrophobic core and a disordered N-terminal domain (residues 1-16). The internal flexibility of the disordered domain is likely essential for Aβ aggregation. Here, we used 2H static solid-state NMR methods to probe the dynamics of selected side chains of the N-terminal domain of Aβ1-40 fibrils. Line shape and relaxation data suggested a two-state model in which the domain's free state undergoes a diffusive motion that is quenched in the bound state, likely because of transient interactions with the structured C-terminal domain. At 37 °C, we observed freezing of the dynamics progressively along the Aβ sequence, with the fraction of the bound state increasing and the rate of diffusion decreasing. We also found that without solvation, the diffusive motion is quenched. The solvent acted as a plasticizer reminiscent of its role in the onset of global dynamics in globular proteins. As the temperature was lowered, the fraction of the bound state exhibited sigmoidal behavior. The midpoint of the freezing curve coincided with the bulk solvent freezing for the N-terminal residues and increased further along the sequence. Using 2H R 1ρ measurements, we determined the conformational exchange rate constant between the free and bound states under physiological conditions. Zinc-induced aggregation leads to the enhancement of the dynamics, manifested by the faster conformational exchange, faster diffusion, and lower freezing-curve midpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Fai Au
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado 80204
| | - Dmitry Ostrovsky
- Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado 80204
| | - Riqiang Fu
- National High Field Magnetic Laboratory, Tallahassee, Florida 32310
| | - Liliya Vugmeyster
- From the Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado 80204.
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23
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Li G, Yang WY, Zhao YF, Chen YX, Hong L, Li YM. Differential Modulation of the Aggregation of N-Terminal Truncated Aβ using Cucurbiturils. Chemistry 2018; 24:13647-13653. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
| | - Wu-Yue Yang
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics; Department of, Mathematical Sciences; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
| | - Yu-Fen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
| | - Yong-Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
| | - Liu Hong
- Zhou Pei-Yuan Center for Applied Mathematics; Department of, Mathematical Sciences; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry; Tsinghua University; 100084 Beijing China
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; 100069 Beijing China
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24
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Li QQ, Chen PG, Hu ZW, Cao Y, Chen LX, Chen YX, Zhao YF, Li YM. Selective inhibition of cancer cells by enzyme-induced gain of function of phosphorylated melittin analogues. Chem Sci 2017; 8:7675-7681. [PMID: 29568430 PMCID: PMC5849211 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03217j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The selective killing of cancer cells and the avoidance of drug resistance are still difficult challenges in cancer therapy. Here, we report a new strategy that uses enzyme-induced gain of function (EIGF) to regulate the structure and function of phosphorylated melittin analogues (MelAs). Original MelAs have the capacity to disrupt plasma membranes and induce cell death without selectivity. However, phosphorylation of Thr23 on one of the MelAs (MelA2-P) efficiently ameliorated the membrane lysis potency as well as the cytotoxicity for normal mammalian cells. After treatment with alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is more active in cancer cells than normal cells, MelA2-P restored the pore-forming function around the cancer cells and induced cancer cell death selectively. This mechanism was independent of the receptor proteins and the cell uptake process, which may partially bypass the development of drug resistance in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Li
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Pu-Guang Chen
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Zhi-Wen Hu
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Yuan Cao
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Liang-Xiao Chen
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Yong-Xiang Chen
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Yu-Fen Zhao
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
| | - Yan-Mei Li
- Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry & Chemical Biology , Department of Chemistry , Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P. R. China . ; ; Tel: +86-10-62796197
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders , Beijing 100069 , P. R. China
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Söldner CA, Sticht H, Horn AHC. Role of the N-terminus for the stability of an amyloid-β fibril with three-fold symmetry. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186347. [PMID: 29023579 PMCID: PMC5638522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A key player in Alzheimer’s disease is the peptide amyloid-beta (Aβ), whose aggregation into small soluble oligomers, protofilaments, and fibrils finally leads to plaque deposits in human brains. The aggregation behavior of Aβ is strongly modulated by the nature and composition of the peptide’s environment and by its primary sequence properties. The N-terminal residues of Aβ play an important role, because they are known to change the peptide’s aggregation propensity. Since these residues are for the first time completely resolved at the molecular level in a three-fold symmetric fibril structure derived from a patient, we chose that system as template for a systematic investigation of the influence of the N-terminus upon structural stability. Using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we examined several fibrillar systems comprising three, six, twelve and an infinite number of layers, both with and without the first eight residues. First, we found that three layers are not sufficient to stabilize the respective Aβ topology. Second, we observed a clear stabilizing effect of the N-terminal residues upon the overall fibril fold: truncated Aβ systems were less stable than their full-length counterparts. The N-terminal residues Arg5, Asp7, and Ser8 were found to form important interfilament contacts stabilizing the overall fibril structure of three-fold symmetry. Finally, similar structural rearrangements of the truncated Aβ species in different simulations prompted us to suggest a potential mechanism involved in the formation of amyloid fibrils with three-fold symmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Söldner
- Bioinformatik, Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Centrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Bioinformatik, Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Centrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anselm H. C. Horn
- Bioinformatik, Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Centrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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