Characterization of a trap mutant of the AAA+ chaperone ClpB

Role of a substrate binding pocket in the amino terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis caseinolytic protease B (ClpB) in its function

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis when infects the host encounters several stresses within the host, resulting in aggregation of its proteins. To resolve this problem Mtb uses chaperones to either repair the damage or degrade the aggregated proteins. Mtb caseinolytic protein B (ClpB) helps in the prevention of aggregation and also resolubilization of aggregated proteins in bacteria, which is important for the survival of Mtb in the host. To function optimally, ClpB associates with its co-partners DnaK, DnaJ, and GrpE. The role of N-terminal domain (NTD) of Mtb ClpB in its function is not well understood. In this context, we investigated the interaction of three substrate mimicking peptides with the NTD of Mtb ClpB in silico. A substrate binding pocket, within the NTD of ClpB comprising of residues L136, R137, E138, K142, R144, R148, V149, Y158, and Y162 forming an ɑ-helix was thus identified. The residues L136 and R137 of the ɑ-helix were found to be important for the interaction of DnaK to ClpB. Further, nine single alanine recombinant variants of the identified residues were generated. As compared to the wild-type Mtb ClpB all the Mtb ClpB variants generated in this study were found to have reduced ATPase and protein refolding activity indicating the importance of the substrate binding pocket in ClpB function. The study demonstrates that the NTD of Mtb ClpB is important for its substrate interaction activity, and the substrate binding pocket identified in this study plays a crucial role in this interaction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Single-molecule FRET probes allosteric effects on protein-translocating pore loops of a AAA+ machine

AAA+ proteins (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) comprise a family of powerful ring-shaped ATP-dependent translocases that carry out numerous vital substrate-remodeling functions. ClpB is a AAA+ protein disaggregation machine that forms a two-tiered hexameric ring, with flexible pore loops protruding into its center and binding to substrate proteins. It remains unknown whether these pore loops contribute only passively to substrate-protein threading or have a more active role. Recently, we have applied single-molecule FRET spectroscopy to directly measure the dynamics of substrate-binding pore loops in ClpB. We have reported that the three pore loops of ClpB (PL1-3) undergo large-scale fluctuations on the microsecond timescale that are likely to be mechanistically important for disaggregation. Here, using single-molecule FRET, we study the allosteric coupling between the pore loops and the two nucleotide-binding domains of ClpB (NBD1-2). By mutating the conserved Walker B motifs within the NBDs to abolish ATP hydrolysis, we demonstrate how the nucleotide state of each NBD tunes pore-loop dynamics. This effect is surprisingly long-ranged; in particular, PL2 and PL3 respond differentially to a Walker B mutation in either NBD1 or NBD2, as well as to mutations in both. We characterize the conformational dynamics of pore loops and the allosteric paths connecting NBDs to pore loops by molecular dynamics simulations and find that both principal motions and allosteric paths can be altered by changing the ATPase state of ClpB. Remarkably, PL3, which is highly conserved in AAA+ machines, is found to favor an upward conformation when only NBD1 undergoes ATP hydrolysis but a downward conformation when NBD2 is active. These results explicitly demonstrate a significant long-range allosteric effect of ATP hydrolysis sites on pore-loop dynamics. Pore loops are therefore established as active participants that undergo ATP-dependent conformational changes to translocate substrate proteins through the central pores of AAA+ machines.

Structure of the peroxisomal Pex1/Pex6 ATPase complex bound to a substrate

The double-ring AAA+ ATPase Pex1/Pex6 is required for peroxisomal receptor recycling and is essential for peroxisome formation. Pex1/Pex6 mutations cause severe peroxisome associated developmental disorders. Despite its pathophysiological importance, mechanistic details of the heterohexamer are not yet available. Here, we report cryoEM structures of Pex1/Pex6 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with an endogenous protein substrate trapped in the central pore of the catalytically active second ring (D2). Pairs of Pex1/Pex6(D2) subdomains engage the substrate via a staircase of pore-1 loops with distinct properties. The first ring (D1) is catalytically inactive but undergoes significant conformational changes resulting in alternate widening and narrowing of its pore. These events are fueled by ATP hydrolysis in the D2 ring and disengagement of a "twin-seam" Pex1/Pex6(D2) heterodimer from the staircase. Mechanical forces are propagated in a unique manner along Pex1/Pex6 interfaces that are not available in homo-oligomeric AAA-ATPases. Our structural analysis reveals the mechanisms of how Pex1 and Pex6 coordinate to achieve substrate translocation.

Interactome Analysis Identifies MSMEI_3879 as a Substrate of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis ClpC1

The prevalence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections has prompted extensive efforts to exploit new drug targets in this globally important pathogen. ClpC1, the unfoldase component of the essential ClpC1P1P2 protease, has emerged as one particularly promising antibacterial target. However, efforts to identify and characterize compounds that impinge on ClpC1 activity are constrained by our limited knowledge of Clp protease function and regulation. To expand our understanding of ClpC1 physiology, we employed a coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry workflow to identify proteins that interact with ClpC1 in Mycolicibacterium smegmatis, a surrogate for M. tuberculosis. We identify a diverse panel of interaction partners, many of which coimmunoprecipitate with both the regulatory N-terminal domain and the ATPase core of ClpC1. Notably, our interactome analysis establishes MSMEI_3879, a truncated gene product unique to M. smegmatis, as a novel proteolytic substrate. Degradation of MSMEI_3879 by ClpC1P1P2 in vitro requires exposure of its N-terminal sequence, reinforcing the idea that ClpC1 selectively recognizes disordered motifs on substrates. Fluorescent substrates incorporating MSMEI_3879 may be useful in screening for novel ClpC1-targeting antibiotics to help address the challenge of M. tuberculosis drug resistance. IMPORTANCE Drug-resistant tuberculosis infections are a major challenge to global public health. Much effort has been invested in identifying new drug targets in the causative pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One such target is the ClpC1 unfoldase. Compounds have been identified that kill M. tuberculosis by disrupting ClpC1 activity, yet the physiological function of ClpC1 in cells has remained poorly defined. Here, we identify interaction partners of ClpC1 in a model mycobacterium. By building a broader understanding of the role of this prospective drug target, we can more effectively develop compounds that inhibit its essential cellular activities.

HSF1 and Its Role in Huntington's Disease Pathology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is the master transcriptional regulator of the heat shock response (HSR) in mammalian cells and is a critical element in maintaining protein homeostasis. HSF1 functions at the center of many physiological processes like embryogenesis, metabolism, immune response, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms that allow HSF1 to control these different biological and pathophysiological processes are not fully understood. This review focuses on Huntington's disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by severe protein aggregation of the huntingtin (HTT) protein. The aggregation of HTT, in turn, leads to a halt in the function of HSF1. Understanding the pathways that regulate HSF1 in different contexts like HD may hold the key to understanding the pathomechanisms underlying other proteinopathies. We provide the most current information on HSF1 structure, function, and regulation, emphasizing HD, and discussing its potential as a biological target for therapy.

DATA SOURCES

We performed PubMed search to find established and recent reports in HSF1, heat shock proteins (Hsp), HD, Hsp inhibitors, HSF1 activators, and HSF1 in aging, inflammation, cancer, brain development, mitochondria, synaptic plasticity, polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, and HD.

STUDY SELECTIONS

Research and review articles that described the mechanisms of action of HSF1 were selected based on terms used in PubMed search.

RESULTS

HSF1 plays a crucial role in the progression of HD and other protein-misfolding related neurodegenerative diseases. Different animal models of HD, as well as postmortem brains of patients with HD, reveal a connection between the levels of HSF1 and HSF1 dysfunction to mutant HTT (mHTT)-induced toxicity and protein aggregation, dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruption of the structural and functional integrity of synaptic connections, which eventually leads to neuronal loss. These features are shared with other neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Currently, several inhibitors against negative regulators of HSF1, as well as HSF1 activators, are developed and hold promise to prevent neurodegeneration in HD and other NDs.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the role of HSF1 during protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in HD may help to develop therapeutic strategies that could be effective across different NDs.

Dissection of Functional Domains of Orc1-2, the Archaeal Global DNA Damage-Responsive Regulator

Orc1-2 is a non-initiator ortholog of archaeal/eukaryotic Orc1 proteins, which functions as a global regulator in DNA damage-responsive (DDR) expression. As for Orc1 initiators, the DDR regulator harbors an AAA+ ATPase domain, an Initiator-Specific Motif (ISM) and a winged-helix (wH) DNA-binding domain, which are also organized in a similar fashion. To investigate how Orc1-2 mediates the DDR regulation, the orc1-2 mutants inactivating each of these functional domains were constructed with Saccharolobus islandicus and genetically characterized. We found that disruption of each functional domain completely abolished the DDR regulation in these orc1-2 mutants. Strikingly, inactivation of ATP hydrolysis of Orc1-2 rendered an inviable mutant. However, the cell lethality can be suppressed by the deficiency of the DNA binding in the same protein, and it occurs independent of any DNA damage signal. Mutant Orc1-2 proteins were then obtained and investigated for DNA-binding in vitro. This revealed that both the AAA+ ATPase and the wH domains are involved in DNA-binding, where ISM and R381R383 in wH are responsible for specific DNA binding. We further show that Orc1-2 regulation occurs in two distinct steps: (a) eliciting cell division inhibition at a low Orc1-2 content, and this regulation is switched on by ATP binding and turned off by ATP hydrolysis; any failure in turning off the regulation leads to growth inhibition and cell death; (b) activation of the expression of DDR gene encoding DNA repair proteins at an elevated level of Orc1-2.

Elucidation of the interaction proteome of mitochondrial chaperone Hsp78 highlights its role in protein aggregation during heat stress

Chaperones of the Hsp100/Clp family represent major components of protein homeostasis, conferring maintenance of protein activity under stress. The ClpB-type members of the family, present in bacteria, fungi, and plants, are able to resolubilize aggregated proteins. The mitochondrial member of the ClpB family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is Hsp78. Although Hsp78 has been shown to contribute to proteostasis in elevated temperatures, the biochemical mechanisms underlying this mitochondria-specific thermotolerance are still largely unclear. To identify endogenous chaperone substrate proteins, here, we generated an Hsp78-ATPase mutant with stabilized substrate-binding behavior. We used two stable isotope labeling–based quantitative mass spectrometry approaches to analyze the role of Hsp78 during heat stress–induced mitochondrial protein aggregation and disaggregation on a proteomic level. We first identified the endogenous substrate spectrum of the Hsp78 chaperone, comprising a wide variety of proteins related to metabolic functions including energy production and protein synthesis, as well as other chaperones, indicating its crucial functions in mitochondrial stress resistance. We then compared these interaction data with aggregation and disaggregation processes in mitochondria under heat stress, which revealed specific aggregation-prone protein populations and demonstrated the direct quantitative impact of Hsp78 on stress-dependent protein solubility under different conditions. We conclude that Hsp78, together with its cofactors, represents a recovery system that protects major mitochondrial metabolic functions during heat stress as well as restores protein biogenesis capacity after the return to normal conditions.

Insights into the Structure and Function of the Pex1/Pex6 AAA-ATPase in Peroxisome Homeostasis

The AAA-ATPases Pex1 and Pex6 are required for the formation and maintenance of peroxisomes, membrane-bound organelles that harbor enzymes for specialized metabolism. Together, Pex1 and Pex6 form a heterohexameric AAA-ATPase capable of unfolding substrate proteins via processive threading through a central pore. Here, we review the proposed roles for Pex1/Pex6 in peroxisome biogenesis and degradation, discussing how the unfolding of potential substrates contributes to peroxisome homeostasis. We also consider how advances in cryo-EM, computational structure prediction, and mechanisms of related ATPases are improving our understanding of how Pex1/Pex6 converts ATP hydrolysis into mechanical force. Since mutations in PEX1 and PEX6 cause the majority of known cases of peroxisome biogenesis disorders such as Zellweger syndrome, insights into Pex1/Pex6 structure and function are important for understanding peroxisomes in human health and disease.

Exploring the Effect of Mechanical Anisotropy of Protein Structures in the Unfoldase Mechanism of AAA+ Molecular Machines

Essential cellular processes of microtubule disassembly and protein degradation, which span lengths from tens of μm to nm, are mediated by specialized molecular machines with similar hexameric structure and function. Our molecular simulations at atomistic and coarse-grained scales show that both the microtubule-severing protein spastin and the caseinolytic protease ClpY, accomplish spectacular unfolding of their diverse substrates, a microtubule lattice and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), by taking advantage of mechanical anisotropy in these proteins. Unfolding of wild-type DHFR requires disruption of mechanically strong β-sheet interfaces near each terminal, which yields branched pathways associated with unzipping along soft directions and shearing along strong directions. By contrast, unfolding of circular permutant DHFR variants involves single pathways due to softer mechanical interfaces near terminals, but translocation hindrance can arise from mechanical resistance of partially unfolded intermediates stabilized by β-sheets. For spastin, optimal severing action initiated by pulling on a tubulin subunit is achieved through specific orientation of the machine versus the substrate (microtubule lattice). Moreover, changes in the strength of the interactions between spastin and a microtubule filament, which can be driven by the tubulin code, lead to drastically different outcomes for the integrity of the hexameric structure of the machine.

Chaperones directly and efficiently disperse stress-triggered biomolecular condensates

Stresses such as heat shock trigger the formation of protein aggregates and the induction of a disaggregation system composed of molecular chaperones. Recent work reveals that several cases of apparent heat-induced aggregation, long thought to be the result of toxic misfolding, instead reflect evolved, adaptive biomolecular condensation, with chaperone activity contributing to condensate regulation. Here we show that the yeast disaggregation system directly disperses heat-induced biomolecular condensates of endogenous poly(A)-binding protein (Pab1) orders of magnitude more rapidly than aggregates of the most commonly used misfolded model substrate, firefly luciferase. Beyond its efficiency, heat-induced condensate dispersal differs from heat-induced aggregate dispersal in its molecular requirements and mechanistic behavior. Our work establishes a bona fide endogenous heat-induced substrate for long-studied heat shock proteins, isolates a specific example of chaperone regulation of condensates, and underscores needed expansion of the proteotoxic interpretation of the heat shock response to encompass adaptive, chaperone-mediated regulation.

The chromatin remodeler Chd1 supports MRX and Exo1 functions in resection of DNA double-strand breaks

Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR) requires that the 5’-terminated DNA strands are resected to generate single-stranded DNA overhangs. This process is initiated by a short-range resection catalyzed by the MRX (Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2) complex, which is followed by a long-range step involving the nucleases Exo1 and Dna2. Here we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling protein Chd1 participates in both short- and long-range resection by promoting MRX and Exo1 association with the DSB ends. Furthermore, Chd1 reduces histone occupancy near the DSB ends and promotes DSB repair by HR. All these functions require Chd1 ATPase activity, supporting a role for Chd1 in the opening of chromatin at the DSB site to facilitate MRX and Exo1 processing activities.

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most severe types of damage occurring in the genome because their faulty repair can result in chromosome instability, commonly associated with carcinogenesis. Efficient and accurate repair of DSBs relies on several proteins required to process them. However, eukaryotic genomes are compacted into chromatin, which restricts the access to DNA of the enzymes devoted to repair DNA DSBs. To overcome this natural barrier, eukaryotes have evolved chromatin remodeling enzymes that use energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to modulate chromatin structure. Here, we examine the role in DSB repair of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler Chd1, which is frequently mutated in prostate cancer. We find that Chd1 is important to repair DNA DSBs by homologous recombination (HR) because it promotes the association with a damaged site of the MRX complex and Exo1, which are necessary to initiate HR. This Chd1 function requires its ATPase activity, suggesting that Chd1 increases the accessibility to chromatin to initiate repair of DNA lesions.

Repurposing p97 inhibitors for chemical modulation of the bacterial ClpB-DnaK bichaperone system

The ClpB-DnaK bichaperone system reactivates aggregated cellular proteins and is essential for survival of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and plants under stress. AAA+ ATPase ClpB is a promising target for the development of antimicrobials because a loss of its activity is detrimental for survival of many pathogens and no apparent ClpB orthologs are found in metazoans. We investigated ClpB activity in the presence of several compounds that were previously described as inhibitor leads for the human AAA+ ATPase p97, an antitumor target. We discovered that N2,N4-dibenzylquinazoline-2,4-diamine (DBeQ), the least potent among the tested p97 inhibitors, binds to ClpB with a Kd∼60 μM and inhibits the casein-activated, but not the basal, ATPase activity of ClpB with an IC50∼5 μM. The remaining p97 ligands, which displayed a higher affinity toward p97, did not affect the ClpB ATPase. DBeQ also interacted with DnaK with a Kd∼100 μM and did not affect the DnaK ATPase but inhibited the DnaK chaperone activity in vitro. DBeQ inhibited the reactivation of aggregated proteins by the ClpB-DnaK bichaperone system in vitro with an IC50∼5 μM and suppressed the growth of cultured Escherichia coli. The DBeQ-induced loss of E. coli proliferation was exacerbated by heat shock but was nearly eliminated in a ClpB-deficient E. coli strain, which demonstrates a significant selectivity of DBeQ toward ClpB in cells. Our results provide chemical validation of ClpB as a target for developing novel antimicrobials. We identified DBeQ as a promising lead compound for structural optimization aimed at selective targeting of ClpB and/or DnaK.

Torsin ATPases influence chromatin interaction of the Torsin regulator LAP1

The inner nuclear membrane is functionalized by diverse transmembrane proteins that associate with nuclear lamins and/or chromatin. When cells enter mitosis, membrane-chromatin contacts must be broken to allow for proper chromosome segregation; yet how this occurs remains ill-understood. Unexpectedly, we observed that an imbalance in the levels of the lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1), an activator of ER-resident Torsin AAA+-ATPases, causes a failure in membrane removal from mitotic chromatin, accompanied by chromosome segregation errors and changes in post-mitotic nuclear morphology. These defects are dependent on a hitherto unknown chromatin-binding region of LAP1 that we have delineated. LAP1-induced NE abnormalities are efficiently suppressed by expression of wild-type but not ATPase-deficient Torsins. Furthermore, a dominant-negative Torsin induces chromosome segregation defects in a LAP1-dependent manner. These results indicate that association of LAP1 with chromatin in the nucleus can be modulated by Torsins in the perinuclear space, shedding new light on the LAP1-Torsin interplay.

A chemical inhibitor of heat shock protein 78 (HSP78) from Leishmania donovani represents a potential antileishmanial drug candidate

The emergence of resistance to available antileishmanial drugs advocates identification of new drug targets and their inhibitors for visceral leishmaniasis. Here, we identified Leishmania donovani heat shock protein 78 (LdHSP78), a putative caseinolytic protease, as important for parasite infection of host macrophages and a potential therapeutic target. Enrichment of LdHSP78 in infected humans, hamsters, and parasite amastigotes suggested its importance for disease persistence. Heterozygous knockouts of L. donovani HSP78 (LdHSP78+/-) and Leishmania mexicana HSP78 (LmxHSP78+/-) were generated using a flanking UTR-based multifragment ligation strategy and the CRISPR-Cas9 technique, respectively to investigate the significance of HSP78 for disease manifestation. The LdHSP78+/- parasite burden was dramatically reduced in both murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and hamsters, in association with enrichment of proinflammatory cytokines and NO. This finding implies that LdHSP78+/- parasites cannot suppress immune activation and escape NO-mediated toxicity in macrophages. Furthermore, phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 was enhanced and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was decreased in cells infected with LdHSP78+/- parasites, compared with WT parasites. Virulence of the LdHSP78+/- strain was restored by episomal addition of the LdHSP78 gene. Finally, using high-throughput virtual screening, we identified P ¹,P ⁵-di(adenosine-5')-pentaphosphate (Ap5A) ammonium salt as an LdHSP78 inhibitor. It selectively induced amastigote death at doses similar to amphotericin B doses, while exhibiting much less cytotoxicity to healthy macrophages than amphotericin B. In summary, using both a genetic knockout approach and pharmacological inhibition, we establish LdHSP78 as a drug target and Ap5A as a potential lead for improved antileishmanial agents.

Dissociation between the critical role of ClpB of Francisella tularensis for the heat shock response and the DnaK interaction and its important role for efficient type VI secretion and bacterial virulence

Francisella tularensis, a highly infectious, intracellular bacterium possesses an atypical type VI secretion system (T6SS), which is essential for its virulence. The chaperone ClpB, a member of the Hsp100/Clp family, is involved in Francisella T6SS disassembly and type VI secretion (T6S) is impaired in its absence. We asked if the role of ClpB for T6S was related to its prototypical role for the disaggregation activity. The latter is dependent on its interaction with the DnaK/Hsp70 chaperone system. Key residues of the ClpB-DnaK interaction were identified by molecular dynamic simulation and verified by targeted mutagenesis. Using such targeted mutants, it was found that the F. novicida ClpB-DnaK interaction was dispensable for T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence in a mouse model, although essential for handling of heat shock. Moreover, by mutagenesis of key amino acids of the Walker A, Walker B, and Arginine finger motifs of each of the two Nucleotide-Binding Domains, their critical roles for heat shock, T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence were identified. In contrast, the N-terminus was dispensable for heat shock, but required for T6S, intracellular replication, and virulence. Complementation of the ΔclpB mutant with a chimeric F. novicida ClpB expressing the N-terminal of Escherichia coli, led to reconstitution of the wild-type phenotype. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the ClpB-DnaK interaction does not contribute to T6S, whereas the N-terminal and NBD domains displayed critical roles for T6S and virulence.

Stairway to translocation: AAA+ motor structures reveal the mechanisms of ATP-dependent substrate translocation

Translocases of the AAA+ (ATPases Associated with various cellular Activities) family are powerful molecular machines that use the mechano-chemical coupling of ATP hydrolysis and conformational changes to thread DNA or protein substrates through their central channel for many important biological processes. These motors comprise hexameric rings of ATPase subunits, in which highly conserved nucleotide-binding domains form active-site pockets near the subunit interfaces and aromatic pore-loop residues extend into the central channel for substrate binding and mechanical pulling. Over the past 2 years, 41 cryo-EM structures have been solved for substrate-bound AAA+ translocases that revealed spiral-staircase arrangements of pore-loop residues surrounding substrate polypeptides and indicating a conserved hand-over-hand mechanism for translocation. The subunits' vertical positions within the spiral arrangements appear to be correlated with their nucleotide states, progressing from ATP-bound at the top to ADP or apo states at the bottom. Studies describing multiple conformations for a particular motor illustrate the potential coupling between ATP-hydrolysis steps and subunit movements to propel the substrate. Experiments with double-ring, Type II AAA+ motors revealed an offset of hydrolysis steps between the two ATPase domains of individual subunits, and the upper ATPase domains lacking aromatic pore loops frequently form planar rings. This review summarizes the critical advances provided by recent studies to our structural and functional understanding of hexameric AAA+ translocases, as well as the important outstanding questions regarding the underlying mechanisms for coordinated ATP-hydrolysis and mechano-chemical coupling.

Insights into the mechanism and regulation of the CbbQO-type Rubisco activase, a MoxR AAA+ ATPase

The vast majority of biological carbon dioxide fixation relies on the function of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). In most cases the enzyme exhibits a tendency to become inhibited by its substrate RuBP and other sugar phosphates. The inhibition is counteracted by diverse molecular chaperones known as Rubisco activases (Rcas). In some chemoautotrophic bacteria, the CbbQO-type Rca Q2O2 repairs inhibited active sites of hexameric form II Rubisco. The 2.2-Å crystal structure of the MoxR AAA+ protein CbbQ2 from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans reveals the helix 2 insert (H2I) that is critical for Rca function and forms the axial pore of the CbbQ hexamer. Negative-stain electron microscopy shows that the essential CbbO adaptor protein binds to the conserved, concave side of the CbbQ2 hexamer. Site-directed mutagenesis supports a model in which adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-powered movements of the H2I are transmitted to CbbO via the concave residue L85. The basal ATPase activity of Q2O2 Rca is repressed but strongly stimulated by inhibited Rubisco. The characterization of multiple variants where this repression is released indicates that binding of inhibited Rubisco to the C-terminal CbbO VWA domain initiates a signal toward the CbbQ active site that is propagated via elements that include the CbbQ α4-β4 loop, pore loop 1, and the presensor 1-β hairpin (PS1-βH). Detailed mechanistic insights into the enzyme repair chaperones of the highly diverse CO₂ fixation machinery of Proteobacteria will facilitate their successful implementation in synthetic biology ventures.

Chaperone activity of serine protease HtrA of Helicobacter pylori as a crucial survival factor under stress conditions

BACKGROUND

Serine protease HtrA exhibits both proteolytic and chaperone activities, which are involved in cellular protein quality control. Moreover, HtrA is an important virulence factor in many pathogens including Helicobacter pylori, for which the crucial stage of infection is the cleavage of E-cadherin and other cell-to-cell junction proteins.

METHODS

The in vitro study of H. pylori HtrA (HtrA_Hp) chaperone activity was carried out using light scattering assays and investigation of lysozyme protein aggregates. We produced H. pylori ∆htrA deletion and HtrA_Hp point mutants without proteolytic activity in strain N6 and investigated the survival of the bacteria under thermal, osmotic, acidic and general stress conditions as well as the presence of puromycin or metronidazole using serial dilution tests and disk diffusion method. The levels of cellular and secreted proteins were examined using biochemical fraction and Western blotting. We also studied the proteolytic activity of secreted HtrA_Hp using zymography and the enzymatic digestion of β-casein. Finally, the consequences of E-cadherin cleavage were determined by immunofluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that HtrA_Hp displays chaperone activity that inhibits the aggregation of lysozyme and is stable under various pH and temperature conditions. Next, we could show that N6 expressing only HtrA chaperone activity grow well under thermal, pH and osmotic stress conditions, and in the presence of puromycin or metronidazole. In contrast, in the absence of the entire htrA gene the bacterium was more sensitive to a number of stresses. Analysing the level of cellular and secreted proteins, we noted that H. pylori lacking the proteolytic activity of HtrA display reduced levels of secreted HtrA. Moreover, we compared the amounts of secreted HtrA from several clinical H. pylori strains and digestion of β-casein. We also demonstrated a significant effect of the HtrA_Hp variants during infection of human epithelial cells and for E-cadherin cleavage.

CONCLUSION

Here we identified the chaperone activity of the HtrA_Hp protein and have proven that this activity is important and sufficient for the survival of H. pylori under multiple stress conditions. We also pinpointed the importance of HtrA_Hp chaperone activity for E- cadherin degradation and therefore for the virulence of this eminent pathogen.

The molecular principles governing the activity and functional diversity of AAA+ proteins

ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+ proteins) are macromolecular machines that convert the chemical energy contained in ATP molecules into powerful mechanical forces to remodel a vast array of cellular substrates, including protein aggregates, macromolecular complexes and polymers. AAA+ proteins have key functionalities encompassing unfolding and disassembly of such substrates in different subcellular localizations and, hence, power a plethora of fundamental cellular processes, including protein quality control, cytoskeleton remodelling and membrane dynamics. Over the past 35 years, many of the key elements required for AAA+ activity have been identified through genetic, biochemical and structural analyses. However, how ATP powers substrate remodelling and whether a shared mechanism underlies the functional diversity of the AAA+ superfamily were uncertain. Advances in cryo-electron microscopy have enabled high-resolution structure determination of AAA+ proteins trapped in the act of processing substrates, revealing a conserved core mechanism of action. It has also become apparent that this common mechanistic principle is structurally adjusted to carry out a diverse array of biological functions. Here, we review how substrate-bound structures of AAA+ proteins have expanded our understanding of ATP-driven protein remodelling.

Spiraling in Control: Structures and Mechanisms of the Hsp104 Disaggregase

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA⁺ ATPase and protein disaggregase found in yeast, which couples ATP hydrolysis to the dissolution of diverse polypeptides trapped in toxic preamyloid oligomers, phase-transitioned gels, disordered aggregates, amyloids, and prions. Hsp104 shows plasticity in disaggregating diverse substrates, but how its hexameric architecture operates as a molecular machine has remained unclear. Here, we highlight structural advances made via cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) that enhance our mechanistic understanding of Hsp104 and other related AAA⁺ translocases. Hsp104 hexamers are dynamic and adopt open "lock-washer" spiral states and closed ring structures that envelope polypeptide substrate inside the axial channel. ATP hydrolysis-driven conformational changes at the spiral seam ratchet substrate deeper into the channel. Remarkably, this mode of polypeptide translocation is reminiscent of models for how hexameric helicases unwind DNA and RNA duplexes. Thus, Hsp104 likely adapts elements of a deeply rooted, ring-translocase mechanism to the specialized task of protein disaggregation.

SLFN11 is a general target for enhancing the sensitivity of cancer to chemotherapy (DNA-damaging agents)

In patients with cancer, drug tolerance often occurs during the use of chemotherapy drugs, seriously affecting patient prognosis and survival. Therefore, scientists began to study the factors that affect chemotherapy drug sensitivity, and the high correlation between Schlafen-11 (SLFN11) and sensitivity to chemical drugs (mainly DNA-damaging agents, DDAs) has received increasing attention since it was discovered through bioinformatics analyses. Regarding the mechanism, SLFN11 may sensitise cells to chemotherapy drugs by preventing DNA damage repair. In recent years, SLFN11 has gradually become a hot research topic, and the results are enriching our understanding of this molecule. Indeed, the biological functions of SLFN11 under normal physiological conditions and in cancer, changes in its expression levels and mechanisms promoting apoptosis within the context of chemotherapeutic interventions have gradually been uncovered. Studies to date provide knowledge and the experimental and theoretical bases underlying SLFN11 and its effects on sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. This review summarises the existing research on SLFN11 with the aim of achieving a more comprehensive understanding and furthering the development of strategies to target SLFN11 in the treatment of cancer.

Structural basis for substrate gripping and translocation by the ClpB AAA+ disaggregase

Bacterial ClpB and yeast Hsp104 are homologous Hsp100 protein disaggregases that serve critical functions in proteostasis by solubilizing protein aggregates. Two AAA+ nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) power polypeptide translocation through a central channel comprised of a hexameric spiral of protomers that contact substrate via conserved pore-loop interactions. Here we report cryo-EM structures of a hyperactive ClpB variant bound to the model substrate, casein in the presence of slowly hydrolysable ATPγS, which reveal the translocation mechanism. Distinct substrate-gripping interactions are identified for NBD1 and NBD2 pore loops. A trimer of N-terminal domains define a channel entrance that binds the polypeptide substrate adjacent to the topmost NBD1 contact. NBD conformations at the seam interface reveal how ATP hydrolysis-driven substrate disengagement and re-binding are precisely tuned to drive a directional, stepwise translocation cycle.

Discovery of AAA+ Protease Substrates through Trapping Approaches

Proteases play essential roles in cellular proteostasis. Mechanisms through which proteases recognize their substrates are often hard to predict and therefore require experimentation. In vivo trapping allows systematic identification of potential substrates of proteases, their adaptors, and chaperones. This combines in vivo genetic modifications of proteolytic systems, stabilized protease-substrate interactions, affinity enrichments of trapped substrates, and mass spectrometry (MS)-based identification. In vitro approaches, in which immobilized protease components are incubated with isolated cellular proteome, complement this in vivo approach. Both approaches can provide information about substrate recognition signals, degrons, and conditional effects. This review summarizes published trapping studies and their biological outcomes, and provides recommendations for substrate trapping of the processive AAA+ Clp, Lon, and FtsH chaperone proteolytic systems.

SLFN11 Blocks Stressed Replication Forks Independently of ATR

SLFN11 sensitizes cancer cells to a broad range of DNA-targeted therapies. Here we show that, in response to replication stress induced by camptothecin, SLFN11 tightly binds chromatin at stressed replication foci via RPA1 together with the replication helicase subunit MCM3. Unlike ATR, SLFN11 neither interferes with the loading of CDC45 and PCNA nor inhibits the initiation of DNA replication but selectively blocks fork progression while inducing chromatin opening across replication initiation sites. The ATPase domain of SLFN11 is required for chromatin opening, replication block, and cell death but not for the tight binding of SLFN11 to chromatin. Replication stress by the CHK1 inhibitor Prexasertib also recruits SLFN11 to nascent replicating DNA together with CDC45 and PCNA. We conclude that SLFN11 is recruited to stressed replication forks carrying extended RPA filaments where it blocks replication by changing chromatin structure across replication sites.

The amino-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ClpB protein plays a crucial role in its substrate disaggregation activity

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is known to persist in extremely hostile environments within host macrophages. The ability to withstand such proteotoxic stress comes from its highly conserved molecular chaperone machinery. ClpB, a unique member of the AAA+ family of chaperones, is responsible for resolving aggregates in Mtb and many other bacterial pathogens. Mtb produces two isoforms of ClpB, a full length and an N-terminally truncated form (ClpB∆N), with the latter arising from an internal translation initiation site. It is not clear why this internal start site is conserved and what role the N-terminal domain (NTD) of Mtb ClpB plays in its function. In the current study, we functionally characterized and compared the two isoforms of Mtb ClpB. We found the NTD to be dispensable for oligomerization, ATPase activity and prevention of aggregation activity of ClpB. Both ClpB and ClpB∆N were found to be capable of resolubilizing protein aggregates. However, the efficiency of ClpB∆N at resolubilizing higher order aggregates was significantly lower than that of ClpB. Further, ClpB∆N exhibited reduced affinity for substrates as compared to ClpB. We also demonstrated that the surface of the NTD of Mtb ClpB has a hydrophobic groove that contains four hydrophobic residues: L97, L101, F140 and V141. These residues act as initial contacts for the substrate and are crucial for stable interaction between ClpB and highly aggregated substrates.

Interaction of substrate-mimicking peptides with the AAA+ ATPase ClpB from Escherichia coli

A molecular chaperone ClpB disaggregates and reactivates aggregated proteins in cooperation with DnaK, DnaJ, and GrpE. Within a cellular environment, ClpB must distinguish between properly folded and aggregated proteins by recognizing specific physical and/or chemical surface properties of the aggregates. However, the molecular mechanism of substrate binding to ClpB is poorly understood. We hypothesized that ClpB recognizes those polypeptide segments that promote protein aggregation because they are likely present at the surface of growing aggregates. We used an algorithm TANGO (Fernandez-Escamilla et al., Nat. Biotech. 2004, 22, 1302) to predict the aggregation-prone segments within the model ClpB-binding peptides and investigated interactions of the FITC-labeled peptides with ClpB using fluorescence anisotropy. We found that ClpB binds the substrate-mimicking peptides with positive cooperativity, which is consistent with an allosteric linkage between substrate binding and ClpB oligomerization. The apparent affinity towards ClpB for peptides displaying different predicted aggregation propensities correlates with the peptide length. However, discrete aggregation-prone segments within the peptides are neither sufficient nor necessary for efficient interaction with ClpB. Our results suggest that the substrate recognition mechanism of ClpB may rely on global surface properties of aggregated proteins rather than on local sequence motifs.

Escherichia coli DnaK Allosterically Modulates ClpB between High- and Low-Peptide Affinity States

ClpB and DnaKJE provide protection to Escherichia coli cells during extreme environmental stress. Together, this co-chaperone system can resolve protein aggregates, restoring misfolded proteins to their native form and function in solubilizing damaged proteins for removal by the cell's proteolytic systems. DnaK is the component of the KJE system that directly interacts with ClpB. There are many hypotheses for how DnaK affects ClpB-catalyzed disaggregation, each with some experimental support. Here, we build on our recent work characterizing the molecular mechanism of ClpB-catalyzed polypeptide translocation by developing a stopped-flow FRET assay that allows us to detect ClpB's movement on model polypeptide substrates in the absence or presence of DnaK. We find that DnaK induces ClpB to dissociate from the polypeptide substrate. We propose that DnaK acts as a peptide release factor, binding ClpB and causing the ClpB conformation to change to a low-peptide affinity state. Such a role for DnaK would allow ClpB to rebind to another portion of an aggregate and continue nonprocessive translocation to disrupt the aggregate.

Dynamic structural states of ClpB involved in its disaggregation function

The ATP-dependent bacterial protein disaggregation machine, ClpB belonging to the AAA+ superfamily, refolds toxic protein aggregates into the native state in cooperation with the cognate Hsp70 partner. The ring-shaped hexamers of ClpB unfold and thread its protein substrate through the central pore. However, their function-related structural dynamics has remained elusive. Here we directly visualize ClpB using high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to gain a mechanistic insight into its disaggregation function. The HS-AFM movies demonstrate massive conformational changes of the hexameric ring during ATP hydrolysis, from a round ring to a spiral and even to a pair of twisted half-spirals. HS-AFM observations of Walker-motif mutants unveil crucial roles of ATP binding and hydrolysis in the oligomer formation and structural dynamics. Furthermore, repressed and hyperactive mutations result in significantly different oligomeric forms. These results provide a comprehensive view for the ATP-driven oligomeric-state transitions that enable ClpB to disentangle protein aggregates.

The bacterial protein disaggregation machine ClpB uses ATP to generate mechanical force to unfold and thread its protein substrates. Here authors visualize the ClpB ring using high-speed atomic force microscopy and capture conformational changes of the hexameric ring during the ATPase reaction.

Isolation and Identification of Putative Protein Substrates of the AAA+ Molecular Chaperone ClpB from the Pathogenic Spirochaete Leptospira interrogans

Bacterial ClpB is an ATP-dependent Hsp100 chaperone that reactivates aggregated proteins in cooperation with the DnaK chaperone system and promotes survival of bacteria under stress conditions. A large number of publications also indicate that ClpB supports the virulence of bacteria, including a pathogenic spirochaete Leptospira interrogans responsible for leptospirosis in both animals and humans. However, the exact role of ClpB in bacterial pathogenicity remains poorly characterized. It can be assumed that ClpB, due to its role as the molecular chaperone, mediates refolding of essential bacterial proteins, including the known virulence factors, which may become prone to aggregation under infection-induced stresses. In this study, we identified putative substrates of ClpB from L. interrogans (ClpB_Li). For this purpose, we used a proteomic approach combining the ClpB-Trap affinity pull-down assays, Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS/MS), and bioinformatics analyses. Most of the identified proteins were enzymes predominantly associated with major metabolic pathways like the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glycolysis–gluconeogenesis and amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. Based on our proteomic study, we suggest that ClpB can support the virulence of L.interrogans by protecting the conformational integrity and catalytic activity of multiple metabolic enzymes, thus maintaining energy homeostasis in pathogen cells.

Activation of the DnaK-ClpB Complex is Regulated by the Properties of the Bound Substrate

The chaperone ClpB in bacteria is responsible for the reactivation of aggregated proteins in collaboration with the DnaK system. Association of these chaperones at the aggregate surface stimulates ATP hydrolysis, which mediates substrate remodeling. However, a question that remains unanswered is whether the bichaperone complex can be selectively activated by substrates that require remodeling. We find that large aggregates or bulky, native-like substrates activates the complex, whereas a smaller, permanently unfolded protein or extended, short peptides fail to stimulate it. Our data also indicate that ClpB interacts differently with DnaK in the presence of aggregates or small peptides, displaying a higher affinity for aggregate-bound DnaK, and that DnaK-ClpB collaboration requires the coupled ATPase-dependent remodeling activities of both chaperones. Complex stimulation is mediated by residues at the β subdomain of DnaK substrate binding domain, which become accessible to the disaggregase when the lid is allosterically detached from the β subdomain. Complex activation also requires an active NBD2 and the integrity of the M domain-ring of ClpB. Disruption of the M-domain ring allows the unproductive stimulation of the DnaK-ClpB complex in solution. The ability of the DnaK-ClpB complex to discrimínate different substrate proteins might allow its activation when client proteins require remodeling.

Comparative Analysis of the Structure and Function of AAA+ Motors ClpA, ClpB, and Hsp104: Common Threads and Disparate Functions

Cellular proteostasis involves not only the expression of proteins in response to environmental needs, but also the timely repair or removal of damaged or unneeded proteins. AAA+ motor proteins are critically involved in these pathways. Here, we review the structure and function of AAA+ proteins ClpA, ClpB, and Hsp104. ClpB and Hsp104 rescue damaged proteins from toxic aggregates and do not partner with any protease. ClpA functions as the regulatory component of the ATP dependent protease complex ClpAP, and also remodels inactive RepA dimers into active monomers in the absence of the protease. Because ClpA functions both with and without a proteolytic component, it is an ideal system for developing strategies that address one of the major challenges in the study of protein remodeling machines: how do we observe a reaction in which the substrate protein does not undergo covalent modification? Here, we review experimental designs developed for the examination of polypeptide translocation catalyzed by the AAA+ motors in the absence of proteolytic degradation. We propose that transient state kinetic methods are essential for the examination of elementary kinetic mechanisms of these motor proteins. Furthermore, rigorous kinetic analysis must also account for the thermodynamic properties of these complicated systems that reside in a dynamic equilibrium of oligomeric states, including the biologically active hexamer.

Structural pathway of regulated substrate transfer and threading through an Hsp100 disaggregase

Refolding aggregated proteins is essential in combating cellular proteotoxic stress. Together with Hsp70, Hsp100 chaperones, including Escherichia coli ClpB, form a powerful disaggregation machine that threads aggregated polypeptides through the central pore of tandem adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) rings. To visualize protein disaggregation, we determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of inactive and substrate-bound ClpB in the presence of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), revealing closed AAA+ rings with a pronounced seam. In the substrate-free state, a marked gradient of resolution, likely corresponding to mobility, spans across the AAA+ rings with a dynamic hotspot at the seam. On the seam side, the coiled-coil regulatory domains are locked in a horizontal, inactive orientation. On the opposite side, the regulatory domains are accessible for Hsp70 binding, substrate targeting, and activation. In the presence of the model substrate casein, the polypeptide threads through the entire pore channel and increased nucleotide occupancy correlates with higher ATPase activity. Substrate-induced domain displacements indicate a pathway of regulated substrate transfer from Hsp70 to the ClpB pore, inside which a spiral of loops contacts the substrate. The seam pore loops undergo marked displacements, along with ordering of the regulatory domains. These asymmetric movements suggest a mechanism for ATPase activation and substrate threading during disaggregation.

Substrate Discrimination by ClpB and Hsp104

ClpB of E. coli and yeast Hsp104 are homologous molecular chaperones and members of the AAA+ (ATPases Associated with various cellular Activities) superfamily of ATPases. They are required for thermotolerance and function in disaggregation and reactivation of aggregated proteins that form during severe stress conditions. ClpB and Hsp104 collaborate with the DnaK or Hsp70 chaperone system, respectively, to dissolve protein aggregates both in vivo and in vitro. In yeast, the propagation of prions depends upon Hsp104. Since protein aggregation and amyloid formation are associated with many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, understanding how disaggregases function is important. In this study, we have explored the innate substrate preferences of ClpB and Hsp104 in the absence of the DnaK and Hsp70 chaperone system. The results suggest that substrate specificity is determined by nucleotide binding domain-1.

Mini review: ATP-dependent proteases in bacteria

AAA(+) proteases are universal barrel-like and ATP-fueled machines preventing the accumulation of aberrant proteins and regulating the proteome according to the cellular demand. They are characterized by two separate operating units, the ATPase and peptidase domains. ATP-dependent unfolding and translocation of a substrate into the proteolytic chamber is followed by ATP-independent degradation. This review addresses the structure and function of bacterial AAA(+) proteases with a focus on the ATP-driven mechanisms and the coordinated movements in the complex mainly based on the knowledge of ClpXP. We conclude by discussing strategies how novel protease substrates can be trapped by mutated AAA(+) protease variants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 505-517, 2016.

Fundamental Characteristics of AAA+ Protein Family Structure and Function

Many complex cellular events depend on multiprotein complexes known as molecular machines to efficiently couple the energy derived from adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis to the generation of mechanical force. Members of the AAA+ ATPase superfamily (ATPases Associated with various cellular Activities) are critical components of many molecular machines. AAA+ proteins are defined by conserved modules that precisely position the active site elements of two adjacent subunits to catalyze ATP hydrolysis. In many cases, AAA+ proteins form a ring structure that translocates a polymeric substrate through the central channel using specialized loops that project into the central channel. We discuss the major features of AAA+ protein structure and function with an emphasis on pivotal aspects elucidated with archaeal proteins.

LINCing defective nuclear-cytoskeletal coupling and DYT1 dystonia

Mechanical forces generated by nuclear-cytoskeletal coupling through the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex, an evolutionarily conserved molecular bridge in the nuclear envelope (NE), are critical for the execution of wholesale nuclear positioning events in migrating and dividing cells, chromosome dynamics during meiosis, and mechanotransduction. LINC complexes consist of outer (KASH (Klarsicht, ANC-1, and Syne homology)) and inner (SUN (Sad1, UNC-84)) nuclear membrane proteins. KASH proteins interact with the cytoskeleton in the cytoplasm and SUN proteins in the perinuclear space of the NE. In the nucleoplasm, SUN proteins interact with A-type nuclear lamins and chromatin-binding proteins. Recent structural insights into the KASH-SUN interaction have generated several questions regarding how LINC complex assembly and function might be regulated within the perinuclear space. Here we discuss potential LINC regulatory mechanisms and focus on the potential role of AAA+ (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) protein, torsinA, as a LINC complex regulator within the NE. We also examine how defects in LINC complex regulation by torsinA may contribute to the pathogenesis of the human neurological movement disorder, DYT1 dystonia.

Torsins: not your typical AAA+ ATPases

Torsin ATPases (Torsins) belong to the widespread AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) family of ATPases, which share structural similarity but have diverse cellular functions. Torsins are outliers in this family because they lack many characteristics of typical AAA+ proteins, and they are the only members of the AAA+ family located in the endoplasmic reticulum and contiguous perinuclear space. While it is clear that Torsins have essential roles in many, if not all metazoans, their precise cellular functions remain elusive. Studying Torsins has significant medical relevance since mutations in Torsins or Torsin-associated proteins result in a variety of congenital human disorders, the most frequent of which is early-onset torsion (DYT1) dystonia, a severe movement disorder. A better understanding of the Torsin system is needed to define the molecular etiology of these diseases, potentially enabling corrective therapy. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the Torsin system in metazoans, discuss functional clues obtained from various model systems and organisms and provide a phylogenetic and structural analysis of Torsins and their regulatory cofactors in relation to disease-causative mutations. Moreover, we review recent data that have led to a dramatically improved understanding of these machines at a molecular level, providing a foundation for investigating the molecular defects underlying the associated movement disorders. Lastly, we discuss our ideas on how recent progress may be utilized to inform future studies aimed at determining the cellular role(s) of these atypical molecular machines and their implications for dystonia treatment options.

Molecular snapshots of the Pex1/6 AAA+ complex in action

The peroxisomal proteins Pex1 and Pex6 form a heterohexameric type II AAA+ ATPase complex, which fuels essential protein transport across peroxisomal membranes. Mutations in either ATPase in humans can lead to severe peroxisomal disorders and early death. We present an extensive structural and biochemical analysis of the yeast Pex1/6 complex. The heterohexamer forms a trimer of Pex1/6 dimers with a triangular geometry that is atypical for AAA+ complexes. While the C-terminal nucleotide-binding domains (D2) of Pex6 constitute the main ATPase activity of the complex, both D2 harbour essential substrate-binding motifs. ATP hydrolysis results in a pumping motion of the complex, suggesting that Pex1/6 function involves substrate translocation through its central channel. Mutation of the Walker B motif in one D2 domain leads to ATP hydrolysis in the neighbouring domain, giving structural insights into inter-domain communication of these unique heterohexameric AAA+ assemblies.

Pex1 and Pex6 form a heterohexameric AAA+ ATPase complex with triangular geometry at the peroxisome membrane. Here the authors use electron microscopy to show that the complex undergoes conformational changes upon ATP hydrolysis, and demonstrate inter-domain communication between neighbouring nucleotide-binding domains.

ClpL is a chaperone without auxiliary factors

Caseinolytic protease L (ClpL) is a member of the heat shock protein (Hsp) 100 family, which is found mostly in Gram-positive bacteria. Here, ClpL, a major HSP in Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), was biochemically characterized in vitro. Recombinant ClpL shows nucleotide hydrolase, refolding, holdase and disaggregation activity using either Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) and does not require the DnaK system for chaperone activity. ClpL exhibits two features distinct from other HSP100 family proteins: (a) Mn(2+) enhances hydrolase activity, as well as chaperone activity; and (b) NTPase activity. ClpL forms a hexamer in the presence of ADP, ATP and ATP-γ-S. Mutational analysis using double-mutant proteins mutated at the two Walker A motifs (K127A/T128A and K458A/T459A) revealed that both nucleotide-binding domains are involved in chaperone activity, ATP hydrolase activity and hexamerization. Overall, pneumococcal ClpL is a unique Mn(2+) -dependent Hsp100 family member that has chaperone activity without other co-chaperones.

Single-molecule analyses of the dynamics of heat shock protein 104 (Hsp104) and protein aggregates

Hsp104 solubilizes protein aggregates in cooperation with Hsp70/40. Although the framework of the disaggregase function has been elucidated, the actual process of aggregate solubilization by Hsp104-Hsp70/40 remains poorly understood. Here we developed several methods to investigate the functions of Hsp104 and Hsp70/40 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, at single-molecule levels. The single-molecule methods, which provide the size distribution of the aggregates, revealed that Hsp70/40 prevented the formation of large aggregates from small aggregates and that the solubilization of the small aggregates required both Hsp104 and Hsp70/40. We directly visualized the individual association-dissociation dynamics of Hsp104 on immobilized aggregates and found that the lifetimes of the Hsp104-aggregate complex are divided into two groups: short (∼4 s) and long (∼30 s). Hsp70/40 stimulated the association of Hsp104 with aggregates and increased the duration of this association. The single-molecule data provide novel insights into the functional mechanism of the Hsp104 disaggregation machine.

Crowding activates ClpB and enhances its association with DnaK for efficient protein aggregate reactivation

Reactivation of intracellular protein aggregates after a severe stress is mandatory for cell survival. In bacteria, this activity depends on the collaboration between the DnaK system and ClpB, which in vivo occurs in a highly crowded environment. The reactivation reaction includes two steps: extraction of unfolded monomers from the aggregate and their subsequent refolding into the native conformation. Both steps might be compromised by excluded volume conditions that would favor aggregation of unstable protein folding intermediates. Here, we have investigated whether ClpB and the DnaK system are able to compensate this unproductive effect and efficiently reactivate aggregates of three different substrate proteins under crowding conditions. To this aim, we have compared the association equilibrium, biochemical properties, stability, and chaperone activity of the disaggregase ClpB in the absence and presence of an inert macromolecular crowding agent. Our data show that crowding i), increases three to four orders of magnitude the association constant of the functional hexamer; ii), shifts the conformational equilibrium of the protein monomer toward a compact state; iii), stimulates its ATPase activity; and iv), favors association of the chaperone with substrate proteins and with aggregate-bound DnaK. These effects strongly enhance protein aggregate reactivation by the DnaK-ClpB network, highlighting the importance of volume exclusion in complex processes in which several proteins have to work in a sequential manner.

ATP and magnesium promote cotton short-form ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase hexamer formation at low micromolar concentrations

We report a fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) study of the assembly pathway of the AAA+ protein ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase (Rca), a ring-forming ATPase responsible for activation of inhibited Rubisco complexes for biological carbon fixation. A thermodynamic characterization of simultaneously populated oligomeric states appears critical in understanding Rca structure and function. Using cotton β-Rca, we demonstrate that apparent diffusion coefficients vary as a function of concentration, nucleotide, and cation. Using manual fitting procedures, we provide estimates for the equilibrium constants for the stepwise assembly and find that in the presence of ATPγS, the Kd for hexamerization is 10-fold lower than with ADP (∼0.1 vs ∼1 μM). Hexamer fractions peak at 30 μM and dominate at 8-70 μM Rca, where they comprise 60-80% of subunits with ATPγS, compared with just 30-40% with ADP. Dimer fractions peak at 1-4 μM Rca, where they comprise 15-18% with ATPγS and 26-28% with ADP. At 30 μM Rca, large aggregates begin to form that comprise ∼10% of total protein with ATPγS and ∼25% with ADP. FCS data collected on the catalytically impaired WalkerB-D173N variant in the presence of ATP provided strong support for these results. Titration with free magnesium ions lead to the disaggregation of larger complexes in favor of hexameric forms, suggesting that a second magnesium binding site with a Kd value of 1-3 mM mediates critical subunit contacts. We propose that closed-ring toroidal hexameric forms are stabilized by binding of Mg·ATP plus Mg2+, whereas Mg·ADP promotes continuous assembly to supramolecular aggregates such as spirals.

Interplay between E. coli DnaK, ClpB and GrpE during protein disaggregation

The DnaK/Hsp70 chaperone system and ClpB/Hsp104 collaboratively disaggregate protein aggregates and reactivate inactive proteins. The teamwork is specific: Escherichia coli DnaK interacts with E. coli ClpB and yeast Hsp70, Ssa1, interacts with yeast Hsp104. This interaction is between the middle domains of hexameric ClpB/Hsp104 and the DnaK/Hsp70 nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). To identify the site on E. coli DnaK that interacts with ClpB, we substituted amino acid residues throughout the DnaK NBD. We found that several variants with substitutions in subdomains IB and IIB of the DnaK NBD were defective in ClpB interaction in vivo in a bacterial two-hybrid assay and in vitro in a fluorescence anisotropy assay. The DnaK subdomain IIB mutants were also defective in the ability to disaggregate protein aggregates with ClpB, DnaJ and GrpE, although they retained some ability to reactivate proteins with DnaJ and GrpE in the absence of ClpB. We observed that GrpE, which also interacts with subdomains IB and IIB, inhibited the interaction between ClpB and DnaK in vitro, suggesting competition between ClpB and GrpE for binding DnaK. Computational modeling of the DnaK-ClpB hexamer complex indicated that one DnaK monomer contacts two adjacent ClpB protomers simultaneously. The model and the experiments support a common and mutually exclusive GrpE and ClpB interaction region on DnaK. Additionally, homologous substitutions in subdomains IB and IIB of Ssa1 caused defects in collaboration between Ssa1 and Hsp104. Altogether, these results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of collaboration between the DnaK/Hsp70 system and ClpB/Hsp104 for protein disaggregation.

ClpB chaperone passively threads soluble denatured proteins through its central pore

ClpB disaggregase forms a ring-shaped hexamer that threads substrate proteins through the central pore using energy from ATP. The ClpB protomer consists of an N-terminal domain, a middle domain, and two AAA+ modules. These two AAA+ modules bind and hydrolyze ATP and construct the core of the hexameric ring. Here, we investigated the roles of the two AAA+ modules in substrate threading. BAP is an engineered ClpB that can bind ClpP proteolytic chamber; substrates threaded by BAP are degraded by ClpP. We combined BAP with conserved motif mutations in two AAA+ modules and measured the steady-state rates of threading of soluble denatured proteins by these mutants over a range of substrate concentrations. By fitting the data to the Michaelis-Menten equation, k(cat) and K(m) values were determined. We found that the kinetic parameters of the substrate threading correlate with the type of mutation introduced rather than the ATPase activity of the mutant. Moreover, some mutants having no or marginal ATPase activity could thread denatured proteins significantly. These results indicate that ClpB can passively thread soluble denatured proteins.

Prion propagation can occur in a prokaryote and requires the ClpB chaperone

Prions are self-propagating protein aggregates that are characteristically transmissible. In mammals, the PrP protein can form a prion that causes the fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Prions have also been uncovered in fungi, where they act as heritable, protein-based genetic elements. We previously showed that the yeast prion protein Sup35 can access the prion conformation in Escherichia coli. Here, we demonstrate that E. coli can propagate the Sup35 prion under conditions that do not permit its de novo formation. Furthermore, we show that propagation requires the disaggregase activity of the ClpB chaperone. Prion propagation in yeast requires Hsp104 (a ClpB ortholog), and prior studies have come to conflicting conclusions about ClpB's ability to participate in this process. Our demonstration of ClpB-dependent prion propagation in E. coli suggests that the cytoplasmic milieu in general and a molecular machine in particular are poised to support protein-based heredity in the bacterial domain of life.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02949.001

Unlike most infectious agents—such as viruses or bacteria—that contain genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA, a prion is simply an aggregate of misfolded proteins. Although they are not living organisms, these prion aggregates can self-propagate; when they enter a healthy organism, they cause existing, correctly folded proteins to adopt the prion fold. Within the aggregate, the prion proteins have a corrugated structure that allows them to stack together tightly, which in turn makes the aggregates very stable. As more prions are formed, they then trigger other protein molecules to misfold and join the aggregates, and the aggregates continue to grow and spread within the infected organism causing tissue damage and cell death.

Prion diseases are well known in mammals, where the prion aggregates typically destroy tissue within the brain or nervous system. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (also commonly known as BSE or ‘mad cow disease’) is an example of a prion disease that affects cattle and can be transmitted to humans by eating infected meat. Prions also form in yeast and other fungi. These prions, however, do not cause disease or cell death; instead, yeast prions act as protein-based elements that can be inherited over multiple generations and which provide the yeast with new traits or characteristics. Although prions can form spontaneously in yeast cells, their stable propagation depends on so-called chaperone proteins that help to remodel the prion aggregates. Previous work has shown that bacterial cells can also support the formation of prion-like aggregates. The bacteria were engineered to produce two yeast prion proteins—one of which spontaneously formed aggregates that were needed to trigger the conversion of the other to its prion form. However, it was not known if bacterial cells could support the stable propagation of prions if the initial trigger for prion conversion was removed.

Yuan et al. now reveal that the bacterium Escherichia coli can propagate a yeast prion for over a hundred generations, even when the cells can no longer make the protein that serves as the trigger for the initial conversion. This propagation depends on a bacterial chaperone protein called ClpB, which is related to another chaperone protein that is required for stable prion propagation in yeast. As such, the findings of Yuan et al. raise the possibility that, even though a prion specific to bacteria has yet to be identified, prions or prion-like proteins might also contribute to the diversity of traits found in bacteria. Furthermore, since both yeast and bacteria form and propagate prions in similar ways, such protein-based inheritance might have evolved in these organisms' common ancestor over two billion years ago.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02949.002

Msp1/ATAD1 maintains mitochondrial function by facilitating the degradation of mislocalized tail-anchored proteins

The majority of ER-targeted tail-anchored (TA) proteins are inserted into membranes by the Guided Entry of Tail-anchored protein (GET) system. Disruption of this system causes a subset of TA proteins to mislocalize to mitochondria. We show that the AAA+ ATPase Msp1 limits the accumulation of mislocalized TA proteins on mitochondria. Deletion of MSP1 causes the Pex15 and Gos1 TA proteins to accumulate on mitochondria when the GET system is impaired. Likely as a result of failing to extract mislocalized TA proteins, yeast with combined mutation of the MSP1 gene and the GET system exhibit strong synergistic growth defects and severe mitochondrial damage, including loss of mitochondrial DNA and protein and aberrant mitochondrial morphology. Like yeast Msp1, human ATAD1 limits the mitochondrial mislocalization of PEX26 and GOS28, orthologs of Pex15 and Gos1, respectively. GOS28 protein level is also increased in ATAD1(-/-) mouse tissues. Therefore, we propose that yeast Msp1 and mammalian ATAD1 are conserved members of the mitochondrial protein quality control system that might promote the extraction and degradation of mislocalized TA proteins to maintain mitochondrial integrity.

The BiP molecular chaperone plays multiple roles during the biogenesis of torsinA, an AAA+ ATPase associated with the neurological disease early-onset torsion dystonia

Early-onset torsion dystonia (EOTD) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary and sustained muscle contractions that can lead to paralysis and abnormal posture. EOTD is associated with the deletion of a glutamate (ΔE) in torsinA, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident AAA(+) ATPase. To date, the effect of ΔE on torsinA and the reason that this mutation results in EOTD are unclear. Moreover, there are no specific therapeutic options to treat EOTD. To define the underlying biochemical defects associated with torsinAΔE and to uncover factors that might be targeted to offset defects associated with torsinAΔE, we developed a yeast torsinA expression system and tested the roles of ER chaperones in mediating the folding and stability of torsinA and torsinAΔE. We discovered that the ER lumenal Hsp70, BiP, an associated Hsp40, Scj1, and a nucleotide exchange factor, Lhs1, stabilize torsinA and torsinAΔE. BiP also maintained torsinA and torsinAΔE solubility. Mutations predicted to compromise specific torsinA functional motifs showed a synthetic interaction with the ΔE mutation and destabilized torsinAΔE, suggesting that the ΔE mutation predisposes torsinA to defects in the presence of secondary insults. In this case, BiP was required for torsinAΔE degradation, consistent with data that specific chaperones exhibit either pro-degradative or pro-folding activities. Finally, using two independent approaches, we established that BiP stabilizes torsinA and torsinAΔE in mammalian cells. Together, these data define BiP as the first identified torsinA chaperone, and treatments that modulate BiP might improve symptoms associated with EOTD.

A pangenomic analysis of the Nannochloropsis organellar genomes reveals novel genetic variations in key metabolic genes

BACKGROUND

Microalgae in the genus Nannochloropsis are photosynthetic marine Eustigmatophytes of significant interest to the bioenergy and aquaculture sectors due to their ability to efficiently accumulate biomass and lipids for utilization in renewable transportation fuels, aquaculture feed, and other useful bioproducts. To better understand the genetic complement that drives the metabolic processes of these organisms, we present the assembly and comparative pangenomic analysis of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes from Nannochloropsis salina CCMP1776.

RESULTS

The chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of N. salina are 98.4% and 97% identical to their counterparts in Nannochloropsis gaditana. Comparison of the Nannochloropsis pangenome to other algae within and outside of the same phyla revealed regions of significant genetic divergence in key genes that encode proteins needed for regulation of branched chain amino synthesis (acetohydroxyacid synthase), carbon fixation (RuBisCO activase), energy conservation (ATP synthase), protein synthesis and homeostasis (Clp protease, ribosome).

CONCLUSIONS

Many organellar gene modifications in Nannochloropsis are unique and deviate from conserved orthologs found across the tree of life. Implementation of secondary and tertiary structure prediction was crucial to functionally characterize many proteins and therefore should be implemented in automated annotation pipelines. The exceptional similarity of the N. salina and N. gaditana organellar genomes suggests that N. gaditana be reclassified as a strain of N. salina.