Preferential substrate binding orientation by the molecular chaperone HscA

The Azotobacter vinelandii AlgU regulon during vegetative growth and encysting conditions: A proteomic approach

In the Pseduomonadacea family, the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor AlgU is crucial to withstand adverse conditions. Azotobacter vinelandii, a closed relative of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has been a model for cellular differentiation in Gram-negative bacteria since it forms desiccation-resistant cysts. Previous work demonstrated the essential role of AlgU to withstand oxidative stress and on A. vinelandii differentiation, particularly for the positive control of alginate production. In this study, the AlgU regulon was dissected by a proteomic approach under vegetative growing conditions and upon encystment induction. Our results revealed several molecular targets that explained the requirement of this sigma factor during oxidative stress and extended its role in alginate production. Furthermore, we demonstrate that AlgU was necessary to produce alkyl resorcinols, a type of aromatic lipids that conform the cell membrane of the differentiated cell. AlgU was also found to positively regulate stress resistance proteins such as OsmC, LEA-1, or proteins involved in trehalose synthesis. A position-specific scoring-matrix (PSSM) was generated based on the consensus sequence recognized by AlgU in P. aeruginosa, which allowed the identification of direct AlgU targets in the A. vinelandii genome. This work further expands our knowledge about the function of the ECF sigma factor AlgU in A. vinelandii and contributes to explains its key regulatory role under adverse conditions.

Making iron-sulfur cluster: structure, regulation and evolution of the bacterial ISC system

Iron sulfur (Fe-S) clusters rank among the most ancient and conserved prosthetic groups. Fe-S clusters containing proteins are present in most, if not all, organisms. Fe-S clusters containing proteins are involved in a wide range of cellular processes, from gene regulation to central metabolism, via gene expression, RNA modification or bioenergetics. Fe-S clusters are built by biogenesis machineries conserved throughout both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We focus mostly on bacterial ISC machinery, but not exclusively, as we refer to eukaryotic ISC system when it brings significant complementary information. Besides covering the structural and regulatory aspects of Fe-S biogenesis, this review aims to highlight Fe-S biogenesis facets remaining matters of discussion, such as the role of frataxin, or the link between fatty acid metabolism and Fe-S homeostasis. Last, we discuss recent advances on strategies used by different species to make and use Fe-S clusters in changing redox environmental conditions.

Iron-Sulfur Cluster Biogenesis and Iron Homeostasis in Cyanobacteria

Iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters are ancient and ubiquitous cofactors and are involved in many important biological processes. Unlike the non-photosynthetic bacteria, cyanobacteria have developed the sulfur utilization factor (SUF) mechanism as their main assembly pathway for Fe–S clusters, supplemented by the iron–sulfur cluster and nitrogen-fixing mechanisms. The SUF system consists of cysteine desulfurase SufS, SufE that can enhance SufS activity, SufBC₂D scaffold complex, carrier protein SufA, and regulatory repressor SufR. The S source for the Fe–S cluster assembly mainly originates from L-cysteine, but the Fe donor remains elusive. This minireview mainly focuses on the biogenesis pathway of the Fe–S clusters in cyanobacteria and its relationship with iron homeostasis. Future challenges of studying Fe–S clusters in cyanobacteria are also discussed.

The role of chaperones in iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis

Iron–sulfur cluster biogenesis is a complex process mediated by numerous proteins among which two from bacteria chaperones, called HscB and HscA in bacteria. They are highly conserved up to eukaryotes and homologous to DnaJ and DnaK, respectively, but with specific differences. As compared with other chaperones, HscB and HscA have escaped attention and relatively little is known about their functions. After briefly introducing the various chaperone families, we reviewed here the current structural and functional knowledge HscA and HscB and on their role in cluster formation. We critically evaluated the literature and highlighted the weak aspects which will require more attention in the future. We sincerely hope that this study will inspire new interest on this important and interesting system.

What makes A. guillouiae SFC 500-1A able to co-metabolize phenol and Cr(VI)? A proteomic approach

Acinetobacter guillouiae SFC 500-1A is an environmental bacterium able to efficiently co-remediate phenol and Cr(VI). To further understand the molecular mechanisms triggered in this strain during the bioremediation process, variations in the proteomic profile after treatment with phenol and phenol plus Cr(VI) were evaluated. The proteomic analysis revealed the induction of the β-ketoadipate pathway for phenol oxidation and the assimilation of degradation products through TCA cycle and glyoxylate shunt. Phenol exposure increased the abundance of proteins associated to energetic processes and ATP synthesis, but it also triggered cellular stress. The lipid bilayer was suggested as a target of phenol toxicity, and changing fatty acids composition seemed to be the bacterial response to protect the membrane integrity. The involvement of two flavoproteins in Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) was also proposed. The results suggested the important role of chaperones, antioxidant response and SOS-induced proteins in the ability of the strain to mitigate the damage generated by phenol and Cr(VI). This research contributes to elucidate the mechanisms involved in A. guillouiae SFC 500-1A tolerance and co-remediation of phenol and Cr(VI). Such information may result useful not only to improve its bioremediation efficiency but also to identify putative markers of resistance in environmental bacteria.

Molecular chaperones involved in mitochondrial iron-sulfur protein biogenesis

Iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters are prosthetic groups critical for the function of many proteins in all domains of life. FeS proteins function in processes ranging from oxidative phosphorylation and cofactor biosyntheses to DNA/RNA metabolism and regulation of gene expression. In eukaryotic cells, mitochondria play a central role in the process of FeS biogenesis and support maturation of FeS proteins localized within mitochondria and in other cellular compartments. In humans, defects in mitochondrial FeS cluster biogenesis lead to numerous pathologies, which are often fatal. The generation of FeS clusters in mitochondria is a complex process. The [2Fe-2S] cluster is first assembled on a dedicated scaffold protein (Isu1) by the action of protein factors that interact with Isu1 to form the "assembly complex". Next, the FeS cluster is transferred onto a recipient apo-protein. Genetic and biochemical evidence implicates participation of a specialized J-protein co-chaperone Jac1 and its mitochondrial (mt)Hsp70 chaperone partner, and the glutaredoxin Grx5 in the FeS cluster transfer process. Finally, various specialized ISC components assist in the generation of [4Fe-4S] clusters and cluster insertion into specific target apoproteins. Although a framework of protein components that are involved in the mitochondrial FeS cluster biogenesis has been established based on genetic and biochemical studies, detailed molecular mechanisms involved in this important and medically relevant process are not well understood. This review summarizes our molecular knowledge on chaperone proteins' functions during the FeS protein biogenesis.

Mammalian Fe-S proteins: definition of a consensus motif recognized by the co-chaperone HSC20

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are inorganic cofactors that are fundamental to several biological processes in all three kingdoms of life. In most organisms, Fe-S clusters are initially assembled on a scaffold protein, ISCU, and subsequently transferred to target proteins or to intermediate carriers by a dedicated chaperone/co-chaperone system. The delivery of assembled Fe-S clusters to recipient proteins is a crucial step in the biogenesis of Fe-S proteins, and, in mammals, it relies on the activity of a multiprotein transfer complex that contains the chaperone HSPA9, the co-chaperone HSC20 and the scaffold ISCU. How the transfer complex efficiently engages recipient Fe-S target proteins involves specific protein interactions that are not fully understood. This mini review focuses on recent insights into the molecular mechanism of amino acid motif recognition and discrimination by the co-chaperone HSC20, which guides Fe-S cluster delivery.

Allosteric regulation of G protein-coupled receptor activity by phospholipids

Lipids are emerging as key regulators of membrane protein structure and activity. These effects can be attributed either to the modification of bilayer properties (thickness, curvature and surface tension) or to the binding of specific lipids to the protein surface. For G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the effects of phospholipids on receptor structure and activity remain poorly understood. Here we reconstituted purified β2-adrenergic receptor (β2R) in high-density lipoparticles to systematically characterize the effect of biologically relevant phospholipids on receptor activity. We observed that the lipid headgroup type affected ligand binding (agonist and antagonist) and receptor activation. Specifically, phosphatidylgycerol markedly favored agonist binding and facilitated receptor activation, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine favored antagonist binding and stabilized the inactive state of the receptor. We then showed that these effects could be recapitulated with detergent-solubilized lipids, demonstrating that the functional modulation occurred in the absence of a bilayer. Our data suggest that phospholipids act as direct allosteric modulators of GPCR activity.

Assembly of Fe/S proteins in bacterial systems: Biochemistry of the bacterial ISC system

Iron/sulfur clusters are key cofactors in proteins involved in a large number of conserved cellular processes, including gene expression, DNA replication and repair, ribosome biogenesis, tRNA modification, central metabolism and respiration. Fe/S proteins can perform a wide range of functions, from electron transfer to redox and non-redox catalysis. In all living organisms, Fe/S proteins are first synthesized in an apo-form. However, as the Fe/S prosthetic group is required for correct folding and/or protein stability, Fe/S clusters are inserted co-translationally or immediately after translation by specific assembly machineries. These systems have been extensively studied over the last decade, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The present review covers the basic principles of the bacterial housekeeping Fe/S biogenesis ISC system, and related recent molecular advances. Some of the most exciting recent highlights relating to this system include structural and functional characterization of binary and ternary complexes involved in Fe/S cluster formation on the scaffold protein IscU. These advances enhance our understanding of the Fe/S cluster assembly mechanism by revealing essential interactions that could never be determined with isolated proteins and likely are closer to an in vivo situation. Much less is currently known about the molecular mechanism of the Fe/S transfer step, but a brief account of the protein-protein interactions involved is given. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.

Tangled web of interactions among proteins involved in iron-sulfur cluster assembly as unraveled by NMR, SAXS, chemical crosslinking, and functional studies

Proteins containing iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters arose early in evolution and are essential to life. Organisms have evolved machinery consisting of specialized proteins that operate together to assemble Fe-S clusters efficiently so as to minimize cellular exposure to their toxic constituents: iron and sulfide ions. To date, the best studied system is the iron-sulfur cluster (isc) operon of Escherichia coli, and the eight ISC proteins it encodes. Our investigations over the past five years have identified two functional conformational states for the scaffold protein (IscU) and have shown that the other ISC proteins that interact with IscU prefer to bind one conformational state or the other. From analyses of the NMR spectroscopy-derived network of interactions of ISC proteins, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data, chemical crosslinking experiments, and functional assays, we have constructed working models for Fe-S cluster assembly and delivery. Future work is needed to validate and refine what has been learned about the E. coli system and to extend these findings to the homologous Fe-S cluster biosynthetic machinery of yeast and human mitochondria. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.

The specialized Hsp70 (HscA) interdomain linker binds to its nucleotide-binding domain and stimulates ATP hydrolysis in both cis and trans configurations

Proteins from the isc operon of Escherichia coli constitute the machinery used to synthesize iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters for delivery to recipient apoproteins. Efficient and rapid [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from the holo-scaffold protein IscU depends on ATP hydrolysis in the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) of HscA, a specialized Hsp70-type molecular chaperone with low intrinsic ATPase activity (0.02 min⁻¹ at 25 °C, henceforth reported in units of min^–1). HscB, an Hsp40-type cochaperone, binds to HscA and stimulates ATP hydrolysis to promote cluster transfer, yet while the interactions between HscA and HscB have been investigated, the role of HscA’s interdomain linker in modulating ATPase activity has not been explored. To address this issue, we created three variants of the 40 kDa NBD of HscA: NBD alone (HscA₃₈₆), NBD with a partial linker (HscA₃₈₉), and NBD with the full linker (HscA₃₉₅). We found that the rate of ATP hydrolysis of HscA₃₉₅ (0.45 min^–1) is nearly 15-fold higher than that of HscA₃₈₆ (0.035 min^–1), although their apparent affinities for ATP are equivalent. HscA₃₉₅, which contains the full covalently linked linker peptide, exhibited intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence emission and basal thermostability that were higher than those of HscA₃₈₆. Furthermore, HscA₃₉₅ displayed narrower ¹H^N line widths in its two-dimensional ¹H–¹⁵N TROSY-HSQC spectrum in comparison to HscA₃₈₆, indicating that the peptide in the cis configuration binds to and stabilizes the structure of the NBD. The addition to HscA₃₈₆ of a synthetic peptide with a sequence identical to that of the interdomain linker (L³⁸⁷LLDVIPLS³⁹⁵) stimulated its ATPase activity and induced widespread NMR chemical shift perturbations indicative of a binding interaction in the trans configuration.

Distance mapping in proteins using fluorescence spectroscopy: tyrosine, like tryptophan, quenches bimane fluorescence in a distance-dependent manner

Tryptophan-induced quenching of fluorophores (TrIQ) uses intramolecular fluorescence quenching to assess distances in proteins too small (<15 Å) to be easily probed by traditional Forster resonance energy transfer methods. A powerful aspect of TrIQ is its ability to obtain an ultrafast snapshot of a protein conformation, by identifying “static quenching” (contact between the Trp and probe at the moment of light excitation). Here we report new advances in this site-directed fluorescence labeling (SDFL) approach, gleaned from recent studies of T4 lysozyme (T4L). First, we show that like TrIQ, tyrosine-induced quenching (TyrIQ) occurs for the fluorophore bimane in a distance-dependent fashion, although with some key differences. The Tyr “sphere of quenching” for bimane (≤10 Å) is smaller than for Trp (≤15 Å, Cα–Cα distance), and the size difference between the quenching residue (Tyr) and control (Phe) differs by only a hydroxyl group. Second, we show how TrIQ and TyrIQ can be used together to assess the magnitude and energetics of a protein movement. In these studies, we placed a bimane (probe) and Trp or Tyr (quencher) on opposite ends of a “hinge” in T4L and conducted TrIQ and TyrIQ measurements. Our results are consistent with an ∼5 Å change in Cα–Cα distances between these sites upon substrate binding, in agreement with the crystal structures. Subsequent Arrhenius analysis suggests the activation energy barrier (E_a) to this movement is relatively low (∼1.5–2.5 kcal/mol). Together, these results demonstrate that TyrIQ, used together with TrIQ, significantly expands the power of quenching-based distance mapping SDFL studies.

Human mitochondrial chaperone (mtHSP70) and cysteine desulfurase (NFS1) bind preferentially to the disordered conformation, whereas co-chaperone (HSC20) binds to the structured conformation of the iron-sulfur cluster scaffold protein (ISCU)

Human ISCU is the scaffold protein for mitochondrial iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis and transfer. NMR spectra have revealed that ISCU populates two conformational states; that is, a more structured state (S) and a partially disordered state (D). We identified two single amino acid substitutions (D39V and N90A) that stabilize the S-state and two (D39A and H105A) that stabilize the D-state. We isolated the two constituent proteins of the human cysteine desulfurase complex (NFS1 and ISD11) separately and used NMR spectroscopy to investigate their interaction with ISCU. We found that ISD11 does not interact directly with ISCU. By contrast, NFS1 binds preferentially to the D-state of ISCU as does the NFS1-ISD11 complex. An in vitro Fe-S cluster assembly assay showed that [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters are assembled on ISCU when catalyzed by NFS1 alone and at a higher rate when catalyzed by the NFS1-ISD11 complex. The DnaK-type chaperone (mtHSP70) and DnaJ-type co-chaperone (HSC20) are involved in the transfer of clusters bound to ISCU to acceptor proteins in an ATP-dependent reaction. We found that the ATPase activity of mtHSP70 is accelerated by HSC20 and further accelerated by HSC20 plus ISCU. NMR studies have shown that mtHSP70 binds preferentially to the D-state of ISCU and that HSC20 binds preferentially to the S-state of ISCU.

Reprint of: Iron/sulfur proteins biogenesis in prokaryotes: formation, regulation and diversity

Iron/sulfur centers are key cofactors of proteins intervening in multiple conserved cellular processes, such as gene expression, DNA repair, RNA modification, central metabolism and respiration. Mechanisms allowing Fe/S centers to be assembled, and inserted into polypeptides have attracted much attention in the last decade, both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Basic principles and recent advances in our understanding of the prokaryotic Fe/S biogenesis ISC and SUF systems are reviewed in the present communication. Most studies covered stem from investigations in Escherichia coli and Azotobacter vinelandii. Remarkable insights were brought about by complementary structural, spectroscopic, biochemical and genetic studies. Highlights of the recent years include scaffold mediated assembly of Fe/S cluster, A-type carriers mediated delivery of clusters and regulatory control of Fe/S homeostasis via a set of interconnected genetic regulatory circuits. Also, the importance of Fe/S biosynthesis systems in mediating soft metal toxicity was documented. A brief account of the Fe/S biosynthesis systems diversity as present in current databases is given here. Moreover, Fe/S biosynthesis factors have themselves been the object of molecular tailoring during evolution and some examples are discussed here. An effort was made to provide, based on the E. coli system, a general classification associating a given domain with a given function such as to help next search and annotation of genomes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.

The mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone Ssq1 facilitates Fe/S cluster transfer from Isu1 to Grx5 by complex formation

The monothiol glutaredoxin Grx5 is defined as a core member of mitochondrial Fe/S protein biogenesis. Grx5 undergoes a highly specific protein interaction with the dedicated Hsp70 chaperone Ssq1. The simultaneous presence of the scaffold protein Isu1 and Grx5 on Ssq1 facilitates the transfer of newly synthesized Fe/S clusters from Isu1 to Grx5.

The mitochondrial Hsp70 chaperone Ssq1 plays a dedicated role in the maturation of iron–sulfur (Fe/S) proteins, an essential process of mitochondria. Similar to its bacterial orthologue HscA, Ssq1 binds to the scaffold protein Isu1, thereby facilitating dissociation of the newly synthesized Fe/S cluster on Isu1 and its transfer to target apoproteins. Here we use in vivo and in vitro approaches to show that Ssq1 also interacts with the monothiol glutaredoxin 5 (Grx5) at a binding site different from that of Isu1. Grx5 binding does not stimulate the ATPase activity of Ssq1 and is most pronounced for the ADP-bound form of Ssq1, which interacts with Isu1 most tightly. The vicinity of Isu1 and Grx5 on the Hsp70 chaperone facilitates rapid Fe/S cluster transfer from Isu1 to Grx5. Grx5 and its bound Fe/S cluster are required for maturation of all cellular Fe/S proteins, regardless of the type of bound Fe/S cofactor and subcellular localization. Hence Grx5 functions as a late-acting component of the core Fe/S cluster (ISC) assembly machinery linking the Fe/S cluster synthesis reaction on Isu1 with late assembly steps involving Fe/S cluster targeting to dedicated apoproteins.

Iron/sulfur proteins biogenesis in prokaryotes: formation, regulation and diversity

Iron/sulfur centers are key cofactors of proteins intervening in multiple conserved cellular processes, such as gene expression, DNA repair, RNA modification, central metabolism and respiration. Mechanisms allowing Fe/S centers to be assembled, and inserted into polypeptides have attracted much attention in the last decade, both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Basic principles and recent advances in our understanding of the prokaryotic Fe/S biogenesis ISC and SUF systems are reviewed in the present communication. Most studies covered stem from investigations in Escherichia coli and Azotobacter vinelandii. Remarkable insights were brought about by complementary structural, spectroscopic, biochemical and genetic studies. Highlights of the recent years include scaffold mediated assembly of Fe/S cluster, A-type carriers mediated delivery of clusters and regulatory control of Fe/S homeostasis via a set of interconnected genetic regulatory circuits. Also, the importance of Fe/S biosynthesis systems in mediating soft metal toxicity was documented. A brief account of the Fe/S biosynthesis systems diversity as present in current databases is given here. Moreover, Fe/S biosynthesis factors have themselves been the object of molecular tailoring during evolution and some examples are discussed here. An effort was made to provide, based on the E. coli system, a general classification associating a given domain with a given function such as to help next search and annotation of genomes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.

Distance mapping in proteins using fluorescence spectroscopy: the tryptophan-induced quenching (TrIQ) method

Studying the interplay between protein structure and function remains a daunting task. Especially lacking are methods for measuring structural changes in real time. Here we report our most recent improvements to a method that can be used to address such challenges. This method, which we now call tryptophan-induced quenching (TrIQ), provides a straightforward, sensitive, and inexpensive way to address questions of conformational dynamics and short-range protein interactions. Importantly, TrIQ only occurs over relatively short distances (∼5-15 Å), making it complementary to traditional fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods that occur over distances too large for precise studies of protein structure. As implied in the name, TrIQ measures the efficient quenching induced in some fluorophores by tryptophan (Trp). We present here our analysis of the TrIQ effect for five different fluorophores that span a range of sizes and spectral properties. Each probe was attached to four different cysteine residues on T4 lysozyme, and the extent of TrIQ caused by a nearby Trp was measured. Our results show that, at least for smaller probes, the extent of TrIQ is distance dependent. Moreover, we also demonstrate how TrIQ data can be analyzed to determine the fraction of fluorophores involved in a static, nonfluorescent complex with Trp. Based on this analysis, our study shows that each fluorophore has a different TrIQ profile, or "sphere of quenching", which correlates with its size, rotational flexibility, and the length of attachment linker. This TrIQ-based "sphere of quenching" is unique to every Trp-probe pair and reflects the distance within which one can expect to see the TrIQ effect. Thus,TrIQ provides a straightforward, readily accessible approach for mapping distances within proteins and monitoring conformational changes using fluorescence spectroscopy.

SufU is an essential iron-sulfur cluster scaffold protein in Bacillus subtilis

Bacteria use three distinct systems for iron-sulfur (Fe/S) cluster biogenesis: the ISC, SUF, and NIF machineries. The ISC and SUF systems are widely distributed, and many bacteria possess both of them. In Escherichia coli, ISC is the major and constitutive system, whereas SUF is induced under iron starvation and/or oxidative stress. Genomic analysis of the Fe/S cluster biosynthesis genes in Bacillus subtilis suggests that this bacterium's genome encodes only a SUF system consisting of a sufCDSUB gene cluster and a distant sufA gene. Mutant analysis of the putative Fe/S scaffold genes sufU and sufA revealed that sufU is essential for growth under minimal standard conditions, but not sufA. The drastic growth retardation of a conditional mutant depleted of SufU was coupled with a severe reduction of aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase activities in total-cell lysates, suggesting a crucial function of SufU in Fe/S protein biogenesis. Recombinant SufU was devoid of Fe/S clusters after aerobic purification. Upon in vitro reconstitution, SufU bound an Fe/S cluster with up to approximately 1.5 Fe and S per monomer. The assembled Fe/S cluster could be transferred from SufU to the apo form of isopropylmalate isomerase Leu1, rapidly forming catalytically active [4Fe-4S]-containing holo-enzyme. In contrast to native SufU, its D43A variant carried a Fe/S cluster after aerobic purification, indicating that the cluster is stabilized by this mutation. Further, we show that apo-SufU is an activator of the cysteine desulfurase SufS by enhancing its activity about 40-fold in vitro. SufS-dependent formation of holo-SufU suggests that SufU functions as an Fe/S cluster scaffold protein tightly cooperating with the SufS cysteine desulfurase.

Molecular Chaperones HscA/Ssq1 and HscB/Jac1 and Their Roles in Iron-Sulfur Protein Maturation

Genetic and biochemical studies have led to the identification of several cellular pathways for the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur proteins in different organisms. The most broadly distributed and highly conserved system involves an Hsp70 chaperone and J-protein co-chaperone system that interacts with a scaffold-like protein involved in [FeS]-cluster preassembly. Specialized forms of Hsp70 and their co-chaperones have evolved in bacteria (HscA, HscB) and in certain fungi (Ssq1, Jac1), whereas most eukaryotes employ a multifunctional mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70) together with a specialized co-chaperone homologous to HscB/Jac1. HscA and Ssq1 have been shown to specifically bind to a conserved sequence present in the [FeS]-scaffold protein designated IscU in bacteria and Isu in fungi, and the crystal structure of a complex of a peptide containing the IscU recognition region bound to the HscA substrate binding domain has been determined. The interaction of IscU/Isu with HscA/Ssq1 is regulated by HscB/Jac1 which bind the scaffold protein to assist delivery to the chaperone and stabilize the chaperone-scaffold complex by enhancing chaperone ATPase activity. The crystal structure of HscB reveals that the N-terminal J-domain involved in regulation of HscA ATPase activity is similar to other J-proteins, whereas the C-terminal domain is unique and appears to mediate specific interactions with IscU. At the present time the exact function(s) of chaperone-[FeS]-scaffold interactions in iron-sulfur protein biosynthesis remain(s) to be established. In vivo and in vitro studies of yeast Ssq1 and Jac1 indicate that the chaperones are not required for [FeS]-cluster assembly on Isu. Recent in vitro studies using bacterial HscA, HscB and IscU have shown that the chaperones destabilize the IscU[FeS] complex and facilitate cluster delivery to an acceptor apo-protein consistent with a role in regulating cluster release and transfer. Additional genetic and biochemical studies are needed to extend these findings to mtHsp70 activities in higher eukaryotes.

Escherichia coli FtnA acts as an iron buffer for re-assembly of iron-sulfur clusters in response to hydrogen peroxide stress

Iron-sulfur clusters are one of the most ubiquitous redox centers in biology. Ironically, iron-sulfur clusters are highly sensitive to reactive oxygen species. Disruption of iron-sulfur clusters will not only change the activity of proteins that host iron-sulfur clusters, the iron released from the disrupted iron-sulfur clusters will further promote the production of deleterious hydroxyl free radicals via the Fenton reaction. Here, we report that ferritin A (FtnA), a major iron-storage protein in Escherichia coli, is able to scavenge the iron released from the disrupted iron-sulfur clusters and alleviates the production of hydroxyl free radicals. Furthermore, we find that the iron stored in FtnA can be retrieved by an iron chaperon IscA for the re-assembly of the iron-sulfur cluster in a proposed scaffold IscU in the presence of the thioredoxin reductase system which emulates normal intracellular redox potential. The results suggest that E. coli FtnA may act as an iron buffer to sequester the iron released from the disrupted iron-sulfur clusters under oxidative stress conditions and to facilitate the re-assembly of the disrupted iron-sulfur clusters under normal physiological conditions.

Fe-S cluster assembly pathways in bacteria

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are required for critical biochemical pathways, including respiration, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. Assembly of these iron cofactors is a carefully controlled process in cells to avoid toxicity from free iron and sulfide. Multiple Fe-S cluster assembly pathways are present in bacteria to carry out basal cluster assembly, stress-responsive cluster assembly, and enzyme-specific cluster assembly. Although biochemical and genetic characterization is providing a partial picture of in vivo Fe-S cluster assembly, a number of mechanistic questions remain unanswered. Furthermore, new factors involved in Fe-S cluster assembly and repair have recently been identified and are expanding the complexity of current models. Here we attempt to summarize recent advances and to highlight new avenues of research in the field of Fe-S cluster assembly.

Complementary roles of SufA and IscA in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters in Escherichia coli

Biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters requires a concerted delivery of iron and sulfur to target proteins. It is now clear that sulfur in iron-sulfur clusters is derived from L-cysteine via cysteine desulfurases. However, the specific iron donor for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly still remains elusive. Previous studies showed that IscA, a member of the iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery in Escherichia coli, is a novel iron-binding protein, and that the iron-bound IscA can provide iron for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in a proposed scaffold IscU in vitro. However, genetic studies have indicated that IscA is not essential for the cell growth of E. coli. In the present paper, we report that SufA, an IscA paralogue in E. coli, may represent the redundant activity of IscA. Although deletion of IscA or SufA has only a mild effect on cell growth, deletion of both IscA and SufA in E. coli results in a severe growth phenotype in minimal medium under aerobic growth conditions. Cell growth is restored when either IscA or SufA is re-introduced into the iscA-/sufA- double mutant, demonstrating further that either IscA or SufA is sufficient for their functions in vivo. Purified SufA, like IscA, is an iron-binding protein that can provide iron for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in IscU in the presence of a thioredoxin reductase system which emulates the intracellular redox potential. Site-directed mutagenesis studies show that the SufA/IscA variants that lose the specific iron-binding activity fail to restore the cell growth of the iscA-/sufA- double mutant. The results suggest that SufA and IscA may constitute the redundant cellular activities to recruit intracellular iron and deliver iron for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in E. coli.

Iron-sulfur protein biogenesis in eukaryotes: components and mechanisms

Iron-sulfur (Fe/S) clusters require a complex set of proteins to become assembled and incorporated into apoproteins in a living cell. Researchers have described three distinct assembly systems in eukaryotes that are involved in the maturation of cellular Fe/S proteins. Mitochondria are central for biogenesis. They contain the ISC-the iron-sulfur cluster assembly machinery that was inherited from a similar system of eubacteria in evolution and is involved in biogenesis of all cellular Fe/S proteins. The basic principle of mitochondrial (and bacterial) Fe/S protein maturation is the synthesis of the Fe/S cluster on a scaffold protein before the cluster is transferred to apoproteins. Biogenesis of cytosolic and nuclear Fe/S proteins is facilitated by the cytosolic iron-sulfur protein assembly (CIA) apparatus. This process requires the participation of mitochondria that export a still unknown component via the ISC export machinery, including an ABC transporter.

HscA and HscB stimulate [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from IscU to apoferredoxin in an ATP-dependent reaction

The role of the Azotobacter vinelandii HscA/HscB cochaperone system in ISC-mediated iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis has been investigated in vitro by using CD and EPR spectrometry to monitor the effect of HscA, HscB, MgATP, and MgADP on the time course of cluster transfer from [2Fe-2S]IscU to apo-Isc ferredoxin. CD spectra indicate that both HscB and HscA interact with [2Fe-2S]IscU and the rate of cluster transfer was stimulated more than 20-fold in the presence stoichiometric HscA and HscB and excess MgATP. No stimulation was observed in the absence of either HscB or MgATP, and cluster transfer was found to be an ATP-dependent reaction based on concomitant phosphate production and the enhanced rates of cluster transfer in the presence of KCl which is known to stimulate HscA ATPase activity. The results demonstrate a role of the ISC HscA/HscB cochaperone system in facilitating efficient [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from the IscU scaffold protein to acceptor proteins and that [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from IscU is an ATP-dependent process. The data are consistent with the proposed regulation of the HscA ATPase cycle by HscB and IscU [Silberg, J. J., Tapley, T. L., Hoff, K. G., and Vickery, L. E. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 53924-53931], and mechanistic proposals for coupling of the HscA ATPase cycle with cluster transfer from [2Fe-2S]IscU to apo-IscFdx are discussed.

Controlled expression and functional analysis of iron-sulfur cluster biosynthetic components within Azotobacter vinelandii

A system for the controlled expression of genes in Azotobacter vinelandii by using genomic fusions to the sucrose catabolic regulon was developed. This system was used for the functional analysis of the A. vinelandii isc genes, whose products are involved in the maturation of [Fe-S] proteins. For this analysis, the scrX gene, contained within the sucrose catabolic regulon, was replaced by the contiguous A. vinelandii iscS, iscU, iscA, hscB, hscA, fdx, and iscX genes, resulting in duplicate genomic copies of these genes: one whose expression is directed by the normal isc regulatory elements (Pisc) and the other whose expression is directed by the scrX promoter (PscrX). Functional analysis of [Fe-S] protein maturation components was achieved by placing a mutation within a particular Pisc-controlled gene with subsequent repression of the corresponding PscrX-controlled component by growth on glucose as the carbon source. This experimental strategy was used to show that IscS, IscU, HscBA, and Fdx are essential in A. vinelandii and that their depletion results in a deficiency in the maturation of aconitase, an enzyme that requires a [4Fe-4S] cluster for its catalytic activity. Depletion of IscA results in a null growth phenotype only when cells are cultured under conditions of elevated oxygen, marking the first null phenotype associated with the loss of a bacterial IscA-type protein. Furthermore, the null growth phenotype of cells depleted of HscBA could be partially reversed by culturing cells under conditions of low oxygen. Conserved amino acid residues within IscS, IscU, and IscA that are essential for their respective functions and/or whose replacement results in a partial or complete dominant-negative growth phenotype were also identified using this system.

Structural determinants of HscA peptide-binding specificity

The Hsp70-class molecular chaperone HscA interacts specifically with a conserved (99)LPPVK(103) motif of the iron-sulfur cluster scaffold protein IscU. We used a cellulose-bound peptide array to perform single-site saturation substitution of peptide residues corresponding to Glu(98)-Ile(104) of IscU to determine positional amino acid requirements for recognition by HscA. Two mutant chaperone forms, HscA(F426A) with a DnaK-like arch structure and HscA(M433V) with a DnaK-like substrate-binding pocket, were also studied. Wild-type HscA and HscA(F426A) exhibited a strict preference for proline in the central peptide position (ELPPVKI), whereas HscA(M433V) bound a peptide containing a Pro-->Leu substitution at this location (ELPLVKI). Contributions of Phe(426) and Met(433) to HscA peptide specificity were further tested in solution using a fluorescence-based peptide-binding assay. Bimane-labeled HscA and HscA(F426A) bound ELPPVKI peptides with higher affinity than leucine-substituted peptides, whereas HscA(M433V) favored binding of ELPLVKI peptides. Fluorescence-binding studies were also carried out with derivatives of the peptide NRLLLTG, a model substrate for DnaK. HscA and HscA(F426A) bound NRLLLTG peptides weakly, whereas HscA(M433V) bound NRLLLTG peptides with higher affinity than IscU-derived peptides ELPPVKI and ELPLVKI. These results suggest that the specificity of HscA for the LPPVK recognition sequence is determined in part by steric obstruction of the hydrophobic binding pocket by Met(433) and that substitution with the Val(433) sidechain imparts a broader, more DnaK-like, substrate recognition pattern.

Interplay of IscA and IscU in biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters

Increasing evidence suggests that sulfur in ubiquitous iron-sulfur clusters is derived from L-cysteine via cysteine desulfurases. In Escherichia coli, the major cysteine desulfurase activity for biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters has been attributed to IscS. The gene that encodes IscS is a member of an operon iscSUA, which also encodes two highly conserved proteins: IscU and IscA. Previous studies suggested that both IscU and IscA may act as the iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold proteins. However, recent evidence indicated that IscA is an iron-binding protein that can provide iron for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in IscU (Ding, H., Harrison, K., and Lu, J. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 30432-30437). To further elucidate the function of IscA in biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters, we evaluate the iron-sulfur cluster binding activity of IscA and IscU under physiologically relevant conditions. When equal amounts of IscA and IscU are incubated with an equivalent amount of ferrous iron in the presence of IscS, L-cysteine and dithiothreitol, iron-sulfur clusters are assembled in IscU, but not in IscA, suggesting that IscU is a preferred iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold protein. In contrast, when equal amounts of IscA and IscU are incubated with an equivalent amount of ferrous iron in the presence of IscS and dithiothreitol but without L-cysteine, nearly all iron is bound to IscA. The iron binding in IscA appears to prevent the formation of the biologically inaccessible ferric hydroxide under aerobic conditions. Subsequent addition of L-cysteine efficiently mobilizes the iron center in IscA and transfers the iron for the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in IscU. The results suggest an intriguing interplay between IscA and IscU in which IscA acts as an iron chaperon that recruits "free" iron and delivers the iron for biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters in IscU under aerobic conditions.

Sequence-dependent peptide binding orientation by the molecular chaperone DnaK

Hsp70-class molecular chaperones interact with diverse polypeptide substrates, but there is limited information on the structures of different Hsp70-peptide complexes. We have used a site-directed fluorescence labeling and quenching strategy to investigate the orientation of different peptides bound to DnaK from Escherichia coli. DnaK was selectively labeled on opposite sides of the substrate-binding domain (SBD) with the fluorescent probe bimane, and the ability of peptides containing N- or C-terminal tryptophan residues to quench bimane fluorescence was measured. Tryptophan-labeled derivatives of the model peptide NRLLLTG bound with the same forward orientation previously observed in the crystal structure of the DnaK(SBD)-NRLLLTG complex. Derivatives of this peptide containing arginine in the C-terminal rather than N-terminal region, NTLLLRG, also bound in the forward direction indicating that charged residues in the flanking regions of the peptide are not the major determinant of peptide binding orientation. We also tested peptides having proline in one (ELPLVKI) or two (ELPPVKI) central positions. Tryptophan derivatives of each of these peptides bound with a strong preference for the reverse direction relative to that observed for the NRLLLTG and NTLLLRG peptides. Computer modeling the peptides NRLLLTG and ELPPVKI in both the forward and reverse orientations into the DnaK(SBD) indicated that differential hydrogen-bonding patterns and steric constraints of the central peptide residues are likely causes for differences in their binding orientations. These findings establish that DnaK is able to bind substrates in both forward and reverse orientations and suggest that the central residues of the peptide are the major determinants of directional preference.

X-ray diffraction analysis of a crystal of HscA from Escherichia coli

HscA is a constitutively expressed Hsp70 that interacts with the iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscU. Crystals of a truncated form of HscA (52 kDa; residues 17-505) grown in the presence of an IscU-recognition peptide, WELPPVKI, have been obtained by hanging-drop vapor diffusion using ammonium sulfate as the precipitant. A complete native X-ray diffraction data set was collected from a single crystal at 100 K to a resolution of 2.9 A. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 158.35, b = 166.15, c = 168.26 A, and contains six molecules per asymmetric unit. Phases were determined by molecular replacement using the nucleotide-binding domain from DnaK and the substrate-binding domain from HscA as models. This is the first reported crystallization of an Hsp70 containing both nucleotide- and substrate-binding domains.

STRUCTURE, FUNCTION, AND FORMATION OF BIOLOGICAL IRON-SULFUR CLUSTERS

Iron-sulfur [Fe-S] clusters are ubiquitous and evolutionary ancient prosthetic groups that are required to sustain fundamental life processes. Owing to their remarkable structural plasticity and versatile chemical/electronic features [Fe-S] clusters participate in electron transfer, substrate binding/activation, iron/sulfur storage, regulation of gene expression, and enzyme activity. Formation of intracellular [Fe-S] clusters does not occur spontaneously but requires a complex biosynthetic machinery. Three different types of [Fe-S] cluster biosynthetic systems have been discovered, and all of them are mechanistically unified by the requirement for a cysteine desulfurase and the participation of an [Fe-S] cluster scaffolding protein. Important mechanistic questions related to [Fe-S] cluster biosynthesis involve the molecular details of how [Fe-S] clusters are assembled on scaffold proteins, how [Fe-S] clusters are transferred from scaffolds to target proteins, how various accessory proteins participate in [Fe-S] protein maturation, and how the biosynthetic process is regulated.

Hsp70 chaperones: cellular functions and molecular mechanism

Hsp70 proteins are central components of the cellular network of molecular chaperones and folding catalysts. They assist a large variety of protein folding processes in the cell by transient association of their substrate binding domain with short hydrophobic peptide segments within their substrate proteins. The substrate binding and release cycle is driven by the switching of Hsp70 between the low-affinity ATP bound state and the high-affinity ADP bound state. Thus, ATP binding and hydrolysis are essential in vitro and in vivo for the chaperone activity of Hsp70 proteins. This ATPase cycle is controlled by co-chaperones of the family of J-domain proteins, which target Hsp70s to their substrates, and by nucleotide exchange factors, which determine the lifetime of the Hsp70-substrate complex. Additional co-chaperones fine-tune this chaperone cycle. For specific tasks the Hsp70 cycle is coupled to the action of other chaperones, such as Hsp90 and Hsp100.

Data-driven docking for the study of biomolecular complexes

With the amount of genetic information available, a lot of attention has focused on systems biology, in particular biomolecular interactions. Considering the huge number of such interactions, and their often weak and transient nature, conventional experimental methods such as X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy are not sufficient to gain structural insight into these. A wealth of biochemical and/or biophysical data can, however, readily be obtained for biomolecular complexes. Combining these data with docking (the process of modeling the 3D structure of a complex from its known constituents) should provide valuable structural information and complement the classical structural methods. In this review we discuss and illustrate the various sources of data that can be used to map interactions and their combination with docking methods to generate structural models of the complexes. Finally a perspective on the future of this kind of approach is given.

Crystal structure of the molecular chaperone HscA substrate binding domain complexed with the IscU recognition peptide ELPPVKIHC

HscA, a specialized bacterial Hsp70-class molecular chaperone, interacts with the iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscU by recognizing a conserved LPPVK sequence motif. We report the crystal structure of the substrate-binding domain of HscA (SBD, residues 389-616) from Escherichia coli bound to an IscU-derived peptide, ELPPVKIHC. The crystals belong to the space group I222 and contain a single molecule in the asymmetric unit. Molecular replacement with the E.coli DnaK(SBD) model was used for phasing, and the HscA(SBD)-peptide model was refined to Rfactor=17.4% (Rfree=21.0%) at 1.95 A resolution. The overall structure of HscA(SBD) is similar to that of DnaK(SBD), although the alpha-helical subdomain (residues 506-613) is shifted up to 10 A relative to the beta-sandwich subdomain (residues 389-498) when compared to DnaK(SBD). The ELPPVKIHC peptide is bound in an extended conformation in a hydrophobic cleft in the beta-subdomain, which appears to be solvent-accessible via a narrow passageway between the alpha and beta-subdomains. The bound peptide is positioned in the reverse orientation of that observed in the DnaK(SBD)-NRLLLTG peptide complex placing the N and C termini of the peptide on opposite sides of the HscA(SBD) relative to the DnaK(SBD) complex. Modeling of the peptide in the DnaK-like forward orientation suggests that differences in hydrogen bonding interactions in the binding cleft and electrostatic interactions involving surface residues near the cleft contribute to the observed directional preference.

Regulation of the HscA ATPase reaction cycle by the co-chaperone HscB and the iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscU

The ATPase activity of HscA, a specialized hsp70 molecular chaperone from Escherichia coli, is regulated by the iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscU and the J-type co-chaperone HscB. IscU behaves as a substrate for HscA, and HscB enhances the binding of IscU to HscA. To better understand the mechanism by which HscB and IscU regulate HscA, we examined binding of HscB to the different conformational states of HscA and the effects of HscB and IscU on the kinetics of the individual steps of the HscA ATPase reaction cycle. Affinity sensor studies revealed that whereas IscU binds both ADP (R-state) and ATP (T-state) HscA complexes, HscB interacts only with an ATP-bound state. Studies of ATPase activity under single-turnover and rapid mixing conditions showed that both IscU and HscB interact with the low peptide affinity T-state of HscA (HscA++.ATP) and that both modestly accelerate (3-10-fold) the rate-determining steps in the HscA reaction cycle, k(hyd) and k(T-->R). When present together, IscU and HscB synergistically stimulate both k(hyd) (approximately = 500-fold) and k(T-->R) (approximately = 60-fold), leading to enhanced formation of the HscA.ADP-IscU complex (substrate capture). Following ADP/ATP exchange, IscU also stimulates k(R-->T) (approximately = 50-fold) and thereby accelerates the rate at which the low peptide affinity HscA++.ATP T-state is regenerated. Because HscA nucleotide exchange is fast, the overall rate of the chaperone cycle in vivo will be determined by the availability of the IscU-HscB substrate-co-chaperone complex.