1
|
Litberg TJ, Horowitz S. Roles of Nucleic Acids in Protein Folding, Aggregation, and Disease. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:809-823. [PMID: 38477936 PMCID: PMC11149768 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The role of nucleic acids in protein folding and aggregation is an area of continued research, with relevance to understanding both basic biological processes and disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the trajectory of research on both nucleic acids as chaperones and their roles in several protein misfolding diseases. We highlight key questions that remain on the biophysical and biochemical specifics of how nucleic acids have large effects on multiple proteins' folding and aggregation behavior and how this pertains to multiple protein misfolding diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore J. Litberg
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and The Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Scott Horowitz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and The Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park C, Han B, Choi Y, Jin Y, Kim KP, Choi SI, Seong BL. RNA-dependent proteome solubility maintenance in Escherichia coli lysates analysed by quantitative mass spectrometry: Proteomic characterization in terms of isoelectric point, structural disorder, functional hub, and chaperone network. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-18. [PMID: 38361426 PMCID: PMC10878026 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2315383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation, a consequence of misfolding and impaired proteostasis, can lead to cellular malfunctions such as various proteinopathies. The mechanisms protecting proteins from aggregation in complex cellular environments have long been investigated, often from a protein-centric viewpoint. However, our study provides insights into a crucial, yet overlooked actor: RNA. We found that depleting RNAs from Escherichia coli lysates induces global protein aggregation. Our quantitative mass spectrometry analysis identified over 900 statistically significant proteins from the Escherichia coli proteome whose solubility depends on RNAs. Proteome-wide characterization showed that the RNA dependency is particularly enriched among acidic proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, and structural hub proteins. Moreover, we observed distinct differences in RNA-binding mode and Gene Ontology categories between RNA-dependent acidic and basic proteins. Notably, the solubility of key molecular chaperones [Trigger factor, DnaJ, and GroES] is largely dependent on RNAs, suggesting a yet-to-be-explored hierarchical relationship between RNA-based chaperone (termed as chaperna) and protein-based chaperones, both of which constitute the whole chaperone network. These findings provide new insights into the RNA-centric role in maintaining healthy proteome solubility in vivo, where proteins associate with a variety of RNAs, either stably or transiently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Bitnara Han
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
| | - Yura Choi
- Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Integrative Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Yoontae Jin
- Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Pyo Kim
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Kyung Hee Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Il Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Hospital, Institute of Allergy, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Baik L. Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
- Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guzman BB, Son A, Litberg TJ, Huang Z, Dominguez D, Horowitz S. Emerging roles for G-quadruplexes in proteostasis. FEBS J 2023; 290:4614-4625. [PMID: 36017725 PMCID: PMC10071977 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
How nucleic acids interact with proteins, and how they affect protein folding, aggregation, and misfolding is a still-evolving area of research. Considerable effort is now focusing on a particular structure of RNA and DNA, G-quadruplexes, and their role in protein homeostasis and disease. In this state-of-the-art review, we track recent reports on how G-quadruplexes influence protein aggregation, proteolysis, phase separation, and protein misfolding diseases, and pose currently unanswered questions in the advance of this scientific field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan B Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ahyun Son
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Theodore J Litberg
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Zijue Huang
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Daniel Dominguez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Scott Horowitz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ahn J, Yu JE, Kim H, Sung J, Han G, Sohn MH, Seong BL. AB 5-Type Toxin as a Pentameric Scaffold in Recombinant Vaccines against the Japanese Encephalitis Virus. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:425. [PMID: 37505694 PMCID: PMC10467048 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an enveloped icosahedral capsid virus with a prime neutralizing epitope present in E protein domain III (EDIII). E dimers are rearranged into a five-fold symmetry of icosahedrons. Cholera toxin B (CTB) and heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) of AB5-type toxin was used as the structural scaffold for emulating the pentameric axis of EDIII. We produced homo-pentameric EDIII through the genetic fusion of LTB or CTB in E. coli without recourse to additional refolding steps. Harnessing an RNA-mediated chaperone further enhanced the soluble expression and pentameric assembly of the chimeric antigen. The pentameric assembly was validated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), non-reduced gel analysis, and a GM1 binding assay. CTB/LTB-EDIII chimeric antigen triggered high neutralizing antibodies against the JEV Nakayama strain after immunization in mice. Altogether, our proof-of-principle study creating a JEV-protective antigen via fusion with an AB5-type toxin as both a pentameric scaffold and a built-in adjuvant posits the bacterially produced recombinant chimeric antigen as a cost-effective alternative to conventional inactivated vaccines against JEV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jina Ahn
- The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Integrative Biotechnology & Translational Medicine, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Yu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03708, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Hanna Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03708, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Jemin Sung
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03708, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
| | - Gyoonhee Han
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03708, Republic of Korea (H.K.)
- Department of Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science, WCU Program of Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Hyun Sohn
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Baik-Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul 03721, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nanoparticle and virus-like particle vaccine approaches against SARS-CoV-2. J Microbiol 2022; 60:335-346. [PMID: 35089583 PMCID: PMC8795728 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-022-1608-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has provoked an urgent need for prophylactic measures. Several innovative vaccine platforms have been introduced and billions of vaccine doses have been administered worldwide. To enable the creation of safer and more effective vaccines, additional platforms are under development. These include the use of nanoparticle (NP) and virus-like particle (VLP) technology. NP vaccines utilize self-assembling scaffold structures designed to load the entire spike protein or receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in a trimeric configuration. In contrast, VLP vaccines are genetically modified recombinant viruses that are considered safe, as they are generally replication-defective. Furthermore, VLPs have indigenous immunogenic potential due to their microbial origin. Importantly, NP and VLP vaccines have shown stronger immunogenicity with greater protection by mimicking the physicochemical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. The study of NP- and VLP-based coronavirus vaccines will help ensure the development of rapid-response technology against SARS-CoV-2 variants and future coronavirus pandemics.
Collapse
|
6
|
TAR RNA Mediated Folding of a Single-Arginine-Mutant HIV-1 Tat Protein within HeLa Cells Experiencing Intracellular Crowding. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189998. [PMID: 34576162 PMCID: PMC8468913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The various effects of native protein folding on the stability and folding rate of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in crowded intracellular environments are important in biomedicine. Although most studies on protein folding have been conducted in vitro, providing valuable insights, studies on protein folding in crowded intracellular environments are scarce. This study aimed to explore the effects of intracellular molecular crowding on the folding of mutant transactivator HIV-1 Tat based on intracellular interactions, including TAR RNA, as proof of the previously reported chaperna-RNA concept. Considering that the Tat-TAR RNA motif binds RNA, we assessed the po tential function of TAR RNA as a chaperna for the refolding of R52Tat, a mutant in which the argi nine (R) residues at R52 have been replaced with alanine (A) by site-directed mutagenesis. We mon itored Tat-EGFP and Tat folding in HeLa cells via time-lapse fluorescence microscopy and biolayer interferometry using EGFP fusion as an indicator for folding status. These results show that the refolding of R52A Tat was stimulated well at a 0.3 μM TAR RNA concentration; wild-type Tat refolding was essentially abolished because of a reduction in the affinity for TAR RNA at that con centration. The folding and refolding of R52Tat were mainly promoted upon stimulation with TAR RNA. Our findings provide novel insights into the therapeutic potential of chaperna-mediated fold ing through the examination of as-yet-unexplored RNA-mediated protein folding as well as viral genetic variants that modulate viral evolutionary linkages for viral diseases inside a crowded intra cellular environment.
Collapse
|
7
|
Anžel A, Heider D, Hattab G. The visual story of data storage: From storage properties to user interfaces. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:4904-4918. [PMID: 34527195 PMCID: PMC8430386 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
About fifty times more data has been created than there are stars in the observable universe. Current trends in data creation and consumption mean that the devices and storage media we use will require more physical space. Novel data storage media such as DNA are considered a viable alternative. Yet, the introduction of new storage technologies should be accompanied by an evaluation of user requirements. To assess such needs, we designed and conducted a survey to rank different storage properties adapted for visualization. That is, accessibility, capacity, usage, mutability, lifespan, addressability, and typology. Withal, we reported different storage devices over time while ranking them by their properties. Our results indicated a timeline of three distinct periods: magnetic, optical and electronic, and alternative media. Moreover, by investigating user interfaces across different operating systems, we observed a predominant presence of bar charts and tree maps for the usage of a medium and its file directory hierarchy, respectively. Taken together with the results of our survey, this allowed us to create a customized user interface that includes data visualizations that can be toggled for both user groups: Experts and Public.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Anžel
- University of Marburg, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Dominik Heider
- University of Marburg, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Georges Hattab
- University of Marburg, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Marburg 35043, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lim J, Cheong Y, Kim YS, Chae W, Hwang BJ, Lee J, Jang YH, Roh YH, Seo SU, Seong BL. RNA-dependent assembly of chimeric antigen nanoparticles as an efficient H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine platform. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 37:102438. [PMID: 34256061 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) pose a significant threat to human health, with high mortality rates, and require effective vaccines. We showed that, harnessed with novel RNA-mediated chaperone function, hemagglutinin (HA) of H5N1 HPAIV could be displayed as an immunologically relevant conformation on self-assembled chimeric nanoparticles (cNP). A tri-partite monomeric antigen was designed including: i) an RNA-interaction domain (RID) as a docking tag for RNA to enable chaperna function (chaperna: chaperone + RNA), ii) globular head domain (gd) of HA as a target antigen, and iii) ferritin as a scaffold for 24 mer-assembly. The immunization of mice with the nanoparticles (~46 nm) induced a 25-30 fold higher neutralizing capacity of the antibody and provided cross-protection from homologous and heterologous lethal challenges. This study suggests that cNP assembly is conducive to eliciting antibodies against the conserved region in HA, providing potent and broad protective efficacy.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use
- Birds/virology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/drug effects
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity
- Influenza Vaccines/chemistry
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Influenza in Birds/immunology
- Influenza in Birds/prevention & control
- Influenza in Birds/virology
- Mice
- Nanoparticles/chemistry
- Nanoparticles/therapeutic use
- Pandemics
- RNA/genetics
- RNA/immunology
- RNA/therapeutic use
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jongkwan Lim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yucheol Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Seok Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonil Chae
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Jeung Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Lee
- Department of Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yo Han Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hoon Roh
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Uk Seo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Baik L Seong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Vaccine Innovative Technology Alliance-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|