1
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Roy P, Walter Z, Berish L, Ramage H, McCullagh M. Motif-VI loop acts as a nucleotide valve in the West Nile Virus NS3 Helicase. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:7447-7464. [PMID: 38884215 PMCID: PMC11260461 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The Orthoflavivirus NS3 helicase (NS3h) is crucial in virus replication, representing a potential drug target for pathogenesis. NS3h utilizes nucleotide triphosphate (ATP) for hydrolysis energy to translocate on single-stranded nucleic acids, which is an important step in the unwinding of double-stranded nucleic acids. Intermediate states along the ATP hydrolysis cycle and conformational changes between these states, represent important yet difficult-to-identify targets for potential inhibitors. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations of West Nile virus NS3h+ssRNA in the apo, ATP, ADP+Pi and ADP bound states were used to model the conformational ensembles along this cycle. Energetic and structural clustering analyses depict a clear trend of differential enthalpic affinity of NS3h with ADP, demonstrating a probable mechanism of hydrolysis turnover regulated by the motif-VI loop (MVIL). Based on these results, MVIL mutants (D471L, D471N and D471E) were found to have a substantial reduction in ATPase activity and RNA replication compared to the wild-type. Simulations of the mutants in the apo state indicate a shift in MVIL populations favoring either a closed or open 'valve' conformation, affecting ATP entry or stabilization, respectively. Combining our molecular modeling with experimental evidence highlights a conformation-dependent role for MVIL as a 'valve' for the ATP-pocket, presenting a promising target for antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Zachary Walter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Lauren Berish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Holly Ramage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Martin McCullagh
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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2
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Sohmen B, Beck C, Frank V, Seydel T, Hoffmann I, Hermann B, Nüesch M, Grimaldo M, Schreiber F, Wolf S, Roosen‐Runge F, Hugel T. The Onset of Molecule-Spanning Dynamics in Heat Shock Protein Hsp90. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304262. [PMID: 37984887 PMCID: PMC10754087 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Protein dynamics have been investigated on a wide range of time scales. Nano- and picosecond dynamics have been assigned to local fluctuations, while slower dynamics have been attributed to larger conformational changes. However, it is largely unknown how fast (local) fluctuations can lead to slow global (allosteric) changes. Here, fast molecule-spanning dynamics on the 100 to 200 ns time scale in the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) are shown. Global real-space movements are assigned to dynamic modes on this time scale, which is possible by a combination of single-molecule fluorescence, quasi-elastic neutron scattering and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The time scale of these dynamic modes depends on the conformational state of the Hsp90 dimer. In addition, the dynamic modes are affected to various degrees by Sba1, a co-chaperone of Hsp90, depending on the location within Hsp90, which is in very good agreement with MD simulations. Altogether, this data is best described by fast molecule-spanning dynamics, which precede larger conformational changes in Hsp90 and might be the molecular basis for allostery. This integrative approach provides comprehensive insights into molecule-spanning dynamics on the nanosecond time scale for a multi-domain protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Sohmen
- Institute of Physical ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
| | - Christian Beck
- Institute of Applied PhysicsUniversity of TübingenAuf der Morgenstelle 1072076TübingenGermany
- Science DivisionInstitut Max von Laue ‐ Paul Langevin71 avenue des MartyrsGrenoble38042France
| | - Veronika Frank
- Institute of Physical ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
| | - Tilo Seydel
- Science DivisionInstitut Max von Laue ‐ Paul Langevin71 avenue des MartyrsGrenoble38042France
| | - Ingo Hoffmann
- Science DivisionInstitut Max von Laue ‐ Paul Langevin71 avenue des MartyrsGrenoble38042France
| | - Bianca Hermann
- Institute of Physical ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
| | - Mark Nüesch
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of ZurichWinterthurerstrasse 190CH‐8057ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Marco Grimaldo
- Science DivisionInstitut Max von Laue ‐ Paul Langevin71 avenue des MartyrsGrenoble38042France
| | - Frank Schreiber
- Institute of Applied PhysicsUniversity of TübingenAuf der Morgenstelle 1072076TübingenGermany
| | - Steffen Wolf
- Biomolecular Dynamics, Institute of PhysicsUniversity of FreiburgHermann‐Herder‐Strasse 379104FreiburgGermany
| | - Felix Roosen‐Runge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biofilms‐Research Center for Biointerfaces (BRCB)Malmö University20506MalmöSweden
- Division of Physical ChemistryLund UniversityNaturvetarvägen 1422100LundSweden
| | - Thorsten Hugel
- Institute of Physical ChemistryUniversity of FreiburgAlbertstrasse 2179104FreiburgGermany
- Signalling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSSUniversity of FreiburgSchänzlestrasse 1879104FreiburgGermany
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3
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Roy P, Walter Z, Berish L, Ramage H, McCullagh M. Motif-VI Loop Acts as a Nucleotide Valve in the West Nile Virus NS3 Helicase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.30.569434. [PMID: 38077049 PMCID: PMC10705498 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The flavivirus NS3 helicase (NS3h), a highly conserved protein, plays a pivotal role in virus replication and thus represents a potential drug target for flavivirus pathogenesis. NS3h utilizes nucleotide triphosphate, such as ATP, for hydrolysis energy (ATPase) to translocate on single-stranded nucleic acids, which is an important step in the unwinding of double-stranded nucleic acids. The intermediate states along the ATP binding and hydrolysis cycle, as well as the conformational changes between these states, represent important yet difficult-to-identify targets for potential inhibitors. We use extensive molecular dynamics simulations of apo, ATP, ADP+Pi, and ADP bound to WNV NS3h+ssRNA to model the conformational ensembles along this cycle. Energetic and structural clustering analyses on these trajectories depict a clear trend of differential enthalpic affinity of NS3h with ADP, demonstrating a probable mechanism of hydrolysis turnover regulated by the motif-VI loop (MVIL). These findings were experimentally corroborated using viral replicons encoding three mutations at the D471 position. Replication assays using these mutants demonstrated a substantial reduction in viral replication compared to the wild-type. Molecular simulations of the D471 mutants in the apo state indicate a shift in MVIL populations favoring either a closed or open 'valve' conformation, affecting ATP entry or stabilization, respectively. Combining our molecular modeling with experimental evidence highlights a conformation-dependent role for MVIL as a 'valve' for the ATP-pocket, presenting a promising target for antiviral development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA, 74078
| | - Zachary Walter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19107
| | - Lauren Berish
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19107
| | - Holly Ramage
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 19107
| | - Martin McCullagh
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA, 74078
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4
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Amrein F, Sarto C, Cababie LA, Gonzalez Flecha FL, Kaufman S, Arrar M. Impact of bound ssRNA length on allostery in the Dengue Virus NS3 helicase. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11213-11224. [PMID: 37823592 PMCID: PMC10639040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of ATP is known to stimulate helicase activity of the Dengue Virus Non-structural protein 3 helicase (NS3h), and the presence of RNA stimulates NS3h ATPase activity, however this coupling is still mechanistically unclear. Here we use atomistic models and molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA)-length dependence of the NS3h-ssRNA binding affinity and its modulation by bound ATP. Considering complexes with 7, 11, 16 and 26 nucleotides (nts), we observe that both the binding affinity and its modulation by bound ATP are augmented with increased ssRNA lengths. In models with at least 11 nts bound, the binding of ATP results in a shift from a tightly bound to a weakly bound state. We find that the weakly bound state persists during both the ADP-Pi- and ADP-bound stages of the catalytic cycle. We obtain the equilibrium association constants for NS3h binding to an ssRNA 10-mer in vitro, both in the absence and presence of ADP, which further support the alternation between tightly and weakly bound states during the catalytic cycle. The length of bound ssRNA is critical for understanding the NS3h-RNA interaction as well as how it is modulated during the catalytic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Amrein
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Cálculo, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, CABA 1428, Argentina
| | - Carolina Sarto
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Intendente Guiraldes 2160, CABA 1428, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Cálculo, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, CABA 1428, Argentina
| | - Leila A Cababie
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
| | - F Luis Gonzalez Flecha
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
| | - Sergio B Kaufman
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Junín 956, CABA 1113, Argentina
| | - Mehrnoosh Arrar
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Instituto de Cálculo, Intendente Guiraldes 2160, CABA 1428, Argentina
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Durgam L, Guruprasad L. Molecular mechanism of ATP and RNA binding to Zika virus NS3 helicase and identification of repurposed drugs using molecular dynamics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:12642-12659. [PMID: 34516356 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1973909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Congenital Zika virus syndrome has caused a public health emergency of international concern. So far, there are no drugs available to prevent or treat the infection caused by Zika virus. The Zika virus NS3 helicase is a potential protein target for drug discovery due to its vital role in viral genome replication. NS3 helicase unwinds the viral RNA to enable the reproduction of the viral genome by the NS5 protein. NS3 helicase has two crucial binding sites; the ATP binding site and the RNA binding site. We used molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the structural behavior of Zika virus NS3 helicase in its apo form and in the presence of ATP, single-stranded RNA, and both ATP-RNA to understand their potential implications in NS3 helicase activity. Further, we have carried out virtual screening of FDA approved drugs, followed by molecular docking to identify the ATP-competitive hit molecules as probable Zika virus NS3 helicase inhibitors. The MD simulations trajectories were analyzed using normal mode analysis and principal component analysis that reveals fluctuations in the R-loop. These findings aid in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the simultaneous binding of ATP and RNA, and guide the design and discovery of new inhibitors of the Zika virus NS3 helicase as a promising drug target to treat the Zika virus infection. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laxman Durgam
- School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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Yang Z, Li G, Zhao Y, Zhang L, Yuan X, Meng L, Liu H, Han Y, Jia L, Zhang S. Molecular Insights into the Recruiting Between UCP2 and DDX5/UBAP2L in the Metabolic Plasticity of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3978-3987. [PMID: 34308648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is distributed in tumor cells with a link to the support of systemic metabolic deregulation, and the downregulation of UCP2 has been unveiled as a biomarker of oncogenesis and chemoresistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, the underlying mechanism of how UCP2 cooperates with other proteins in this metabolic reprogramming remains largely unsolved. We employed a combined computational and experimental strategy to explore into the recruiting of DDX5 with other proteins, and we unraveled the underlying structural mechanisms. We found that recruiting by ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX5 (DDX5)/ubiquitin-associated protein 2-like (UBAP2L) might help UCP2 to play the pathological roles in NSCLC cells. According to the view of thermodynamics in physics, UCP2 tends to recruit DDX5 rather than UBAP2L, as shown by the ensemble-based docking, molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) approach. Cellular immunofluorescence assays further demonstrated that UCP2 associate with DDX5, and the recruiting of DDX5 with UCP2 at least partially contribute to the metabolic plasticity of NSCLCs via the AKT/mTOR pathway. Our study proposed an efficient way for detecting the protein-protein association via the experimentally validated molecular simulation. Our results shed light on the functional annotation of UCP and DDX family proteins in dysregulated metabolism, and the identification of candidate therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.,MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guoyin Li
- College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yizhen Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xiaohui Yuan
- Institute of Biomedicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lingjie Meng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.,Instrumental Analysis Center, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Huadong Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710038, China
| | - Lintao Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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7
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Wolf S, Sohmen B, Hellenkamp B, Thurn J, Stock G, Hugel T. Hierarchical dynamics in allostery following ATP hydrolysis monitored by single molecule FRET measurements and MD simulations. Chem Sci 2021; 12:3350-3359. [PMID: 34164105 PMCID: PMC8179424 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06134d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We report on a study that combines advanced fluorescence methods with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to cover timescales from nanoseconds to milliseconds for a large protein. This allows us to delineate how ATP hydrolysis in a protein causes allosteric changes at a distant protein binding site, using the chaperone Hsp90 as test system. The allosteric process occurs via hierarchical dynamics involving timescales from nano- to milliseconds and length scales from Ångstroms to several nanometers. We find that hydrolysis of one ATP is coupled to a conformational change of Arg380, which in turn passes structural information via the large M-domain α-helix to the whole protein. The resulting structural asymmetry in Hsp90 leads to the collapse of a central folding substrate binding site, causing the formation of a novel collapsed state (closed state B) that we characterise structurally. We presume that similar hierarchical mechanisms are fundamental for information transfer induced by ATP hydrolysis through many other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Wolf
- Biomolecular Dynamics, Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany +49 761 203 5883 +49 761 203 5913
| | - Benedikt Sohmen
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany +49 761 203 6192
| | - Björn Hellenkamp
- Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University New York USA
| | - Johann Thurn
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany +49 761 203 6192
| | - Gerhard Stock
- Biomolecular Dynamics, Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany +49 761 203 5883 +49 761 203 5913
| | - Thorsten Hugel
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany +49 761 203 6192
- Signalling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
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8
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A Hyperactive Kunjin Virus NS3 Helicase Mutant Demonstrates Increased Dissemination and Mortality in Mosquitoes. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01021-20. [PMID: 32699093 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01021-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The unwinding of double-stranded RNA intermediates is critical for the replication and packaging of flavivirus RNA genomes. This unwinding activity is achieved by the ATP-dependent nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) helicase. In previous studies, we investigated the mechanism of energy transduction between the ATP and RNA binding pockets using molecular dynamics simulations and enzymatic characterization. Our data corroborated the hypothesis that motif V is a communication hub for this energy transduction. More specifically, mutations T407A and S411A in motif V exhibit a hyperactive helicase phenotype, leading to the regulation of translocation and unwinding during replication. However, the effect of these mutations on viral infection in cell culture and in vivo is not well understood. Here, we investigated the role of motif V in viral replication using West Nile virus (Kunjin subtype) T407A and S411A mutants (T407A and S411A Kunjin, respectively) in cell culture and in vivo We were able to recover S411A Kunjin but unable to recover T407A Kunjin. Our results indicated that S411A Kunjin decreased viral infection and increased cytopathogenicity in cell culture compared to wild-type (WT) Kunjin. Similarly, decreased infection rates in surviving S411A Kunjin-infected Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were observed, but S411A Kunjin infection resulted in increased mortality compared to WT Kunjin infection. Additionally, S411A Kunjin infection increased viral dissemination and saliva positivity rates in surviving mosquitoes compared to WT Kunjin infection. These data suggest that S411A Kunjin increases viral pathogenesis in mosquitoes. Overall, these data indicate that NS3 motif V may play a role in the pathogenesis, dissemination, and transmission efficiency of Kunjin virus.IMPORTANCE Kunjin and West Nile viruses belong to the arthropod-borne flaviviruses, which can result in severe symptoms, including encephalitis, meningitis, and death. Flaviviruses have expanded into new populations and emerged as novel pathogens repeatedly in recent years, demonstrating that they remain a global threat. Currently, there are no approved antiviral therapeutics against either Kunjin or West Nile viruses. Thus, there is a pressing need for understanding the pathogenesis of these viruses in humans. In this study, we investigated the role of the Kunjin virus helicase on infection in cell culture and in vivo This work provides new insight into how flaviviruses control pathogenesis and mosquito transmission through the nonstructural protein 3 helicase.
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9
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Fröhlking T, Bernetti M, Calonaci N, Bussi G. Toward empirical force fields that match experimental observables. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:230902. [PMID: 32571067 DOI: 10.1063/5.0011346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular force fields have been traditionally derived based on a mixture of reference quantum chemistry data and experimental information obtained on small fragments. However, the possibility to run extensive molecular dynamics simulations on larger systems achieving ergodic sampling is paving the way to directly using such simulations along with solution experiments obtained on macromolecular systems. Recently, a number of methods have been introduced to automatize this approach. Here, we review these methods, highlight their relationship with machine learning methods, and discuss the open challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorben Fröhlking
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Mattia Bernetti
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Nicola Calonaci
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bussi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, Trieste 34136, Italy
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10
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Du Pont KE, Davidson RB, McCullagh M, Geiss BJ. Motif V regulates energy transduction between the flavivirus NS3 ATPase and RNA-binding cleft. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:1551-1564. [PMID: 31914411 PMCID: PMC7008374 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.011922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The unwinding of dsRNA intermediates is critical for the replication of flavivirus RNA genomes. This activity is provided by the C-terminal helicase domain of viral nonstructural protein 3 (NS3). As a member of the superfamily 2 (SF2) helicases, NS3 requires the binding and hydrolysis of ATP/NTP to translocate along and unwind double-stranded nucleic acids. However, the mechanism of energy transduction between the ATP- and RNA-binding pockets is not well-understood. Previous molecular dynamics simulations conducted by our group have identified Motif V as a potential "communication hub" for this energy transduction pathway. To investigate the role of Motif V in this process, here we combined molecular dynamics, biochemistry, and virology approaches. We tested Motif V mutations in both the replicon and recombinant protein systems to investigate viral genome replication, RNA-binding affinity, ATP hydrolysis activity, and helicase-mediated unwinding activity. We found that the T407A and S411A substitutions in NS3 reduce viral replication and increase the helicase-unwinding turnover rates by 1.7- and 3.5-fold, respectively, suggesting that flaviviruses may use suboptimal NS3 helicase activity for optimal genome replication. Additionally, we used simulations of each mutant to probe structural changes within NS3 caused by each mutation. These simulations indicate that Motif V controls communication between the ATP-binding pocket and the helical gate. These results help define the linkage between ATP hydrolysis and helicase activities within NS3 and provide insight into the biophysical mechanisms for ATPase-driven NS3 helicase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Du Pont
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Russell B Davidson
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Martin McCullagh
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
| | - Brian J Geiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523; School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
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11
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Wang Y, Zhang S, Tang Y, Diao Y. Screening of Duck Tembusu Virus NS3 Interacting Host Proteins and Identification of Its Specific Interplay Domains. Viruses 2019; 11:E740. [PMID: 31408972 PMCID: PMC6722602 DOI: 10.3390/v11080740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
NS3 protein is a member of the non-structural protein of duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), which contains three domains, each of which has serine protease, nucleotide triphosphatase, and RNA helicase activities, respectively. It performs a variety of biological functions that are involved in the regulation of the viral life cycle and host immune response. Based on the yeast two-hybrid system, we successfully transformed pGBKT7-NS3 bait plasmid into Y2H Gold, tested it to prove that it has no self-activation and toxicity, and then hybridized it with the prey yeast strain of the duck embryo fibroblast cDNA library for screening. After high-stringency selection, positive alignment with the National Center for Biotechnology Information database revealed nine potential interactive proteins: MGST1, ERCC4, WIF1, WDR75, ACBD3, PRDX1, RPS7, ND5, and LDHA. The most interesting one (PRDX1) was selected to be verified with full-length NS3 protein and its three domains S7/DEXDc/HELICc using yeast regressive verification and GST Pull-Down assay. It denoted that PRDX1 does indeed interact with HELICc domains of NS3. NS3 is involved in the RNA uncoiling process of viral replication, which may cause mitochondrial overload to create oxidative stress (OS) during DTMUV attack. We deduced that the HELICc domain binding partner PRDX1, which regulates the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (p38/MAPK) to avert OS, causing apoptosis, making it possible for viruses to escape host immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Yi Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
| | - Youxiang Diao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Road, Tai'an 271018, China.
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12
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Togashi Y, Flechsig H. Coarse-Grained Protein Dynamics Studies Using Elastic Network Models. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123899. [PMID: 30563146 PMCID: PMC6320916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Elastic networks have been used as simple models of proteins to study their slow structural dynamics. They consist of point-like particles connected by linear Hookean springs and hence are convenient for linear normal mode analysis around a given reference structure. Furthermore, dynamic simulations using these models can provide new insights. As the computational cost associated with these models is considerably lower compared to that of all-atom models, they are also convenient for comparative studies between multiple protein structures. In this review, we introduce examples of coarse-grained molecular dynamics studies using elastic network models and their derivatives, focusing on the nonlinear phenomena, and discuss their applicability to large-scale macromolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Togashi
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD), Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-2-3 Furuedai, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan.
- Cybermedia Center, Osaka University, 5-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
| | - Holger Flechsig
- Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
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13
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Šponer J, Bussi G, Krepl M, Banáš P, Bottaro S, Cunha RA, Gil-Ley A, Pinamonti G, Poblete S, Jurečka P, Walter NG, Otyepka M. RNA Structural Dynamics As Captured by Molecular Simulations: A Comprehensive Overview. Chem Rev 2018; 118:4177-4338. [PMID: 29297679 PMCID: PMC5920944 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With both catalytic and genetic functions, ribonucleic acid (RNA) is perhaps the most pluripotent chemical species in molecular biology, and its functions are intimately linked to its structure and dynamics. Computer simulations, and in particular atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), allow structural dynamics of biomolecular systems to be investigated with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. We here provide a comprehensive overview of the fast-developing field of MD simulations of RNA molecules. We begin with an in-depth, evaluatory coverage of the most fundamental methodological challenges that set the basis for the future development of the field, in particular, the current developments and inherent physical limitations of the atomistic force fields and the recent advances in a broad spectrum of enhanced sampling methods. We also survey the closely related field of coarse-grained modeling of RNA systems. After dealing with the methodological aspects, we provide an exhaustive overview of the available RNA simulation literature, ranging from studies of the smallest RNA oligonucleotides to investigations of the entire ribosome. Our review encompasses tetranucleotides, tetraloops, a number of small RNA motifs, A-helix RNA, kissing-loop complexes, the TAR RNA element, the decoding center and other important regions of the ribosome, as well as assorted others systems. Extended sections are devoted to RNA-ion interactions, ribozymes, riboswitches, and protein/RNA complexes. Our overview is written for as broad of an audience as possible, aiming to provide a much-needed interdisciplinary bridge between computation and experiment, together with a perspective on the future of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Šponer
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences , Kralovopolska 135 , Brno 612 65 , Czech Republic
| | - Giovanni Bussi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati , Via Bonomea 265 , Trieste 34136 , Italy
| | - Miroslav Krepl
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences , Kralovopolska 135 , Brno 612 65 , Czech Republic
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Palacky University Olomouc , 17. listopadu 12 , Olomouc 771 46 , Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Banáš
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Palacky University Olomouc , 17. listopadu 12 , Olomouc 771 46 , Czech Republic
| | - Sandro Bottaro
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen 2200 , Denmark
| | - Richard A Cunha
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati , Via Bonomea 265 , Trieste 34136 , Italy
| | - Alejandro Gil-Ley
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati , Via Bonomea 265 , Trieste 34136 , Italy
| | - Giovanni Pinamonti
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati , Via Bonomea 265 , Trieste 34136 , Italy
| | - Simón Poblete
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati , Via Bonomea 265 , Trieste 34136 , Italy
| | - Petr Jurečka
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Palacky University Olomouc , 17. listopadu 12 , Olomouc 771 46 , Czech Republic
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Michal Otyepka
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science , Palacky University Olomouc , 17. listopadu 12 , Olomouc 771 46 , Czech Republic
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14
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Davidson RB, Hendrix J, Geiss BJ, McCullagh M. Allostery in the dengue virus NS3 helicase: Insights into the NTPase cycle from molecular simulations. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006103. [PMID: 29659571 PMCID: PMC5919694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminus domain of non-structural 3 (NS3) protein of the Flaviviridae viruses (e.g. HCV, dengue, West Nile, Zika) is a nucleotide triphosphatase (NTPase) -dependent superfamily 2 (SF2) helicase that unwinds double-stranded RNA while translocating along the nucleic polymer. Due to these functions, NS3 is an important target for antiviral development yet the biophysics of this enzyme are poorly understood. Microsecond-long molecular dynamic simulations of the dengue NS3 helicase domain are reported from which allosteric effects of RNA and NTPase substrates are observed. The presence of a bound single-stranded RNA catalytically enhances the phosphate hydrolysis reaction by affecting the dynamics and positioning of waters within the hydrolysis active site. Coupled with results from the simulations, electronic structure calculations of the reaction are used to quantify this enhancement to be a 150-fold increase, in qualitative agreement with the experimental enhancement factor of 10–100. Additionally, protein-RNA interactions exhibit NTPase substrate-induced allostery, where the presence of a nucleotide (e.g. ATP or ADP) structurally perturbs residues in direct contact with the phosphodiester backbone of the RNA. Residue-residue network analyses highlight pathways of short ranged interactions that connect the two active sites. These analyses identify motif V as a highly connected region of protein structure through which energy released from either active site is hypothesized to move, thereby inducing the observed allosteric effects. These results lay the foundation for the design of novel allosteric inhibitors of NS3. Non-structural protein 3 (NS3) is a Flaviviridae (e.g. Hepatitis C, dengue, and Zika viruses) helicase that unwinds double stranded RNA while translocating along the nucleic polymer during viral genome replication. As a member of superfamily 2 (SF2) helicases, NS3 utilizes the free energy of nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) binding, hydrolysis, and product unbinding to perform its functions. While much is known about SF2 helicases, the pathways and mechanisms through which free energy is transduced between the NTP hydrolysis active site and RNA binding cleft remains elusive. Here we present a multiscale computational study to characterize the allosteric effects induced by the RNA and NTPase substrates (ATP, ADP, and Pi) as well as the pathways of short-range, residue-residue interactions that connect the two active sites. Results from this body of molecular dynamics simulations and electronic structure calculations are highlighted in context to the NTPase enzymatic cycle, allowing for development of testable hypotheses for validation of these simulations. Our insights, therefore, provide novel details about the biophysics of NS3 and guide the next generation of experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell B. Davidson
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Josie Hendrix
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Brian J. Geiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Martin McCullagh
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Xia J, Yang L, Dong L, Niu M, Zhang S, Yang Z, Wumaier G, Li Y, Wei X, Gong Y, Zhu N, Li S. Cefminox, a Dual Agonist of Prostacyclin Receptor and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Identified by Virtual Screening, Has Therapeutic Efficacy against Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2018. [PMID: 29527168 PMCID: PMC5829529 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostacyclin receptor (IP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) are both potential targets for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Expression of IP and PPARγ decreases in PAH, suggesting that screening of dual agonists of IP and PPARγ might be an efficient method for drug discovery. Virtual screening (VS) of potential IP-PPARγ dual-targeting agonists was performed in the ZINC database. Ten of the identified compounds were further screened, and cefminox was found to dramatically inhibit growth of PASMCs with no obvious cytotoxicity. Growth inhibition by cefminox was partially reversed by both the IP antagonist RO113842 and the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. Investigation of the underlying mechanisms of action demonstrated that cefminox inhibits the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway through up-regulation of the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN, which is inhibited by GW9662), and enhances cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in PASMCs (which is inhibited by RO113842). In a rat model of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, cefminox displayed therapeutic efficacy not inferior to that of the prostacyclin analog iloprost or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone. Our results identified cefminox as a dual agonist of IP and PPARγ that significantly inhibits PASMC proliferation by up-regulation of PTEN and cAMP, suggesting that it has potential for treatment of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Xia
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengjie Niu
- Department of Gastroenterology Medicine, Xi'an Third Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- Department of Applied Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhiwei Yang
- Department of Applied Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gulinuer Wumaier
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial Second People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaomin Wei
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengqing Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Harikrishna S, Pradeepkumar PI. Probing the Binding Interactions between Chemically Modified siRNAs and Human Argonaute 2 Using Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2017; 57:883-896. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.6b00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Harikrishna
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai−400076, India
| | - P. I. Pradeepkumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai−400076, India
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17
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Su A, Song W, Xing J, Zhao Y, Zhang R, Li C, Duan M, Luo M, Shi Z, Zhao J. Identification of Genes Potentially Associated with the Fertility Instability of S-Type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Maize via Bulked Segregant RNA-Seq. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163489. [PMID: 27669430 PMCID: PMC5036866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
S-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS-S) is the largest group among the three major types of CMS in maize. CMS-S exhibits fertility instability as a partial fertility restoration in a specific nuclear genetic background, which impedes its commercial application in hybrid breeding programs. The fertility instability phenomenon of CMS-S is controlled by several minor quantitative trait locus (QTLs), but not the major nuclear fertility restorer (Rf3). However, the gene mapping of these minor QTLs and the molecular mechanism of the genetic modifications are still unclear. Using completely sterile and partially rescued plants of fertility instable line (FIL)-B, we performed bulk segregant RNA-Seq and identified six potential associated genes in minor effect QTLs contributing to fertility instability. Analyses demonstrate that these potential associated genes may be involved in biological processes, such as floral organ differentiation and development regulation, energy metabolism and carbohydrates biosynthesis, which results in a partial anther exsertion and pollen fertility restoration in the partially rescued plants. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in two potential associated genes were validated to be related to the fertility restoration phenotype by KASP marker assays. This novel knowledge contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of the partial fertility restoration of CMS-S in maize and thus helps to guide the breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiguo Su
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Wei Song
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Jinfeng Xing
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Yanxin Zhao
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Ruyang Zhang
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Chunhui Li
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Minxiao Duan
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Meijie Luo
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Zi Shi
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
- * E-mail: (ZS); (JZ)
| | - Jiuran Zhao
- Maize Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Maize DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Breeding, Beijing, 100097, China
- * E-mail: (ZS); (JZ)
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18
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Bottaro S, Gil-Ley A, Bussi G. RNA folding pathways in stop motion. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:5883-91. [PMID: 27091499 PMCID: PMC4937309 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We introduce a method for predicting RNA folding pathways, with an application to the most important RNA tetraloops. The method is based on the idea that ensembles of three-dimensional fragments extracted from high-resolution crystal structures are heterogeneous enough to describe metastable as well as intermediate states. These ensembles are first validated by performing a quantitative comparison against available solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data of a set of RNA tetranucleotides. Notably, the agreement is better with respect to the one obtained by comparing NMR with extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We then propose a procedure based on diffusion maps and Markov models that makes it possible to obtain reaction pathways and their relative probabilities from fragment ensembles. This approach is applied to study the helix-to-loop folding pathway of all the tetraloops from the GNRA and UNCG families. The results give detailed insights into the folding mechanism that are compatible with available experimental data and clarify the role of intermediate states observed in previous simulation studies. The method is computationally inexpensive and can be used to study arbitrary conformational transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Bottaro
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, International School for Advanced Studies, 265, Via Bonomea I-34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alejandro Gil-Ley
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, International School for Advanced Studies, 265, Via Bonomea I-34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bussi
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, International School for Advanced Studies, 265, Via Bonomea I-34136 Trieste, Italy
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