1
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Oliveira L, Cahill A, Wuscher L, Green KR, Bemmer V, Lichtenstein BR. Investigating the effect of fusion partners on the enzymatic activity and thermodynamic stability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) degrading enzymes. Faraday Discuss 2024. [PMID: 38829129 DOI: 10.1039/d4fd00067f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Plastics are a cornerstone of the modern world, yet the durable material properties that we have come to depend upon have made them recalcitrant environmental pollutants. Biological solutions in the form of engineered enzymes offer low energy and sustainable approaches to recycle and upcycle plastic waste, uncoupling their production and end of life from fossil fuels and greenhouse gases. These enzymes however, encounter immense challenges acting on plastics: facing hydrophobic surfaces, molecular crowding, and high levels of substrate heterogeneity. There have been mixed reports about the benefits of fusing partner domains to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degrading enzymes, with moderate improvements identified under specific conditions, but no clarity into the factors that underlie the mechanisms. Here, we use the SpyCatcher003:SpyTag003 technology, which demonstrates a profound 47 °C shift in Tm upon irreversible complex formation, to investigate the influence of the thermal stability of the fusion partner on a range of PETases selected for their optimal reaction temperatures. We find that the thermal stability of the fusion partner does not have a positive correlation on the activity of the enzymes or their evident kinetic and thermal stabilities. Instead, it appears that the fusion to less stable SpyCatcher003 tends to increase the measured activation energy of unfolding compared to the more stable complex and wildtype enzymes. Despite this, the fusions to SpyCatcher003 do not show significantly better catalytic activity on PET films, with or without SpyTag003, and were found to be sometimes disruptive. The approach we highlight here, in using a fusion partner with controllable melting temperature, allowed us to dissect the impact of the stability of a fusion partner on enzyme properties. Although fusion stability did not appear to be coupled with identifiable trends in enzymatic activities, careful analysis of the unfolding pathways, and solid and solution activities of a wider range of enzymes may yield a more detailed understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Oliveira
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Alex Cahill
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Len Wuscher
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Kerry R Green
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Victoria Bemmer
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
| | - Bruce R Lichtenstein
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, UK.
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2
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Kunka A, Marques SM, Havlasek M, Vasina M, Velatova N, Cengelova L, Kovar D, Damborsky J, Marek M, Bednar D, Prokop Z. Advancing Enzyme's Stability and Catalytic Efficiency through Synergy of Force-Field Calculations, Evolutionary Analysis, and Machine Learning. ACS Catal 2023; 13:12506-12518. [PMID: 37822856 PMCID: PMC10563018 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Thermostability is an essential requirement for the use of enzymes in the bioindustry. Here, we compare different protein stabilization strategies using a challenging target, a stable haloalkane dehalogenase DhaA115. We observe better performance of automated stabilization platforms FireProt and PROSS in designing multiple-point mutations over the introduction of disulfide bonds and strengthening the intra- and the inter-domain contacts by in silico saturation mutagenesis. We reveal that the performance of automated stabilization platforms was still compromised due to the introduction of some destabilizing mutations. Notably, we show that their prediction accuracy can be improved by applying manual curation or machine learning for the removal of potentially destabilizing mutations, yielding highly stable haloalkane dehalogenases with enhanced catalytic properties. A comparison of crystallographic structures revealed that current stabilization rounds were not accompanied by large backbone re-arrangements previously observed during the engineering stability of DhaA115. Stabilization was achieved by improving local contacts including protein-water interactions. Our study provides guidance for further improvement of automated structure-based computational tools for protein stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Kunka
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Sérgio M. Marques
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Havlasek
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Vasina
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Velatova
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Cengelova
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - David Kovar
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Marek
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - David Bednar
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno 601 77, Czech Republic
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3
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Bianchera A, Vilardo V, Giaccari R, Michielon A, Bazzoli G, Buttini F, Aiello M, Chetta A, Bruno S, Bettini R. Nebulizers effectiveness on pulmonary delivery of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:2653-2663. [PMID: 37097606 PMCID: PMC10468431 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01346-3] [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] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
The nebulization of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for its administration to the lung could be an interesting alternative to parenteral infusion for patients suffering from AAT genetic deficiency (AATD). In the case of protein therapeutics, the effect of the nebulization mode and rate on protein conformation and activity must be carefully considered. In this paper two types of nebulizers, i.e., a jet and a mesh vibrating system, were used to nebulize a commercial preparation of AAT for infusion and compared. The aerosolization performance, in terms of mass distribution, respirable fraction, and drug delivery efficiency, as well as the activity and aggregation state of AAT upon in vitro nebulization were investigated. The two nebulizers demonstrated equivalent aerosolization performances, but the mesh nebulizer provided a higher efficiency in the delivery of the dose. The activity of the protein was acceptably preserved by both nebulizers and no aggregation or changes in its conformation were identified. This suggests that nebulization of AAT represents a suitable administration strategy ready to be translated to the clinical practice for delivering the protein directly to the lungs in AATD patients, either as a support therapy to parenteral administration or for subjects with a precocious diagnosis, to prevent the onset of pulmonary symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Bianchera
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze Building 33, Parma, Italy
| | - Viviana Vilardo
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Giaccari
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
| | - Annalisa Michielon
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bazzoli
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Buttini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze Building 33, Parma, Italy
| | - Marina Aiello
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, Italy
| | - Alfredo Chetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruno
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze Building 33, Parma, Italy
| | - Ruggero Bettini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze 27/a, Parma, Italy.
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parco Area Delle Scienze Building 33, Parma, Italy.
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4
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Liu Z, Chen N, Li S, Liu Y, Shang Y, Chen Z, Pang F, Wang T. Modeling and calibration of micro/nano FBG temperature probe for scanning probe microscopy. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:19453-19462. [PMID: 37381360 DOI: 10.1364/oe.491821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
To accurately measure the local temperatures of the micro-nano area, we propose an optical method using a tapered fiber Bragg grating (FBG) probe with a nano tip for scanning probe microscopy (SPM). When the tapered FBG probe senses local temperature through near-field heat transfer, the intensity of the reflected spectrum decreases, along with a broadening bandwidth and a shift in the central peak position. Modeling the heat transfer between the probe and the sample shows that the tapered FBG probe is in a non-uniform temperature field when approaching the sample surface. Simulation of the probe's reflection spectrum reveals that the central peak position shifts nonlinearly with increasing local temperature. In addition, the near-field temperature calibration experiments show that the temperature sensitivity of the FBG probe increases nonlinearly from 6.2 pm/°C to 9.4 pm/°C as the sample surface temperature increases from 25.3°C to 160.4°C. The agreement of the experimental results with the theory and the reproducibility demonstrate that this method offers a promising approach for exploring micro-nano temperature.
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5
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Vasina M, Kovar D, Damborsky J, Ding Y, Yang T, deMello A, Mazurenko S, Stavrakis S, Prokop Z. In-depth analysis of biocatalysts by microfluidics: An emerging source of data for machine learning. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 66:108171. [PMID: 37150331 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, the vastly increasing demand for novel biotechnological products is supported by the continuous development of biocatalytic applications which provide sustainable green alternatives to chemical processes. The success of a biocatalytic application is critically dependent on how quickly we can identify and characterize enzyme variants fitting the conditions of industrial processes. While miniaturization and parallelization have dramatically increased the throughput of next-generation sequencing systems, the subsequent characterization of the obtained candidates is still a limiting process in identifying the desired biocatalysts. Only a few commercial microfluidic systems for enzyme analysis are currently available, and the transformation of numerous published prototypes into commercial platforms is still to be streamlined. This review presents the state-of-the-art, recent trends, and perspectives in applying microfluidic tools in the functional and structural analysis of biocatalysts. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of available technologies, their reproducibility and robustness, and readiness for routine laboratory use. We also highlight the unexplored potential of microfluidics to leverage the power of machine learning for biocatalyst development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Vasina
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Kovar
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Yun Ding
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tianjin Yang
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stanislav Mazurenko
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Centre, St. Anne's University Hospital, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic.
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6
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Irukuvajjula SS, Jithender Reddy G, Rao K, Vadrevu LR. Contrasting effect of ficoll on apo and holo forms of bacterial chemotaxis protein Y: Selective destabilization of the conformationally altered holo form. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 232:123505. [PMID: 36736516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123505] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemotaxis Y (CheY), upon metal binding, displays a drastic alteration in its structure and stability. This premise prompted us to study the effect of crowding on the two conformationally distinct states of the same test protein. A comparative analysis on the structure and thermal stability in the presence and absence of the macromolecular crowder, ficoll, and its monomeric unit, sucrose, revealed a contrasting effect of ficoll on the apo and holo forms. In the presence of ficoll while the thermal stability (Tm) of the apo form is enhanced, the thermal stability of the holo form is reduced. The selective lowering of Tm for the holo form in the combined presence of ficoll and sucrose and not in sucrose alone suggests that the contrasting effect is due to the macromolecular nature of ficoll. Since metal-protein interaction remains unperturbed in the presence of ficoll and Mg2+ sequestration is ruled out in a systematic manner the alternative possibility for the exclusive reduction in the thermal stability of the holo form is the ficoll-induced modulation of the relative population of apo and holo forms of CheY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivkumar Sharma Irukuvajjula
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Science and Technology - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India.
| | - G Jithender Reddy
- NMR Division, Department of Analytical & Structural Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Krishna Rao
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 36/P, Gopanpally Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad, Telangana State 500107, India
| | - Late Ramakrishna Vadrevu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Science and Technology - Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India
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7
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Cunha LC, Barreto LP, Valadares VS, Oliveira CFB, Vuitika L, Vilela MP, Cino EA, Silva AHDM, Nagem RAP, Chávez-Olórtegui C, Dias-Lopes C, Molina F, Felicori L. The C-terminal mutation beyond the catalytic site of brown spider phospholipase D significantly impacts its biological activities. Biochimie 2023; 211:122-130. [PMID: 36963559 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Loxosceles spider envenomation results in dermonecrosis, principally due to phospholipases D (PLDs) present in the venom. These enzymes have a strongly conserved sequence, 273ATXXDNPW280, in the C-terminal region (SMD-tail) that make contact with β-sheets of the TIM barrel, in which the amino acids Asp277 and Trp280 establish the energetically strongest contacts. The SMD-tail is conserved in PLDs from different species but absent in the non-toxic PLD ancestral glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterases (GDPDs). This work aims to understand the role of the C-terminal region in the structural stability and/or function of phospholipases D. Through site-directed mutagenesis of the rLiD1 protein (recombinant Loxosceles intermedia dermonecrotic protein 1), we produced two mutants: rLiD1D277A and rLiD1W280A (both with sphingomyelinase activity), in which Asp277 and Trp280 were replaced by alanine. rLiD1D277A showed similar sphingomyelinase activity but at least 2 times more dermonecrotic activity than rLiD1 (wild-type protein). Conversely, while the rLiD1W280A displayed a slight increase in sphingomyelinase activity, its biological activity was similar or lower compared to rLiD1, potentially due to its decreased thermostability and formation of amyloid aggregates. In conclusion, these new findings provide evidence that SMD-tail mutants impact the structure and function of these proteins and point out that residues outside the active site can even increase the function of these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Cardoso Cunha
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Lucas Passos Barreto
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Veronica Silva Valadares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Camila Franco Batista Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Larissa Vuitika
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences IV, University of São Paulo (ICB-IV/USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maura Páscoa Vilela
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Elio A Cino
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Ronaldo A P Nagem
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Camila Dias-Lopes
- Colégio Técnico, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Franck Molina
- CNRS, SYS2DIAG-ALCEDIAG, Cap Delta, 1682 Rue de La Valsière, 34184, Montpellier, France
| | - Liza Felicori
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas - ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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8
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Bovine hemoglobin thermal stability in the presence of naringenin: Calorimetric, spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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9
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Clanor PB, Buchholz CN, Hayes JE, Friedman MA, White AM, Enke RA, Berndsen CE. Structural and functional analysis of the human cone‐rod homeobox transcription factor. Proteins 2022; 90:1584-1593. [PMID: 35255174 PMCID: PMC9271546 DOI: 10.1002/prot.26332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The cone‐rod homeobox (CRX) protein is a critical K50 homeodomain transcription factor responsible for the differentiation and maintenance of photoreceptor neurons in the vertebrate retina. Mutant alleles in the human gene encoding CRX result in a variety of distinct blinding retinopathies, including retinitis pigmentosa, cone‐rod dystrophy, and Leber congenital amaurosis. Despite the success of using in vitro biochemistry, animal models, and genomics approaches to study this clinically relevant transcription factor over the past 25 years since its initial characterization, there are no high‐resolution structures in the published literature for the CRX protein. In this study, we use bioinformatic approaches and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) structural analysis to further understand the biochemical complexity of the human CRX homeodomain (CRX‐HD). We find that the CRX‐HD is a compact, globular monomer in solution that can specifically bind functional cis‐regulatory elements encoded upstream of retina‐specific genes. This study presents the first structural analysis of CRX, paving the way for a new approach to studying the biochemistry of this protein and its disease‐causing mutant protein variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine N. Buchholz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
| | - Jonathan E. Hayes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
| | | | - Andrew M. White
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
| | - Ray A. Enke
- Department of Biology James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
- Center for Genome and Metagenome Studies James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
| | - Christopher E. Berndsen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
- Center for Genome and Metagenome Studies James Madison University Harrisonburg Virginia USA
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10
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Lucarelli V, Colbert D, Cumming M, Hamiaux C, Loxley G, Linklater W, Travas-Sejdic J, Kralicek A. Expression, purification and characterisation of the recombinant possum lipocalin vulpeculin. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130205. [PMID: 35908580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipocalins are a large family of proteins, which possess a highly conserved eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel structure as distinctive trait. This family includes Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) from rats and mouse, studied for their role in urinary protein-mediated chemosignalling. Vulpeculin has been identified as the most abundant protein in the urine of the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. On the basis of high similarity with other MUPS, we hypothesised that vulpeculin might have a role in possum chemosignalling and investigated its stability and binding ability. METHODS We expressed and purified vulpeculin using an E.coli-based system and confirmed correct folding by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Thermal stability was studied by CD and binding properties were investigated using two optical probes N-phenyl-naphthylamine (NPN) and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulphonic acid (ANS). RESULTS CD revealed a secondary structure typical of a predominantly β-sheet protein, consistent with the beta barrel structure of the lipocalin family. Vulpeculin showed a high level of thermostability, as assessed by CD, exhibiting a small shift in the secondary structure even at 95 °C. Binding assays indicated that vulpeculin cannot accommodate the NPN ligand but can bind ANS. CONCLUSION The urinary secretion, high degree of sequence similarity with other lipocalins, its beta sheet structure assessed by CD and potential to bind hydrophobic ligands in the hydrophobic cavity or an external hydrophobic pocket, suggest vulpeculin may be involved in possum chemosignalling. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This work represents a first step towards the further investigation of the newly discovered lipocalin and its role in possum chemosignalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucarelli
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Damon Colbert
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Mathew Cumming
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Cyril Hamiaux
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Grace Loxley
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Wayne Linklater
- Department of Environmental Studies, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
- Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Andrew Kralicek
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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11
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Irukuvajjula SS, Reddy JG, Vadrevu R. Crowding by Poly(ethylene glycol) Destabilizes Chemotaxis Protein Y (CheY). Biochemistry 2022; 61:1431-1443. [PMID: 35796609 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevailing understanding of various aspects of biochemical processes, including folding, stability, intermolecular interactions, and the binding of metals, substrates, and inhibitors, is derived from studies carried out under dilute and homogeneous conditions devoid of a crowding-related environment. The effect of crowding-induced modulation on the structure and stability of native and magnesium-dependent Chemotaxis Y (CheY), a bacterial signaling protein, was probed in the presence and absence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). A combined analysis from circular dichroism, intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence, and tryptophan fluorescence lifetime changes indicates that PEG perturbs the structure but leaves the thermal stability largely unchanged. Intriguingly, while the stability of the protein is enhanced in the presence of magnesium under dilute buffer conditions, PEG-induced crowding leads to reduced thermal stability in the presence of magnesium. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift perturbations and resonance broadening for a subset of residues indicate that PEG interacts specifically with a subset of hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues found predominantly in α helices, β strands, and in the vicinity of the metal-binding region. Thus, PEG prompted conformational perturbation, presumably provides a different situation for magnesium interaction, thereby perturbing the magnesium-prompted stability. In summary, our results highlight the dominance of enthalpic contributions between PEG and CheY via both hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions, which can subtly affect the conformation, modulating the metal-protein interaction and stability, implying that in the context of cellular situation, structure, stability, and magnesium binding thermodynamics of CheY may be different from those measured in dilute solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivkumar Sharma Irukuvajjula
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science─Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India
| | - Jithender G Reddy
- NMR Division, Department of Analytical & Structural Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Ramakrishna Vadrevu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology & Science─Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet, Hyderabad 500078, India
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12
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Passantino R, Mangione MR, Ortore MG, Costa MA, Provenzano A, Amenitsch H, Sabbatella R, Alfano C, Martorana V, Vilasi S. Investigation on a MMACHC mutant from cblC disease: The c.394C>T variant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2022; 1870:140793. [PMID: 35618206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2022.140793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The cblC disease is an inborn disorder of the vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl) metabolism characterized by methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria. The clinical consequences of this disease are devastating and, even when early treated with current therapies, the affected children manifest symptoms involving vision, growth, and learning. The illness is caused by mutations in the gene codifying for MMACHC, a 282aa protein that transports and transforms the different Cbl forms. Here we present data on the structural properties of the truncated protein p.R132X resulting from the c.394C > T mutation that, along with c.271dupA and c.331C > T, is among the most common mutations in cblC. Although missing part of the Cbl binding domain, p.R132X is associated to late-onset symptoms and, therefore, it is supposed to retain residual function. However, to our knowledge structural-functional studies on c.394C > T mutant aimed at verifying this hypothesis are still lacking. By using a biophysical approach including Circular Dichroism, fluorescence, Small Angle X-ray Scattering, and Molecular Dynamics, we show that the mutant protein MMACHC-R132X retains secondary structure elements and remains compact in solution, partly preserving its binding affinity for Cbl. Insights on the fragile stability of MMACHC-R132X-Cbl are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Passantino
- Biophysics Institute, National Research Council, Palermo 90143, Italy
| | | | - Maria Grazia Ortore
- Dept. Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona 60131, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Silvia Vilasi
- Biophysics Institute, National Research Council, Palermo 90143, Italy.
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13
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Kunka A, Lacko D, Stourac J, Damborsky J, Prokop Z, Mazurenko S. CalFitter 2.0: Leveraging the power of singular value decomposition to analyse protein thermostability. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:W145-W151. [PMID: 35580052 PMCID: PMC9252748 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the quantitative description of protein unfolding and aggregation for the rational design of stability or understanding the molecular basis of protein misfolding diseases is well established. Protein thermostability is typically assessed by calorimetric or spectroscopic techniques that monitor different complementary signals during unfolding. The CalFitter webserver has already proved integral to deriving invaluable energy parameters by global data analysis. Here, we introduce CalFitter 2.0, which newly incorporates singular value decomposition (SVD) of multi-wavelength spectral datasets into the global fitting pipeline. Processed time- or temperature-evolved SVD components can now be fitted together with other experimental data types. Moreover, deconvoluted basis spectra provide spectral fingerprints of relevant macrostates populated during unfolding, which greatly enriches the information gains of the CalFitter output. The SVD analysis is fully automated in a highly interactive module, providing access to the results to users without any prior knowledge of the underlying mathematics. Additionally, a novel data uploading wizard has been implemented to facilitate rapid and easy uploading of multiple datasets. Together, the newly introduced changes significantly improve the user experience, making this software a unique, robust, and interactive platform for the analysis of protein thermal denaturation data. The webserver is freely accessible at https://loschmidt.chemi.muni.cz/calfitter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Kunka
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Lacko
- Faculty of Information Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Stourac
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Mazurenko
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,International Centre for Clinical Research, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
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14
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Zhao VY, Rodrigues JV, Lozovsky ER, Hartl DL, Shakhnovich EI. Switching an active site helix in dihydrofolate reductase reveals limits to subdomain modularity. Biophys J 2021; 120:4738-4750. [PMID: 34571014 PMCID: PMC8595743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.09.032] [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: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To what degree are individual structural elements within proteins modular such that similar structures from unrelated proteins can be interchanged? We study subdomain modularity by creating 20 chimeras of an enzyme, Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), in which a catalytically important, 10-residue α-helical sequence is replaced by α-helical sequences from a diverse set of proteins. The chimeras stably fold but have a range of diminished thermal stabilities and catalytic activities. Evolutionary coupling analysis indicates that the residues of this α-helix are under selection pressure to maintain catalytic activity in DHFR. Reversion to phenylalanine at key position 31 was found to partially restore catalytic activity, which could be explained by evolutionary coupling values. We performed molecular dynamics simulations using replica exchange with solute tempering. Chimeras with low catalytic activity exhibit nonhelical conformations that block the binding site and disrupt the positioning of the catalytically essential residue D27. Simulation observables and in vitro measurements of thermal stability and substrate-binding affinity are strongly correlated. Several E. coli strains with chromosomally integrated chimeric DHFRs can grow, with growth rates that follow predictions from a kinetic flux model that depends on the intracellular abundance and catalytic activity of DHFR. Our findings show that although α-helices are not universally substitutable, the molecular and fitness effects of modular segments can be predicted by the biophysical compatibility of the replacement segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Y Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - João V Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Elena R Lozovsky
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel L Hartl
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Eugene I Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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15
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Markova K, Kunka A, Chmelova K, Havlasek M, Babkova P, Marques SM, Vasina M, Planas-Iglesias J, Chaloupkova R, Bednar D, Prokop Z, Damborsky J, Marek M. Computational Enzyme Stabilization Can Affect Folding Energy Landscapes and Lead to Catalytically Enhanced Domain-Swapped Dimers. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c03343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klara Markova
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Antonin Kunka
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klaudia Chmelova
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Havlasek
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Babkova
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sérgio M. Marques
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Vasina
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joan Planas-Iglesias
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radka Chaloupkova
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- Enantis Ltd., Kamenice 771/34, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Bednar
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Marek
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Pekarska 53, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
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16
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Valadares VS, Martins LC, Roman EA, Valente AP, Cino EA, Moraes AH. Conformational dynamics of Tetracenomycin aromatase/cyclase regulate polyketide binding and enzyme aggregation propensity. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129949. [PMID: 34139289 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The N-terminal domain of Tetracenomycin aromatase/cyclase (TcmN), an enzyme derived from Streptomyces glaucescens, is involved in polyketide cyclization, aromatization, and folding. Polyketides are a diverse class of secondary metabolites produced by certain groups of bacteria, fungi, and plants with various pharmaceutical applications. Examples include antibiotics, such as tetracycline, and anticancer drugs, such as doxorubicin. Because TcmN is a promising enzyme for in vitro production of polyketides, it is important to identify conditions that enhance its thermal resistance and optimize its function. METHODS TcmN unfolding, stability, and dynamics were evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance 15N relaxation experiments, and microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. RESULTS TcmN thermal resistance was enhanced at low protein and high salt concentrations, was pH-dependent, and denaturation was irreversible. Conformational dynamics on the μs-ms timescale were detected for residues in the substrate-binding cavity, and two predominant conformers representing opened and closed cavity states were observed in the MD simulations. CONCLUSION Based on the results, a mechanism was proposed in which the thermodynamics and kinetics of the TcmN conformational equilibrium modulate enzyme function by favoring ligand binding and avoiding aggregation. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Understanding the principles underlying TcmN stability and dynamics may help in designing mutants with optimal properties for biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica S Valadares
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luan C Martins
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ernesto A Roman
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Paula Valente
- National Center of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Leopoldo de Meis Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elio A Cino
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
| | - Adolfo H Moraes
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Department of NMR-based Structural Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
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17
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Jia Bu Y, Nitz M. Incorporation of TePhe into Expressed Proteins is Minimally Perturbing. Chembiochem 2021; 22:2449-2456. [PMID: 34003548 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tellurium is a versatile heavy chalcogen with numerous applications in chemical biology, providing valuable probes in mass cytometry, fluorescence imaging and structural biology. L-Tellurienylalanine (TePhe) is an analogue of the proteinogenic amino acid L-phenylalanine (Phe) in which the phenyl side chain has been replaced by a 5-membered tellurophene moiety. High incorporation level of TePhe in expressed proteins at defined sites is expected to facilitate studies in proteomics, protein NMR spectroscopy, and structure elucidation. As a model we chose immunoglobulin-binding Protein G, B1 domain (GB1) to validate TePhe as a suitable structural analogue for Phe. We demonstrate that approximately 1 in 2 of all Phe sites within GB1 can be substituted with TePhe through expression in standard non-Phe-auxotrophic E. coli in Phe-deficient media containing glyphosate, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The TePhe content of the GB1 sample can be further increased to 85 % through HPLC. Using NMR and CD spectroscopy, we confirm that the Phe-to-TePhe substitution has negligible impact on the global structure and stability of GB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jia Bu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Mark Nitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
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18
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Hochberg GKA, Liu Y, Marklund EG, Metzger BPH, Laganowsky A, Thornton JW. A hydrophobic ratchet entrenches molecular complexes. Nature 2020; 588:503-508. [PMID: 33299178 PMCID: PMC8168016 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-3021-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most proteins assemble into multisubunit complexes1. The persistence of these complexes across evolutionary time is usually explained as the result of natural selection for functional properties that depend on multimerization, such as intersubunit allostery or the capacity to do mechanical work2. In many complexes, however, multimerization does not enable any known function3. An alternative explanation is that multimers could become entrenched if substitutions accumulate that are neutral in multimers but deleterious in monomers; purifying selection would then prevent reversion to the unassembled form, even if assembly per se does not enhance biological function3-7. Here we show that a hydrophobic mutational ratchet systematically entrenches molecular complexes. By applying ancestral protein reconstruction and biochemical assays to the evolution of steroid hormone receptors, we show that an ancient hydrophobic interface, conserved for hundreds of millions of years, is entrenched because exposure of this interface to solvent reduces protein stability and causes aggregation, even though the interface makes no detectable contribution to function. Using structural bioinformatics, we show that a universal mutational propensity drives sites that are buried in multimeric interfaces to accumulate hydrophobic substitutions to levels that are not tolerated in monomers. In a database of hundreds of families of multimers, most show signatures of long-term hydrophobic entrenchment. It is therefore likely that many protein complexes persist because a simple ratchet-like mechanism entrenches them across evolutionary time, even when they are functionally gratuitous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg K A Hochberg
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Erik G Marklund
- Department of Chemistry - BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Brian P H Metzger
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Arthur Laganowsky
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Joseph W Thornton
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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19
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Mazurenko S. Predicting protein stability and solubility changes upon mutations: data perspective. ChemCatChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202000933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Mazurenko
- Loschmidt Laboratories Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX Faculty of Science Masaryk University Zerotinovo nam. 617/9 601 77 Brno Czech Republic
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20
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Vasina M, Vanacek P, Damborsky J, Prokop Z. Exploration of enzyme diversity: High-throughput techniques for protein production and microscale biochemical characterization. Methods Enzymol 2020; 643:51-85. [PMID: 32896287 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Enzymes are being increasingly utilized for acceleration of industrially and pharmaceutically critical chemical reactions. The strong demand for finding robust and efficient biocatalysts for these applications can be satisfied via the exploration of enzyme diversity. The first strategy is to mine the natural diversity, represented by millions of sequences available in the public genomic databases, by using computational approaches. Alternatively, metagenomic libraries can be targeted experimentally or computationally to explore the natural diversity of a specific environment. The second strategy, known as directed evolution, is to generate man-made diversity in the laboratory using gene mutagenesis and screen the constructed library of mutants. The selected hits must be experimentally characterized in both strategies, which currently represent the rate-limiting step in the process of diversity exploration. The traditional techniques used for biochemical characterization are time-demanding, cost, and sample volume ineffective, and low-throughput. Therefore, the development and implementation of high-throughput experimental methods are essential for discovering novel enzymes. This chapter describes the experimental protocols employing the combination of robust production and high-throughput microscale biochemical characterization of enzyme variants. We validated its applicability against the model enzyme family of haloalkane dehalogenases. These protocols can be adapted to other enzyme families, paving the way towards the functional characterization and quick identification of novel biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Vasina
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Vanacek
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
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21
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Zhang R, Ni S, Kennedy MA. Crystal structure of Alr1298, a pentapeptide repeat protein from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120, determined at 2.1 Å resolution. Proteins 2020; 88:1143-1153. [PMID: 32092202 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 are filamentous cyanobacteria capable of both oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, with the latter taking place in specialized cells known as heterocysts that terminally differentiate from vegetative cells under conditions of nitrogen starvation. Cyanobacteria have existed on earth for more than 2 billion years and are thought to be responsible for oxygenation of the earth's atmosphere. Filamentous cyanobacteria such as Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 may also represent the oldest multicellular organisms on earth that undergo cell differentiation. Pentapeptide repeat proteins (PRPs), which occur most abundantly in cyanobacteria, adopt a right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure, also referred to as a repeat five residue (Rfr) fold, with four-consecutive pentapeptide repeats constituting a single coil in the β-helical structure. PRPs are predicted to exist in all compartments within cyanobacteria including the thylakoid and cell-wall membranes as well as the cytoplasm and thylakoid periplasmic space. Despite their intriguing structure and importance to understanding ancient cyanobacteria, the biochemical function of PRPs in cyanobacteria remains largely unknown. Here we report the crystal structure of Alr1298, a PRP from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 predicted to reside in the cytoplasm. The structure displays the typical right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure and includes a four-α-helix cluster capping the N-terminus and a single α-helix capping the C-terminus. A gene cluster analysis indicated that Alr1298 may belong to an operon linked to cell proliferation and/or thylakoid biogenesis. Elevated alr1298 gene expression following nitrogen starvation indicates that Alr1298 may play a role in response to nitrogen starvation and/or heterocyst differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruojing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Shuisong Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Michael A Kennedy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
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22
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Thermostabilization of VPR, a kinetically stable cold adapted subtilase, via multiple proline substitutions into surface loops. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1045. [PMID: 31974391 PMCID: PMC6978356 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57873-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein stability is a widely studied topic, there are still aspects however that need addressing. In this paper we examined the effects of multiple proline substitutions into loop regions of the kinetically stable proteinase K-like serine protease VPR, using the thermostable structural homologue AQUI as a template. Four locations for proline substitutions were chosen to imitate the structure of AQUI. Variants were produced and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), steady state fluorescence, acrylamide fluorescence quenching and thermal inactivation experiments. The final product VPRΔC_N3P/I5P/N238P/T265P was greatly stabilized which was achieved without any noticeable detrimental effects to the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme. This stabilization seems to be derived from the conformation restrictive properties of the proline residue in its ability to act as an anchor point and strengthen pre-existing interactions within the protein and allowing for these interactions to prevail when thermal energy is applied to the system. In addition, the results underline the importance of the synergy between distant local protein motions needed to result in stabilizing effects and thus giving an insight into the nature of the stability of VPR, its unfolding landscape and how proline residues can infer kinetic stability onto protein structures.
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23
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Constructing protein polyhedra via orthogonal chemical interactions. Nature 2020; 578:172-176. [PMID: 31969701 PMCID: PMC7007351 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1928-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A large fraction of proteins naturally exist as symmetrical homooligomers or homopolymers1. The emergent structural and functional properties of such protein assemblies have inspired extensive efforts in biomolecular design2-5. As synthesized by ribosomes, proteins are inherently asymmetric. Thus, they must acquire multiple surface patches that selectively associate to generate different symmetry elements needed to form higher-order architectures1,6 – a daunting task for protein design. Here we introduce an inorganic chemical approach to address this outstanding problem, whereby multiple modes of protein-protein interactions and symmetry are simultaneously achieved by selective, “one-pot” coordination of soft and hard metal ions. We show that a monomeric protein (protomer) appropriately modified with biologically inspired hydroxamate groups and Zn-binding motifs assembles through concurrent Fe3+ and Zn2+ coordination into discrete dodecameric and hexameric cages. Closely resembling natural polyhedral protein architectures7,8 and unique among designed systems9-13, our artificial cages possess tightly packed shells devoid of large apertures, yet they can assemble and disassemble in response to diverse stimuli owing to their heterobimetallic construction on minimal interprotein-bonding footprints. With stoichiometries ranging from [2 Fe:9 Zn:6 protomer] to [8 Fe:21 Zn:12 protomer], these protein cages represent some of the compositionally most complex protein assemblies–or inorganic coordination complexes–obtained by design.
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Critical effect of proline on thermostability of endoglucanase II from Penicillium verruculosum. Biochem Eng J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2019.107395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Sinha R, Shukla P. Current Trends in Protein Engineering: Updates and Progress. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2019; 20:398-407. [PMID: 30451109 DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666181119120120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are one of the most important and resourceful biomolecules that find applications in health, industry, medicine, research, and biotechnology. Given its tremendous relevance, protein engineering has emerged as significant biotechnological intervention in this area. Strategic utilization of protein engineering methods and approaches has enabled better enzymatic properties, better stability, increased catalytic activity and most importantly, interesting and wide range applicability of proteins. In fact, the commercialization of engineered proteins have manifested in economically beneficial and viable solutions for industry and healthcare sector. Protein engineering has also evolved to become a powerful tool contributing significantly to the developments in both synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. The present review revisits the current trends in protein engineering approaches such as rational design, directed evolution, de novo design, computational approaches etc. and encompasses the recent progresses made in this field over the last few years. The review also throws light on advanced or futuristic protein engineering aspects, which are being explored for design and development of novel proteins with improved properties or advanced applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pratyoosh Shukla
- Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
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Rodrigues JV, Shakhnovich EI. Adaptation to mutational inactivation of an essential gene converges to an accessible suboptimal fitness peak. eLife 2019; 8:50509. [PMID: 31573512 PMCID: PMC6828540 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms of adaptation to inactivation of essential genes remain unknown. Here we inactivate E. coli dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) by introducing D27G,N,F chromosomal mutations in a key catalytic residue with subsequent adaptation by an automated serial transfer protocol. The partial reversal G27- > C occurred in three evolutionary trajectories. Conversely, in one trajectory for D27G and in all trajectories for D27F,N strains adapted to grow at very low metabolic supplement (folAmix) concentrations but did not escape entirely from supplement auxotrophy. Major global shifts in metabolome and proteome occurred upon DHFR inactivation, which were partially reversed in adapted strains. Loss-of-function mutations in two genes, thyA and deoB, ensured adaptation to low folAmix by rerouting the 2-Deoxy-D-ribose-phosphate metabolism from glycolysis towards synthesis of dTMP. Multiple evolutionary pathways of adaptation converged to a suboptimal solution due to the high accessibility to loss-of-function mutations that block the path to the highest, yet least accessible, fitness peak. Predicting how viruses and bacteria evolve remains a challenge. The ability to anticipate when and how bacteria might develop drug resistance would make treating life-threatening diseases easier and could potentially help prevent drug resistance altogether. Studying bacterial evolution under different conditions and cataloguing all possible DNA mutations that allow these bacteria to survive are crucial steps in predicting the appearance of drug resistance. Studies have revealed that bacteria can adapt to sources of stress, such as antibiotics, in different ways – each involving mutations in distinct genes. However, not all the mutations provide the same benefits to the organism, and the factors that influence how bacteria will adapt are unclear. Now, Rodrigues and Shakhnovich have used a new approach to push the adaptation ability of the bacterium Escherichia coli to the limit. First, they genetically engineered different E. coli strains by introducing distinct mutations to an enzyme the bacterium needs to make DNA. These mutations make the resulting strains dependent on external molecules to synthesize new DNA. Next, the cells were grown in conditions where the supply of these DNA precursors was progressively decreased, forcing them to adapt. The obvious way for bacteria to adapt to these conditions would be to ‘revert’ the mutations that Rodrigues and Shakhnovich introduced in the first place. By using this approach, Rodrigues and Shakhnovich were able to test how often the obvious evolutionary solution happens compared with presumably less-preferred alternative routes. In rare cases, a specific mutation did restore the activity of the enzyme that enabled DNA synthesis. However, in most cases the bacteria found a different evolutionary solution whereby they all adapt to the decrease in external DNA precursors in the same way, but not by reverting the original mutation. Instead, further mutations disrupt the activity of two metabolic genes, allowing the cells to use the external DNA precursors more efficiently, and keep building DNA. These cells are therefore able to survive even when the levels of the external DNA components are very low, but they will die in the complete absence of these precursor molecules. This evolutionary solution leads to a non-optimal effect: mutations that restore the activity of the original enzyme, which are the best solution when the two metabolic genes are intact, are no longer as effective. This finding represents a clear example of interactions between genes determining evolutionary outcomes. Rodrigues and Shakhnovich showed that, since it is more likely for a random mutation to disrupt a gene than to revert a previous mutation, adaptations that are less-than-optimal but still work might predominate simply because they happen faster. Understanding why certain evolutionary adaptations prevail is an important step in predicting evolution and may lead to breakthroughs in many areas. For example, if scientists can identify mutations likely to make bacteria resistant to drugs, it may be possible to act proactively against the bacterial strains that carry those mutations. Eventually, if the factors that lead to specific adaptations are known, it may be possible to exploit this knowledge to create weaknesses in the bacteria’s own defences.
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Affiliation(s)
- João V Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Eugene I Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
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Type I beta turns make a new twist in pentapeptide repeat proteins: Crystal structure of Alr5209 from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 determined at 1.7 angström resolution. JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY-X 2019; 3:100010. [PMID: 32647815 PMCID: PMC7337050 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2019.100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pentapeptide repeat proteins (PRPs) are found abundantly in cyanobacteria, numbering in the dozens in some genomes, e.g. in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. PRPs, comprised of a repeating consensus sequence of five amino acids, adopt a distinctive right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure, also referred to as a repeat five residue (Rfr) fold, made up of stacks of coils formed by four consecutive pentapeptide repeats. The right-handed quadrilateral β-helical PRP structure is constructed by repeating β turns at each of four corners in a given coil, each causing a 90° change in direction of the polypeptide chain. Until now, all PRP structures have consisted either of type II and IV β turns or exclusively of type II β turns. Here, we report the first structure of a PRP comprised of type I and II β turns, Alr5209 from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. The alr5209 gene encodes 129 amino acids containing 16 tandem pentapeptide repeats. The Alr5209 structure was analyzed in comparison to all other PRPs to determine how type I β turns can be accommodated in Rfr folds and the consequences of type I β turns on the right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure. Given that Alr5209 represents the first PRP structure containing type I β turns, the PRP consensus sequence was reevaluated and updated. Despite a growing number of PRP structural investigations, their function remains largely unknown. Genome analysis indicated that alr5209 resides in a five-gene operon (alr5208-alr5212) with Alr5211 annotated to be a NADH dehydrogenase indicating Alr5209 may be involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
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