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Saha S, Özden C, Samkutty A, Russi S, Cohen A, Stratton MM, Perry SL. Polymer-based microfluidic device for on-chip counter-diffusive crystallization and in situ X-ray crystallography at room temperature. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2075-2090. [PMID: 36942575 PMCID: PMC10631519 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc01194h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are long chains of amino acid residues that perform a myriad of functions in living organisms, including enzymatic reactions, signalling, and maintaining structural integrity. Protein function is determined directly by the protein structure. X-ray crystallography is the primary technique for determining the 3D structure of proteins, and facilitates understanding the effects of protein structure on function. The first step towards structure determination is crystallizing the protein of interest. We have developed a centrifugally-actuated microfluidic device that incorporates the fluid handling and metering necessary for protein crystallization. Liquid handling takes advantage of surface forces to control fluid flow and enable metering, without the need for any fluidic or pump connections. Our approach requires only the simple steps of pipetting the crystallization reagents into the device followed by either spinning or shaking to set up counter-diffusive protein crystallization trials. The use of thin, UV-curable polymers with a high level of X-ray transparency allows for in situ X-ray crystallography, eliminating the manual handling of fragile protein crystals and streamlining the process of protein structure analysis. We demonstrate the utility of our device using hen egg white lysozyme as a model system, followed by the crystallization and in situ, room temperature structural analysis of the hub domain of calcium-calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKIIβ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Saha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
| | - Can Özden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Alfred Samkutty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Silvia Russi
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Aina Cohen
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Margaret M Stratton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Sarah L Perry
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Lynch ML, Snell ME, Potter SA, Snell EH, Bowman SEJ. 20 years of crystal hits: progress and promise in ultrahigh-throughput crystallization screening. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:198-205. [PMID: 36876429 PMCID: PMC9986797 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798323001274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffraction-based structural methods contribute a large fraction of the biomolecular structural models available, providing a critical understanding of macromolecular architecture. These methods require crystallization of the target molecule, which remains a primary bottleneck in crystal-based structure determination. The National High-Throughput Crystallization Center at Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute has focused on overcoming obstacles to crystallization through a combination of robotics-enabled high-throughput screening and advanced imaging to increase the success of finding crystallization conditions. This paper will describe the lessons learned from over 20 years of operation of our high-throughput crystallization services. The current experimental pipelines, instrumentation, imaging capabilities and software for image viewing and crystal scoring are detailed. New developments in the field and opportunities for further improvements in biomolecular crystallization are reflected on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda L Lynch
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Snell
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Stephen A Potter
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Edward H Snell
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Sarah E J Bowman
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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3
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Abrahams G, Newman J. Data- and diversity-driven development of a Shotgun crystallization screen using the Protein Data Bank. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2021; 77:1437-1450. [PMID: 34726171 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798321009724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Protein crystallization has for decades been a critical and restrictive step in macromolecular structure determination via X-ray diffraction. Crystallization typically involves a multi-stage exploration of the available chemical space, beginning with an initial sampling (screening) followed by iterative refinement (optimization). Effective screening is important for reducing the number of optimization rounds required, reducing the cost and time required to determine a structure. Here, an initial screen (Shotgun II) derived from analysis of the up-to-date Protein Data Bank (PDB) is proposed and compared with the previously derived (2014) Shotgun I screen. In an update to that analysis, it is clarified that the Shotgun approach entails finding the crystallization conditions that cover the most diverse space of proteins by sequence found in the PDB, which can be mapped to the well known maximum coverage problem in computer science. With this realization, it was possible to apply a more effective algorithm for selecting conditions. In-house data demonstrate that compared with alternatives, the Shotgun I screen has been remarkably successful over the seven years that it has been in use, indicating that Shotgun II is also likely to be a highly effective screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Abrahams
- Manufacturing (Biomedical), CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Janet Newman
- Manufacturing (Biomedical), CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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Grabowski M, Cooper DR, Brzezinski D, Macnar JM, Shabalin IG, Cymborowski M, Otwinowski Z, Minor W. Synchrotron Radiation as a Tool for Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography: a XXI Century Perspective. NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH. SECTION B, BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS 2021; 489:30-40. [PMID: 33603257 PMCID: PMC7886262 DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intense X-rays available at powerful synchrotron beamlines provide macromolecular crystallographers with an incomparable tool for investigating biological phenomena on an atomic scale. The resulting insights into the mechanism's underlying biological processes have played an essential role and shaped biomedical sciences during the last 30 years, considered the "golden age" of structural biology. In this review, we analyze selected aspects of the impact of synchrotron radiation on structural biology. Synchrotron beamlines have been used to determine over 70% of all macromolecular structures deposited into the Protein Data Bank (PDB). These structures were deposited by over 13,000 different research groups. Interestingly, despite the impressive advances in synchrotron technologies, the median resolution of macromolecular structures determined using synchrotrons has remained constant throughout the last 30 years, at about 2 Å. Similarly, the median times from the data collection to the deposition and release have not changed significantly. We describe challenges to reproducibility related to recording all relevant data and metadata during the synchrotron experiments, including diffraction images. Finally, we discuss some of the recent opinions suggesting a diminishing importance of X-ray crystallography due to impressive advances in Cryo-EM and theoretical modeling. We believe that synchrotrons of the future will increasingly evolve towards a life science center model, where X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM, and other experimental and computational resources and knowledge are encompassed within a versatile research facility. The recent response of crystallographers to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that X-ray crystallography conducted at synchrotron beamlines will continue to play an essential role in structural biology and drug discovery for years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Grabowski
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
| | - David R. Cooper
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
| | - Dariusz Brzezinski
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland
- Center for Biocrystallographic Research, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna M. Macnar
- College of Inter-Faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biological and Chemical Research Center, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ivan G. Shabalin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
| | - Marcin Cymborowski
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
| | - Zbyszek Otwinowski
- Department of Biophysics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Wladek Minor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903, USA
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Birch J, Cheruvara H, Gamage N, Harrison PJ, Lithgo R, Quigley A. Changes in Membrane Protein Structural Biology. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E401. [PMID: 33207666 PMCID: PMC7696871 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are essential components of many biochemical processes and are important pharmaceutical targets. Membrane protein structural biology provides the molecular rationale for these biochemical process as well as being a highly useful tool for drug discovery. Unfortunately, membrane protein structural biology is a difficult area of study due to low protein yields and high levels of instability especially when membrane proteins are removed from their native environments. Despite this instability, membrane protein structural biology has made great leaps over the last fifteen years. Today, the landscape is almost unrecognisable. The numbers of available atomic resolution structures have increased 10-fold though advances in crystallography and more recently by cryo-electron microscopy. These advances in structural biology were achieved through the efforts of many researchers around the world as well as initiatives such as the Membrane Protein Laboratory (MPL) at Diamond Light Source. The MPL has helped, provided access to and contributed to advances in protein production, sample preparation and data collection. Together, these advances have enabled higher resolution structures, from less material, at a greater rate, from a more diverse range of membrane protein targets. Despite this success, significant challenges remain. Here, we review the progress made and highlight current and future challenges that will be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Birch
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Harish Cheruvara
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Nadisha Gamage
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Peter J. Harrison
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Ryan Lithgo
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Andrew Quigley
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; (J.B.); (H.C.); (N.G.); (P.J.H.); (R.L.)
- Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
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6
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Current pivotal strategies leading a difficult target protein to a sample suitable for crystallographic analysis. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1661-1673. [PMID: 32677661 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Crystallographic structural analysis is an essential method for the determination of protein structure. However, crystallization of a protein of interest is the most difficult process in the analysis. The process is often hampered during the sample preparation, including expression and purification. Even after a sample has been purified, not all candidate proteins crystallize. In this mini-review, the current methodologies used to overcome obstacles encountered during protein crystallization are sorted. Specifically, the strategy for an effective crystallization is compared with a pipeline where various expression hosts and constructs, purification and crystallization conditions, and crystallization chaperones as target-specific binder proteins are assessed by a precrystallization screening. These methodologies are also developed continuously to improve the process. The described methods are useful for sample preparation in crystallographic analysis and other structure determination techniques, such as cryo-electron microscopy.
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Lynch ML, Dudek MF, Bowman SE. A Searchable Database of Crystallization Cocktails in the PDB: Analyzing the Chemical Condition Space. PATTERNS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 1:100024. [PMID: 32776019 PMCID: PMC7409820 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2020.100024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 90% of structural models in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), the central resource worldwide for three-dimensional structural information, are currently derived from macromolecular crystallography (MX). A major bottleneck in determining MX structures is finding conditions in which a biomolecule will crystallize. Here, we present a searchable database of the chemicals associated with successful crystallization experiments from the PDB. We use these data to examine the relationship between protein secondary structure and average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol and to investigate patterns in crystallization conditions. Our analyses reveal striking patterns of both redundancy of chemical compositions in crystallization experiments and extreme sparsity of specific chemical combinations, underscoring the challenges faced in generating predictive models for de novo optimal crystallization experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda L. Lynch
- High-Throughput Crystallization Screening Center, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Max F. Dudek
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Sarah E.J. Bowman
- High-Throughput Crystallization Screening Center, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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8
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Seraj Z, Seyedarabi A. The role of Cinnamaldehyde and Phenyl ethyl alcohol as two types of precipitants affecting protein hydration levels. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 146:705-715. [PMID: 31887389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.204] [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] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Release of water is the main force which drives proteins towards crystallisation (giving rise to protein crystals for crystallography) and aggregation (main cause of neurodegenerative diseases), and as such it is possible to make changes in the crystallisation/aggregation process by using compounds which are able to reduce the amount of water molecules around proteins. Cinnamaldehyde and Phenyl ethyl alcohol are the active constituents of cinnamon and rose flower, respectively. Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) suggests the use of cinnamon and rose flower for the reduction of excess coldness and wetness from the brain of patients suffering from Dementia. Using crystallisation as a model system and X-ray crystallography, we tested whether Cinnamaldehyde or Phenyl ethyl alcohol can mimic the role of precipitants resulting in the formation of crystals of HEWL (as a model protein) by releasing water from the surrounding protein environment. Results have revealed that both Cinnamaldehyde and Phenyl ethyl alcohol, in particular, were capable to adequately act as 'precipitants' but in the presence of NaCl (as a salt), resulting in better crystals of HEWL by changing the amount of charge and/or making water molecules unavailable in the symmetry related position, in line with the role suggested for these compounds by TIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Seraj
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Arefeh Seyedarabi
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran.
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9
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Abstract
The process of macromolecular crystallisation almost always begins by setting up crystallisation trials using commercial or other premade screens, followed by cycles of optimisation where the crystallisation cocktails are focused towards a particular small region of chemical space. The screening process is relatively straightforward, but still requires an understanding of the plethora of commercially available screens. Optimisation is complicated by requiring both the design and preparation of the appropriate secondary screens. Software has been developed in the C3 lab to aid the process of choosing initial screens, to analyse the results of the initial trials, and to design and describe how to prepare optimisation screens.
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10
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Park J, Kang TH, Choi I, Choe J. Induction of crystal nucleation by orientation-controlled binding of His 6-tagged proteins to functionalized gold nanoparticles. CrystEngComm 2020. [DOI: 10.1039/c9ce01786k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Functionalized gold nanoparticles can induce crystal nucleation by orientation-controlled NTA–Ni2+– His6-tagged protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyeon Park
- Department of Life Science
- University of Seoul
- Seoul 02504
- Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ho Kang
- Department of Life Science
- University of Seoul
- Seoul 02504
- Republic of Korea
| | - Inhee Choi
- Department of Life Science
- University of Seoul
- Seoul 02504
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jungwoo Choe
- Department of Life Science
- University of Seoul
- Seoul 02504
- Republic of Korea
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11
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Design of Experiments As a Tool for Optimization in Recombinant Protein Biotechnology: From Constructs to Crystals. Mol Biotechnol 2019; 61:873-891. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-019-00218-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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12
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de Wijn R, Hennig O, Roche J, Engilberge S, Rollet K, Fernandez-Millan P, Brillet K, Betat H, Mörl M, Roussel A, Girard E, Mueller-Dieckmann C, Fox GC, Olieric V, Gavira JA, Lorber B, Sauter C. A simple and versatile microfluidic device for efficient biomacromolecule crystallization and structural analysis by serial crystallography. IUCRJ 2019; 6:454-464. [PMID: 31098026 PMCID: PMC6503916 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252519003622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Determining optimal conditions for the production of well diffracting crystals is a key step in every biocrystallography project. Here, a microfluidic device is described that enables the production of crystals by counter-diffusion and their direct on-chip analysis by serial crystallography at room temperature. Nine 'non-model' and diverse biomacromolecules, including seven soluble proteins, a membrane protein and an RNA duplex, were crystallized and treated on-chip with a variety of standard techniques including micro-seeding, crystal soaking with ligands and crystal detection by fluorescence. Furthermore, the crystal structures of four proteins and an RNA were determined based on serial data collected on four synchrotron beamlines, demonstrating the general applicability of this multipurpose chip concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël de Wijn
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Oliver Hennig
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Bruederstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jennifer Roche
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257 CNRS–Aix Marseille University, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
| | | | - Kevin Rollet
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Pablo Fernandez-Millan
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Karl Brillet
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Heike Betat
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Bruederstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Bruederstrasse 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alain Roussel
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, UMR 7257 CNRS–Aix Marseille University, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
| | - Eric Girard
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | - Gavin C. Fox
- PROXIMA 2A beamline, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Olieric
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Light Source, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - José A. Gavira
- Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos, IACT, CSIC–Universidad de Granada, Avenida Las Palmeras 4, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Bernard Lorber
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Claude Sauter
- Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 15 Rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France
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13
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Abrahams GJ, Newman J. BLASTing away preconceptions in crystallization trials. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2019; 75:184-192. [PMID: 30839293 PMCID: PMC6404862 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x19000141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Crystallization is in many cases a critical step for solving the three-dimensional structure of a protein molecule. Determining which set of chemicals to use in the initial screen is typically agnostic of the protein under investigation; however, crystallization efficiency could potentially be improved if this were not the case. Previous work has assumed that sequence similarity may provide useful information about appropriate crystallization cocktails; however, the authors are not aware of any quantitative verification of this assumption. This research investigates whether, given current information, one can detect any correlation between sequence similarity and crystallization cocktails. BLAST was used to quantitate the similarity between protein sequences in the Protein Data Bank, and this was compared with three estimations of the chemical similarities of the respective crystallization cocktails. No correlation was detected between proteins of similar (but not identical) sequence and their crystallization cocktails, suggesting that methods of determining screens based on this assumption are unlikely to result in screens that are better than those currently in use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Jan Abrahams
- Manufacturing (Biomedical), CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Janet Newman
- Manufacturing (Biomedical), CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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14
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Chen Q, Xu Y, Tang P. X-Ray Crystallographic Studies for Revealing Binding Sites of General Anesthetics in Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels. Methods Enzymol 2018; 603:21-47. [PMID: 29673527 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
X-ray crystallography is a powerful tool in structural biology and can offer insight into structured-based understanding of general anesthetic action on various relevant molecular targets, including pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs). In this chapter, we outline the procedures for expression and purification of pLGICs. Optimization of crystallization conditions, especially to achieve high-resolution structures of pLGICs bound with general anesthetics, is also presented. Case studies of pLGICs bound with the volatile general anesthetic isoflurane, 2-bromoethanol, and the intravenous general anesthetic ketamine are revisited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Chen
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yan Xu
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pei Tang
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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15
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Gu A, Marshall B, Rosa N, Ristic M, Newman J. Organizing a crystallization laboratory. J Appl Crystallogr 2018. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576717016727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Managing chemical stocks and samples in any laboratory is an arduous task; in a crystallization laboratory this is particularly burdensome, given the need for many stocks to facilitate optimization of crystal hits obtained from screening experiments. Although inventory management is widespread in retail and other arenas, most small academic laboratories do not adopt formal stock management systems. Without an overarching system for handling stocks and samples, problems such as stock duplication, inappropriate stock storage and insufficient labelling are rife. Two applications have been developed in the Collaborative Crystallization Centre, the first of which manages the hundreds of stocks used for crystallization, and a second which manages protein (and other) samples stored in the 193 K freezer. Both applications are built around a simple database, with a Python front end that allows samples or stocks to be scanned in or out. Information from a decade of crystallization stock usage allows a good estimation of what chemicals are used (and in what quantities) in a crystallization laboratory.
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17
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Boikova AS, D’yakova YA, Il’ina KB, Konarev PV, Kryukova AE, Marchenkova MA, Blagov AE, Pisarevskii YV, Koval’chuk MV. Small-angle X-ray scattering study of the influence of solvent replacement (from H2O to D2O) on the initial crystallization stage of tetragonal lysozyme. CRYSTALLOGR REP+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1063774517060074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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18
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Altay Y, Tezcan M, Otto S. Emergence of a New Self-Replicator from a Dynamic Combinatorial Library Requires a Specific Pre-Existing Replicator. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:13612-13615. [PMID: 28910535 PMCID: PMC5632813 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Our
knowledge regarding the early steps in the formation of evolvable
life and what constitutes the minimal molecular basis of life remains
far from complete. The recent emergence of systems chemistry reinvigorated
the investigation of systems of self-replicating molecules to address
these questions. Most of these studies focus on single replicators
and the effects of replicators on the emergence of other replicators
remains under-investigated. Here we show the cross-catalyzed emergence
of a novel self-replicator from a dynamic combinatorial library made
from a threonine containing peptide building block, which, by itself,
only forms trimers and tetramers that do not replicate. Upon seeding
of this library with different replicators of different macrocycle
size (hexamers and octamers), we observed the emergence of hexamer
replicator consisting of six units of the threonine peptide only when
it is seeded with an octamer replicator containing eight units of
a serine building block. These results reveal for the first time how
a new replicator can emerge in a process that relies critically on
the assistance by another replicator through cross-catalysis and that
replicator composition is history dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yigit Altay
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Meniz Tezcan
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sijbren Otto
- Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Yamada KD, Kunishima N, Matsuura Y, Nakai K, Naitow H, Fukasawa Y, Tomii K. Designing better diffracting crystals of biotin carboxyl carrier protein from Pyrococcus horikoshii by a mutation based on the crystal-packing propensity of amino acids. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2017; 73:757-766. [PMID: 28876239 PMCID: PMC5586248 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798317010932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
An alternative rational approach to improve protein crystals by using single-site mutation of surface residues is proposed based on the results of a statistical analysis using a compiled data set of 918 independent crystal structures, thereby reflecting not only the entropic effect but also other effects upon protein crystallization. This analysis reveals a clear difference in the crystal-packing propensity of amino acids depending on the secondary-structural class. To verify this result, a systematic crystallization experiment was performed with the biotin carboxyl carrier protein from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (PhBCCP). Six single-site mutations were examined: Ala138 on the surface of a β-sheet was mutated to Ile, Tyr, Arg, Gln, Val and Lys. In agreement with prediction, it was observed that the two mutants (A138I and A138Y) harbouring the residues with the highest crystal-packing propensities for β-sheet at position 138 provided better crystallization scores relative to those of other constructs, including the wild type, and that the crystal-packing propensity for β-sheet provided the best correlation with the ratio of obtaining crystals. Two new crystal forms of these mutants were obtained that diffracted to high resolution, generating novel packing interfaces with the mutated residues (Ile/Tyr). The mutations introduced did not affect the overall structures, indicating that a β-sheet can accommodate a successful mutation if it is carefully selected so as to avoid intramolecular steric hindrance. A significant negative correlation between the ratio of obtaining amorphous precipitate and the crystal-packing propensity was also found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori D. Yamada
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
- Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3-09 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Naoki Kunishima
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Matsuura
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Koshiro Nakai
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Hisashi Naitow
- RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fukasawa
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
| | - Kentaro Tomii
- Artificial Intelligence Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
- Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2-4-7 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
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20
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Ferreira C, Barbosa S, Taboada P, Rocha FA, Damas AM, Martins PM. The nucleation of protein crystals as a race against time with on- and off-pathways. J Appl Crystallogr 2017. [DOI: 10.1107/s1600576717007312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
High supersaturation levels are a necessary but insufficient condition for the crystallization of purified proteins. Unlike most small molecules, proteins can take diverse aggregation pathways that make the outcome of crystallization assays quite unpredictable. Here, dynamic light scattering and optical microscopy were used to show that the nucleation of lysozyme crystals is preceded by an initial step of protein oligomerization and by the progressive formation of metastable clusters. Because these steps deplete the concentration of soluble monomers, the probability of obtaining protein crystals decreases as time progresses. Stochastic variations of the induction time are thus amplified to a point where fast crystallization can coexist with unyielding regimes in the same conditions. With an initial hydrodynamic radius of ∼100 nm, the metastable clusters also promote the formation of protein crystals through a mechanism of heterogeneous nucleation. Crystal growth (on-pathway) takes place in parallel with cluster growth (off-pathway). The Janus-faced influence of the mesoscopic clusters is beneficial when it accelerates the formation of the first precrystalline nuclei and is detrimental as it depletes the solution of protein ready to crystallize. Choosing the right balance between the two effects is critical for determining the success of protein crystallization trials. The results presented here suggest that a mild oligomerization degree promotes the formation of a small number of metastable clusters which then catalyze the nucleation of well differentiated crystals.
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21
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Dyakova YA, Ilina KB, Konarev PV, Kryukova AE, Marchenkova MA, Blagov AE, Volkov VV, Pisarevsky YV, Kovalchuk MV. Small-angle X-ray scattering study of conditions for the formation of growth units of protein crystals in lysozyme solutions. CRYSTALLOGR REP+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1063774517030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Brader ML, Baker EN, Dunn MF, Laue TM, Carpenter JF. Using X-Ray Crystallography to Simplify and Accelerate Biologics Drug Development. J Pharm Sci 2017; 106:477-494. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2016.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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23
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Bhagi-Damodaran A, Hosseinzadeh P, Mirts E, Reed J, Petrik ID, Lu Y. Design of Heteronuclear Metalloenzymes. Methods Enzymol 2016; 580:501-37. [PMID: 27586347 PMCID: PMC5156654 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.05.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Heteronuclear metalloenzymes catalyze some of the most fundamentally interesting and practically useful reactions in nature. However, the presence of two or more metal ions in close proximity in these enzymes makes them more difficult to prepare and study than homonuclear metalloenzymes. To meet these challenges, heteronuclear metal centers have been designed into small and stable proteins with rigid scaffolds to understand how these heteronuclear centers are constructed and the mechanism of their function. This chapter describes methods for designing heterobinuclear metal centers in a protein scaffold by giving specific examples of a few heme-nonheme bimetallic centers engineered in myoglobin and cytochrome c peroxidase. We provide step-by-step procedures on how to choose the protein scaffold, design a heterobinuclear metal center in the protein scaffold computationally, incorporate metal ions into the protein, and characterize the resulting metalloproteins, both structurally and functionally. Finally, we discuss how an initial design can be further improved by rationally tuning its secondary coordination sphere, electron/proton transfer rates, and the substrate affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bhagi-Damodaran
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - P Hosseinzadeh
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - E Mirts
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - J Reed
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - I D Petrik
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Y Lu
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States.
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24
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O'Dell WB, Bodenheimer AM, Meilleur F. Neutron protein crystallography: A complementary tool for locating hydrogens in proteins. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 602:48-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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25
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Parker JL, Newstead S. Membrane Protein Crystallisation: Current Trends and Future Perspectives. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 922:61-72. [PMID: 27553235 PMCID: PMC5033070 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-35072-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alpha helical membrane proteins are the targets for many pharmaceutical drugs and play important roles in physiology and disease processes. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in determining their atomic structure using X-ray crystallography. However, a major bottleneck still remains; the identification of conditions that give crystals that are suitable for structure determination. Over the past 10 years we have been analysing the crystallisation conditions reported for alpha helical membrane proteins with the aim to facilitate a rational approach to the design and implementation of successful crystallisation screens. The result has been the development of MemGold, MemGold2 and the additive screen MemAdvantage. The associated analysis, summarised and updated in this chapter, has revealed a number of surprisingly successfully strategies for crystallisation and detergent selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L. Parker
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU UK
| | - Simon Newstead
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU UK
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26
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Junius N, Oksanen E, Terrien M, Berzin C, Ferrer JL, Budayova-Spano M. A crystallization apparatus for temperature-controlled flow-cell dialysis with real-time visualization. J Appl Crystallogr 2016; 49:806-813. [PMID: 27275137 PMCID: PMC4886980 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576716004635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Many instrumentation developments in crystallization have concentrated on massive parallelization assays and reduction of sample volume per experiment to find initial crystallization conditions. Yet improving the size and diffraction quality of the crystals for diffraction studies often requires decoupling of crystal nucleation and growth. This in turn requires the control of variables such as precipitant and protein concentration, equilibration rate, and temperature, which are all difficult parameters to control in the existing setups. The success of the temperature-controlled batch method, originally developed to grow very large crystals for neutron crystallography, demonstrated that the rational optimization of crystal growth has potential in structural biology. A temperature-controlled dialysis button has been developed for our previous device, and a prototype of an integrated apparatus for the rational optimization of crystal growth by mapping and manipulating temperature-precipitant concentration phase diagrams has been constructed. The presented approach differs from the current paradigm, since it involves serial instead of parallel experiments, exploring multiple crystallization conditions with the same protein sample. The sample is not consumed in the experiment and the conditions can be changed in a reversible fashion, using dialysis with a flowing precipitant reservoir as well as precise temperature control. The control software allows visualization of the crystals, as well as control of the temperature and composition of the crystallization solution. The rational crystallization optimization strategies presented here allow tailoring of crystal size, morphology and diffraction quality, significantly reducing the time, effort and amount of expensive protein material required for structure determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Junius
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Esko Oksanen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Maxime Terrien
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Berzin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Luc Ferrer
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
| | - Monika Budayova-Spano
- Université Grenoble Alpes, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CNRS, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France; CEA, IBS, F-38044 Grenoble, France
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27
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Dinç I, Pusey ML, Aygün RS. Optimizing Associative Experimental Design for Protein Crystallization Screening. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2016; 15:101-12. [PMID: 26955046 PMCID: PMC4898777 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2016.2536030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The goal of protein crystallization screening is the determination of the main factors of importance to crystallizing the protein under investigation. One of the major issues about determining these factors is that screening is often expanded to many hundreds or thousands of conditions to maximize combinatorial chemical space coverage for maximizing the chances of a successful (crystalline) outcome. In this paper, we propose an experimental design method called "Associative Experimental Design (AED)" and an optimization method includes eliminating prohibited combinations and prioritizing reagents based on AED analysis of results from protein crystallization experiments. AED generates candidate cocktails based on these initial screening results. These results are analyzed to determine those screening factors in chemical space that are most likely to lead to higher scoring outcomes, crystals. We have tested AED on three proteins derived from the hyperthermophile Thermococcus thioreducens, and we applied an optimization method to these proteins. Our AED method generated novel cocktails (count provided in parentheses) leading to crystals for three proteins as follows: Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (4), HAD superfamily hydrolase (2), Nucleoside kinase (1). After getting promising results, we have tested our optimization method on four different proteins. The AED method with optimization yielded 4, 3, and 20 crystalline conditions for holo Human Transferrin, archaeal exosome protein, and Nucleoside diphosphate kinase, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imren Dinç
- DataMedia Research Lab, Computer Science Department, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama 35899 USA
| | - Marc L. Pusey
- iXpressGenes, Inc., 601 Genome Way, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 USA
| | - Ramazan S. Aygün
- DataMedia Research Lab, Computer Science Department, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama 35899 USA
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28
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Altan I, Charbonneau P, Snell EH. Computational crystallization. Arch Biochem Biophys 2016; 602:12-20. [PMID: 26792536 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Crystallization is a key step in macromolecular structure determination by crystallography. While a robust theoretical treatment of the process is available, due to the complexity of the system, the experimental process is still largely one of trial and error. In this article, efforts in the field are discussed together with a theoretical underpinning using a solubility phase diagram. Prior knowledge has been used to develop tools that computationally predict the crystallization outcome and define mutational approaches that enhance the likelihood of crystallization. For the most part these tools are based on binary outcomes (crystal or no crystal), and the full information contained in an assembly of crystallization screening experiments is lost. The potential of this additional information is illustrated by examples where new biological knowledge can be obtained and where a target can be sub-categorized to predict which class of reagents provides the crystallization driving force. Computational analysis of crystallization requires complete and correctly formatted data. While massive crystallization screening efforts are under way, the data available from many of these studies are sparse. The potential for this data and the steps needed to realize this potential are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Altan
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Patrick Charbonneau
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Physics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Edward H Snell
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott St., NY 14203, USA; Department of Structural Biology, SUNY University of Buffalo, 700 Ellicott St., NY 14203, USA.
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29
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Bonyi E, Onuk Z, Constance E, Boone-Kukoyi Z, Gordon B, Kioko B, Daodu O, Aslan K. Metal-assisted and microwave-accelerated evaporative crystallization: an approach to rapid crystallization of biomolecules. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01224h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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30
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Abstract
High-resolution protein structures determined by X-ray crystallography or NMR have proven invaluable for deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of a vast range of proteins. Here, we describe methods to generate complexes of proteins belonging to the Bcl-2 family of proteins with either biological ligands or small molecule antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Physical Sciences 4, Room 205, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.,La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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31
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Sigdel M, Pusey ML, Aygun RS. CrystPro: Spatiotemporal Analysis of Protein Crystallization Images. CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN 2015; 15:5254-5262. [PMID: 26640418 PMCID: PMC4669104 DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.5b00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of experiments corresponding to different combinations of conditions are set up to determine the relevant conditions for successful protein crystallization. In recent years, high throughput robotic set-ups have been developed to automate the protein crystallization experiments, and imaging techniques are used to monitor the crystallization progress. Images are collected multiple times during the course of an experiment. Huge number of collected images make manual review of images tedious and discouraging. In this paper, utilizing trace fluorescence labeling, we describe an automated system called CrystPro for monitoring the protein crystal growth in crystallization trial images by analyzing the time sequence images. Given the sets of image sequences, the objective is to develop an efficient and reliable system to detect crystal growth changes such as new crystal formation and increase of crystal size. CrystPro consists of three major steps- identification of crystallization trials proper for spatio-temporal analysis, spatio-temporal analysis of identified trials, and crystal growth analysis. We evaluated the performance of our system on 3 crystallization image datasets (PCP-ILopt-11, PCP-ILopt-12, and PCP-ILopt-13) and compared our results with expert scores. Our results indicate a) 98.3% accuracy and .896 sensitivity on identification of trials for spatio-temporal analysis, b) 77.4% accuracy and .986 sensitivity of identifying crystal pairs with new crystal formation, and c) 85.8% accuracy and 0.667 sensitivity on crystal size increase detection. The results show that our method is reliable and efficient for tracking growth of crystals and determining useful image sequences for further review by the crystallographers.
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32
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Gorrec F. The MORPHEUS II protein crystallization screen. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2015; 71:831-7. [PMID: 26144227 PMCID: PMC4498703 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x1500967x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
High-quality macromolecular crystals are a prerequisite for the process of protein structure determination by X-ray diffraction. Unfortunately, the relative yield of diffraction-quality crystals from crystallization experiments is often very low. In this context, innovative crystallization screen formulations are continuously being developed. In the past, MORPHEUS, a screen in which each condition integrates a mix of additives selected from the Protein Data Bank, a cryoprotectant and a buffer system, was developed. Here, MORPHEUS II, a follow-up to the original 96-condition initial screen, is described. Reagents were selected to yield crystals when none might be observed in traditional initial screens. Besides, the screen includes heavy atoms for experimental phasing and small polyols to ensure the cryoprotection of crystals. The suitability of the resulting novel conditions is shown by the crystallization of a broad variety of protein samples and their efficiency is compared with commercially available conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Gorrec
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, England
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33
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Zipper LE, Aristide X, Bishop DP, Joshi I, Kharzeev J, Patel KB, Santiago BM, Joshi K, Dorsinvil K, Sweet RM, Soares AS. A simple technique to reduce evaporation of crystallization droplets by using plate lids with apertures for adding liquids. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2014; 70:1707-13. [PMID: 25484231 PMCID: PMC4259245 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x14025126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A method is described for using plate lids to reduce evaporation in low-volume vapor-diffusion crystallization experiments. The plate lids contain apertures through which the protein and precipitants were added to different crystallization microplates (the reservoir was filled before fitting the lids). Plate lids were designed for each of these commonly used crystallization microplates. This system minimizes the dehydration of crystallization droplets containing just a few nanolitres of protein and precipitant, and results in more reproducible diffraction from the crystals. For each lid design, changes in the weight of the plates were used to deduce the rate of evaporation under different conditions of temperature, air movement, droplet size and precipitant. For comparison, the state of dehydration was also visually assessed throughout the experiment. Finally, X-ray diffraction methods were used to compare the diffraction of protein crystals that were conventionally prepared against those that were prepared on plates with plate lids. The measurements revealed that the plate lids reduced the rate of evaporation by 63-82%. Crystals grown in 5 nl drops that were set up with plate lids diffracted to higher resolution than similar crystals from drops that were set up without plate lids. The results demonstrate that plate lids can be instrumental for improving few-nanolitre crystallizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Zipper
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY 13902, USA
| | - Xavier Aristide
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- North Babylon High School, 1 Phelps Lane North, Babylon, NY 11703, USA
| | - Dylan P. Bishop
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Road, Northport, NY 11768, USA
| | - Ishita Joshi
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- St Augustine Catholic High School, 2188 Rodick Road, Markham, ON L6C 1S3, Canada
| | - Julia Kharzeev
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, 350 Old Post Road, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, USA
| | - Krishna B. Patel
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- John P. Stevens High School, 855 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820, USA
| | - Brianna M. Santiago
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Connetquot High School, 190 7th Street, Bohemia, NY 11716, USA
| | - Karan Joshi
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kahille Dorsinvil
- Office of Educational Programs, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
| | - Robert M. Sweet
- Photon Sciences Directorate, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
- Biosciences Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
| | - Alexei S. Soares
- Photon Sciences Directorate, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973-5000, USA
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McPherson A, Cudney B. Optimization of crystallization conditions for biological macromolecules. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2014; 70:1445-67. [PMID: 25372810 PMCID: PMC4231845 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x14019670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For the successful X-ray structure determination of macromolecules, it is first necessary to identify, usually by matrix screening, conditions that yield some sort of crystals. Initial crystals are frequently microcrystals or clusters, and often have unfavorable morphologies or yield poor diffraction intensities. It is therefore generally necessary to improve upon these initial conditions in order to obtain better crystals of sufficient quality for X-ray data collection. Even when the initial samples are suitable, often marginally, refinement of conditions is recommended in order to obtain the highest quality crystals that can be grown. The quality of an X-ray structure determination is directly correlated with the size and the perfection of the crystalline samples; thus, refinement of conditions should always be a primary component of crystal growth. The improvement process is referred to as optimization, and it entails sequential, incremental changes in the chemical parameters that influence crystallization, such as pH, ionic strength and precipitant concentration, as well as physical parameters such as temperature, sample volume and overall methodology. It also includes the application of some unique procedures and approaches, and the addition of novel components such as detergents, ligands or other small molecules that may enhance nucleation or crystal development. Here, an attempt is made to provide guidance on how optimization might best be applied to crystal-growth problems, and what parameters and factors might most profitably be explored to accelerate and achieve success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander McPherson
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Bob Cudney
- Hampton Research, 34 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-3317, USA
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Fazio VJ, Peat TS, Newman J. A drunken search in crystallization space. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2014; 70:1303-11. [PMID: 25286930 PMCID: PMC4188070 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x1401841x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The REMARK280 field of the Protein Data Bank is the richest open source of successful crystallization information. The REMARK280 field is optional and currently uncurated, so significant effort needs to be applied to extract reliable data. There are well over 15 000 crystallization conditions available commercially from 12 different vendors. After putting the PDB crystallization information and the commercial cocktail data into a consistent format, these data are used to extract information about the overlap between the two sets of crystallization conditions. An estimation is made as to which commercially available conditions are most appropriate for producing well diffracting crystals by looking at which commercial conditions are found unchanged (or almost unchanged) in the PDB. Further analyses include which commercial kits are the most appropriate for shotgun or more traditional approaches to crystallization screening. This analysis suggests that almost 40% of the crystallization conditions found currently in the PDB are identical or very similar to a commercial condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent J. Fazio
- Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Thomas S. Peat
- Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Janet Newman
- Manufacturing Flagship, CSIRO, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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Calero G, Cohen AE, Luft JR, Newman J, Snell EH. Identifying, studying and making good use of macromolecular crystals. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS 2014; 70:993-1008. [PMID: 25084371 PMCID: PMC4118793 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x14016574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
As technology advances, the crystal volume that can be used to collect useful X-ray diffraction data decreases. The technologies available to detect and study growing crystals beyond the optical resolution limit and methods to successfully place the crystal into the X-ray beam are discussed. Structural biology has contributed tremendous knowledge to the understanding of life on the molecular scale. The Protein Data Bank, a depository of this structural knowledge, currently contains over 100 000 protein structures, with the majority stemming from X-ray crystallography. As the name might suggest, crystallography requires crystals. As detectors become more sensitive and X-ray sources more intense, the notion of a crystal is gradually changing from one large enough to embellish expensive jewellery to objects that have external dimensions of the order of the wavelength of visible light. Identifying these crystals is a prerequisite to their study. This paper discusses developments in identifying these crystals during crystallization screening and distinguishing them from other potential outcomes. The practical aspects of ensuring that once a crystal is identified it can then be positioned in the X-ray beam for data collection are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Calero
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Aina E Cohen
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Joseph R Luft
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Janet Newman
- CSIRO Collaborative Crystallisation Centre, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Edward H Snell
- Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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