1
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Zielinski KA, Dolamore C, Dalton KM, Smith N, Termini J, Henning R, Srajer V, Hekstra DR, Pollack L, Wilson MA. Resolving DJ-1 Glyoxalase Catalysis Using Mix-and-Inject Serial Crystallography at a Synchrotron. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.19.604369. [PMID: 39071394 PMCID: PMC11275809 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.19.604369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
DJ-1 (PARK7) is an intensively studied protein whose cytoprotective activities are dysregulated in multiple diseases. DJ-1 has been reported as having two distinct enzymatic activities in defense against reactive carbonyl species that are difficult to distinguish in conventional biochemical experiments. Here, we establish the mechanism of DJ-1 using a synchrotron-compatible version of mix-and-inject-serial crystallography (MISC), which was previously performed only at XFELs, to directly observe DJ-1 catalysis. We designed and used new diffusive mixers to collect time-resolved Laue diffraction data of DJ-1 catalysis at a pink beam synchrotron beamline. Analysis of structurally similar methylglyoxal-derived intermediates formed through the DJ-1 catalytic cycle shows that the enzyme catalyzes nearly two turnovers in the crystal and defines key aspects of its glyoxalase mechanism. In addition, DJ-1 shows allosteric communication between a distal site at the dimer interface and the active site that changes during catalysis. Our results rule out the widely cited deglycase mechanism for DJ-1 action and provide an explanation for how DJ-1 produces L-lactate with high chiral purity.
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2
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Chavas LMG, Coulibaly F, Garriga D. Bridging the microscopic divide: a comprehensive overview of micro-crystallization and in vivo crystallography. IUCRJ 2024; 11:476-485. [PMID: 38958014 PMCID: PMC11220871 DOI: 10.1107/s205225252400513x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
A series of events underscoring the significant advancements in micro-crystallization and in vivo crystallography were held during the 26th IUCr Congress in Melbourne, positioning microcrystallography as a pivotal field within structural biology. Through collaborative discussions and the sharing of innovative methodologies, these sessions outlined frontier approaches in macromolecular crystallography. This review provides an overview of this rapidly moving field in light of the rich dialogues and forward-thinking proposals explored during the congress workshop and microsymposium. These advances in microcrystallography shed light on the potential to reshape current research paradigms and enhance our comprehension of biological mechanisms at the molecular scale.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fasséli Coulibaly
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonAustralia
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3
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Carrillo M, Mason TJ, Karpik A, Martiel I, Kepa MW, McAuley KE, Beale JH, Padeste C. Micro-structured polymer fixed targets for serial crystallography at synchrotrons and XFELs. IUCRJ 2023; 10:678-693. [PMID: 37727961 PMCID: PMC10619457 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252523007595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Fixed targets are a popular form of sample-delivery system used in serial crystallography at synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser sources. They offer a wide range of sample-preparation options and are generally easy to use. The supports are typically made from silicon, quartz or polymer. Of these, currently, only silicon offers the ability to perform an aperture-aligned data collection where crystals are loaded into cavities in precise locations and sequentially rastered through, in step with the X-ray pulses. The polymer-based fixed targets have lacked the precision fabrication to enable this data-collection strategy and have been limited to directed-raster scans with crystals randomly distributed across the polymer surface. Here, the fabrication and first results from a new polymer-based fixed target, the micro-structured polymer fixed targets (MISP chips), are presented. MISP chips, like those made from silicon, have a precise array of cavities and fiducial markers. They consist of a structured polymer membrane and a stabilization frame. Crystals can be loaded into the cavities and the excess crystallization solution removed through apertures at their base. The fiducial markers allow for a rapid calculation of the aperture locations. The chips have a low X-ray background and, since they are optically transparent, also allow for an a priori analysis of crystal locations. This location mapping could, ultimately, optimize hit rates towards 100%. A black version of the MISP chip was produced to reduce light contamination for optical-pump/X-ray probe experiments. A study of the loading properties of the chips reveals that these types of fixed targets are best optimized for crystals of the order of 25 µm, but quality data can be collected from crystals as small as 5 µm. With the development of these chips, it has been proved that polymer-based fixed targets can be made with the precision required for aperture-alignment-based data-collection strategies. Further work can now be directed towards more cost-effective mass fabrication to make their use more sustainable for serial crystallography facilities and users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Carrillo
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 24a, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute, Klingelbergstrasse 82, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas J. Mason
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Agnieszka Karpik
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
- Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology (INKA), FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, School of Engineering, Klosterzelgstrasse 2, 5210 Windisch, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Martiel
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Michal W. Kepa
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - John H. Beale
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Celestino Padeste
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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4
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Krammer EM, Bridot C, Serna S, Echeverria B, Semwal S, Roubinet B, van Noort K, Wilbers RP, Bourenkov G, de Ruyck J, Landemarre L, Reichardt N, Bouckaert J. Structural insights into a cooperative switch between one and two FimH bacterial adhesins binding pauci- and high-mannose type N-glycan receptors. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104627. [PMID: 36944399 PMCID: PMC10127133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104627] [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: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The FimH type-1 fimbrial adhesin allows pathogenic Escherichia coli to adhere to glycoproteins in the epithelial linings of human bladder and intestinal tract, by using multiple fimbriae simultaneously. Pauci- and high-mannose type N-glycans are natural FimH receptors on those glycoproteins. Oligomannose-3 and -5 bind with the highest affinity to FimH by using the same Manα1,3Man branch. Oligomannose-6 is generated from oligomannose-5 in the next step of the biogenesis of high-mannose N-glycans, by the transfer of a mannose in α1,2-linkage onto this branch. Using serial crystallography and by measuring the kinetics of binding, we demonstrate that shielding the high-affinity epitope drives the binding of multiple FimH molecules. First, we profiled FimH glycan binding on a microarray containing paucimannosidic N-glycans and in a FimH LEctPROFILE® assay. To make the transition to oligomannose-6, we measured the kinetics of FimH binding using paucimannosidic N-glycans, glycoproteins and all four α-dimannosides conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Equimolar mixed interfaces of the dimannosides present in oligomannose-6 and molecular dynamics simulations suggest a positive cooperativity in the bivalent binding of Manα1,3Manα1 and Manα1,6Manα1 dimannosides. The binding of core α1,6-fucosylated oligomannose-3 in the co-crystals of FimH is monovalent, but interestingly the GlcNAc1 - Fuc moiety retains highly flexibility. In co-crystals with oligomannose-6, two FimH bacterial adhesins bind the Manα1,3Manα1 and Manα1,6Manα1 endings of the second trimannose core (A-4'-B). This cooperative switch towards bivalent binding appears sustainable beyond a molar excess of oligomannose-6. Our findings provide important novel structural insights for the design of multivalent FimH antagonists that bind with positive cooperativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Krammer
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576 CNRS and University of Lille, 50 Avenue Halley, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Clarisse Bridot
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576 CNRS and University of Lille, 50 Avenue Halley, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Sonia Serna
- Glycotechnology Group, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia, Spain
| | - Begoña Echeverria
- Glycotechnology Group, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia, Spain
| | - Shubham Semwal
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576 CNRS and University of Lille, 50 Avenue Halley, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | | | - Kim van Noort
- Laboratory of Nematology, Plant Science Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - RuudH P Wilbers
- Laboratory of Nematology, Plant Science Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gleb Bourenkov
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Unit c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jérôme de Ruyck
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576 CNRS and University of Lille, 50 Avenue Halley, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | | | - Niels Reichardt
- Glycotechnology Group, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia, Spain; CIBER-BBN, Paseo Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia, Spain
| | - Julie Bouckaert
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), UMR 8576 CNRS and University of Lille, 50 Avenue Halley, 59658 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
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5
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Zhao FZ, Wang ZJ, Xiao QJ, Yu L, Sun B, Hou Q, Chen LL, Liang H, Wu H, Guo WH, He JH, Wang QS, Yin DC. Microfluidic rotating-target device capable of three-degrees-of-freedom motion for efficient in situ serial synchrotron crystallography. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2023; 30:347-358. [PMID: 36891848 PMCID: PMC10000801 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577523000462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing demand for simple and efficient sample delivery technology to match the rapid development of serial crystallography and its wide application in analyzing the structural dynamics of biological macromolecules. Here, a microfluidic rotating-target device is presented, capable of three-degrees-of-freedom motion, including two rotational degrees of freedom and one translational degree of freedom, for sample delivery. Lysozyme crystals were used as a test model with this device to collect serial synchrotron crystallography data and the device was found to be convenient and useful. This device enables in situ diffraction from crystals in a microfluidic channel without the need for crystal harvesting. The circular motion ensures that the delivery speed can be adjusted over a wide range, showing its good compatibility with different light sources. Moreover, the three-degrees-of-freedom motion guarantees the full utilization of crystals. Hence, sample consumption is greatly reduced, and only 0.1 mg of protein is consumed in collecting a complete dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Zhu Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
- School of NCO, Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Jun Wang
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing-Jie Xiao
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Yu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Sun
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Hou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang-Liang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Liang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-Hong Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hua He
- The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi-Sheng Wang
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Da-Chuan Yin
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, People’s Republic of China
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6
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Sharma S, Ebrahim A, Keedy DA. Room-temperature serial synchrotron crystallography of the human phosphatase PTP1B. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2023; 79:23-30. [PMID: 36598353 PMCID: PMC9813971 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x22011645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Room-temperature X-ray crystallography provides unique insights into protein conformational heterogeneity, but obtaining sufficiently large protein crystals is a common hurdle. Serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) helps to address this hurdle by allowing the use of many medium- to small-sized crystals. Here, a recently introduced serial sample-support chip system has been used to obtain the first SSX structure of a human phosphatase, specifically protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in the unliganded (apo) state. In previous apo room-temperature structures, the active site and allosteric sites adopted alternate conformations, including open and closed conformations of the active-site WPD loop and of a distal allosteric site. By contrast, in our SSX structure the active site is best fitted with a single conformation, but the distal allosteric site is best fitted with alternate conformations. This observation argues for additional nuance in interpreting the nature of allosteric coupling in this protein. Overall, our results illustrate the promise of serial methods for room-temperature crystallography, as well as future avant-garde crystallography experiments, for PTP1B and other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Sharma
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ali Ebrahim
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Daniel A. Keedy
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Programs in Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
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7
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Thorne RE. Determining biomolecular structures near room temperature using X-ray crystallography: concepts, methods and future optimization. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2023; 79:78-94. [PMID: 36601809 PMCID: PMC9815097 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798322011652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
For roughly two decades, cryocrystallography has been the overwhelmingly dominant method for determining high-resolution biomolecular structures. Competition from single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and micro-electron diffraction, increased interest in functionally relevant information that may be missing or corrupted in structures determined at cryogenic temperature, and interest in time-resolved studies of the biomolecular response to chemical and optical stimuli have driven renewed interest in data collection at room temperature and, more generally, at temperatures from the protein-solvent glass transition near 200 K to ∼350 K. Fischer has recently reviewed practical methods for room-temperature data collection and analysis [Fischer (2021), Q. Rev. Biophys. 54, e1]. Here, the key advantages and physical principles of, and methods for, crystallographic data collection at noncryogenic temperatures and some factors relevant to interpreting the resulting data are discussed. For room-temperature data collection to realize its potential within the structural biology toolkit, streamlined and standardized methods for delivering crystals prepared in the home laboratory to the synchrotron and for automated handling and data collection, similar to those for cryocrystallography, should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Thorne
- Physics Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- MiTeGen LLC, PO Box 3867, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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8
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Milano SK, Szebenyi MD, Cerione ARA. Serial Room Temperature Crystal Loading, Data Collection, and Data Processing of Human Glutaminase C in Complex with Allosteric Inhibitors. Bio Protoc 2022; 12:e4509. [PMID: 36248609 PMCID: PMC9516223 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4509] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells often overexpress glutaminase enzymes, in particular glutaminase C (GAC). GAC resides in the mitochondria and catalyzes the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate. High levels of GAC have been observed in aggressive cancers and the inhibition of its enzymatic activity has been shown to reduce their growth and survival. Numerous GAC inhibitors have been reported, the most heavily investigated being a class of compounds derived from the small molecule BPTES (bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide). X-ray structure determination under cryo-cooled conditions showed that the binding contacts for the different inhibitors were largely conserved despite their varying potencies. However, using the emerging technique serial room temperature crystallography, we were able to observe clear differences between the binding conformations of inhibitors. Here, we describe a step-by-step protocol for crystal handling, data collection, and data processing of GAC in complex with allosteric inhibitors using serial room temperature crystallography. Graphical abstract: Figure 1. Workflow for serial room temperature crystallography. Diagram showing the processing and scaling routine for crystals analyzed using serial room temperature crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn K. Milano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
,
*For correspondence:
;
| | - Marian D. Szebenyi
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - And Richard A. Cerione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
,
Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
,
*For correspondence:
;
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9
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Aplin C, Milano SK, Zielinski KA, Pollack L, Cerione RA. Evolving Experimental Techniques for Structure-Based Drug Design. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:6599-6607. [PMID: 36029222 PMCID: PMC10161966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based drug design (SBDD) is a prominent method in rational drug development and has traditionally benefitted from the atomic models of protein targets obtained using X-ray crystallography at cryogenic temperatures. In this perspective, we highlight recent advances in the development of structural techniques that are capable of probing dynamic information about protein targets. First, we discuss advances in the field of X-ray crystallography including serial room-temperature crystallography as a method for obtaining high-resolution conformational dynamics of protein-inhibitor complexes. Next, we look at cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), another high-resolution technique that has recently been used to study proteins and protein complexes that are too difficult to crystallize. Finally, we present small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a potential high-throughput screening tool to identify inhibitors that target protein complexes and protein oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Aplin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Shawn K Milano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kara A Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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10
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Schneps CM, Ganguly A, Crane BR. Room-temperature serial synchrotron crystallography of Drosophila cryptochrome. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2022; 78:975-985. [PMID: 35916222 PMCID: PMC9344480 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798322007008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fixed-target serial crystallography allows the high-throughput collection of diffraction data from small crystals at room temperature. This methodology is particularly useful for difficult samples that have sensitivity to radiation damage or intolerance to cryoprotection measures; fixed-target methods also have the added benefit of low sample consumption. Here, this method is applied to the structure determination of the circadian photoreceptor cryptochrome (CRY), previous structures of which have been determined at cryogenic temperature. In determining the structure, several data-filtering strategies were tested for combining observations from the hundreds of crystals that contributed to the final data set. Removing data sets based on the average correlation coefficient among equivalent reflection intensities between a given data set and all others was most effective at improving the data quality and maintaining overall completeness. CRYs are light sensors that undergo conformational photoactivation. Comparisons between the cryogenic and room-temperature CRY structures reveal regions of enhanced mobility at room temperature in loops that have functional importance within the CRY family of proteins. The B factors of the room-temperature structure correlate well with those predicted from molecular-dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor M. Schneps
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Abir Ganguly
- Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Brian R. Crane
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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11
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Milano SK, Huang Q, Nguyen TTT, Ramachandran S, Finke A, Kriksunov I, Schuller D, Szebenyi M, Arenholz E, McDermott LA, Sukumar N, Cerione RA, Katt WP. New insights into the molecular mechanisms of glutaminase C inhibitors in cancer cells using serial room temperature crystallography. J Biol Chem 2021; 298:101535. [PMID: 34954143 PMCID: PMC8784640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently exhibit uncoupling of the glycolytic pathway from the TCA cycle (i.e. the "Warburg effect"), and as a result, often become dependent on their ability to increase glutamine catabolism. The mitochondrial enzyme Glutaminase C (GAC) helps to satisfy this 'glutamine addiction' of cancer cells by catalyzing the hydrolysis of glutamine to glutamate, which is then converted to the TCA-cycle intermediate α-ketoglutarate. This makes GAC an intriguing drug target, and spurred the molecules derived from bis-2-(5-phenylacetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)ethyl sulfide (the so-called BPTES-class of allosteric GAC inhibitors), including CB-839, which is currently in clinal trials. However, none of the drugs targeting GAC are yet approved for cancer treatment and their mechanism of action is not well understood. Here, we shed new light on the underlying basis for the differential potencies exhibited by members of the BPTES/CB-839 family of compounds, which could not previously be explained with standard cryo-cooled X-ray crystal structures of GAC bound to CB-839 or its analogs. Using an emerging technique known as serial room temperature crystallography, we were able to observe clear differences between the binding conformations of inhibitors with significantly different potencies. We also developed a computational model to further elucidate the molecular basis of differential inhibitor potency. We then corroborated the results from our modeling efforts using recently established fluorescence assays that directly read out inhibitor binding to GAC. Together, these findings should aid in future design of more potent GAC inhibitors with better clinical outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn K Milano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Qingqiu Huang
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Thuy-Tien T Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Sekar Ramachandran
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Aaron Finke
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Irina Kriksunov
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - David Schuller
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Marian Szebenyi
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Elke Arenholz
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lee A McDermott
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States; Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - N Sukumar
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Informatics, Shiv Nadar University, India
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
| | - William P Katt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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