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Biggs BW, de Paz AM, Bhan NJ, Cybulski TR, Church GM, Tyo KEJ. Engineering Ca 2+-Dependent DNA Polymerase Activity. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3301-3311. [PMID: 37856140 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Advancements in synthetic biology have provided new opportunities in biosensing, with applications ranging from genetic programming to diagnostics. Next generation biosensors aim to expand the number of accessible environments for measurements, increase the number of measurable phenomena, and improve the quality of the measurement. To this end, an emerging area in the field has been the integration of DNA as an information storage medium within biosensor outputs, leveraging nucleic acids to record the biosensor state over time. However, slow signal transduction steps, due to the time scales of transcription and translation, bottleneck many sensing-DNA recording approaches. DNA polymerases (DNAPs) have been proposed as a solution to the signal transduction problem by operating as both the sensor and responder, but there is presently a lack of DNAPs with functional sensitivity to many desirable target ligands. Here, we engineer components of the Pol δ replicative polymerase complex of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to sense and respond to Ca2+, a metal cofactor relevant to numerous biological phenomena. Through domain insertion and binding site grafting to Pol δ subunits, we demonstrate functional allosteric sensitivity to Ca2+. Together, this work provides an important foundation for future efforts in the development of DNAP-based biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley W Biggs
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Alexandra M de Paz
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Namita J Bhan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Thaddeus R Cybulski
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Keith E J Tyo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Tang S, Deng X, Jiang J, Kirberger M, Yang JJ. Design of Calcium-Binding Proteins to Sense Calcium. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25092148. [PMID: 32375353 PMCID: PMC7248937 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium controls numerous biological processes by interacting with different classes of calcium binding proteins (CaBP’s), with different affinities, metal selectivities, kinetics, and calcium dependent conformational changes. Due to the diverse coordination chemistry of calcium, and complexity associated with protein folding and binding cooperativity, the rational design of CaBP’s was anticipated to present multiple challenges. In this paper we will first discuss applications of statistical analysis of calcium binding sites in proteins and subsequent development of algorithms to predict and identify calcium binding proteins. Next, we report efforts to identify key determinants for calcium binding affinity, cooperativity and calcium dependent conformational changes using grafting and protein design. Finally, we report recent advances in designing protein calcium sensors to capture calcium dynamics in various cellular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (S.T.); (X.D.); (J.J.)
| | - Xiaonan Deng
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (S.T.); (X.D.); (J.J.)
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (S.T.); (X.D.); (J.J.)
| | - Michael Kirberger
- School of Science and Technology, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA;
| | - Jenny J. Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (S.T.); (X.D.); (J.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-404-413-5520
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Shimazaki Y, Inoue S. Removal of Copper in Microdroplets by Ovomucoid Hydrolysates Bound to Reverse-Phase Chromatography Media Within Pipette Tips. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2019; 189:680-689. [PMID: 31102127 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-019-03050-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Ovomucoid (OVM) is a protein found in chicken egg white. When it is hydrolyzed by a protease, subtilisin A from Bacillus licheniformis, it possesses Cu2+-chelating activity. In the present work, we demonstrate that the resulting OVM hydrolysates bind to reverse-phase chromatography media in pipette tips and can be applied to remove Cu2+ within microdroplets. 1.4 nmol of purified OVM was digested in the presence of 17 pmol of subtilisin A at 55 °C for 3 h. The OVM hydrolysates efficiently removed 2.1 and 2.4 nmol of Cu2+ in the droplets by binding to the C4 and C18 chromatography media, respectively. Conversely, 0.6 and 1.0 nmol of Cu2+ were removed by the non-digested OVM bound to the C4 and C18 media, respectively. The removal ratio of Cu2+ increased as more OVM was digested by subtilisin A. The digested OVM polypeptides were stained with Cu2+ after they were separated by non-denaturing electrophoresis. These results indicate that OVM hydrolysates bound to chromatography media in a pipette tip can be applied to remove Cu2+ within microdroplets of biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youji Shimazaki
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Science Section), Ehime University, Matsuyama City, 790-8577, Japan. .,Faculty of Science, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan.
| | - Suzuka Inoue
- Faculty of Science, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
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Tang S, Reddish F, Zhuo Y, Yang JJ. Fast kinetics of calcium signaling and sensor design. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2015; 27:90-7. [PMID: 26151819 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Fast calcium signaling is regulated by numerous calcium channels exhibiting high spatiotemporal profiles which are currently measured by fluorescent calcium sensors. There is still a strong need to improve the kinetics of genetically encoded calcium indicators (sensors) to capture calcium dynamics in the millisecond time frame. In this review, we summarize several major fast calcium signaling pathways and discuss the recent developments and application of genetically encoded calcium indicators to detect these pathways. A new class of genetically encoded calcium indicators designed with site-directed mutagenesis on the surface of beta-barrel fluorescent proteins to form a pentagonal bipyramidal-like calcium binding domain dramatically accelerates calcium binding kinetics. Furthermore, novel genetically encoded calcium indicators with significantly increased fluorescent lifetime change are advantageous in deep-field imaging with high light-scattering and notable morphology change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Florence Reddish
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - You Zhuo
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States.
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Xue S, Qiao J, Pu F, Cameron M, Yang JJ. Design of a novel class of protein-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents for the molecular imaging of cancer biomarkers. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 5:163-79. [PMID: 23335551 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of disease biomarkers, especially cancer biomarkers, could potentially improve our understanding of the disease and drug activity during preclinical and clinical drug treatment and patient stratification. MRI contrast agents with high relaxivity and targeting capability to tumor biomarkers are highly required. Extensive work has been done to develop MRI contrast agents. However, only a few limited literatures report that protein residues can function as ligands to bind Gd(3+) with high binding affinity, selectivity, and relaxivity. In this paper, we focus on reporting our current progress on designing a novel class of protein-based Gd(3+) MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) equipped with several desirable capabilities for in vivo application of MRI of tumor biomarkers. We will first discuss our strategy for improving the relaxivity by a novel protein-based design. We then discuss the effect of increased relaxivity of ProCAs on improving the detection limits for MRI contrast agent, especially for in vivo application. We will further report our efforts to improve in vivo imaging capability and our achievement in molecular imaging of cancer biomarkers with potential preclinical and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghui Xue
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Center for Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Jia X, Yagi H, Su XC, Stanton-Cook M, Huber T, Otting G. Engineering [Ln(DPA)3] 3- binding sites in proteins: a widely applicable method for tagging proteins with lanthanide ions. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2011; 50:411-420. [PMID: 21786031 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-011-9529-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Paramagnetic relaxation enhancements from unpaired electrons observed in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra present powerful long-range distance restraints. The most frequently used paramagnetic tags, however, are tethered to the protein via disulfide bonds, requiring proteins with single cysteine residues for covalent attachment. Here we present a straightforward strategy to tag proteins site-specifically with paramagnetic lanthanides without a tether and independent of cysteine residues. It relies on preferential binding of the complex between three dipicolinic acid molecules (DPA) and a lanthanide ion (Ln(3+)), [Ln(DPA)(3)](3-), to a pair of positively charged amino acids whose charges are not compensated by negatively charged residues nearby. This situation rarely occurs in wild-type proteins, allowing the creation of specific binding sites simply by introduction of positively charged residues that are positioned far from glutamate or aspartate residues. The concept is demonstrated with the hnRNPLL RRM1 domain. In addition, we show that histidine- and arginine-tags present binding sites for [Ln(DPA)(3)](3-).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Jia
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
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Kirberger M, Wang X, Zhao K, Tang S, Chen G, Yang JJ. Integration of Diverse Research Methods to Analyze and Engineer Ca-Binding Proteins: From Prediction to Production. Curr Bioinform 2010; 5:68-80. [PMID: 20802832 PMCID: PMC2927018 DOI: 10.2174/157489310790596358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, increasingly sophisticated computational and bioinformatics tools have evolved for the analyses of protein structure, function, ligand interactions, modeling and energetics. This includes the development of algorithms to recursively evaluate side-chain rotamer permutations, identify regions in a 3D structure that meet some set of search parameters, calculate and minimize energy values, and provide high-resolution visual tools for theoretical modeling. Here we discuss the interdependency between different areas of bioinformatics, the evolution of different algorithm design approaches, and finally the transition from theoretical models to real-world design and application as they relate to Ca(2+)-binding proteins. Within this context, it has become evident that significant pre-experimental design and calculations can be modeled through computational methods, thus eliminating potentially unproductive research and increasing our confidence in the correlation between real and theoretical models. Moving from prediction to production, it is anticipated that bioinformatics tools will play an increasingly significant role in research and development, improving our ability to both understand the physiological roles of Ca(2+) and other metals and to extend that knowledge to the design of function-specific synthetic proteins capable of fulfilling different roles in medical diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kirberger
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Drug Design and Biotechnology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shen Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Drug Design and Biotechnology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Guantao Chen
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jenny J. Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Drug Design and Biotechnology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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Su XC, Otting G. Paramagnetic labelling of proteins and oligonucleotides for NMR. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2010; 46:101-112. [PMID: 19529883 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-009-9331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Paramagnetic effects offer a rich source of long-range structural restraints. Here we review current methods for site-specific tagging of proteins and oligonucleotides with paramagnetic molecules. The paramagnetic tags include nitroxide radicals and metal chelators. Particular emphasis is placed on tags suitable for site-specific and rigid attachment of lanthanide ions to macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun-Cheng Su
- The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Kang TS, Kini RM. Structural determinants of protein folding. Cell Mol Life Sci 2009; 66:2341-61. [PMID: 19367367 PMCID: PMC11115868 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0023-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2009] [Revised: 03/07/2009] [Accepted: 03/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The last several decades have seen an explosion of knowledge in the field of structural biology. With critical advances in spectroscopic techniques in examining structures of biomacromolecules, in maturation of molecular biology techniques, as well as vast improvements in computation prowess, protein structures are now being elucidated at an unprecedented rate. In spite of all the recent advances, the protein folding puzzle remains as one of the fundamental biochemical challenges. A facet to this empiric problem is the structural determinants of protein folding. What are the driving forces that pivot a polypeptide chain to a specific conformation amongst the vast conformation space? In this review, we shall discuss some of the structural determinants to protein folding that have been identified in the recent decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tse Siang Kang
- The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road GAC 1200, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Block S4, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - R. Manjunatha Kini
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Block S3 #03-17, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
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