1
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Hadjicharalambous A, Newman H, Lewis N, Rowland C, Bournakas N, Stanway SJ, Dawson M, Skynner MJ, Beswick P. Investigating Penetration and Antimicrobial Activity of Vector-Bicycle Conjugates. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2381-2389. [PMID: 38865197 PMCID: PMC11249977 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00427] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Growing antibiotic resistance is rapidly threatening the efficacy of treatments for Gram-negative infections. Bicycle molecules, constrained bicyclic peptides from diverse libraries generated by bacteriophage display that bind with high affinity to a chosen target are a potential new class of antibiotics. The generally impermeable bacterial outer membrane currently limits the access of peptides to bacteria. The conjugation of membrane active peptides offers an avenue for outer membrane penetration. Here, we investigate which physicochemical properties of a specific membrane active peptide (MAP), derived from ixosin-B, could be tweaked to enhance the penetration of conjugates by generating multiple MAP-Bicycle conjugate variants. We demonstrate that charge and hydrophobicity are important factors, which enhance penetration and, therefore, antimicrobial potency. Interestingly, we show that induction of secondary structure, but not a change in amphipathicity, is vital for effective penetration of the Gram-negative outer membrane. These results offer insights into the ways vectors could be designed to deliver Bicycle molecules (and other cargos) through biological membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hadjicharalambous
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, U.K.
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Hector Newman
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Nick Lewis
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Catherine Rowland
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Nikolaos Bournakas
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Steven J. Stanway
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Michael Dawson
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Michael J. Skynner
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
| | - Paul Beswick
- BicycleTx
Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, U.K.
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2
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Sen C, Logashree V, Makde RD, Ghosh B. Amino acid propensities for secondary structures and its variation across protein structures using exhaustive PDB data. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 110:108083. [PMID: 38691894 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Amino acid propensities for protein secondary structures are vital for protein structure prediction, understanding folding, and design, and have been studied using various theoretical and experimental methods. Traditional assessments of average propensities using statistical methods have been done on relatively smaller dataset for only a few secondary structures. They also involve averaging out the environmental factors and lack insights into consistency of preferences across diverse protein structures. While a few studies have explored variations in propensities across protein structural classes and folds, exploration of such variations across protein structures remains to be carried out. In this work, we have revised the average propensities for all six different secondary structures, namely α-helix, β-strand, 310-helix, π-helix, turn and coil, analyzing the most exhaustive dataset available till date using two robust secondary structure assignment algorithms, DSSP and STRIDE. The propensities evaluated here can serve as a standard reference. Moreover, we present here, for the first time, the propensities within individual protein structures and investigated how the preferences of residues and more interestingly, of their groups formed based on their structural features, vary across different unique structures. We devised a novel approach- the minimal set analysis, based on the propensity distribution of residues, which along with the group propensities led us to the conclusion that a residue's preference for a specific secondary structure is primarily dictated by its side chain's structural features. The findings in this study provide a more insightful picture of residues propensities and can be useful in protein folding and design studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Sen
- Beamline Development & Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - V Logashree
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Indore 453552, India
| | - Ravindra D Makde
- Beamline Development & Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - Biplab Ghosh
- Beamline Development & Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India.
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3
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Bhatt MR, Ganguly HK, Zondlo NJ. Acyl Capping Group Identity Effects on α-Helicity: On the Importance of Amide·Water Hydrogen Bonds to α-Helix Stability. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1118-1130. [PMID: 38623827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Acyl capping groups stabilize α-helices relative to free N-termini by providing one additional C═Oi···Hi+4-N hydrogen bond. The electronic properties of acyl capping groups might also directly modulate α-helix stability: electron-rich N-terminal acyl groups could stabilize the α-helix by strengthening both i/i + 4 hydrogen bonds and i/i + 1 n → π* interactions. This hypothesis was tested in peptides X-AKAAAAKAAAAKAAGY-NH2, where X = different acyl groups. Surprisingly, the most electron-rich acyl groups (pivaloyl and iso-butyryl) strongly destabilized the α-helix. Moreover, the formyl group induced nearly identical α-helicity to that of the acetyl group, despite being a weaker electron donor for hydrogen bonds and for n → π* interactions. Other acyl groups exhibited intermediate α-helicity. These results indicate that the electronic properties of the acyl carbonyl do not directly determine the α-helicity in peptides in water. In order to understand these effects, DFT calculations were conducted on α-helical peptides. Using implicit solvation, α-helix stability correlated with acyl group electronics, with the pivaloyl group exhibiting closer hydrogen bonds and n → π* interactions, in contrast to the experimental results. However, DFT and MD calculations with explicit water solvation revealed that hydrogen bonding to water was impacted by the sterics of the acyl capping group. Formyl capping groups exhibited the closest water-amide hydrogen bonds, while pivaloyl groups exhibited the longest. In α-helices in the PDB, the highest frequency of close amide-water hydrogen bonds is observed when the N-cap residue is Gly. The combination of experimental and computational results indicates that solvation (hydrogen bonding of water) to the N-terminal amide groups is a central determinant of α-helix stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megh R Bhatt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Himal K Ganguly
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Neal J Zondlo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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4
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Lu L, Gou X, Tan SK, Mann SI, Yang H, Zhong X, Gazgalis D, Valdiviezo J, Jo H, Wu Y, Diolaiti ME, Ashworth A, Polizzi NF, DeGrado WF. De novo design of drug-binding proteins with predictable binding energy and specificity. Science 2024; 384:106-112. [PMID: 38574125 PMCID: PMC11290694 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl5364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The de novo design of small molecule-binding proteins has seen exciting recent progress; however, high-affinity binding and tunable specificity typically require laborious screening and optimization after computational design. We developed a computational procedure to design a protein that recognizes a common pharmacophore in a series of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitors. One of three designed proteins bound different inhibitors with affinities ranging from <5 nM to low micromolar. X-ray crystal structures confirmed the accuracy of the designed protein-drug interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations informed the role of water in binding. Binding free energy calculations performed directly on the designed models were in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured affinities. We conclude that de novo design of high-affinity small molecule-binding proteins with tuned interaction energies is feasible entirely from computation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xuxu Gou
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sophia K Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Samuel I Mann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Hyunjun Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xiaofang Zhong
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Dimitrios Gazgalis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jesús Valdiviezo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yibing Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Morgan E Diolaiti
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alan Ashworth
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Nicholas F Polizzi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - William F DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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5
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Bursch KL, Goetz CJ, Jiao G, Nuñez R, Olp MD, Dhiman A, Khurana M, Zimmermann MT, Urrutia RA, Dykhuizen EC, Smith BC. Cancer-associated polybromo-1 bromodomain 4 missense variants variably impact bromodomain ligand binding and cell growth suppression. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107146. [PMID: 38460939 PMCID: PMC11002309 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107146] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The polybromo, brahma-related gene 1-associated factors (PBAF) chromatin remodeling complex subunit polybromo-1 (PBRM1) contains six bromodomains that recognize and bind acetylated lysine residues on histone tails and other nuclear proteins. PBRM1 bromodomains thus provide a link between epigenetic posttranslational modifications and PBAF modulation of chromatin accessibility and transcription. As a putative tumor suppressor in several cancers, PBRM1 protein expression is often abrogated by truncations and deletions. However, ∼33% of PBRM1 mutations in cancer are missense and cluster within its bromodomains. Such mutations may generate full-length PBRM1 variant proteins with undetermined structural and functional characteristics. Here, we employed computational, biophysical, and cellular assays to interrogate the effects of PBRM1 bromodomain missense variants on bromodomain stability and function. Since mutations in the fourth bromodomain of PBRM1 (PBRM1-BD4) comprise nearly 20% of all cancer-associated PBRM1 missense mutations, we focused our analysis on PBRM1-BD4 missense protein variants. Selecting 16 potentially deleterious PBRM1-BD4 missense protein variants for further study based on high residue mutational frequency and/or conservation, we show that cancer-associated PBRM1-BD4 missense variants exhibit varied bromodomain stability and ability to bind acetylated histones. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of identifying the unique impacts of individual PBRM1-BD4 missense variants on protein structure and function, based on affected residue location within the bromodomain. This knowledge provides a foundation for drawing correlations between specific cancer-associated PBRM1 missense variants and distinct alterations in PBRM1 function, informing future cancer personalized medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina L Bursch
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Structural Genomics Unit, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christopher J Goetz
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Guanming Jiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Raymundo Nuñez
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michael D Olp
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Alisha Dhiman
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Mallika Khurana
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michael T Zimmermann
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Structural Genomics Unit, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Raul A Urrutia
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Structural Genomics Unit, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emily C Dykhuizen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Brian C Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Structural Genomics Unit, Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Program in Chemical Biology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
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6
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Zhong C, Zou J, Mao W, Yang P, Zhang J, Gou S, Zhang Y, Liu H, Ni J. Structure modification of anoplin for fighting resistant bacteria. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116276. [PMID: 38452726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of bacterial resistance has posed a significant challenge to clinical antimicrobial treatment, rendering commonly used antibiotics ineffective. The development of novel antimicrobial agents and strategies is imperative for the treatment of resistant bacterial infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered a promising class of antimicrobial agents due to their low propensity for resistance and broad-spectrum activity. Anoplin is a small linear α-helical natural antimicrobial peptide that was isolated from the venom of the solitary wasp Anplius samariensis. It exhibits rich biological activity, particularly broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low hemolytic activity. Over the past three decades, more than 40 research publications on anoplin have been made available online. This review focuses on the advancements of anoplin in antimicrobial research, encompassing its sources, characterization, antimicrobial activity, influencing factors and structural modifications. The aim is to provide assistances for the development of new antimicrobial agents that can combat bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China; Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Jing Zou
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Wenbo Mao
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Ping Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China; Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China; Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China; Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Jingman Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China; Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
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7
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Byrne PO, Blade EG, Fisher BE, Ambrozak DR, Ramamohan AR, Graham BS, Loomis RJ, McLellan JS. Prefusion stabilization of the Hendra and Langya virus F proteins. J Virol 2024; 98:e0137223. [PMID: 38214525 PMCID: PMC10878279 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01372-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) are pathogenic paramyxoviruses that cause mild-to-severe disease in humans. As members of the Henipavirus genus, NiV and HeV use an attachment (G) glycoprotein and a class I fusion (F) glycoprotein to invade host cells. The F protein rearranges from a metastable prefusion form to an extended postfusion form to facilitate host cell entry. Prefusion NiV F elicits higher neutralizing antibody titers than postfusion NiV F, indicating that stabilization of prefusion F may aid vaccine development. A combination of amino acid substitutions (L104C/I114C, L172F, and S191P) is known to stabilize NiV F in its prefusion conformation, although the extent to which substitutions transfer to other henipavirus F proteins is not known. Here, we perform biophysical and structural studies to investigate the mechanism of prefusion stabilization in F proteins from three henipaviruses: NiV, HeV, and Langya virus (LayV). Three known stabilizing substitutions from NiV F transfer to HeV F and exert similar structural and functional effects. One engineered disulfide bond, located near the fusion peptide, is sufficient to stabilize the prefusion conformations of both HeV F and LayV F. Although LayV F shares low overall sequence identity with NiV F and HeV F, the region around the fusion peptide exhibits high sequence conservation across all henipaviruses. Our findings indicate that substitutions targeting this site of conformational change might be applicable to prefusion stabilization of other henipavirus F proteins and support the use of NiV as a prototypical pathogen for henipavirus vaccine antigen design.IMPORTANCEPathogenic henipaviruses such as Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) cause respiratory symptoms, with severe cases resulting in encephalitis, seizures, and coma. The work described here shows that the NiV and HeV fusion (F) proteins share common structural features with the F protein from an emerging henipavirus, Langya virus (LayV). Sequence alignment alone was sufficient to predict which known prefusion-stabilizing amino acid substitutions from NiV F would stabilize the prefusion conformations of HeV F and LayV F. This work also reveals an unexpected oligomeric interface shared by prefusion HeV F and NiV F. Together, these advances lay a foundation for future antigen design targeting henipavirus F proteins. In this way, Nipah virus can serve as a prototypical pathogen for the development of protective vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to prepare for potential henipavirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O. Byrne
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Blade
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Brian E. Fisher
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David R. Ambrozak
- Immunology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ajit R. Ramamohan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Rebecca J. Loomis
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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8
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Perez AR, Lee Y, Colvin ME, Merg AD. Interhelical E@g-N@a interactions modulate coiled coil stability within a de novo set of orthogonal peptide heterodimers. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3540. [PMID: 37690796 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3540] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The designability of orthogonal coiled coil (CC) dimers, which draw on well-established design rules, plays a pivotal role in fueling the development of CCs as synthetically versatile assembly-directing motifs for the fabrication of bionanomaterials. Here, we aim to expand the synthetic CC toolkit through establishing a "minimalistic" set of orthogonal, de novo CC peptides that comprise 3.5 heptads in length and a single buried Asn to prescribe dimer formation. The designed sequences display excellent partner fidelity, confirmed via circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and Ni-NTA binding assays, and are corroborated in silico using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Detailed analysis of the MD conformational data highlights the importance of interhelical E@g-N@a interactions in coordinating an extensive 6-residue hydrogen bonding network that "locks" the interchain Asn-Asn' contact in place. The enhanced stability imparted to the Asn-Asn' bond elicits an increase in thermal stability of CCs up to ~15°C and accounts for significant differences in stability within the collection of similarly designed orthogonal CC pairs. The presented work underlines the utility of MD simulation as a tool for constructing de novo, orthogonal CCs, and presents an alternative handle for modulating the stability of orthogonal CCs via tuning the number of interhelical E@g-N@a contacts. Expansion of CC design rules is a key ingredient for guiding the design and assembly of more complex, intricate CC-based architectures for tackling a variety of challenges within the fields of nanomedicine and bionanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Perez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Yumie Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Colvin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Andrea D Merg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
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9
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Lu L, Gou X, Tan SK, Mann SI, Yang H, Zhong X, Gazgalis D, Valdiviezo J, Jo H, Wu Y, Diolaiti ME, Ashworth A, Polizzi NF, DeGrado WF. De novo design of drug-binding proteins with predictable binding energy and specificity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.23.573178. [PMID: 38187746 PMCID: PMC10769398 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.23.573178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The de novo design of small-molecule-binding proteins has seen exciting recent progress; however, the ability to achieve exquisite affinity for binding small molecules while tuning specificity has not yet been demonstrated directly from computation. Here, we develop a computational procedure that results in the highest affinity binders to date with predetermined relative affinities, targeting a series of PARP1 inhibitors. Two of four designed proteins bound with affinities ranging from < 5 nM to low μM, in a predictable manner. X-ray crystal structures confirmed the accuracy of the designed protein-drug interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations informed the role of water in binding. Binding free-energy calculations performed directly on the designed models are in excellent agreement with the experimentally measured affinities, suggesting that the de novo design of small-molecule-binding proteins with tuned interaction energies is now feasible entirely from computation. We expect these methods to open many opportunities in biomedicine, including rapid sensor development, antidote design, and drug delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xuxu Gou
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sophia K Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Samuel I. Mann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hyunjun Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Dimitrios Gazgalis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jesús Valdiviezo
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hyunil Jo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Yibing Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Morgan E. Diolaiti
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Alan Ashworth
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - William F. DeGrado
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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10
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Kursel LE, Martinez JEA, Rog O. A suppressor screen in C. elegans identifies a multiprotein interaction that stabilizes the synaptonemal complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2314335120. [PMID: 38055743 PMCID: PMC10723054 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314335120] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful chromosome segregation into gametes depends on tightly regulated interactions between the parental chromosomes. During meiosis, chromosomes are aligned end-to-end by an interface called the synaptonemal complex, which also regulates exchanges between them. However, despite the functional and ultrastructural conservation of this essential interface, how protein-protein interactions within the synaptonemal complex regulate chromosomal interactions remains poorly understood. Here, we describe a genetic interaction in the C. elegans synaptonemal complex, comprised of short segments of three proteins, SYP-1, SYP-3, and SYP-4. We identified the interaction through a saturated suppressor screen of a mutant that destabilizes the synaptonemal complex. The specificity and tight distribution of suppressors suggest a charge-based interface that promotes interactions between synaptonemal complex subunits and, in turn, allows intimate interactions between chromosomes. Our work highlights the power of genetic studies to illuminate the mechanisms that underlie meiotic chromosome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E. Kursel
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Jesus E. Aguayo Martinez
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
| | - Ofer Rog
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT84112
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11
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Russell PPS, Rickard MM, Boob M, Gruebele M, Pogorelov TV. In silico protein dynamics in the human cytoplasm: Partial folding, misfolding, fold switching, and non-native interactions. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4790. [PMID: 37774143 PMCID: PMC10578126 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
We examine the influence of cellular interactions in all-atom models of a section of the Homo sapiens cytoplasm on the early folding events of the three-helix bundle protein B (PB). While genetically engineered PB is known to fold in dilute water box simulations in three microseconds, the three initially unfolded PB copies in our two cytoplasm models using a similar force field did not reach the native state during 30-microsecond simulations. We did however capture the formation of all three helices in a compact native-like topology. Folding in vivo is delayed because intramolecular contact formation within PB is in direct competition with intermolecular contacts between PB and surrounding macromolecules. In extreme cases, intermolecular beta-sheets are formed. Interactions with other macromolecules are also observed to promote structure formation, for example when a PB helix in our simulations is shielded from solvent by macromolecular crowding. Sticking and crowding in our models initiate sampling of helix/sheet structural plasticity of PB. Relatedly, in past in vitro experiments, similar GA domains were shown to switch between two different folds. Finally, we also observed that stickiness between PB and the cellular environment can be modulated in our simulations through the reduction in protein hydrophobicity when we reversed PB back to the wild-type sequence. This study demonstrates that even fast-folding proteins can get stuck in non-native states in the cell, making them useful models for protein-chaperone interactions and early stages of aggregate formation relevant to cellular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meredith M. Rickard
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Mayank Boob
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative BiologyUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Martin Gruebele
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative BiologyUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and TechnologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Taras V. Pogorelov
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative BiologyUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and TechnologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- National Center for Supercomputing ApplicationsUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Illinois Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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12
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Riillo C, Bonapace G, Moricca MT, Sestito S, Salatino A, Concolino D. c.376A>G, (p.Ser126Gly) Alpha-Galactosidase A mutation induces ER stress, unfolded protein response and reduced enzyme trafficking to lysosome: Possible relevance in the pathogenesis of late-onset forms of Fabry Disease. Mol Genet Metab 2023; 140:107700. [PMID: 37774431 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Fabry Disease (FD) (OMIM 301500) is a metabolic X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder that results from the deficient activity of Alpha-Galactosidase A (Alpha-Gal), a lysosomal hydrolase that cleaves neutral glycosphingolipids with terminal N-linked galactosyl moieties, mainly globotriaosylceramides (Gb3). The enzyme, encoded by a 12-kb gene mapping on the long arm (Xq22.1 region) of the X chromosome, is constituted by a glycosylated subunit of approximately 55 kD, synthesized as an inactive precursor that undergoes maturation in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus before being delivered to the lysosome to form a functional dimer. The gene is comprised of seven exons and, so far, >1000 different mutations have been described as associated to FD (www.dbfgp.org/dbFgp/fabry/FabryGP.htm). Clinical phenotypes are divided in two main classes, classic or non-classic, based on clinical and biochemical findings. Non-classic FD, usually recognized as late-onset forms with oligosymptomatic phenotype, presents with symptoms restricted solely to cardiocytes, kidneys or brain associated to missense misfolding mutations. In the group of the non-classic FD, special attention should be given to patients carrying the c.376A > G (p.Ser126Gly) mutation. The lack of clear experimental evidences on its pathogenetic role, despite the clinical pictures of the patients with severe ischaemic lesions, renal involvement and acroparesthesias, led many authors to classify this mutation as inconsistent, non-pathogenetic, and consequently not eligible to the current pharmacological treatments for FD. To shed light on the cellular processes affected by this mutation and to assess if the biochemical pathways involved with, could really have a significant pathogenetic impact, we studied the mutation in silico and in COS-7 and HEK 293 cell models. We found p.Ser126Gly, even retaining both high degree of synthesis and residual activity, is mostly stacked into the ER inducing unfolded protein response (UPR) with reduced trafficking to the lysosome. These data strongly suggest that p.Ser126Gly could trigger a pathogenetic mechanism different from the classic and well assessed increased turnover with loss of biological activity described for other missense mutations. This mechanism seems mainly related to a negative gain of function, with ER retention and UPR activation and could lead, via inflammation and/or apoptosis, to irreversible cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Riillo
- Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro Health Sciences Department, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bonapace
- Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro Health Sciences Department, Italy.
| | | | - Simona Sestito
- Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Concolino
- Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro Health Sciences Department, Italy
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13
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Hasan MM, Polino AJ, Mukherjee S, Vaupel B, Goldberg DE. The mature N-termini of Plasmodium effector proteins confer specificity of export. mBio 2023; 14:e0121523. [PMID: 37646514 PMCID: PMC10653839 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01215-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Malaria parasites export hundreds of proteins to the cytoplasm of the host red blood cells for their survival. A five amino acid sequence, called the PEXEL motif, is conserved among many exported proteins and is thought to be a signal for export. However, the motif is cleaved inside the endoplasmic reticulum of the parasite, and mature proteins starting from the fourth PEXEL residue travel to the parasite periphery for export. We showed that the PEXEL motif is dispensable for export as long as identical mature proteins can be efficiently produced via alternative means in the ER. We also showed that the exported and non-exported proteins are differentiated at the parasite periphery based on their mature N-termini; however, any discernible export signal within that region remained cryptic. Our study resolves a longstanding paradox in PEXEL protein trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad M. Hasan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Alexander J. Polino
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sumit Mukherjee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Barbara Vaupel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel E. Goldberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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14
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Kursel LE, Martinez JEA, Rog O. A suppressor screen in C. elegans identifies a multi-protein interaction interface that stabilizes the synaptonemal complex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.21.554166. [PMID: 37662357 PMCID: PMC10473659 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.21.554166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Successful chromosome segregation into gametes depends on tightly-regulated interactions between the parental chromosomes. During meiosis, chromosomes are aligned end-to-end by an interface called the synaptonemal complex, which also regulates exchanges between them. However, despite the functional and ultrastructural conservation of this essential interface, how protein-protein interactions within the synaptonemal complex regulate chromosomal interactions remains poorly understood. Here we describe a novel interaction interface in the C. elegans synaptonemal complex, comprised of short segments of three proteins, SYP-1, SYP-3 and SYP-4. We identified the interface through a saturated suppressor screen of a mutant that destabilizes the synaptonemal complex. The specificity and tight distribution of suppressors point to a charge-based interface that promotes interactions between synaptonemal complex subunits and, in turn, allows intimate interactions between chromosomes. Our work highlights the power of genetic studies to illuminate the mechanisms that underly meiotic chromosome interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E. Kursel
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, United States
| | - Jesus E. Aguayo Martinez
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, United States
| | - Ofer Rog
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Cell and Genome Sciences, University of Utah, United States
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15
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Heath SL, Horne WS, Lengyel GA. Effects of chirality and side chain length in C α,α-dialkylated residues on β-hairpin peptide folded structure and stability. Org Biomol Chem 2023; 21:6320-6324. [PMID: 37503895 PMCID: PMC10445279 DOI: 10.1039/d3ob00963g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Strategic incorporation of achiral Cα,α-dialkylated amino acids with bulky substituents into peptides can be used to promote extended strand conformations and inhibit protein-protein interactions associated with amyloid formation. In this work, we evaluate the thermodynamic impact of chiral Cα,α monomers on folding preferences in such systems through introduction of a series of Cα-methylated and Cα-ethylated residues into a β-hairpin host sequence. Depending on stereochemical configuration of the artificial monomer and potential for additional hydrophobic packing, a Cα-ethyl-Cα-propyl glycine residue can provide similar or enhanced folded stability relative to an achiral Cα,α-diethyl analogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelby L Heath
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - W Seth Horne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - George A Lengyel
- Department of Chemistry, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057, USA.
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16
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Inoue K, Fujihara A. D-Amino acid recognition of tripeptides studied by ultraviolet photodissociation spectroscopy of hydrogen-bonded clusters. Amino Acids 2023:10.1007/s00726-023-03284-3. [PMID: 37310535 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03284-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To understand the roles of D-amino acids, evaluating their chemical properties in living organisms is essential. Herein, D-amino acid recognition of peptides was investigated using a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source and a cold ion trap. Ultraviolet (UV) photodissociation spectroscopy and water adsorption of hydrogen-bonded protonated clusters of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers and tripeptides (SAA, ASA, and AAS, where S and A denote L-serine and L-alanine, respectively) were carried out at 8 K in the gas phase. In the UV photodissociation spectrum of H+(D-Trp)ASA, the bandwidth of the S1-S0 transition, which corresponds to the ππ* state of the Trp indole ring, was narrower than those of the other five clusters, H+(D-Trp)SAA, H+(D-Trp)AAS, H+(L-Trp)SAA, H+(L-Trp)ASA, and H+(L-Trp)AAS. In the UV photoexcitation of H+(D-Trp)ASA(H2O)n, which were formed via water adsorption on gas-phase H+(D-Trp)ASA, the evaporation of water molecules was the main photodissociation pathway. An NH2CHCOOH-eliminated ion and H+ASA were observed in the product ion spectrum. By contrast, water molecules adsorbed on the other five clusters remained on the product ions for NH2CHCOOH elimination and Trp detachment after the UV photoexcitation. The results indicated that the indole ring of Trp was located on the surface of H+(D-Trp)ASA, and the amino and carboxyl groups of Trp formed hydrogen bonds in H+(D-Trp)ASA. For the other five clusters, the indole rings of Trp were hydrogen bonded in the clusters, and the amino and carboxyl groups of Trp were present on the cluster surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Inoue
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan
| | - Akimasa Fujihara
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan.
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17
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Rao SR, Harmon TW, Heath SL, Wolfe JA, Santhouse JR, O'Brien GL, Distefano AN, Reinert ZE, Horne WS. Chemical Shifts of Artificial Monomers Used to Construct Heterogeneous-Backbone Protein Mimetics in Random Coil and Folded States. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2023; 115:e24297. [PMID: 37397503 PMCID: PMC10312354 DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The construction of protein-sized synthetic chains that blend natural amino acids with artificial monomers to create so-called heterogeneous-backbones is a powerful approach to generate complex folds and functions from bio-inspired agents. A variety of techniques from structural biology commonly used to study natural proteins have been adapted to investigate folding in these entities. In NMR characterization of proteins, proton chemical shift is a straightforward to acquire, information-rich metric that bears directly on a variety of properties related to folding. Leveraging chemical shift to gain insight into folding requires a set of reference chemical shift values corresponding to each building block type (i.e., the 20 canonical amino acids in the case of natural proteins) in a random coil state and knowledge of systematic changes in chemical shift associated with particular folded conformations. Although well documented for natural proteins, these issues remain unexplored in the context of protein mimetics. Here, we report random coil chemical shift values for a library of artificial amino acid monomers frequently used to construct heterogeneous-backbone protein analogues as well as a spectroscopic signature associated with one monomer class, β3-residues bearing proteinogenic side chains, adopting a helical folded conformation. Collectively, these results will facilitate the continued utilization of NMR for the study of structure and dynamics in protein-like artificial backbones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa R Rao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Thomas W Harmon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Shelby L Heath
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Jacob A Wolfe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | | | - Gregory L O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Alexis N Distefano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Zachary E Reinert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - W Seth Horne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
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18
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Qiu C, Whittaker GR, Gellman SH, Daniel S, Abbott NL. Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV fusion peptides measured using single-molecule force methods. Biophys J 2023; 122:646-660. [PMID: 36650897 PMCID: PMC9841730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We address the challenge of understanding how hydrophobic interactions are encoded by fusion peptide (FP) sequences within coronavirus (CoV) spike proteins. Within the FPs of severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV 2 and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), a largely conserved peptide sequence called FP1 (SFIEDLLFNK and SAIEDLLFDK in SARS-2 and MERS, respectively) has been proposed to play a key role in encoding hydrophobic interactions that drive viral-host cell membrane fusion. Although a non-polar triad (Leu-Leu-Phe (LLF)) is common to both FP1 sequences, and thought to dominate the encoding of hydrophobic interactions, FP1 from SARS-2 and MERS differ in two residues (Phe 2 versus Ala 2 and Asn 9 versus Asp 9, respectively). Here we explore whether single-molecule force measurements can quantify hydrophobic interactions encoded by FP1 sequences, and then ask whether sequence variations between FP1 from SARS-2 and MERS lead to significant differences in hydrophobic interactions. We find that both SARS-2 and MERS wild-type FP1 generate measurable hydrophobic interactions at the single-molecule level, but that SARS-2 FP1 encodes a substantially stronger hydrophobic interaction than its MERS counterpart (1.91 ± 0.03 nN versus 0.68 ± 0.03 nN, respectively). By performing force measurements with FP1 sequences with single amino acid substitutions, we determine that a single-residue mutation (Phe 2 versus Ala 2) causes the almost threefold difference in the hydrophobic interaction strength generated by the FP1 of SARS-2 versus MERS, despite the presence of LLF in both sequences. Infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism measurements support the proposal that the outsized influence of Phe 2 versus Ala 2 on the hydrophobic interaction arises from variation in the secondary structure adopted by FP1. Overall, these insights reveal how single-residue diversity in viral FPs, including FP1 of SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, can lead to substantial changes in intermolecular interactions proposed to play a key role in viral fusion, and hint at strategies for regulating hydrophobic interactions of peptides in a range of contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Qiu
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Samuel H Gellman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Susan Daniel
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Nicholas L Abbott
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
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19
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Daniecki NJ, Bhatt MR, Yap GPA, Zondlo NJ. Proline C-H Bonds as Loci for Proline Assembly via C-H/O Interactions. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200409. [PMID: 36129371 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200409] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Proline residues within proteins lack a traditional hydrogen bond donor. However, the hydrogens of the proline ring are all sterically accessible, with polarized C-H bonds at Hα and Hδ that exhibit greater partial positive character and can be utilized as alternative sites for molecular recognition. C-H/O interactions, between proline C-H bonds and oxygen lone pairs, have been previously identified as modes of recognition within protein structures and for higher-order assembly of protein structures. In order to better understand intermolecular recognition of proline residues, a series of proline derivatives was synthesized, including 4R-hydroxyproline nitrobenzoate methyl ester, acylated on the proline nitrogen with bromoacetyl and glycolyl groups, and Boc-4S-(4-iodophenyl)hydroxyproline methyl amide. All three derivatives exhibited multiple close intermolecular C-H/O interactions in the crystallographic state, with H⋅⋅⋅O distances as close as 2.3 Å. These observed distances are well below the 2.72 Å sum of the van der Waals radii of H and O, and suggest that these interactions are particularly favorable. In order to generalize these results, we further analyzed the role of C-H/O interactions in all previously crystallized derivatives of these amino acids, and found that all 26 structures exhibited close intermolecular C-H/O interactions. Finally, we analyzed all proline residues in the Cambridge Structural Database of small-molecule crystal structures. We found that the majority of these structures exhibited intermolecular C-H/O interactions at proline C-H bonds, suggesting that C-H/O interactions are an inherent and important mode for recognition of and higher-order assembly at proline residues. Due to steric accessibility and multiple polarized C-H bonds, proline residues are uniquely positioned as sites for binding and recognition via C-H/O interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah J Daniecki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Megh R Bhatt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Glenn P A Yap
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Neal J Zondlo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
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20
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Broz M, Furlan V, Lešnik S, Jukič M, Bren U. The Effect of the Ala16Val Mutation on the Secondary Structure of the Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122348. [PMID: 36552556 PMCID: PMC9774195 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) represents a mitochondrial protein that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for oxidative stress. A known single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4880 on the SOD2 gene, causing a mutation from alanine to valine (Ala16Val) in the primary structure of immature MnSOD, has been associated with several types of cancer and other autoimmune diseases. However, no conclusive correlation has been established yet. This study aims to determine the effect of the alanine to valine mutation on the secondary structure of the MnSOD mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS). A model for each variant of the MTS was prepared and extensively simulated with molecular dynamics simulations using the CHARMM36m force field. The results indicate that the alanine variant of the MTS preserves a uniform α-helical secondary structure favorable for the protein transport into mitochondria, whereas the valine variant quickly breaks down its α-helix. Thus, the alanine MTS represents the more active MnSOD variant, the benefits of which have yet to be determined experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matic Broz
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Veronika Furlan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Samo Lešnik
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Institute of Environmental Protection and Sensors, Beloruska ulica 7, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Marko Jukič
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška ulica 8, SI-6000 Koper, Slovenia
| | - Urban Bren
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Institute of Environmental Protection and Sensors, Beloruska ulica 7, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška ulica 8, SI-6000 Koper, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
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21
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Schifano NP, Caputo GA. Investigation of the Role of Hydrophobic Amino Acids on the Structure-Activity Relationship in the Antimicrobial Venom Peptide Ponericin L1. J Membr Biol 2022; 255:537-551. [PMID: 34792624 PMCID: PMC9114170 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00204-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Venom mixtures from insects, reptiles, and mollusks have long been a source of bioactive peptides which often have alternative uses as therapeutics. While these molecules act in numerous capacities, there have been many venom components that act on the target cells through membrane disruptive mechanisms. These peptides have long been of interest as potential antimicrobial peptide platforms, but the inherent cytotoxicity of venom peptides often results in poor therapeutic potential. Despite this, efforts are ongoing to identify and characterize venom peptide which exhibit high antimicrobial activity with low cytotoxicity and modify these to further enhance the efficacy while reducing toxicity. One example is ponericin L1 from Neoponera goeldii which has been demonstrated to have good antimicrobial activity and low in vitro cytotoxicity. The L1 sequence was modified by uniformly replacing the native hydrophobic residues with either Leu, Ile, Phe, Ala, or Val. Spectroscopic and microbiological approaches were employed to investigate how the amino acid sequence changes impacted membrane interaction, secondary structure, and antimicrobial efficacy. The L1 derivatives showed varying degrees of bilayer interaction, in some cases driven by bilayer composition. Several of the variants exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to the parent strain, while others lost all activity. Interestingly, the variant containing Val lost all antimicrobial activity and ability to interact with bilayers. Taken together the results indicate that peptide secondary structure, amino acid composition, and hydrophobicity all play a role in peptide activity, although this is a delicate balance that can result in non-specific binding or complete loss of activity if specific amino acids are incorporated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P Schifano
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA
| | - Gregory A Caputo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
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22
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Qing R, Hao S, Smorodina E, Jin D, Zalevsky A, Zhang S. Protein Design: From the Aspect of Water Solubility and Stability. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14085-14179. [PMID: 35921495 PMCID: PMC9523718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Water solubility and structural stability are key merits for proteins defined by the primary sequence and 3D-conformation. Their manipulation represents important aspects of the protein design field that relies on the accurate placement of amino acids and molecular interactions, guided by underlying physiochemical principles. Emulated designer proteins with well-defined properties both fuel the knowledge-base for more precise computational design models and are used in various biomedical and nanotechnological applications. The continuous developments in protein science, increasing computing power, new algorithms, and characterization techniques provide sophisticated toolkits for solubility design beyond guess work. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the protein design field with respect to water solubility and structural stability. After introducing fundamental design rules, we discuss the transmembrane protein solubilization and de novo transmembrane protein design. Traditional strategies to enhance protein solubility and structural stability are introduced. The designs of stable protein complexes and high-order assemblies are covered. Computational methodologies behind these endeavors, including structure prediction programs, machine learning algorithms, and specialty software dedicated to the evaluation of protein solubility and aggregation, are discussed. The findings and opportunities for Cryo-EM are presented. This review provides an overview of significant progress and prospects in accurate protein design for solubility and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Qing
- State
Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and
Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shilei Hao
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Key
Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Eva Smorodina
- Department
of Immunology, University of Oslo and Oslo
University Hospital, Oslo 0424, Norway
| | - David Jin
- Avalon GloboCare
Corp., Freehold, New Jersey 07728, United States
| | - Arthur Zalevsky
- Laboratory
of Bioinformatics Approaches in Combinatorial Chemistry and Biology, Shemyakin−Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic
Chemistry RAS, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Shuguang Zhang
- Media
Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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23
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Byrne PO, McLellan JS. Principles and practical applications of structure-based vaccine design. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 77:102209. [PMID: 35598506 PMCID: PMC9611442 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Viral proteins fold into a variety of
structures as they perform their functions. Structure-based vaccine
design aims to exploit knowledge of an antigen’s architecture to
stabilize it in a vulnerable conformation. We summarize the general
principles of structure-based vaccine design, with a focus on the major
types of sequence modifications: proline, disulfide, cavity-filling,
electrostatic and hydrogen-bond substitution, as well as domain deletion.
We then review recent applications of these principles to vaccine-design
efforts across five viral families: Coronaviridae,
Orthomyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Pneumoviridae, and
Filoviridae. Outstanding challenges include
continued application of proven design principles to pathogens of
interest, as well as development of new strategies for those pathogens
that resist traditional techniques.
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24
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Koebke KJ, Pinter TBJ, Pitts WC, Pecoraro VL. Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Metalloproteins. Chem Rev 2022; 122:12046-12109. [PMID: 35763791 PMCID: PMC10735231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark advances in our understanding of metalloprotein function is showcased in our ability to design new, non-native, catalytically active protein scaffolds. This review highlights progress and milestone achievements in the field of de novo metalloprotein design focused on reports from the past decade with special emphasis on de novo designs couched within common subfields of bioinorganic study: heme binding proteins, monometal- and dimetal-containing catalytic sites, and metal-containing electron transfer sites. Within each subfield, we highlight several of what we have identified as significant and important contributions to either our understanding of that subfield or de novo metalloprotein design as a discipline. These reports are placed in context both historically and scientifically. General suggestions for future directions that we feel will be important to advance our understanding or accelerate discovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | | | - Winston C. Pitts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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25
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Paquette AR, Payne SR, McKay GA, Brazeau-Henrie JT, Darnowski MG, Kammili A, Bernal F, Mah TF, Gruenheid S, Nguyen D, Boddy CN. RpoN-Based stapled peptides with improved DNA binding suppress Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:445-455. [PMID: 35647551 PMCID: PMC9020619 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00371b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stapled peptides have the ability to mimic α-helices involved in protein binding and have proved to be effective pharmacological agents for disrupting protein-protein interactions. DNA-binding proteins such as transcription factors bind their cognate DNA sequences via an α-helix interacting with the major groove of DNA. We previously developed a stapled peptide based on the bacterial alternative sigma factor RpoN capable of binding the RpoN DNA promoter sequence and inhibiting RpoN-mediated expression in Escherichia coli. We have elucidated a structure-activity relationship for DNA binding by this stapled peptide, improving DNA binding affinity constants in the high nM range. Lead peptides were shown to have low toxicity as determined by their low hemolytic activity at 100 μM and were shown to have anti-virulence activity in a Galleria mellonella model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. These findings support further preclinical development of stapled peptides as antivirulence agents targeting P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- André R. Paquette
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaONK1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Sterling R. Payne
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthFrederickMD 21702USA
| | - Geoffrey A. McKay
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontrealQuebec H4A 3J1Canada
| | | | - Micheal G. Darnowski
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaONK1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Anitha Kammili
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa Ottawa ON K1N 6N5 Canada
| | - Federico Bernal
- Laboratory of Protein Dynamics and Signaling, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthFrederickMD 21702USA
| | - Thien-Fah Mah
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of OttawaOttawaONK1H 8M5Canada
| | | | - Dao Nguyen
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontrealQuebec H4A 3J1Canada,Department of Medicine, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebec H4A 3J1Canada
| | - Christopher N. Boddy
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of OttawaOttawaONK1N 6N5 Canada
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26
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Determinants of IGF-II influencing stability, receptor binding and activation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4695. [PMID: 35304516 PMCID: PMC8933565 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08467-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin like growth factor II (IGF-II) is involved in metabolic and mitogenic signalling in mammalian cells and plays important roles in normal fetal development and postnatal growth. It is structurally similar to insulin and binds not only with high affinity to the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) but also to the insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A). As IGF-II expression is commonly upregulated in cancer and its signalling promotes cancer cell survival, an antagonist that blocks IGF-II action without perturbing insulin signalling would be invaluable. The high degree of structural homology between the IR and IGF-1R makes selectively targeting either receptor in the treatment of IGF-II-dependent cancers very challenging. However, there are sequence differences between insulin and IGF-II that convey receptor selectivity and influence binding affinity and signalling outcome. Insulin residue YB16 is a key residue involved in maintaining insulin stability, dimer formation and IR binding. Mutation of this residue to glutamine (as found in IGF-II) results in reduced binding affinity. In this study we sought to determine if the equivalent residue Q18 in IGF-II plays a similar role. We show through site-directed mutagenesis of Q18 that this residue contributes to IGF-II structural integrity, selectivity of IGF-1R/IR binding, but surprisingly does not influence IR-A signalling activation. These findings provide insights into a unique IGF-II residue that can influence receptor binding specificity whilst having little influence on signalling outcome.
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27
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Dhayalan B, Weiss MA. Diabetes-Associated Mutations in Proinsulin Provide a "Molecular Rheostat" of Nascent Foldability. Curr Diab Rep 2022; 22:85-94. [PMID: 35119630 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-022-01447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Diabetes mellitus (DM) due to toxic misfolding of proinsulin variants provides a monogenic model of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The mutant proinsulin syndrome (also designated MIDY; Mutant INS-gene-induced Diabetes of Youth or Maturity-onset diabetes of the young 10 (MODY10)) ordinarily presents as permanent neonatal-onset DM, but specific amino-acid substitutions may also present later in childhood or adolescence. This review highlights structural mechanisms of proinsulin folding as inferred from phenotype-genotype relationships. RECENT FINDINGS MIDY mutations most commonly add or remove a cysteine, leading to a variant polypeptide containing an odd number of thiol groups. Such variants are associated with aberrant intermolecular disulfide pairing, ER stress, and neonatal β-cell dysfunction. Non-cysteine-related (NCR) mutations (occurring in both the B and A domains of proinsulin) define distinct determinants of foldability and vary in severity. The range of ages of onset, therefore, reflects a "molecular rheostat" connecting protein biophysics to quality-control ER checkpoints. Because in most mammalian cell lines even wild-type proinsulin exhibits limited folding efficiency, molecular barriers to folding uncovered by NCR MIDY mutations may pertain to β-cell dysfunction in non-syndromic type 2 DM due to INS-gene overexpression in the face of peripheral insulin resistance. Recent studies of MIDY mutations and related NCR variants, combining molecular and cell-based approaches, suggest that proinsulin has evolved at the edge of non-foldability. Chemical protein synthesis promises to enable comparative studies of "non-foldable" proinsulin variants to define key steps in wild-type biosynthesis. Such studies may create opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches to non-syndromic type 2 DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA.
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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28
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Santhouse JR, Leung JMG, Chong LT, Horne WS. Implications of the unfolded state in the folding energetics of heterogeneous-backbone protein mimetics. Chem Sci 2022; 13:11798-11806. [PMID: 36320921 PMCID: PMC9580521 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04427g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence-encoded folding is the foundation of protein structure and is also possible in synthetic chains of artificial chemical composition. In natural proteins, the characteristics of the unfolded state are as important as those of the folded state in determining folding energetics. While much is known about folded structures adopted by artificial protein-like chains, corresponding information about the unfolded states of these molecules is lacking. Here, we report the consequences of altered backbone composition on the structure, stability, and dynamics of the folded and unfolded states of a compact helix-rich protein. Characterization through a combination of biophysical experiments and atomistic simulation reveals effects of backbone modification that depend on both the type of artificial monomers employed and where they are applied in sequence. In general, introducing artificial connectivity in a way that reinforces characteristics of the unfolded state ensemble of the prototype natural protein minimizes the impact of chemical changes on folded stability. These findings have implications in the design of protein mimetics and provide an atomically detailed picture of the unfolded state of a natural protein and artificial analogues under non-denaturing conditions. Biophysical experiments and atomistic simulation reveal impacts of protein backbone alteration on the ensemble that defines the unfolded state. These effects have implications on folded stability of protein mimetics.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy M. G. Leung
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15211, USA
| | - Lillian T. Chong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15211, USA
| | - W. Seth Horne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15211, USA
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29
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Tirincsi A, Sicking M, Hadzibeganovic D, Haßdenteufel S, Lang S. The Molecular Biodiversity of Protein Targeting and Protein Transport Related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:143. [PMID: 35008565 PMCID: PMC8745461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Looking at the variety of the thousands of different polypeptides that have been focused on in the research on the endoplasmic reticulum from the last five decades taught us one humble lesson: no one size fits all. Cells use an impressive array of components to enable the safe transport of protein cargo from the cytosolic ribosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Safety during the transit is warranted by the interplay of cytosolic chaperones, membrane receptors, and protein translocases that together form functional networks and serve as protein targeting and translocation routes. While two targeting routes to the endoplasmic reticulum, SRP (signal recognition particle) and GET (guided entry of tail-anchored proteins), prefer targeting determinants at the N- and C-terminus of the cargo polypeptide, respectively, the recently discovered SND (SRP-independent) route seems to preferentially cater for cargos with non-generic targeting signals that are less hydrophobic or more distant from the termini. With an emphasis on targeting routes and protein translocases, we will discuss those functional networks that drive efficient protein topogenesis and shed light on their redundant and dynamic nature in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Tirincsi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.T.); (M.S.); (D.H.)
| | - Mark Sicking
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.T.); (M.S.); (D.H.)
| | - Drazena Hadzibeganovic
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.T.); (M.S.); (D.H.)
| | - Sarah Haßdenteufel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sven Lang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (A.T.); (M.S.); (D.H.)
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30
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31
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Slope LN, Daubney OJ, Campbell H, White SA, Peacock AFA. Location-Dependent Lanthanide Selectivity Engineered into Structurally Characterized Designed Coiled Coils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:24473-24477. [PMID: 34495573 PMCID: PMC8597134 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202110500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report unprecedented location-dependent, size-selective binding to designed lanthanide (Ln3+ ) sites within miniature protein coiled coil scaffolds. Not only do these engineered sites display unusual Ln3+ selectivity for moderately large Ln3+ ions (Nd to Tb), for the first time we demonstrate that selectivity can be location-dependent and can be programmed into the sequence. A 1 nm linear translation of the binding site towards the N-terminus can convert a selective site into a highly promiscuous one. An X-ray crystal structure, the first of a lanthanide binding site within a coiled coil to be reported, coupled with CD studies, reveal the existence of an optimal radius that likely stems from the structural constraints of the coiled coil scaffold. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of location-dependent metal selectivity within a coiled coil scaffold, as well as the first report of location-dependent Ln3+ selectivity within a protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise N. Slope
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Hannah Campbell
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
| | - Scott A. White
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonB15 2TTUK
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32
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Slope LN, Daubney OJ, Campbell H, White SA, Peacock AFA. Location‐Dependent Lanthanide Selectivity Engineered into Structurally Characterized Designed Coiled Coils. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202110500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Louise N. Slope
- School of Chemistry University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
| | | | - Hannah Campbell
- School of Chemistry University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
| | - Scott A. White
- School of Biosciences University of Birmingham Edgbaston B15 2TT UK
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33
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Kawano K, Yokoyama F, Kamasaka K, Kawamoto J, Ogawa T, Kurihara T, Futaki S. Design of the N-Terminus Substituted Curvature-Sensing Peptides That Exhibit Highly Sensitive Detection Ability of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2021; 69:1075-1082. [PMID: 34719589 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.c21-00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as important targets in biological and medical studies because they are involved in diverse human diseases and bacterial pathogenesis. Although antibodies targeting the surface biomarkers are widely used to detect EVs, peptide-based curvature sensors are currently attracting an attention as a novel tool for marker-free EV detection techniques. We have previously created a curvature-sensing peptide, FAAV and applied it to develop a simple and rapid method for detection of bacterial EVs in cultured media. The method utilized the fluorescence/Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomenon to achieve the high sensitivity to changes in the EV amount. In the present study, to develop a practical and easy-to-use approach that can detect bacterial EVs by peptides alone, we designed novel curvature-sensing peptides, N-terminus-substituted FAAV (nFAAV) peptides. The nFAAV peptides exerted higher α-helix-stabilizing effects than FAAV upon binding to vesicles while maintaining a random coil structure in aqueous solution. One of the nFAAV peptides showed a superior binding affinity for bacterial EVs and detected changes in the EV amount with 5-fold higher sensitivity than FAAV even in the presence of the EV-secretory bacterial cells. We named nFAAV5, which exhibited the high ability to detect bacterial EVs, as an EV-sensing peptide. Our finding is that the coil-α-helix structural transition of the nFAAV peptides serve as a key structural factor for highly sensitive detection of bacterial EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Kawano
- Laboratory of Biofunctional Design Chemistry, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Fumiaki Yokoyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Kouhei Kamasaka
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Jun Kawamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Takuya Ogawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Tatsuo Kurihara
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbial Science, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Laboratory of Biofunctional Design Chemistry, Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University
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34
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Dhayalan B, Chatterjee D, Chen YS, Weiss MA. Structural Lessons From the Mutant Proinsulin Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:754693. [PMID: 34659132 PMCID: PMC8514764 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.754693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight into folding mechanisms of proinsulin has been provided by analysis of dominant diabetes-associated mutations in the human insulin gene (INS). Such mutations cause pancreatic β-cell dysfunction due to toxic misfolding of a mutant proinsulin and impairment in trans of wild-type insulin secretion. Anticipated by the "Akita" mouse (a classical model of monogenic diabetes mellitus; DM), this syndrome illustrates the paradigm endoreticulum (ER) stress leading to intracellular proteotoxicity. Diverse clinical mutations directly or indirectly perturb native disulfide pairing leading to protein misfolding and aberrant aggregation. Although most introduce or remove a cysteine (Cys; leading in either case to an unpaired thiol group), non-Cys-related mutations identify key determinants of folding efficiency. Studies of such mutations suggest that the hormone's evolution has been constrained not only by structure-function relationships, but also by the susceptibility of its single-chain precursor to impaired foldability. An intriguing hypothesis posits that INS overexpression in response to peripheral insulin resistance likewise leads to chronic ER stress and β-cell dysfunction in the natural history of non-syndromic Type 2 DM. Cryptic contributions of conserved residues to folding efficiency, as uncovered by rare genetic variants, define molecular links between biophysical principles and the emerging paradigm of Darwinian medicine: Biosynthesis of proinsulin at the edge of non-foldability provides a key determinant of "diabesity" as a pandemic disease of civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael A. Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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35
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Bergasa-Caceres F, Rabitz HA. Identification of Two Early Folding Stage Prion Non-Local Contacts Suggested to Serve as Key Steps in Directing the Final Fold to Be Either Native or Pathogenic. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168619. [PMID: 34445324 PMCID: PMC8395309 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The initial steps of the folding pathway of the C-terminal domain of the murine prion protein mPrP(90–231) are predicted based on the sequential collapse model (SCM). A non-local dominant contact is found to form between the connecting region between helix 1 and β-sheet 1 and the C-terminal region of helix 3. This non-local contact nucleates the most populated molten globule-like intermediate along the folding pathway. A less stable early non-local contact between segments 120–124 and 179–183, located in the middle of helix 2, promotes the formation of a less populated molten globule-like intermediate. The formation of the dominant non-local contact constitutes an example of the postulated Nature’s Shortcut to the prion protein collapse into the native structure. The possible role of the less populated molten globule-like intermediate is explored as the potential initiation point for the folding for three pathogenic mutants (T182A, I214V, and Q211P in mouse prion numbering) of the prion protein.
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36
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Hirano M, Saito C, Goto C, Yokoo H, Kawano R, Misawa T, Demizu Y. Rational Design of Helix-Stabilized Antimicrobial Peptide Foldamers Containing α,α-Disubstituted Amino Acids or Side-Chain Stapling. Chempluschem 2021; 85:2731-2736. [PMID: 33369262 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202000749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are expected to be good candidate molecules for novel antimicrobial therapies. Most AMPs exert their antimicrobial activity through disruption of microbial membranes due to their amphipathic properties. Recently, the helical peptide 'Stripe' was reported by our group, a rationally designed amphipathic AMP focused on distribution of natural cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. In this study, a set of Stripe-based AMP foldamers was designed, synthesized and investigated that contain α,α-disubstituted amino acids or side-chain stapling to stabilize their helical structures. Our results showed that a peptide containing 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive S.aureus (MIC value: 3.125 μM) and Gram-negative bacteria (including a multidrug-resistant strain, MDRP, MIC value: 1.56 μM), without significant hemolytic activity (>100 μM). Electrophysiological measurements revealed that this peptide formed stable pores in a 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE)/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DOPG) bilayer but not in a dioleoylphosphocholine (DOPC) bilayer. The introduction of Aib residues into Stripe could be a promising way to increase the antimicrobial activity of AMP foldamers, and the peptide could represent a promising novel therapeutic candidate to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoharu Hirano
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan.,Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Chihiro Saito
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Chihiro Goto
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan.,Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Yokoo
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawano
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-6 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan
| | - Takashi Misawa
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan.,Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
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37
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Woolfson DN. A Brief History of De Novo Protein Design: Minimal, Rational, and Computational. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167160. [PMID: 34298061 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Protein design has come of age, but how will it mature? In the 1980s and the 1990s, the primary motivation for de novo protein design was to test our understanding of the informational aspect of the protein-folding problem; i.e., how does protein sequence determine protein structure and function? This necessitated minimal and rational design approaches whereby the placement of each residue in a design was reasoned using chemical principles and/or biochemical knowledge. At that time, though with some notable exceptions, the use of computers to aid design was not widespread. Over the past two decades, the tables have turned and computational protein design is firmly established. Here, I illustrate this progress through a timeline of de novo protein structures that have been solved to atomic resolution and deposited in the Protein Data Bank. From this, it is clear that the impact of rational and computational design has been considerable: More-complex and more-sophisticated designs are being targeted with many being resolved to atomic resolution. Furthermore, our ability to generate and manipulate synthetic proteins has advanced to a point where they are providing realistic alternatives to natural protein functions for applications both in vitro and in cells. Also, and increasingly, computational protein design is becoming accessible to non-specialists. This all begs the questions: Is there still a place for minimal and rational design approaches? And, what challenges lie ahead for the burgeoning field of de novo protein design as a whole?
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Bristol BioDesign Institute, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.
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38
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Jenewein T, Kanner SA, Bauer D, Hertel B, Colecraft HM, Moroni A, Thiel G, Kauferstein S. The mutation L69P in the PAS domain of the hERG potassium channel results in LQTS by trafficking deficiency. Channels (Austin) 2021; 14:163-174. [PMID: 32253972 PMCID: PMC7188350 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2020.1751522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac disorder characterized by a prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram and an increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A frequent cause for LQTS is mutations in the KCNH2 gene (also known as the human ether-a-go-go-related gene or hERG), which reduce or modulate the potassium current IKr and hence alter cardiac repolarization. In a patient with a clinically diagnosed LQTS, we identified the mutation L69P in the N-terminal PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domain of hERG. Functional expression in HEK293 cells shows that a homotetrameric hERG channel reconstituted with only mutant subunits exhibits a drastically reduced surface expression of the channel protein thus leading to a diminished hERG current. Unlike many other mutations in the hERG-PAS domain the negative impact of the L69P substitution cannot be rescued by facilitated protein folding at a lower incubation temperature. Further, co-expression of wt and mutant monomers does not restore either wt like surface expression or the full hERG current. These results indicate L69P is a dominant negative mutation, with deficits which most likely occurs at the level of protein folding and subsequently inhibits trafficking to the plasma membrane. The functional deficits of the mutant channel support the clinical diagnosis of a LQTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Jenewein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Scott A Kanner
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Bauer
- Computational Biology and Simulation Group, Department of Biology, Technische Universita ̈t Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Brigitte Hertel
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Henry M Colecraft
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Moroni
- Department of Biosciences and CNR IBF-Mi, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gerhard Thiel
- Department of Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Silke Kauferstein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
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39
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Lomize AL, Schnitzer KA, Todd SC, Pogozheva ID. Thermodynamics-Based Molecular Modeling of α-Helices in Membranes and Micelles. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2884-2896. [PMID: 34029472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Folding of Membrane-Associated Peptides (FMAP) method was developed for modeling α-helix formation by linear peptides in micelles and lipid bilayers. FMAP 2.0 identifies locations of α-helices in the amino acid sequence, generates their three-dimensional models in planar bilayers or spherical micelles, and estimates their thermodynamic stabilities and tilt angles, depending on temperature and pH. The method was tested for 723 peptides (926 data points) experimentally studied in different environments and for 170 single-pass transmembrane (TM) proteins with available crystal structures. FMAP 2.0 detected more than 95% of experimentally observed α-helices with an average error in helix end determination of around 2, 3, 4, and 5 residues per helix for peptides in water, micelles, bilayers, and TM proteins, respectively. Helical and nonhelical residue states were predicted with an accuracy from 0.86 to 0.96, and the Matthews correlation coefficient was from 0.64 to 0.88 depending on the environment. Experimental micelle- and membrane-binding energies and tilt angles of peptides were reproduced with a root-mean-square deviation of around 2 kcal/mol and 7°, respectively. The TM and non-TM states of hydrophobic and pH-triggered α-helical peptides in various lipid bilayers were reproduced in more than 95% of cases. The FMAP 2.0 web server (https://membranome.org/fmap) is publicly available to explore the structural polymorphism of antimicrobial, cell-penetrating, fusion, and other membrane-binding peptides, which is important for understanding the mechanisms of their biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei L Lomize
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1065, United States
| | - Kevin A Schnitzer
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 1221 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2102, United States
| | - Spencer C Todd
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 1221 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2102, United States
| | - Irina D Pogozheva
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1065, United States
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Conformational Flexibility of A Highly Conserved Helix Controls Cryptic Pocket Formation in FtsZ. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167061. [PMID: 34023403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for more than 1.6 million deaths each year. One potential antibacterial target in M. tuberculosis is filamentous temperature sensitive protein Z (FtsZ), which is the bacterial homologue of mammalian tubulin, a validated cancer target. M. tuberculosis FtsZ function is essential, with its inhibition leading to arrest of cell division, elongation of the bacterial cell and eventual cell death. However, the development of potent inhibitors against FtsZ has been a challenge owing to the lack of structural information. Here we report multiple crystal structures of M. tuberculosis FtsZ in complex with a coumarin analogue. The 4-hydroxycoumarin binds exclusively to two novel cryptic pockets in nucleotide-free FtsZ, but not to the binary FtsZ-GTP or GDP complexes. Our findings provide a detailed understanding of the molecular basis for cryptic pocket formation, controlled by the conformational flexibility of the H7 helix, and thus reveal an important structural and mechanistic rationale for coumarin antibacterial activity.
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41
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Yerukala Sathipati S, Ho SY. Identification and Characterization of Species-Specific Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Physicochemical Properties. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:2942-2952. [PMID: 33856796 PMCID: PMC8056951 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) so that vaccines and treatments can be devised. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has genetic similarity with bats and pangolin viruses, but a comprehensive understanding of the functions of its proteins at the amino acid sequence level is lacking. A total of 4320 sequences of human and nonhuman coronaviruses was retrieved from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data and the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This work proposes an optimization method COVID-Pred with an efficient feature selection algorithm to classify the species-specific coronaviruses based on physicochemical properties (PCPs) of their sequences. COVID-Pred identified a set of 11 PCPs using a support vector machine and achieved 10-fold cross-validation and test accuracies of 99.53% and 97.80%, respectively. These findings could provide key insights into understanding the driving forces during the course of infection and assist in developing effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasulu Yerukala Sathipati
- Center for Precision Medicine Research,
Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, Wisconsin
54449, United States
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300,
Taiwan
- Institute of Population Health Sciences,
National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 350,
Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Ying Ho
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300,
Taiwan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology,
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300,
Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology,
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300,
Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices
(IDSB), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University,
Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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42
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Rahman SR, Cnaani J, Kinch LN, Grishin NV, Hines HM. A combined RAD-Seq and WGS approach reveals the genomic basis of yellow color variation in bumble bee Bombus terrestris. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7996. [PMID: 33846496 PMCID: PMC8042027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87194-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bumble bees exhibit exceptional diversity in their segmental body coloration largely as a result of mimicry. In this study we sought to discover genes involved in this variation through studying a lab-generated mutant in bumble bee Bombus terrestris, in which the typical black coloration of the pleuron, scutellum, and first metasomal tergite is replaced by yellow, a color variant also found in sister lineages to B. terrestris. Utilizing a combination of RAD-Seq and whole-genome re-sequencing, we localized the color-generating variant to a single SNP in the protein-coding sequence of transcription factor cut. This mutation generates an amino acid change that modifies the conformation of a coiled-coil structure outside DNA-binding domains. We found that all sequenced Hymenoptera, including sister lineages, possess the non-mutant allele, indicating different mechanisms are involved in the same color transition in nature. Cut is important for multiple facets of development, yet this mutation generated no noticeable external phenotypic effects outside of setal characteristics. Reproductive capacity was reduced, however, as queens were less likely to mate and produce female offspring, exhibiting behavior similar to that of workers. Our research implicates a novel developmental player in pigmentation, and potentially caste, thus contributing to a better understanding of the evolution of diversity in both of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthok Rasique Rahman
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Labs, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | | | - Lisa N Kinch
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nick V Grishin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Labs, University Park, PA, USA.
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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43
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Dhayalan B, Chatterjee D, Chen YS, Weiss MA. Diabetes mellitus due to toxic misfolding of proinsulin variants. Mol Metab 2021:101229. [PMID: 33823319 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dominant mutations in the human insulin gene (INS) lead to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and diabetes mellitus (DM) due to toxic misfolding of a mutant proinsulin. Analogous to a classical mouse model of monogenic DM ("Akita"), this syndrome highlights the susceptibility of β-cells to endoreticulum (ER) stress due to protein misfolding and aberrant aggregation. SCOPE OF REVIEW Diverse clinical mutations directly or indirectly perturb native disulfide pairing. Whereas most introduce or remove a cysteine (Cys; leading in either case to an unpaired thiol group), non-Cys-related mutations identify key determinants of folding efficiency. Studies of such mutations suggest that the hormone's evolution has been constrained not only by structure-function relationships but also by the susceptibility of its single-chain precursor to impaired foldability. An intriguing hypothesis posits that INS overexpression in response to peripheral insulin resistance likewise leads to chronic ER stress and β-cell dysfunction in the natural history of nonsyndromic Type 2 DM. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Cryptic contributions of conserved residues to folding efficiency, as uncovered by rare genetic variants, define molecular links between biophysical principles and the emerging paradigm of Darwinian medicine: Biosynthesis of proinsulin at the edge of nonfoldability provides a key determinant of "diabesity" as a pandemic disease of civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balamurugan Dhayalan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Deepak Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yen-Shan Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Michael A Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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44
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Makhlynets OV, Caputo GA. Characteristics and therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:011301. [PMID: 38505398 PMCID: PMC10903410 DOI: 10.1063/5.0035731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The demand for novel antimicrobial compounds is rapidly growing due to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In response, numerous alternative approaches are being taken including use of polymers, metals, combinatorial approaches, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are a naturally occurring part of the immune system of all higher organisms and display remarkable broad-spectrum activity and high selectivity for bacterial cells over host cells. However, despite good activity and safety profiles, AMPs have struggled to find success in the clinic. In this review, we outline the fundamental properties of AMPs that make them effective antimicrobials and extend this into three main approaches being used to help AMPs become viable clinical options. These three approaches are the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into the AMP sequence to impart better pharmacological properties, the incorporation of AMPs in hydrogels, and the chemical modification of surfaces with AMPs for device applications. These approaches are being developed to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and/or bioavailability of AMPs as clinical options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Makhlynets
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, USA
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45
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Patel NM, Siva MSA, Kumari R, Shewale DJ, Rai A, Ritt M, Sharma P, Setty SRG, Sivaramakrishnan S, Soppina V. KIF13A motors are regulated by Rab22A to function as weak dimers inside the cell. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/6/eabd2054. [PMID: 33536208 PMCID: PMC7857691 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Endocytic recycling is a complex itinerary, critical for many cellular processes. Membrane tubulation is a hallmark of recycling endosomes (REs), mediated by KIF13A, a kinesin-3 family motor. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of KIF13A in RE tubulation and cargo recycling is of fundamental importance but is overlooked. Here, we report a unique mechanism of KIF13A dimerization modulated by Rab22A, a small guanosine triphosphatase, during RE tubulation. A conserved proline between neck coil-coiled-coil (NC-CC1) domains of KIF13A creates steric hindrance, rendering the motors as inactive monomers. Rab22A plays an unusual role by binding to NC-CC1 domains of KIF13A, relieving proline-mediated inhibition and facilitating motor dimerization. As a result, KIF13A motors produce balanced motility and force against multiple dyneins in a molecular tug-of-war to regulate RE tubulation and homeostasis. Together, our findings demonstrate that KIF13A motors are tuned at a single-molecule level to function as weak dimers on the cellular cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishaben M Patel
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
| | | | - Ruchi Kumari
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Dipeshwari J Shewale
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Ashim Rai
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Michael Ritt
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Prerna Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Subba Rao Gangi Setty
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Virupakshi Soppina
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gandhinagar, India.
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Inamoto I, Sheoran I, Popa SC, Hussain M, Shin JA. Combining Rational Design and Continuous Evolution on Minimalist Proteins That Target the E-box DNA Site. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:35-44. [PMID: 33370105 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics are part of the next-generation arsenal of drugs being developed against proto-oncoprotein Myc. We designed protein MEF to mimic the basic region/helix-loop-helix/leucine zipper (bHLHZ) domain of Max and Myc, which bind to the E-box motif (enhancer box, CACGTG). To make MEF, we started with our rationally designed ME47, a hybrid of the Max basic region and E47 HLH, that effectively inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer. We used phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE), which uncovered mutations at Arg12 that contact the DNA phosphodiester backbone. The Arg12 mutations improved ME47's stability. We replaced Cys29 with Ala to eliminate potential undesired disulfide formation and fused the designed FosW leucine zipper to mutated ME47 to increase the dimerization interface and E-box targeting activity. This "franken-protein" MEF comprises the Max basic region, E47 HLH, and FosW leucine zipper. Compared with ME47, MEF gives 2-fold stronger binding to E-box and 4-fold increased specificity for E-box over nonspecific DNA. The synergistic combination of rational design and PACE allowed us to make MEF and demonstrates the power and utility of our two-pronged approach toward development of promising protein drugs with robust structure and DNA-binding function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Inamoto
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Inder Sheoran
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Serban C. Popa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Montdher Hussain
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Jumi A. Shin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
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47
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Jain K, Ghribi O, Delhommelle J. Folding Free-Energy Landscape of α-Synuclein (35-97) Via Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics. J Chem Inf Model 2020; 61:432-443. [PMID: 33350818 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in Lewy bodies are implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. The formation of α-syn fibrils is a complex process, involving various intermediates and oligomeric forms. These intermediates establish at an early stage of aggregation and subsequently lead to fibrillation. Determining which conformations are accessible to monomeric α-syn and especially, as shown in a recent work, to the central amino acids from residue 35 to residue 97 (63 residues) is thus crucial to understand the formation of these oligomers. Here, we carry out extensive replica exchange molecular dynamics (total time-18 μs) with an all-atom model and explicit solvent to characterize the free-energy landscape of human α-syn (residue 35 to residue 97). The simulation results lead us to identify two free-energy basins. Clustering analysis for the deepest free-energy minimum reveals a compact structure, with a secondary structure predominantly α-helix, while the shallower minimum corresponds to an elongated conformation, also predominantly α-helix. Furthermore, at physiological temperature, we find that conformational rearrangements happen via helix breaks due to the presence of glycine. We also show that the most likely conformations are characterized by the α-helix structure rather than the β-hairpin structure (for residue 38 to residue 53), in contrast with prior simulation studies using coarse-grained models or an implicit solvent. For higher temperatures, we observe a shift in secondary structure with a decrease in the population of α-helix in favor of random coils, β-bend, and β-turns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karnesh Jain
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Othman Ghribi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
| | - Jerome Delhommelle
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, United States
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Aditham AK, Markin CJ, Mokhtari DA, DelRosso N, Fordyce PM. High-Throughput Affinity Measurements of Transcription Factor and DNA Mutations Reveal Affinity and Specificity Determinants. Cell Syst 2020; 12:112-127.e11. [PMID: 33340452 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) bind regulatory DNA to control gene expression, and mutations to either TFs or DNA can alter binding affinities to rewire regulatory networks and drive phenotypic variation. While studies have profiled energetic effects of DNA mutations extensively, we lack similar information for TF variants. Here, we present STAMMP (simultaneous transcription factor affinity measurements via microfluidic protein arrays), a high-throughput microfluidic platform enabling quantitative characterization of hundreds of TF variants simultaneously. Measured affinities for ∼210 mutants of a model yeast TF (Pho4) interacting with 9 oligonucleotides (>1,800 Kds) reveal that many combinations of mutations to poorly conserved TF residues and nucleotides flanking the core binding site alter but preserve physiological binding, providing a mechanism by which combinations of mutations in cis and trans could modulate TF binding to tune occupancies during evolution. Moreover, biochemical double-mutant cycles across the TF-DNA interface reveal molecular mechanisms driving recognition, linking sequence to function. A record of this paper's Transparent Peer Review process is included in the Supplemental Information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun K Aditham
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Craig J Markin
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel A Mokhtari
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicole DelRosso
- Graduate Program in Biophysics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Polly M Fordyce
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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49
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Choudhury CK, Kuksenok O. Native-Based Dissipative Particle Dynamics Approach for α-Helical Folding. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11379-11386. [PMID: 33270459 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We developed a dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) approach that captures polyalanine folding into a stable helical conformation. Within the proposed native-based approach, the DPD parameters are derived based on the contact map constructed from the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We show that the proposed approach reproduces the folding of polypeptides of various lengths, including bundle formation for sufficiently long polypeptides. The proposed approach also allows one to capture the folding of the helical segments of the lysozyme. With further development of computationally efficient native-based DPD approaches for folding, modeling of a range of biomaterials incorporating α-helical segments could be extended to time and length scales far beyond those accessible in molecular dynamics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan Kumar Choudhury
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Olga Kuksenok
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
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50
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Reversing the direction of drug transport mediated by the human multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:29609-29617. [PMID: 33168729 PMCID: PMC7703596 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016270117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein protects tissues from xenobiotics and other toxic compounds by pumping them out of cells. This transporter has been implicated in altering the bioavailability of chemotherapeutic drugs and in the development of multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Despite decades of research, the modulation of P-glycoprotein to overcome drug resistance in the clinic has not been successful. Here, by substituting a group of 14 conserved residues in homologous transmembrane helices 6 and 12 with alanine, we generated a mutant that exhibits a change in the direction of transport from export to import for certain drug substrates including the taxol derivative flutax-1. The ability to convert P-glycoprotein into a drug importer provides a strategy to combat cancer drug resistance. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), also known as ABCB1, is a cell membrane transporter that mediates the efflux of chemically dissimilar amphipathic drugs and confers resistance to chemotherapy in most cancers. Homologous transmembrane helices (TMHs) 6 and 12 of human P-gp connect the transmembrane domains with its nucleotide-binding domains, and several residues in these TMHs contribute to the drug-binding pocket. To investigate the role of these helices in the transport function of P-gp, we substituted a group of 14 conserved residues (seven in both TMHs 6 and 12) with alanine and generated a mutant termed 14A. Although the 14A mutant lost the ability to pump most of the substrates tested out of cancer cells, surprisingly, it acquired a new function. It was able to import four substrates, including rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and the taxol derivative flutax-1. Similar to the efflux function of wild-type P-gp, we found that uptake by the 14A mutant is ATP hydrolysis-, substrate concentration-, and time-dependent. Consistent with the uptake function, the mutant P-gp also hypersensitizes HeLa cells to Rh123 by 2- to 2.5-fold. Further mutagenesis identified residues from both TMHs 6 and 12 that synergistically form a switch in the central region of the two helices that governs whether a given substrate is pumped out of or into the cell. Transforming P-gp or an ABC drug exporter from an efflux transporter into a drug uptake pump would constitute a paradigm shift in efforts to overcome cancer drug resistance.
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