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Wlodawer A, Sekula B, Gustchina A, Rotanova TV. Structure and the mode of activity of Lon proteases from diverse organisms. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167504. [PMID: 35183556 PMCID: PMC9013511 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lon proteases, members of the AAA+ superfamily of enzymes, are key components of the protein quality control system in bacterial cells, as well as in the mitochondria and other specialized organelles of higher organisms. These enzymes have been subject of extensive biochemical and structural investigations, resulting in 72 crystal and solution structures, including structures of the individual domains, multi-domain constructs, and full-length proteins. However, interpretation of the latter structures still leaves some questions unanswered. Based on their amino acid sequence and details of their structure, Lon proteases can be divided into at least three subfamilies, designated as LonA, LonB, and LonC. Protomers of all Lons are single-chain polypeptides and contain two functional domains, ATPase and protease. The LonA enzymes additionally include a large N-terminal region, and different Lons may also include non-conserved inserts in the principal domains. These ATP-dependent proteases function as homohexamers, in which unfolded substrates are translocated to a large central chamber where they undergo proteolysis by a processive mechanism. X-ray crystal structures provided high-resolution models which verified that Lons are hydrolases with the rare Ser-Lys catalytic dyad. Full-length LonA enzymes have been investigated by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), providing description of the functional enzyme at different stages of the catalytic cycle, indicating extensive flexibility of their N-terminal domains, and revealing insights into the substrate translocation mechanism. Structural studies of Lon proteases provide an interesting case for symbiosis of X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, currently the two principal techniques for determination of macromolecular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wlodawer
- Protein Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Bartosz Sekula
- Protein Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Alla Gustchina
- Protein Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Tatyana V Rotanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia
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2
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Coscia F, Löwe J. Cryo-EM structure of the full-length Lon protease from Thermus thermophilus. FEBS Lett 2021; 595:2691-2700. [PMID: 34591981 PMCID: PMC8835725 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In bacteria, Lon is a large hexameric ATP‐dependent protease that targets misfolded and also folded substrates, some of which are involved in cell division and survival of cellular stress. The N‐terminal domain of Lon facilitates substrate recognition, but how the domains confer such activity has remained unclear. Here, we report the full‐length structure of Lon protease from Thermus thermophilus at 3.9 Å resolution in a substrate‐engaged state. The six N‐terminal domains are arranged in three pairs, stabilized by coiled‐coil segments and forming an additional channel for substrate sensing and entry into the AAA+ ring. Sequence conservation analysis and proteolysis assays confirm that this architecture is required for the degradation of both folded and unfolded substrates in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Coscia
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jan Löwe
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
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3
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Singh R, Deshmukh S, Kumar A, Goyal VD, Makde RD. Crystal structure of XCC3289 from Xanthomonas campestris: homology with the N-terminal substrate-binding domain of Lon peptidase. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2020; 76:488-494. [PMID: 33006577 PMCID: PMC7531242 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x20011875] [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: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
LonA peptidase is a major component of the protein quality-control mechanism in both prokaryotes and the organelles of eukaryotes. Proteins homologous to the N-terminal domain of LonA peptidase, but lacking its other domains, are conserved in several phyla of prokaryotes, including the Xanthomonadales order. However, the function of these homologous proteins (LonNTD-like proteins) is not known. Here, the crystal structure of the LonNTD-like protein from Xanthomonas campestris (XCC3289; UniProt Q8P5P7) is reported at 2.8 Å resolution. The structure was solved by molecular replacement and contains one polypeptide in the asymmetric unit. The structure was refined to an Rfree of 29%. The structure of XCC3289 consists of two domains joined by a long loop. The N-terminal domain (residues 1-112) consists of an α-helix surrounded by β-sheets, whereas the C-terminal domain (residues 123-193) is an α-helical bundle. The fold and spatial orientation of the two domains closely resembles those of the N-terminal domains of the LonA peptidases from Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium avium. The structure is also similar to that of cereblon, a substrate-recognizing component of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. The N-terminal domains of both LonA and cereblon are known to be involved in specific protein-protein interactions. This structural analysis suggests that XCC3289 and other LonNTD-like proteins might also be capable of such protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Singh
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Sonali Deshmukh
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Venuka Durani Goyal
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
| | - Ravindra D. Makde
- Beamline Development and Application Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India
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4
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Gibellini L, De Gaetano A, Mandrioli M, Van Tongeren E, Bortolotti CA, Cossarizza A, Pinti M. The biology of Lonp1: More than a mitochondrial protease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 354:1-61. [PMID: 32475470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Initially discovered as a protease responsible for degradation of misfolded or damaged proteins, the mitochondrial Lon protease (Lonp1) turned out to be a multifaceted enzyme, that displays at least three different functions (proteolysis, chaperone activity, binding of mtDNA) and that finely regulates several cellular processes, within and without mitochondria. Indeed, LONP1 in humans is ubiquitously expressed, and is involved in regulation of response to oxidative stress and, heat shock, in the maintenance of mtDNA, in the regulation of mitophagy. Furthermore, its proteolytic activity can regulate several biochemical pathways occurring totally or partially within mitochondria, such as TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, steroid and heme biosynthesis and glutamine production. Because of these multiple activities, Lon protease is highly conserved throughout evolution, and mutations occurring in its gene determines severe diseases in humans, including a rare syndrome characterized by Cerebral, Ocular, Dental, Auricular and Skeletal anomalies (CODAS). Finally, alterations of LONP1 regulation in humans can favor tumor progression and aggressiveness, further highlighting the crucial role of this enzyme in mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Gibellini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna De Gaetano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Mandrioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elia Van Tongeren
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Cossarizza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marcello Pinti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Figaj D, Ambroziak P, Przepiora T, Skorko-Glonek J. The Role of Proteases in the Virulence of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030672. [PMID: 30720762 PMCID: PMC6386880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A pathogenic lifestyle is inextricably linked with the constant necessity of facing various challenges exerted by the external environment (both within and outside the host). To successfully colonize the host and establish infection, pathogens have evolved sophisticated systems to combat the host defense mechanisms and also to be able to withstand adverse environmental conditions. Proteases, as crucial components of these systems, are involved in a variety of processes associated with infection. In phytopathogenic bacteria, they play important regulatory roles and modulate the expression and functioning of various virulence factors. Secretory proteases directly help avoid recognition by the plant immune systems, and contribute to the deactivation of the defense response pathways. Finally, proteases are important components of protein quality control systems, and thus enable maintaining homeostasis in stressed bacterial cells. In this review, we discuss the known protease functions and protease-regulated signaling processes associated with virulence of plant pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donata Figaj
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Ambroziak
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Przepiora
- Department of General and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
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Brown BL, Vieux EF, Kalastavadi T, Kim S, Chen JZ, Baker TA. N domain of the Lon AAA+ protease controls assembly and substrate choice. Protein Sci 2018; 28:1239-1251. [PMID: 30461098 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The protein quality control network (pQC) plays critical roles in maintaining protein and cellular homeostasis, especially during stress. Lon is a major pQC AAA+ protease, conserved from bacteria to human mitochondria. It is the principal enzyme that degrades most unfolded or damaged proteins. Degradation by Lon also controls cellular levels of several key regulatory proteins. Recently, our group determined that Escherichia coli Lon, previously thought to be an obligate homo-hexamer, also forms a dodecamer. This larger assembly has decreased ATPase activity and displays substrate-specific alterations in degradation compared with the hexamer. Here we experimentally probe the physical hexamer-hexamer interactions and the biological roles of the Lon dodecamer. Using structure prediction methods coupled with mutagenesis, we identified a key interface and specific residues within the Lon N domain that participates in an intermolecular coiled coil unique to the dodecamer. With this knowledge, we made a Lon variant (LonVQ ) that forms a dodecamer with increased stability, as determined by analytical ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy. Using this altered Lon, we characterize the Lon dodecamer's activities using a panel of substrates. Lon dodecamers are clearly functional, and complement critical lon- phenotypes but also exhibit altered substrate specificity. For example, the small heat shock proteins IbpA and IbpB are only efficiently degraded well by the hexamer. Thus, by elucidating the intermolecular contacts connecting the hexamers, we are starting to illuminate how dodecamer formation versus disassembly can alter Lon function under conditions where controlling specific activities and substrate preferences of this key protease may be advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breann L Brown
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ellen F Vieux
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Tejas Kalastavadi
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - SaRa Kim
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - James Z Chen
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Tania A Baker
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland
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He L, Luo D, Yang F, Li C, Zhang X, Deng H, Zhang JR. Multiple domains of bacterial and human Lon proteases define substrate selectivity. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:149. [PMID: 30120231 PMCID: PMC6098112 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0148-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The Lon protease selectively degrades abnormal proteins or certain normal proteins in response to environmental and cellular conditions in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. However, the mechanism(s) behind the substrate selection of normal proteins remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified 10 new substrates of F. tularensis Lon from a total of 21 candidate substrates identified in our previous work, the largest number of novel Lon substrates from a single study. Cross-species degradation of these and other known Lon substrates revealed that human Lon is unable to degrade many bacterial Lon substrates, suggestive of a “organism-adapted” substrate selection mechanism for the natural Lon variants. However, individually replacing the N, A, and P domains of human Lon with the counterparts of bacterial Lon did not enable the human protease to degrade the same bacterial Lon substrates. This result showed that the “organism-adapted” substrate selection depends on multiple domains of the Lon proteases. Further in vitro proteolysis and mass spectrometry analysis revealed a similar substrate cleavage pattern between the bacterial and human Lon variants, which was exemplified by predominant representation of leucine, alanine, and other hydrophobic amino acids at the P(−1) site within the substrates. These observations suggest that the Lon proteases select their substrates at least in part by fine structural matching with the proteins in the same organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong He
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongyang Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST and Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China
| | - Chunhao Li
- Philip Research Institute for Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xuegong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division, TNLIST and Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 10084, China
| | - Jing-Ren Zhang
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Toxin-Antitoxin Modules Are Pliable Switches Activated by Multiple Protease Pathways. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8070214. [PMID: 27409636 PMCID: PMC4963847 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8070214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are bacterial regulatory switches that facilitate conflicting outcomes for cells by promoting a pro-survival phenotypic adaptation and/or by directly mediating cell death, all through the toxin activity upon degradation of antitoxin. Intensive study has revealed specific details of TA module functions, but significant gaps remain about the molecular details of activation via antitoxin degradation used by different bacteria and in different environments. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the interaction of antitoxins with cellular proteases Lon and ClpP to mediate TA module activation. An understanding of these processes can answer long-standing questions regarding stochastic versus specific activation of TA modules and provide insight into the potential for manipulation of TA modules to alter bacterial growth.
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Abstract
Microorganisms live in fluctuating environments, requiring stress response pathways to resist environmental insults and stress. These pathways dynamically monitor cellular status, and mediate adaptive changes by remodeling the proteome, largely accomplished by remodeling transcriptional networks and protein degradation. The complementarity of fast, specific proteolytic degradation and slower, broad transcriptomic changes gives cells the mechanistic repertoire to dynamically adjust cellular processes and optimize response behavior. Together, this enables cells to minimize the 'cost' of the response while maximizing the ability to survive environmental stress. Here we highlight recent progress in our understanding of transcriptional networks and proteolysis that illustrates the design principles used by bacteria to generate the complex behaviors required to resist stress.
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