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Jiang Z, Huang YH, Kaas Q, Craik DJ, Wang CK. Structure and Activity of Reconstructed Pseudo-Ancestral Cyclotides. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400124. [PMID: 38632079 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400124] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Cyclotides are cyclic peptides that are promising scaffolds for the design of drug candidates and chemical tools. However, despite there being hundreds of reported cyclotides, drug design studies have commonly focussed on a select few prototypic examples. Here, we explored whether ancestral sequence reconstruction could be used to generate new cyclotides for further optimization. We show that the reconstructed 'pseudo-ancestral' sequences, named Ancy-m (for the ancestral cyclotide of the Möbius sub-family) and Ancy-b (for the bracelet sub-family), have well-defined structures like their extant members, comprising the core structural feature of a cyclic cystine knot. This motif underpins efforts to re-engineer cyclotides for agrochemical and therapeutic applications. We further show that the reconstructed sequences are resistant to temperatures approaching boiling, bind to phosphatidyl-ethanolamine lipid bilayers at micromolar affinity, and inhibit the growth of insect cells at inhibitory concentrations in the micromolar range. Interestingly, the Ancy-b cyclotide had a higher oxidative folding yield than its comparator cyclotide cyO2, which belongs to the bracelet cyclotide subfamily known to be notoriously difficult to fold. Overall, this study provides new cyclotide sequences not yet found naturally that could be valuable starting points for the understanding of cyclotide evolution and for further optimization as drug leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Jiang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Conan K Wang
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
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2
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Coyle CW, Knight KA, Brown HC, George SN, Denning G, Branella GM, Childers KC, Spiegel PC, Spencer HT, Doering CB. Humanization and functional characterization of enhanced coagulation factor IX variants identified through ancestral sequence reconstruction. J Thromb Haemost 2024; 22:633-644. [PMID: 38016519 PMCID: PMC10922771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.11.010] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laboratory resurrection of ancient coagulation factor (F) IX variants generated through ancestral sequence reconstruction led to the discovery of a FIX variant, designated An96, which possesses enhanced specific activity independent of and additive to that provided by human p.Arg384Lys, referred to as FIX-Padua. OBJECTIVES The goal of the current study was to identify the amino acid substitution(s) responsible for the enhanced activity of An96 and create a humanized An96 FIX transgene for gene therapy application. METHODS Reductionist screening approaches, including domain swapping and scanning residue substitution, were used and guided by one-stage FIX activity assays. In vitro characterization of top candidates included recombinant high-purity preparation, specific activity determination, and enzyme kinetic analysis. Final candidates were packaged into adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors and delivered to hemophilia B mice. RESULTS Five of 42 total amino acid substitutions in An96 appear sufficient to retain the enhanced activity of An96 in an otherwise human FIX variant. Additional substitution of the Padua variant further increased the specific activity 5-fold. This candidate, designated ET9, demonstrated 51-fold greater specific activity than hFIX. AAV2/8-ET9 treated hemophilia B mice produced plasma FIX activities equivalent to those observed previously for AAV2/8-An96-Padua, which were 10-fold higher than AAV2/8-hFIX-Padua. CONCLUSION Starting from computationally inferred ancient FIX sequences, novel amino acid substitutions conferring activity enhancement were identified and translated into an AAV-FIX gene therapy cassette demonstrating high potency. This ancestral sequence reconstruction discovery and sequence mapping refinement approach represents a promising platform for broader protein drug and gene therapy candidate optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Coyle
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kristopher A Knight
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gianna M Branella
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kenneth C Childers
- Chemistry Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - P Clint Spiegel
- Chemistry Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - H Trent Spencer
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher B Doering
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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3
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Nicoll CR, Massari M, Fraaije MW, Mascotti ML, Mattevi A. Impact of ancestral sequence reconstruction on mechanistic and structural enzymology. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102669. [PMID: 37544113 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102669] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) provides insight into the changes within a protein sequence across evolution. More specifically, it can illustrate how specific amino acid changes give rise to different phenotypes within a protein family. Over the last few decades it has established itself as a powerful technique for revealing molecular common denominators that govern enzyme function. Here, we describe the strength of ASR in unveiling catalytic mechanisms and emerging phenotypes for a range of different proteins, also highlighting biotechnological applications the methodology can provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum R Nicoll
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marta Massari
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco W Fraaije
- Molecular Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG Groningen, the Netherlands. https://twitter.com/fraaije1
| | - Maria Laura Mascotti
- Molecular Enzymology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG Groningen, the Netherlands; IMIBIO-SL CONICET, Facultad de Química Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los Andes 950, D5700HHW, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Andrea Mattevi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Nandel V, Scadden J, Baker MAB. Ion-Powered Rotary Motors: Where Did They Come from and Where They Are Going? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10601. [PMID: 37445779 PMCID: PMC10341847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310601] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular motors are found in many living organisms. One such molecular machine, the ion-powered rotary motor (IRM), requires the movement of ions across a membrane against a concentration gradient to drive rotational movement. The bacterial flagellar motor (BFM) is an example of an IRM which relies on ion movement through the stator proteins to generate the rotation of the flagella. There are many ions which can be used by the BFM stators to power motility and different ions can be used by a single bacterium expressing multiple stator variants. The use of ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) and functional analysis of reconstructed stators shows promise for understanding how these proteins evolved and when the divergence in ion use may have occurred. In this review, we discuss extant BFM stators and the ions that power them as well as recent examples of the use of ASR to study ion-channel selectivity and how this might be applied to further study of the BFM stator complex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew A. B. Baker
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2033, Australia; (V.N.); (J.S.)
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Tang Q, Hu Z, Zhao J, Zhou T, Tang S, Wang P, Xiao R, Chen Y, Wu L, Zhou M, Liang D. CRISPR-Mediated In Situ Introduction or Integration of F9-Padua in Human iPSCs for Gene Therapy of Hemophilia B. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109013. [PMID: 37240366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophilia B (HB) is an X-linked recessive disease caused by F9 gene mutation and functional coagulation factor IX (FIX) deficiency. Patients suffer from chronic arthritis and death threats owing to excessive bleeding. Compared with traditional treatments, gene therapy for HB has obvious advantages, especially when the hyperactive FIX mutant (FIX-Padua) is used. However, the mechanism by which FIX-Padua works remains ambiguous due to a lack of research models. Here, in situ introduction of F9-Padua mutation was performed in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) via CRISPR/Cas9 and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs). The hyperactivity of FIX-Padua was confirmed to be 364% of the normal level in edited hiPSCs-derived hepatocytes, providing a reliable model for exploring the mechanism of the hyperactivity of FIX-Padua. Moreover, the F9 cDNA containing F9-Padua was integrated before the F9 initiation codon by CRISPR/Cas9 in iPSCs from an HB patient (HB-hiPSCs). Integrated HB-hiPSCs after off-target screening were differentiated into hepatocytes. The FIX activity in the supernatant of integrated hepatocytes showed a 4.2-fold increase and reached 63.64% of the normal level, suggesting a universal treatment for HB patients with various mutations in F9 exons. Overall, our study provides new approaches for the exploration and development of cell-based gene therapy for HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Zhiqing Hu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Junya Zhao
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Shuqing Tang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Peiyun Wang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Rou Xiao
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Lingqian Wu
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Miaojin Zhou
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Desheng Liang
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
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Clifton BE, Kozome D, Laurino P. Efficient Exploration of Sequence Space by Sequence-Guided Protein Engineering and Design. Biochemistry 2023; 62:210-220. [PMID: 35245020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The rapid growth of sequence databases over the past two decades means that protein engineers faced with optimizing a protein for any given task will often have immediate access to a vast number of related protein sequences. These sequences encode information about the evolutionary history of the protein and the underlying sequence requirements to produce folded, stable, and functional protein variants. Methods that can take advantage of this information are an increasingly important part of the protein engineering tool kit. In this Perspective, we discuss the utility of sequence data in protein engineering and design, focusing on recent advances in three main areas: the use of ancestral sequence reconstruction as an engineering tool to generate thermostable and multifunctional proteins, the use of sequence data to guide engineering of multipoint mutants by structure-based computational protein design, and the use of unlabeled sequence data for unsupervised and semisupervised machine learning, allowing the generation of diverse and functional protein sequences in unexplored regions of sequence space. Altogether, these methods enable the rapid exploration of sequence space within regions enriched with functional proteins and therefore have great potential for accelerating the engineering of stable, functional, and diverse proteins for industrial and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben E Clifton
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Dan Kozome
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Paola Laurino
- Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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