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Dong F, Lojko P, Bazzone A, Bernhard F, Borodina I. Transporter function characterization via continuous-exchange cell-free synthesis and solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 159:108732. [PMID: 38810322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108732] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Functional characterization of transporters is impeded by the high cost and technical challenges of current transporter assays. Thus, in this work, we developed a new characterization workflow that combines cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) and solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME). For this, membrane protein synthesis was accomplished in a continuous exchange cell-free system (CECF) in the presence of nanodiscs. The resulting transporters expressed in nanodiscs were incorporated into proteoliposomes and assayed in the presence of different substrates using the surface electrogenic event reader. As a proof of concept, we validated this workflow to express and characterize five diverse transporters: the drug/H+-coupled antiporters EmrE and SugE, the lactose permease LacY, the Na+/H+ antiporter NhaA from Escherichia coli, and the mitochondrial carrier AAC2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. For all transporters kinetic parameters, such as KM, IMAX, and pH dependency, were evaluated. This robust and expedite workflow (e.g., can be executed within only five workdays) offers a convenient direct functional assessment of transporter protein activity and has the ability to facilitate applications of transporters in medical and biotechnological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Dong
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Pawel Lojko
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | | | - Frank Bernhard
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, J.W. Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark.
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Lucero RM, Demirer K, Yeh TJ, Stockbridge RB. Transport of metformin metabolites by guanidinium exporters of the small multidrug resistance family. J Gen Physiol 2024; 156:e202313464. [PMID: 38294434 PMCID: PMC10829512 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins from the small multidrug resistance (SMR) family are frequently associated with horizontally transferred multidrug resistance gene arrays found in bacteria from wastewater and the human-adjacent biosphere. Recent studies suggest that a subset of SMR transporters might participate in the metabolism of the common pharmaceutical metformin by bacterial consortia. Here, we show that both genomic and plasmid-associated transporters of the SMRGdx functional subtype export byproducts of microbial metformin metabolism, with particularly high export efficiency for guanylurea. We use solid-supported membrane electrophysiology to evaluate the transport kinetics for guanylurea and native substrate guanidinium by four representative SMRGdx homologs. Using an internal reference to normalize independent electrophysiology experiments, we show that transport rates are comparable for genomic and plasmid-associated SMRGdx homologs, and using a proteoliposome-based transport assay, we show that 2 proton:1 substrate transport stoichiometry is maintained. Additional characterization of guanidinium and guanylurea export properties focuses on the structurally characterized homolog, Gdx-Clo, for which we examined the pH dependence and thermodynamics of substrate binding and solved an x-ray crystal structure with guanylurea bound. Together, these experiments contribute in two main ways. By providing the first detailed kinetic examination of the structurally characterized SMRGdx homolog Gdx-Clo, they provide a functional framework that will inform future mechanistic studies of this model transport protein. Second, this study casts light on a potential role for SMRGdx transporters in microbial handling of metformin and its microbial metabolic byproducts, providing insight into how native transport physiologies are co-opted to contend with new selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M. Lucero
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kemal Demirer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Randy B. Stockbridge
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Körner A, Bazzone A, Wichert M, Barthmes M, Dondapati SK, Fertig N, Kubick S. Unraveling the kinetics and pharmacology of human PepT1 using solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 155:108573. [PMID: 37748262 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108573] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The human Peptide Transporter 1 (hPepT1) is known for its broad substrate specificity and its ability to transport (pro-)drugs. Here, we present an in-depth comprehensive study of hPepT1 and its interactions with various substrates via solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME). Using hPepT1-containing vesicles, we could not identify any peptide induced pre-steady-state currents, indicating that the recorded peak currents reflect steady-state transport. Electrogenic co-transport of H+/glycylglycine (GlyGly) was observed across a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0. The pH dependence is described by a bell-shaped activity curve and two pK values. KM and relative Vmax values of various canonical and non-canonical peptide substrates were contextualized with current mechanistic understandings of hPepT1. Finally, specific inhibition was observed for various inhibitors in a high throughput format, and IC50 values are reported. Taken together, these findings contribute to promoting the design and analysis of pharmacologically relevant substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Körner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andre Bazzone
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Wichert
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Biochemistry, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Barthmes
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany
| | - Srujan Kumar Dondapati
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Niels Fertig
- Nanion Technologies GmbH, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Kubick
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Biochemistry, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Germany
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Bazzone A, Barthmes M, George C, Brinkwirth N, Zerlotti R, Prinz V, Cole K, Friis S, Dickson A, Rice S, Lim J, Fern Toh M, Mohammadi M, Pau D, Stone DJ, Renger JJ, Fertig N. A Comparative Study on the Lysosomal Cation Channel TMEM175 Using Automated Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp, Lysosomal Patch-Clamp, and Solid Supported Membrane-Based Electrophysiology: Functional Characterization and High-Throughput Screening Assay Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12788. [PMID: 37628970 PMCID: PMC10454728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The lysosomal cation channel TMEM175 is a Parkinson's disease-related protein and a promising drug target. Unlike whole-cell automated patch-clamp (APC), lysosomal patch-clamp (LPC) facilitates physiological conditions, but is not yet suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) applications. Here, we apply solid supported membrane-based electrophysiology (SSME), which enables both direct access to lysosomes and high-throughput electrophysiological recordings. In SSME, ion translocation mediated by TMEM175 is stimulated using a concentration gradient at a resting potential of 0 mV. The concentration-dependent K+ response exhibited an I/c curve with two distinct slopes, indicating the existence of two conducting states. We measured H+ fluxes with a permeability ratio of PH/PK = 48,500, which matches literature findings from patch-clamp studies, validating the SSME approach. Additionally, TMEM175 displayed a high pH dependence. Decreasing cytosolic pH inhibited both K+ and H+ conductivity of TMEM175. Conversely, lysosomal pH and pH gradients did not have major effects on TMEM175. Finally, we developed HTS assays for drug screening and evaluated tool compounds (4-AP, Zn as inhibitors; DCPIB, arachidonic acid, SC-79 as enhancers) using SSME and APC. Additionally, we recorded EC50 data for eight blinded TMEM175 enhancers and compared the results across all three assay technologies, including LPC, discussing their advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Bazzone
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Maria Barthmes
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Cecilia George
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Nina Brinkwirth
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Rocco Zerlotti
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
- RIGeL-Regensburg International Graduate School of Life Sciences, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valentin Prinz
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Kim Cole
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Søren Friis
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
| | - Alexander Dickson
- SB Drug Discovery, West of Scotland Science Park, Glasgow G20 0XA, UK; (A.D.); (S.R.)
| | - Simon Rice
- SB Drug Discovery, West of Scotland Science Park, Glasgow G20 0XA, UK; (A.D.); (S.R.)
| | - Jongwon Lim
- Cerevel Therapeutics, 222 Jacobs St, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; (J.L.); (M.F.T.); (D.J.S.); (J.J.R.)
| | - May Fern Toh
- Cerevel Therapeutics, 222 Jacobs St, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; (J.L.); (M.F.T.); (D.J.S.); (J.J.R.)
| | | | - Davide Pau
- SB Drug Discovery, West of Scotland Science Park, Glasgow G20 0XA, UK; (A.D.); (S.R.)
| | - David J. Stone
- Cerevel Therapeutics, 222 Jacobs St, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; (J.L.); (M.F.T.); (D.J.S.); (J.J.R.)
| | - John J. Renger
- Cerevel Therapeutics, 222 Jacobs St, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA; (J.L.); (M.F.T.); (D.J.S.); (J.J.R.)
| | - Niels Fertig
- Nanion Technologies, Ganghoferstr. 70a, 80339 Munich, Germany (V.P.); (S.F.)
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