1
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Oliveira NFB, Rodrigues FEP, Vitorino JNM, Loureiro RJS, Faísca PFN, Machuqueiro M. Predicting stable binding modes from simulated dimers of the D76N mutant of β 2-microglobulin. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5160-5169. [PMID: 34630936 PMCID: PMC8473664 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
β2m D76N mutant populates an aggregation-prone monomer (I2) with unstructured termini. MD and MM-PBSA indicate that I2 dimers are stabilized by hydrophobic interactions. The termini regions and BC- and DE-loops are prevalent in the most stable interfaces. The most stable dimer has a limited growth potential without structural rearrangement.
The D76N mutant of the β2m protein is a biologically motivated model system to study protein aggregation. There is strong experimental evidence, supported by molecular simulations, that D76N populates a highly dynamic conformation (which we originally named I2) that exposes aggregation-prone patches as a result of the detachment of the two terminal regions. Here, we use Molecular Dynamics simulations to study the stability of an ensemble of dimers of I2 generated via protein–protein docking. MM-PBSA calculations indicate that within the ensemble of investigated dimers the major contribution to interface stabilization at physiological pH comes from hydrophobic interactions between apolar residues. Our structural analysis also reveals that the interfacial region associated with the most stable binding modes are particularly rich in residues pertaining to both the N- and C-terminus, as well residues from the BC- and DE-loops. On the other hand, the less stable interfaces are stabilized by intermolecular interactions involving residues from the CD- and EF-loops. By focusing on the most stable binding modes, we used a simple geometric rule to propagate the corresponding dimer interfaces. We found that, in the absence of any kind of structural rearrangement occurring at an early stage of the oligomerization pathway, some interfaces drive a self-limited growth process, while others can be propagated indefinitely allowing the formation of long, polymerized chains. In particular, the interfacial region of the most stable binding mode reported here falls in the class of self-limited growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno F B Oliveira
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Filipe E P Rodrigues
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - João N M Vitorino
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Rui J S Loureiro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Patrícia F N Faísca
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon 1749-016, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Campo Grande, C8 bdg, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
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2
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Morand J, Nunes A, Faísca PFN. The folding space of protein β2-microglobulin is modulated by a single disulfide bridge. Phys Biol 2021; 18. [PMID: 34098544 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac08ec] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Protein beta-2-microglobulin (β2m) is classically considered the causative agent of dialysis related amyloidosis, a conformational disorder that affects patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. The wild type (WT) form, the ΔN6 structural variant, and the D76N mutant have been extensively used as model systems ofβ2m aggregation. In all of them, the native structure is stabilized by a disulfide bridge between the sulphur atoms of the cysteine residues 25 (at B strand) and 80 (at F strand), which has been considered fundamental inβ2m fibrillogenesis. Here, we use extensive discrete molecular dynamics simulations of a full atomistic structure-based model to explore the role of this disulfide bridge as a modulator of the folding space ofβ2m. In particular, by considering different models for the disulfide bridge, we explore the thermodynamics of the folding transition, and the formation of intermediate states that may have the potential to trigger the aggregation cascade. Our results show that the dissulfide bridge affects folding transition and folding thermodynamics of the considered model systems, although to different extents. In particular, when the interaction between the sulphur atoms is stabilized relative to the other intramolecular interactions, or even locked (i.e. permanently established), the WT form populates an intermediate state featuring a well preserved core and two unstructured termini, which was previously detected only for the D76N mutant. The formation of this intermediate state may have important implications in our understanding ofβ2m fibrillogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Morand
- Departamento de Física and BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, CampoGrande, Ed. C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Nunes
- Departamento de Física and BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, CampoGrande, Ed. C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia F N Faísca
- Departamento de Física and BioISI - Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, CampoGrande, Ed. C8, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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3
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Loureiro RJS, Faísca PFN. The Early Phase of β2-Microglobulin Aggregation: Perspectives From Molecular Simulations. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:578433. [PMID: 33134317 PMCID: PMC7550760 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.578433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein β2-microglobulin is the causing agent of two amyloidosis, dialysis related amyloidosis (DRA), affecting the bones and cartilages of individuals with chronic renal failure undergoing long-term hemodialysis, and a systemic amyloidosis, found in one French family, which impairs visceral organs. The protein’s small size and its biomedical significance attracted the attention of theoretical scientists, and there are now several studies addressing its aggregation mechanism in the context of molecular simulations. Here, we review the early phase of β2-microglobulin aggregation, by focusing on the identification and structural characterization of monomers with the ability to trigger aggregation, and initial small oligomers (dimers, tetramers, hexamers etc.) formed in the so-called nucleation phase. We focus our analysis on results from molecular simulations and integrate our views with those coming from in vitro experiments to provide a broader perspective of this interesting field of research. We also outline directions for future computer simulation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui J S Loureiro
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia F N Faísca
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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4
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J S Loureiro R, Vila-Viçosa D, Machuqueiro M, Shakhnovich EI, F N Faísca P. The Early Phase of β2m Aggregation: An Integrative Computational Study Framed on the D76N Mutant and the ΔN6 Variant. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080366. [PMID: 31416179 PMCID: PMC6722664 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human β2-microglobulin (b2m) protein is classically associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA). Recently, the single point mutant D76N was identified as the causative agent of a hereditary systemic amyloidosis affecting visceral organs. To get insight into the early stage of the β2m aggregation mechanism, we used molecular simulations to perform an in depth comparative analysis of the dimerization phase of the D76N mutant and the ΔN6 variant, a cleaved form lacking the first six N-terminal residues, which is a major component of ex vivo amyloid plaques from DRA patients. We also provide first glimpses into the tetramerization phase of D76N at physiological pH. Results from extensive protein–protein docking simulations predict an essential role of the C- and N-terminal regions (both variants), as well as of the BC-loop (ΔN6 variant), DE-loop (both variants) and EF-loop (D76N mutant) in dimerization. The terminal regions are more relevant under acidic conditions while the BC-, DE- and EF-loops gain importance at physiological pH. Our results recapitulate experimental evidence according to which Tyr10 (A-strand), Phe30 and His31 (BC-loop), Trp60 and Phe62 (DE-loop) and Arg97 (C-terminus) act as dimerization hot-spots, and further predict the occurrence of novel residues with the ability to nucleate dimerization, namely Lys-75 (EF-loop) and Trp-95 (C-terminus). We propose that D76N tetramerization is mainly driven by the self-association of dimers via the N-terminus and DE-loop, and identify Arg3 (N-terminus), Tyr10, Phe56 (D-strand) and Trp60 as potential tetramerization hot-spots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui J S Loureiro
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo Vila-Viçosa
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute and Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eugene I Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Patrícia F N Faísca
- BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute and Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal.
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5
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Palese LL. A random version of principal component analysis in data clustering. Comput Biol Chem 2018; 73:57-64. [PMID: 29428276 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Principal component analysis (PCA) is a widespread technique for data analysis that relies on the covariance/correlation matrix of the analyzed data. However, to properly work with high-dimensional data sets, PCA poses severe mathematical constraints on the minimum number of different replicates, or samples, that must be included in the analysis. Generally, improper sampling is due to a small number of data respect to the number of the degrees of freedom that characterize the ensemble. In the field of life sciences it is often important to have an algorithm that can accept poorly dimensioned data sets, including degenerated ones. Here a new random projection algorithm is proposed, in which a random symmetric matrix surrogates the covariance/correlation matrix of PCA, while maintaining the data clustering capacity. We demonstrate that what is important for clustering efficiency of PCA is not the exact form of the covariance/correlation matrix, but simply its symmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Leonardo Palese
- University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs (SMBNOS), Bari 70124, Italy.
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6
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Peng Y, Myers R, Zhang W, Alexov E. Computational Investigation of the Missense Mutations in DHCR7 Gene Associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E141. [PMID: 29300326 PMCID: PMC5796090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a cholesterol synthesis disorder characterized by physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms. It is caused by mutations in 7-dehydroxycholesterolreductase gene (DHCR7) encoding DHCR7 protein, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Here we demonstrate that pathogenic mutations in DHCR7 protein are located either within the transmembrane region or are near the ligand-binding site, and are highly conserved among species. In contrast, non-pathogenic mutations observed in the general population are located outside the transmembrane region and have different effects on the conformational dynamics of DHCR7. All together, these observations suggest that the non-classified mutation R228Q is pathogenic. Our analyses indicate that pathogenic effects may affect protein stability and dynamics and alter the binding affinity and flexibility of the binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29630, USA.
| | - Rebecca Myers
- Department of Healthcare Genetics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29630, USA.
| | - Wenxing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29630, USA.
| | - Emil Alexov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29630, USA.
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7
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Loureiro RJS, Vila-Viçosa D, Machuqueiro M, Shakhnovich EI, Faísca PFN. A tale of two tails: The importance of unstructured termini in the aggregation pathway of β2-microglobulin. Proteins 2017; 85:2045-2057. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui J. S. Loureiro
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Diogo Vila-Viçosa
- Centro de Química e Bioquímica; Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- Centro de Química e Bioquímica; Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Eugene I. Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology; Harvard University; Cambridge Massachusetts
| | - Patricia F. N. Faísca
- BioISI - Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
- Departamento de Física; Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
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8
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Narang SS, Shuaib S, Goyal D, Goyal B. Assessing the effect of D59P mutation in the DE loop region in amyloid aggregation propensity of β2‐microglobulin: A molecular dynamics simulation study. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:782-792. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simranjeet S. Narang
- Department of Chemistry School of Basic and Applied Sciences Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Punjab India
| | - Suniba Shuaib
- Department of Chemistry School of Basic and Applied Sciences Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Punjab India
| | - Deepti Goyal
- Department of Chemistry School of Basic and Applied Sciences Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Punjab India
| | - Bhupesh Goyal
- Department of Chemistry School of Basic and Applied Sciences Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Punjab India
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9
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Carrillo-Parramon O, Brancolini G, Corni S. A dynamical coarse-grained model to disclose allosteric control of misfolding β2-microglobulin. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra15491c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of a novel Coarse-Grained (CG) model to study β2-microglobulin dynamical features related to fibrillation: our one CG bead model is able to indicate propensities in the deformation behavior of the protein via investigation of the protein motion correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - S. Corni
- CNR Institute of Nanoscience
- 41125 Modena
- Italy
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10
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Estácio SG, Martiniano HFMC, Faísca PFN. Thermal unfolding simulations of NBD1 domain variants reveal structural motifs associated with the impaired folding of F508del-CFTR. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:2834-48. [DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00193a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The deletion of phenylalanine 508 reshapes the conformational space of the NBD1 domain that populates unique intermediate states that provide insights into the molecular events that underlie the impaired folding of F508del-NBD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia G. Estácio
- BioISI – Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute
- Faculdade de Ciências
- Universidade de Lisboa
- 1749-016 Lisboa
- Portugal
| | - Hugo F. M. C. Martiniano
- BioISI – Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute
- Faculdade de Ciências
- Universidade de Lisboa
- 1749-016 Lisboa
- Portugal
| | - Patrícia F. N. Faísca
- BioISI – Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute
- Faculdade de Ciências
- Universidade de Lisboa
- 1749-016 Lisboa
- Portugal
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11
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Faísca PF. Knotted proteins: A tangled tale of Structural Biology. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2015; 13:459-68. [PMID: 26380658 PMCID: PMC4556803 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2015.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Knotted proteins have their native structures arranged in the form of an open knot. In the last ten years researchers have been making significant efforts to reveal their folding mechanism and understand which functional advantage(s) knots convey to their carriers. Molecular simulations have been playing a fundamental role in this endeavor, and early computational predictions about the knotting mechanism have just been confirmed in wet lab experiments. Here we review a collection of simulation results that allow outlining the current status of the field of knotted proteins, and discuss directions for future research.
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12
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Estácio SG, Leal SS, Cristóvão JS, Faísca PFN, Gomes CM. Calcium binding to gatekeeper residues flanking aggregation-prone segments underlies non-fibrillar amyloid traits in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1854:118-26. [PMID: 25463043 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Calcium deregulation is a central feature among neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Calcium accumulates in the spinal and brain stem motor neurons of ALS patients triggering multiple pathophysiological processes which have been recently shown to include direct effects on the aggregation cascade of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). SOD1 is a Cu/Zn enzyme whose demetallated form is implicated in ALS protein deposits, contributing to toxic gain of function phenotypes. Here we undertake a combined experimental and computational study aimed at establishing the molecular details underlying the regulatory effects of Ca(2+) over SOD1 aggregation potential. Isothermal titration calorimetry indicates entropy driven low affinity association of Ca(2+) ions to apo SOD1, at pH7.5 and 37°C. Molecular dynamics simulations denote a noticeable loss of native structure upon Ca(2+) association that is especially prominent at the zinc-binding and electrostatic loops, whose decoupling is known to expose the central SOD1 β-barrel triggering aggregation. Structural mapping of the preferential apo SOD1 Ca(2+) binding locations reveals that among the most frequent ligands for Ca(2+) are negatively-charged gatekeeper residues located in boundary positions with respect to segments highly prone to edge-to-edge aggregation. Calcium interactions thus diminish gatekeeping roles of these residues, by shielding repulsive interactions via stacking between aggregating β-sheets, partly blocking fibril formation and promoting amyloidogenic oligomers such as those found in ALS inclusions. Interestingly, many fALS mutations occur at these positions, disclosing how Ca(2+) interactions recreate effects similar to those of genetic defects, a finding with relevance to understand sporadic ALS pathomechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia G Estácio
- Centro de Física da Matéria Condensada, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sónia S Leal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Joana S Cristóvão
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Patrícia F N Faísca
- Centro de Física da Matéria Condensada, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Cláudio M Gomes
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal.
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13
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Estácio SG, Krobath H, Vila-Viçosa D, Machuqueiro M, Shakhnovich EI, Faísca PFN. A simulated intermediate state for folding and aggregation provides insights into ΔN6 β2-microglobulin amyloidogenic behavior. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003606. [PMID: 24809460 PMCID: PMC4014404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A major component of ex vivo amyloid plaques of patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is a cleaved variant of β2-microglobulin (ΔN6) lacking the first six N-terminal residues. Here we perform a computational study on ΔN6, which provides clues to understand the amyloidogenicity of the full-length β2-microglobulin. Contrary to the wild-type form, ΔN6 is able to efficiently nucleate fibrillogenesis in vitro at physiological pH. This behavior is enhanced by a mild acidification of the medium such as that occurring in the synovial fluid of DRA patients. Results reported in this work, based on molecular simulations, indicate that deletion of the N-terminal hexapeptide triggers the formation of an intermediate state for folding and aggregation with an unstructured strand A and a native-like core. Strand A plays a pivotal role in aggregation by acting as a sticky hook in dimer assembly. This study further predicts that the detachment of strand A from the core is maximized at pH 6.2 resulting into higher aggregation efficiency. The structural mapping of the dimerization interface suggests that Tyr10, His13, Phe30 and His84 are hot-spot residues in ΔN6 amyloidogenesis. Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is a conformational disease that affects individuals undergoing long-term haemodialysis. In DRA the progressive accumulation of protein human β2-microglobulin (Hβ2m) in the osteoarticular system, followed by its assembly into amyloid fibrils, eventually leads to tissue erosion and destruction. Disclosing the aggregation mechanism of Hβ2m under physiologically relevant conditions represents a major challenge due to the inability of the protein to efficiently nucleate fibrillogenesis in vitro at physiological pH. On the other hand, ΔN6, a truncated variant of Hβ2m, which is also a major component of ex vivo amyloid deposits extracted from DRA patients, is able to efficiently form amyloid fibrils de novo in physiological conditions. This amyloidogenic behavior is dramatically enhanced in a slightly more acidic pH (6.2) compatible with the mild acidification that occurs in the synovial fluid of DRA patients. In this work, an innovative three-stage methodological approach, relying on an array of molecular simulations, spanning different levels of resolution is used to investigate the initial stage of the de novo aggregation mechanism of ΔN6 in a physiologically relevant pH range. We identify an intermediate state for folding and aggregation, whose potential to dimerize is enhanced at pH 6.2. Our results provide rationalizations for previous experimental observations and new insights into the molecular basis of DRA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia G. Estácio
- Centro de Física da Matéria Condensada & Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Heinrich Krobath
- Centro de Física da Matéria Condensada & Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo Vila-Viçosa
- Centro de Química e Bioquímica & Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Miguel Machuqueiro
- Centro de Química e Bioquímica & Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eugene I. Shakhnovich
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EIS); (PFNF)
| | - Patrícia F. N. Faísca
- Centro de Física da Matéria Condensada & Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail: (EIS); (PFNF)
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