1
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Grunst MW, Qin Z, Dodero-Rojas E, Ding S, Prévost J, Chen Y, Hu Y, Pazgier M, Wu S, Xie X, Finzi A, Onuchic JN, Whitford PC, Mothes W, Li W. Structure and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 spike refolding in membranes. Science 2024; 385:757-765. [PMID: 39146425 DOI: 10.1126/science.adn5658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein binds the receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and drives virus-host membrane fusion through refolding of its S2 domain. Whereas the S1 domain contains high sequence variability, the S2 domain is conserved and is a promising pan-betacoronavirus vaccine target. We applied cryo-electron tomography to capture intermediates of S2 refolding and understand inhibition by antibodies to the S2 stem-helix. Subtomogram averaging revealed ACE2 dimers cross-linking spikes before transitioning into S2 intermediates, which were captured at various stages of refolding. Pan-betacoronavirus neutralizing antibodies targeting the S2 stem-helix bound to and inhibited refolding of spike prehairpin intermediates. Combined with molecular dynamics simulations, these structures elucidate the process of SARS-CoV-2 entry and reveal how pan-betacoronavirus S2-targeting antibodies neutralize infectivity by arresting prehairpin intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Grunst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhuan Qin
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Shilei Ding
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Jérémie Prévost
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Yaozong Chen
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Yanping Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Marzena Pazgier
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4712, USA
| | - Shenping Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Xuping Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - José N Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Walther Mothes
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenwei Li
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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2
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Włodarski T, Streit JO, Mitropoulou A, Cabrita LD, Vendruscolo M, Christodoulou J. Bayesian reweighting of biomolecular structural ensembles using heterogeneous cryo-EM maps with the cryoENsemble method. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18149. [PMID: 39103467 PMCID: PMC11300795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68468-7] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as a powerful method for the determination of structures of complex biological molecules. The accurate characterisation of the dynamics of such systems, however, remains a challenge. To address this problem, we introduce cryoENsemble, a method that applies Bayesian reweighting to conformational ensembles derived from molecular dynamics simulations to improve their agreement with cryo-EM data, thus enabling the extraction of dynamics information. We illustrate the use of cryoENsemble to determine the dynamics of the ribosome-bound state of the co-translational chaperone trigger factor (TF). We also show that cryoENsemble can assist with the interpretation of low-resolution, noisy or unaccounted regions of cryo-EM maps. Notably, we are able to link an unaccounted part of the cryo-EM map to the presence of another protein (methionine aminopeptidase, or MetAP), rather than to the dynamics of TF, and model its TF-bound state. Based on these results, we anticipate that cryoENsemble will find use for challenging heterogeneous cryo-EM maps for biomolecular systems encompassing dynamic components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Włodarski
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Julian O Streit
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Alkistis Mitropoulou
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Lisa D Cabrita
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - John Christodoulou
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
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3
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Singh V, Itoh Y, Del'Olio S, Hassan A, Naschberger A, Flygaard RK, Nobe Y, Izumikawa K, Aibara S, Andréll J, Whitford PC, Barrientos A, Taoka M, Amunts A. Mitoribosome structure with cofactors and modifications reveals mechanism of ligand binding and interactions with L1 stalk. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4272. [PMID: 38769321 PMCID: PMC11106087 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48163-x] [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: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The mitoribosome translates mitochondrial mRNAs and regulates energy conversion that is a signature of aerobic life forms. We present a 2.2 Å resolution structure of human mitoribosome together with validated mitoribosomal RNA (rRNA) modifications, including aminoacylated CP-tRNAVal. The structure shows how mitoribosomal proteins stabilise binding of mRNA and tRNA helping to align it in the decoding center, whereas the GDP-bound mS29 stabilizes intersubunit communication. Comparison between different states, with respect to tRNA position, allowed us to characterize a non-canonical L1 stalk, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed how it facilitates tRNA transitions in a way that does not require interactions with rRNA. We also report functionally important polyamines that are depleted when cells are subjected to an antibiotic treatment. The structural, biochemical, and computational data illuminate the principal functional components of the translation mechanism in mitochondria and provide a description of the structure and function of the human mitoribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Singh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
| | - Yuzuru Itoh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Samuel Del'Olio
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Asem Hassan
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Andreas Naschberger
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasmus Kock Flygaard
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yuko Nobe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Keiichi Izumikawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1, Noshio, Kiyose-shi, Tokyo, 204-8588, Japan
| | - Shintaro Aibara
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden
| | - Juni Andréll
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Antoni Barrientos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Masato Taoka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-osawa 1-1, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Alexey Amunts
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17165, Solna, Sweden.
- Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
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4
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Singh V, Itoh Y, Del'Olio S, Hassan A, Naschberger A, Flygaard RK, Nobe Y, Izumikawa K, Aibara S, Andréll J, Whitford PC, Barrientos A, Taoka M, Amunts A. Structure of mitoribosome reveals mechanism of mRNA binding, tRNA interactions with L1 stalk, roles of cofactors and rRNA modifications. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.24.542018. [PMID: 37503168 PMCID: PMC10369894 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.542018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The mitoribosome translates mitochondrial mRNAs and regulates energy conversion that is a signature of aerobic life forms. We present a 2.2 Å resolution structure of human mitoribosome together with validated mitoribosomal RNA (rRNA) modifications, including aminoacylated CP-tRNA Val . The structure shows how mitoribosomal proteins stabilise binding of mRNA and tRNA helping to align it in the decoding center, whereas the GDP-bound mS29 stabilizes intersubunit communication. Comparison between different states, with respect to tRNA position, allowed to characterize a non-canonical L1 stalk, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed how it facilitates tRNA transition in a way that does not require interactions with rRNA. We also report functionally important polyamines that are depleted when cells are subjected to an antibiotic treatment. The structural, biochemical, and computational data illuminate the principal functional components of the translation mechanism in mitochondria and provide the most complete description so far of the structure and function of the human mitoribosome.
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5
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Dong W, Tang C, Chu WT, Wang E, Wang J. Effects of Mass Change on Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of the RNA-Binding Protein Fused in Sarcoma. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13040625. [PMID: 37189373 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, many experimental and theoretical studies of protein liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) have shown its important role in the processes of physiology and pathology. However, there is a lack of definite information on the regulation mechanism of LLPS in vital activities. Recently, we found that the intrinsically disordered proteins with the insertion/deletion of a non-interacting peptide segment or upon isotope replacement could form droplets, and the LLPS states are different from the proteins without those. We believed that there is an opportunity to decipher the LLPS mechanism with the mass change perspective. To investigate the effect of molecular mass on LLPS, we developed a coarse-grained model with different bead masses, including mass 1.0, mass 1.1, mass 1.2, mass 1.3, and mass 1.5 in atomic units or with the insertion of a non-interacting peptide (10 aa) and performed molecular dynamic simulations. Consequently, we found that the mass increase promotes the LLPS stability, which is based on decreasing the z motion rate and increasing the density and the inter-chain interaction of droplets. This insight into LLPS by mass change paves the way for the regulation and relevant diseases on LLPS.
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6
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Banerjee A, Gosavi S. Potential Self-Peptide Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:855-865. [PMID: 36689738 PMCID: PMC9883841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05917] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) plays an essential role in viral replication, cleaving viral polyproteins into functional proteins. This makes Mpro an important drug target. Mpro consists of an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal α-helical domain (MproC). Previous studies have shown that peptides derived from a given protein sequence (self-peptides) can affect the folding and, in turn, the function of that protein. Since the SARS-CoV-1 MproC is known to stabilize its Mpro and regulate its function, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 MproC-derived self-peptides may modulate the folding and the function of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. To test this, we studied the folding of MproC in the presence of various self-peptides using coarse-grained structure-based models and molecular dynamics simulations. In these simulations of MproC and one self-peptide, we found that two self-peptides, the α1-helix and the loop between α4 and α5 (loop4), could replace the equivalent native sequences in the MproC structure. Replacement of either sequence in full-length Mpro should, in principle, be able to perturb Mpro function albeit through different mechanisms. Some general principles for the rational design of self-peptide inhibitors emerge: The simulations show that prefolded self-peptides are more likely to replace native sequences than those which do not possess structure. Additionally, the α1-helix self-peptide is kinetically stable and once inserted rarely exchanges with the native α1-helix, while the loop4 self-peptide is easily replaced by the native loop4, making it less useful for modulating function. In summary, a prefolded α1-derived peptide should be able to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Mpro function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadeep Banerjee
- Simons Centre for the Study
of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
| | - Shachi Gosavi
- Simons Centre for the Study
of Living Machines, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru 560065, India
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7
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Yadahalli S, Jayanthi LP, Gosavi S. A Method for Assessing the Robustness of Protein Structures by Randomizing Packing Interactions. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:849272. [PMID: 35832734 PMCID: PMC9271847 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.849272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Many single-domain proteins are not only stable and water-soluble, but they also populate few to no intermediates during folding. This reduces interactions between partially folded proteins, misfolding, and aggregation, and makes the proteins tractable in biotechnological applications. Natural proteins fold thus, not necessarily only because their structures are well-suited for folding, but because their sequences optimize packing and fit their structures well. In contrast, folding experiments on the de novo designed Top7 suggest that it populates several intermediates. Additionally, in de novo protein design, where sequences are designed for natural and new non-natural structures, tens of sequences still need to be tested before success is achieved. Both these issues may be caused by the specific scaffolds used in design, i.e., some protein scaffolds may be more tolerant to packing perturbations and varied sequences. Here, we report a computational method for assessing the response of protein structures to packing perturbations. We then benchmark this method using designed proteins and find that it can identify scaffolds whose folding gets disrupted upon perturbing packing, leading to the population of intermediates. The method can also isolate regions of both natural and designed scaffolds that are sensitive to such perturbations and identify contacts which when present can rescue folding. Overall, this method can be used to identify protein scaffolds that are more amenable to whole protein design as well as to identify protein regions which are sensitive to perturbations and where further mutations should be avoided during protein engineering.
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8
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Freitas FC, Fuchs G, de Oliveira RJ, Whitford PC. The dynamics of subunit rotation in a eukaryotic ribosome. BIOPHYSICA 2021; 1:204-221. [PMID: 37484008 PMCID: PMC10361705 DOI: 10.3390/biophysica1020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Protein synthesis by the ribosome is coordinated by an intricate series of large-scale conformational rearrangements. Structural studies can provide information about long-lived states, however biological kinetics are controlled by the intervening free-energy barriers. While there has been progress describing the energy landscapes of bacterial ribosomes, very little is known about the energetics of large-scale rearrangements in eukaryotic systems. To address this topic, we constructed an all-atom model with simplified energetics and performed simulations of subunit rotation in the yeast ribosome. In these simulations, the small subunit (SSU; ~1MDa) undergoes spontaneous and reversible rotations (~8°). By enabling the simulation of this rearrangement under equilibrium conditions, these calculations provide initial insights into the molecular factors that control dynamics in eukaryotic ribosomes. Through this, we are able to identify specific inter-subunit interactions that have a pronounced influence on the rate-limiting free-energy barrier. We also show that, as a result of changes in molecular flexibility, the thermodynamic balance between the rotated and unrotated states is temperature-dependent. This effect may be interpreted in terms of differential molecular flexibility within the rotated and unrotated states. Together, these calculations provide a foundation, upon which the field may begin to dissect the energetics of these complex molecular machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederico Campos Freitas
- Laboratório de Biofísica Teórica, Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Educação, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Fuchs
- Department of Biological Sciences, The RNA Institute, University at Albany 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY,12222
| | - Ronaldo Junio de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Biofísica Teórica, Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Naturais e Educação, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Paul Charles Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
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9
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Chu WT, Wang J. Thermodynamic and sequential characteristics of phase separation and droplet formation for an intrinsically disordered region/protein ensemble. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008672. [PMID: 33684117 PMCID: PMC7939360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of some IDPs/IDRs can lead to the formation of the membraneless organelles in vitro and in vivo, which are essential for many biological processes in the cell. Here we select three different IDR segments of chaperon Swc5 and develop a polymeric slab model at the residue-level. By performing the molecular dynamics simulations, LLPS can be observed at low temperatures even without charge interactions and disappear at high temperatures. Both the sequence length and the charge pattern of the Swc5 segments can influence the critical temperature of LLPS. The results suggest that the effects of the electrostatic interactions on the LLPS behaviors can change significantly with the ratios and distributions of the charged residues, especially the sequence charge decoration (SCD) values. In addition, three different forms of swc conformation can be distinguished on the phase diagram, which is different from the conventional behavior of the free IDP/IDR. Both the packed form (the condensed-phase) and the dispersed form (the dilute-phase) of swc chains are found to be coexisted when LLPS occurs. They change to the fully-spread form at high temperatures. These findings will be helpful for the investigation of the IDP/IDR ensemble behaviors as well as the fundamental mechanism of the LLPS process in bio-systems. The membraneless organelles caused by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of IDPs/IDRs are involved in a wide range of biological functions such as RNA processing, ribosome biogenesis, and sequestration of mRNA, proteins, and compacted chromatin. In this study, we focus on the histone H2A-H2B binding partner, Swc5 and investigate the effects of the temperature, sequence length and number of charged residues on the LLPS behaviors. Moreover, we proposed three forms of swc conformation in ensemble according to the phase diagram. These characteristics of conformational changes (from LLPS to no LLPS, from condensed-phase to dilute-phase) are observed in the swc chains with different sequence length and charge pattern, which may be the general property for the IDP/IDR ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ting Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry & Physics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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10
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Simulations of Phage T7 Capsid Expansion Reveal the Role of Molecular Sterics on Dynamics. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111273. [PMID: 33171826 PMCID: PMC7695174 DOI: 10.3390/v12111273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics techniques provide numerous strategies for investigating biomolecular energetics, though quantitative analysis is often only accessible for relatively small (frequently monomeric) systems. To address this limit, we use simulations in combination with a simplified energetic model to study complex rearrangements in a large assembly. We use cryo-EM reconstructions to simulate the DNA packaging-associated 3 nm expansion of the protein shell of an initially assembled phage T7 capsid (called procapsid or capsid I). This is accompanied by a disorder-order transition and expansion-associated externalization displacement of the 420 N-terminal tails of the shell proteins. For the simulations, we use an all-atom structure-based model (1.07 million atoms), which is specifically designed to probe the influence of molecular sterics on dynamics. We find that the rate at which the N-terminal tails undergo translocation depends heavily on their position within hexons and pentons. Specifically, trans-shell displacements of the hexon E subunits are the most frequent and hexon A subunits are the least frequent. The simulations also implicate numerous tail translocation intermediates during tail translocation that involve topological traps, as well as sterically induced barriers. The presented study establishes a foundation for understanding the precise relationship between molecular structure and phage maturation.
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11
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Chu X, Suo Z, Wang J. Investigating the trade-off between folding and function in a multidomain Y-family DNA polymerase. eLife 2020; 9:60434. [PMID: 33079059 PMCID: PMC7641590 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The way in which multidomain proteins fold has been a puzzling question for decades. Until now, the mechanisms and functions of domain interactions involved in multidomain protein folding have been obscure. Here, we develop structure-based models to investigate the folding and DNA-binding processes of the multidomain Y-family DNA polymerase IV (DPO4). We uncover shifts in the folding mechanism among ordered domain-wise folding, backtracking folding, and cooperative folding, modulated by interdomain interactions. These lead to ‘U-shaped’ DPO4 folding kinetics. We characterize the effects of interdomain flexibility on the promotion of DPO4–DNA (un)binding, which probably contributes to the ability of DPO4 to bypass DNA lesions, which is a known biological role of Y-family polymerases. We suggest that the native topology of DPO4 leads to a trade-off between fast, stable folding and tight functional DNA binding. Our approach provides an effective way to quantitatively correlate the roles of protein interactions in conformational dynamics at the multidomain level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiakun Chu
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York, United States
| | - Zucai Suo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, United States
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York, United States
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12
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Ngu L, Winters JN, Nguyen K, Ramos KE, DeLateur NA, Makowski L, Whitford PC, Ondrechen MJ, Beuning PJ. Probing remote residues important for catalysis in Escherichia coli ornithine transcarbamoylase. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228487. [PMID: 32027716 PMCID: PMC7004355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how enzymes achieve their tremendous catalytic power is a major question in biochemistry. Greater understanding is also needed for enzyme engineering applications. In many cases, enzyme efficiency and specificity depend on residues not in direct contact with the substrate, termed remote residues. This work focuses on Escherichia coli ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTC), which plays a central role in amino acid metabolism. OTC has been reported to undergo an induced-fit conformational change upon binding its first substrate, carbamoyl phosphate (CP), and several residues important for activity have been identified. Using computational methods based on the computed chemical properties from theoretical titration curves, sequence-based scores derived from evolutionary history, and protein surface topology, residues important for catalytic activity were predicted. The roles of these residues in OTC activity were tested by constructing mutations at predicted positions, followed by steady-state kinetics assays and substrate binding studies with the variants. First-layer mutations R57A and D231A, second-layer mutation H272L, and third-layer mutation E299Q, result in 57- to 450-fold reductions in kcat/KM with respect to CP and 44- to 580-fold reductions with respect to ornithine. Second-layer mutations D140N and Y160S also reduce activity with respect to ornithine. Most variants had decreased stability relative to wild-type OTC, with variants H272L, H272N, and E299Q having the greatest decreases. Variants H272L, E299Q, and R57A also show compromised CP binding. In addition to direct effects on catalytic activity, effects on overall protein stability and substrate binding were observed that reveal the intricacies of how these residues contribute to catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Ngu
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jenifer N. Winters
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kien Nguyen
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kevin E. Ramos
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. DeLateur
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Paul C. Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mary Jo Ondrechen
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MJO); (PJB)
| | - Penny J. Beuning
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MJO); (PJB)
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13
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Bandarkar P, Yang H, Henley RY, Wanunu M, Whitford PC. How Nanopore Translocation Experiments Can Measure RNA Unfolding. Biophys J 2020; 118:1612-1620. [PMID: 32075749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrokinetic translocation of biomolecules through solid-state nanopores represents a label-free single-molecule technique that may be used to measure biomolecular structure and dynamics. Recent investigations have attempted to distinguish individual transfer RNA (tRNA) species based on the associated pore translocation times, ion-current noise, and blockage currents. By manufacturing sufficiently smaller pores, each tRNA is required to undergo a deformation to translocate. Accordingly, differences in nanopore translocation times and distributions may be used to infer the mechanical properties of individual tRNA molecules. To bridge our understanding of tRNA structural dynamics and nanopore measurements, we apply molecular dynamics simulations using a simplified "structure-based" energetic model. Calculating the free-energy landscape for distinct tRNA species implicates transient unfolding of the terminal RNA helix during nanopore translocation. This provides a structural and energetic framework for interpreting current experiments, which can aid the design of methods for identifying macromolecules using nanopores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Bandarkar
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert Y Henley
- Genomic Analysis Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Meni Wanunu
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
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14
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Studying ribosome dynamics with simplified models. Methods 2019; 162-163:128-140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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15
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Levi M, Bandarkar P, Yang H, Wang A, Mohanty U, Noel JK, Whitford PC. Using SMOG 2 to Simulate Complex Biomolecular Assemblies. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2022:129-151. [PMID: 31396902 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9608-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, the application of structure-based (Gō-like) models has ranged from protein folding with coarse-grained models to all-atom representations of large-scale molecular assemblies. While there are many variants that may be employed, the common feature of these models is that some (or all) of the stabilizing energetic interactions are defined based on the knowledge of a particular experimentally obtained conformation. With the generality of this approach, there was a need for a versatile computational platform for designing and implementing this class of models. To this end, the SMOG 2 software package provides an easy-to-use interface, where the user has full control of the model parameters. This software allows the user to edit XML-formatted files in order to provide definitions of new structure-based models. SMOG 2 reads these "template" files and maps the interactions onto specific structures, which are provided in PDB format. The force field files produced by SMOG 2 may then be used to perform simulations with a variety of popular molecular dynamics suites. In this chapter, we describe some of the key features of the SMOG 2 package, while providing examples and strategies for applying these techniques to complex (often large-scale) molecular assemblies, such as the ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Levi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Huan Yang
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ailun Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Udayan Mohanty
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Noel
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Kristallographie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul C Whitford
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Tsafou K, Tiwari PB, Forman-Kay JD, Metallo SJ, Toretsky JA. Targeting Intrinsically Disordered Transcription Factors: Changing the Paradigm. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:2321-2341. [PMID: 29655986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Increased understanding of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein regions has revolutionized our view of the relationship between protein structure and function. Data now support that IDPs can be functional in the absence of a single, fixed, three-dimensional structure. Due to their dynamic morphology, IDPs have the ability to display a range of kinetics and affinity depending on what the system requires, as well as the potential for large-scale association. Although several studies have shed light on the functional properties of IDPs, the class of intrinsically disordered transcription factors (TFs) is still poorly characterized biophysically due to their combination of ordered and disordered sequences. In addition, TF modulation by small molecules has long been considered a difficult or even impossible task, limiting functional probe development. However, with evolving technology, it is becoming possible to characterize TF structure-function relationships in unprecedented detail and explore avenues not available or not considered in the past. Here we provide an introduction to the biophysical properties of intrinsically disordered TFs and we discuss recent computational and experimental efforts toward understanding the role of intrinsically disordered TFs in biology and disease. We describe a series of successful TF targeting strategies that have overcome the perception of the "undruggability" of TFs, providing new leads on drug development methodologies. Lastly, we discuss future challenges and opportunities to enhance our understanding of the structure-function relationship of intrinsically disordered TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tsafou
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - P B Tiwari
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - J D Forman-Kay
- Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - S J Metallo
- Department of Chemistry, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - J A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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17
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Reinartz I, Sinner C, Nettels D, Stucki-Buchli B, Stockmar F, Panek PT, Jacob CR, Nienhaus GU, Schuler B, Schug A. Simulation of FRET dyes allows quantitative comparison against experimental data. J Chem Phys 2018; 148:123321. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5010434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Reinartz
- Department of Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Claude Sinner
- Department of Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
- Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettels
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brigitte Stucki-Buchli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Florian Stockmar
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Pawel T. Panek
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Gaußstraße 17, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph R. Jacob
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, TU Braunschweig, Gaußstraße 17, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gerd Ulrich Nienhaus
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Wolfgang-Gaede-Str. 1, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
- HEiKA–Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Benjamin Schuler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physics, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Schug
- Steinbuch Centre for Computing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- John von Neumann Institute for Computing, Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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18
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Gulay SP, Bista S, Varshney A, Kirmizialtin S, Sanbonmatsu KY, Dinman JD. Tracking fluctuation hotspots on the yeast ribosome through the elongation cycle. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:4958-4971. [PMID: 28334755 PMCID: PMC5416885 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical modification was used to quantitatively determine the flexibility of nearly the entire rRNA component of the yeast ribosome through 8 discrete stages of translational elongation, revealing novel observations at the gross and fine-scales. These include (i) the bulk transfer of energy through the intersubunit bridges from the large to the small subunit after peptidyltransfer, (ii) differences in the interaction of the sarcin ricin loop with the two elongation factors and (iii) networked information exchange pathways that may functionally facilitate intra- and intersubunit coordination, including the 5.8S rRNA. These analyses reveal hot spots of fluctuations that set the stage for large-scale conformational changes essential for translocation and enable the first molecular dynamics simulation of an 80S complex. Comprehensive datasets of rRNA base flexibilities provide a unique resource to the structural biology community that can be computationally mined to complement ongoing research toward the goal of understanding the dynamic ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna P Gulay
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Sujal Bista
- Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Amitabh Varshney
- Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Serdal Kirmizialtin
- Chemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,The New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
| | - Karissa Y Sanbonmatsu
- The New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA.,Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - Jonathan D Dinman
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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19
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Fosso-Tande J, Black C, G. Aller S, Lu L, D. Hills Jr R. Simulation of lipid-protein interactions with the CgProt force field. AIMS MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.3934/molsci.2017.3.352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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