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Schnettler JD, Wang MS, Gantz M, Bunzel HA, Karas C, Hollfelder F, Hecht MH. Selection of a promiscuous minimalist cAMP phosphodiesterase from a library of de novo designed proteins. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1200-1208. [PMID: 38702405 PMCID: PMC11230910 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01490-4] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The ability of unevolved amino acid sequences to become biological catalysts was key to the emergence of life on Earth. However, billions of years of evolution separate complex modern enzymes from their simpler early ancestors. To probe how unevolved sequences can develop new functions, we use ultrahigh-throughput droplet microfluidics to screen for phosphoesterase activity amidst a library of more than one million sequences based on a de novo designed 4-helix bundle. Characterization of hits revealed that acquisition of function involved a large jump in sequence space enriching for truncations that removed >40% of the protein chain. Biophysical characterization of a catalytically active truncated protein revealed that it dimerizes into an α-helical structure, with the gain of function accompanied by increased structural dynamics. The identified phosphodiesterase is a manganese-dependent metalloenzyme that hydrolyses a range of phosphodiesters. It is most active towards cyclic AMP, with a rate acceleration of ~109 and a catalytic proficiency of >1014 M-1, comparable to larger enzymes shaped by billions of years of evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, USA
| | - Maximilian Gantz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - H Adrian Bunzel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christina Karas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, USA
| | | | - Michael H Hecht
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, USA.
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2
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Zhang F, Naeem M, Yu B, Liu F, Ju J. Improving the enzymatic activity and stability of N-carbamoyl hydrolase using deep learning approach. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:164. [PMID: 38834993 PMCID: PMC11151596 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02439-5] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optically active D-amino acids are widely used as intermediates in the synthesis of antibiotics, insecticides, and peptide hormones. Currently, the two-enzyme cascade reaction is the most efficient way to produce D-amino acids using enzymes DHdt and DCase, but DCase is susceptible to heat inactivation. Here, to enhance the enzymatic activity and thermal stability of DCase, a rational design software "Feitian" was developed based on kcat prediction using the deep learning approach. RESULTS According to empirical design and prediction of "Feitian" software, six single-point mutants with high kcat value were selected and successfully constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. Out of six, three mutants (Q4C, T212S, and A302C) showed higher enzymatic activity than the wild-type. Furthermore, the combined triple-point mutant DCase-M3 (Q4C/T212S/A302C) exhibited a 4.25-fold increase in activity (29.77 ± 4.52 U) and a 2.25-fold increase in thermal stability as compared to the wild-type, respectively. Through the whole-cell reaction, the high titer of D-HPG (2.57 ± 0.43 mM) was produced by the mutant Q4C/T212S/A302C, which was about 2.04-fold of the wild-type. Molecular dynamics simulation results showed that DCase-M3 significantly enhances the rigidity of the catalytic site and thus increases the activity of DCase-M3. CONCLUSIONS In this study, an efficient rational design software "Feitian" was successfully developed with a prediction accuracy of about 50% in enzymatic activity. A triple-point mutant DCase-M3 (Q4C/T212S/A302C) with enhanced enzymatic activity and thermostability was successfully obtained, which could be applied to the development of a fully enzymatic process for the industrial production of D-HPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Zhang
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Feixia Liu
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Jiansong Ju
- College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, Shijiazhuang, 050024, China.
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3
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Creyer MN, Retout M, Jin Z, Yim W, Jokerst JV. Ligation of Gold Nanoparticles with Self-Assembling, Coiled-Coil Peptides. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:8009-8018. [PMID: 37683185 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c02099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be conjugated with a wide range of highly functional biomolecules. A common pitfall when utilizing AuNPs is their tendency to aggregate, especially when their surface is functionalized with ligands of low molecular weight (no steric repulsion) or ligands of neutral charge (no electrostatic repulsion). For biomedical applications, AuNPs that are colloidally stable are desirable because they have a high surface area and thus reactivity, resist sedimentation, and exhibit uniform optical properties. Here, we engineer the surface of AuNPs so that they remain stable when decorated with coiled-coil (CC) peptides while preserving the native polypeptide properties. We achieve this by using a neutral, mixed ligand layer composed of lipoic acid poly(ethylene glycol) and lipoic acid poly(ethylene glycol) maleimide to attach the CCs. Tuning the surface fraction of each component within the mixed ligand layer also allowed us to control the degree of AuNP labeling with CCs. We demonstrate the dynamic surface properties of these CC-AuNPs by performing a place-exchange reaction and their utility by designing an energy-transfer-based caspase-3 sensor. Overall, this study optimizes the surface chemistry of AuNPs to quantitatively present functional biomolecules while maintaining colloid stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew N Creyer
- Department of Nano and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Maurice Retout
- Department of Nano and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Zhicheng Jin
- Department of Nano and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Wonjun Yim
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jesse V Jokerst
- Department of Nano and Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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A de novo protein catalyzes the synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204050119. [PMID: 36508665 PMCID: PMC9907092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204050119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo proteins constructed from novel amino acid sequences are distinct from proteins that evolved in nature. Construct K (ConK) is a binary-patterned de novo designed protein that rescues Escherichia coli from otherwise toxic concentrations of copper. ConK was recently found to bind the cofactor PLP (pyridoxal phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6). Here, we show that ConK catalyzes the desulfurization of cysteine to H2S, which can be used to synthesize CdS nanocrystals in solution. The CdS nanocrystals are approximately 3 nm, as measured by transmission electron microscope, with optical properties similar to those seen in chemically synthesized quantum dots. The CdS nanocrystals synthesized using ConK have slower growth rates and a different growth mechanism than those synthesized using natural biomineralization pathways. The slower growth rate yields CdS nanocrystals with two desirable properties not observed during biomineralization using natural proteins. First, CdS nanocrystals are predominantly of the zinc blende crystal phase; this is in stark contrast to natural biomineralization routes that produce a mixture of zinc blende and wurtzite phase CdS. Second, in contrast to the growth and eventual precipitation observed in natural biomineralization systems, the CdS nanocrystals produced by ConK stabilize at a final size. Future optimization of CdS nanocrystal growth using ConK-or other de novo proteins-may help to overcome the limits on nanocrystal quality typically observed from natural biomineralization by enabling the synthesis of more stable, high-quality quantum dots at room temperature.
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Naudin EA, Albanese KI, Smith AJ, Mylemans B, Baker EG, Weiner OD, Andrews DM, Tigue N, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. From peptides to proteins: coiled-coil tetramers to single-chain 4-helix bundles. Chem Sci 2022; 13:11330-11340. [PMID: 36320580 PMCID: PMC9533478 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04479j] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of completely synthetic proteins from first principles-de novo protein design-is challenging. This is because, despite recent advances in computational protein-structure prediction and design, we do not understand fully the sequence-to-structure relationships for protein folding, assembly, and stabilization. Antiparallel 4-helix bundles are amongst the most studied scaffolds for de novo protein design. We set out to re-examine this target, and to determine clear sequence-to-structure relationships, or design rules, for the structure. Our aim was to determine a common and robust sequence background for designing multiple de novo 4-helix bundles. In turn, this could be used in chemical and synthetic biology to direct protein-protein interactions and as scaffolds for functional protein design. Our approach starts by analyzing known antiparallel 4-helix coiled-coil structures to deduce design rules. In terms of the heptad repeat, abcdefg -i.e., the sequence signature of many helical bundles-the key features that we identify are: a = Leu, d = Ile, e = Ala, g = Gln, and the use of complementary charged residues at b and c. Next, we implement these rules in the rational design of synthetic peptides to form antiparallel homo- and heterotetramers. Finally, we use the sequence of the homotetramer to derive in one step a single-chain 4-helix-bundle protein for recombinant production in E. coli. All of the assembled designs are confirmed in aqueous solution using biophysical methods, and ultimately by determining high-resolution X-ray crystal structures. Our route from peptides to proteins provides an understanding of the role of each residue in each design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A Naudin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Katherine I Albanese
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Abigail J Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Bram Mylemans
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Emily G Baker
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Orion D Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South San Francisco CA 94158 USA
| | - David M Andrews
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca Cambridge Science Park, Darwin Building Cambridge CB4 0WG UK
| | - Natalie Tigue
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca Granta Park Cambridge CB21 6GH UK
| | - Nigel J Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
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Pacheco CC, Pinto F. Design and Validation of Tools for Microbial Synthetic Biology Applications. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080739. [PMID: 34440483 PMCID: PMC8401242 DOI: 10.3390/life11080739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina C. Pacheco
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IBMC—Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.C.P.); (F.P.)
| | - Filipe Pinto
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
- Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
- Correspondence: (C.C.P.); (F.P.)
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Ferrando J, Solomon LA. Recent Progress Using De Novo Design to Study Protein Structure, Design and Binding Interactions. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030225. [PMID: 33802210 PMCID: PMC7999464 DOI: 10.3390/life11030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is a powerful methodology used to study natural functions in an artificial-protein context. Since its inception, it has been used to reproduce a plethora of reactions and uncover biophysical principles that are often difficult to extract from direct studies of natural proteins. Natural proteins are capable of assuming a variety of different structures and subsequently binding ligands at impressively high levels of both specificity and affinity. Here, we will review recent examples of de novo design studies on binding reactions for small molecules, nucleic acids, and the formation of protein-protein interactions. We will then discuss some new structural advances in the field. Finally, we will discuss some advancements in computational modeling and design approaches and provide an overview of some modern algorithmic tools being used to design these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ferrando
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Lee A. Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +703-993-6418
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Acevedo-Rocha CG, Hollmann F, Sanchis J, Sun Z. A Pioneering Career in Catalysis: Manfred T. Reetz. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Hollmann
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Deft, Netherlands
| | - Joaquin Sanchis
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 399 Royal Parade, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhoutong Sun
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West Seventh Avenue, Tianjin, 300308 China
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9
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Bowman JC, Petrov AS, Frenkel-Pinter M, Penev PI, Williams LD. Root of the Tree: The Significance, Evolution, and Origins of the Ribosome. Chem Rev 2020; 120:4848-4878. [PMID: 32374986 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The ribosome is an ancient molecular fossil that provides a telescope to the origins of life. Made from RNA and protein, the ribosome translates mRNA to coded protein in all living systems. Universality, economy, centrality and antiquity are ingrained in translation. The translation machinery dominates the set of genes that are shared as orthologues across the tree of life. The lineage of the translation system defines the universal tree of life. The function of a ribosome is to build ribosomes; to accomplish this task, ribosomes make ribosomal proteins, polymerases, enzymes, and signaling proteins. Every coded protein ever produced by life on Earth has passed through the exit tunnel, which is the birth canal of biology. During the root phase of the tree of life, before the last common ancestor of life (LUCA), exit tunnel evolution is dominant and unremitting. Protein folding coevolved with evolution of the exit tunnel. The ribosome shows that protein folding initiated with intrinsic disorder, supported through a short, primitive exit tunnel. Folding progressed to thermodynamically stable β-structures and then to kinetically trapped α-structures. The latter were enabled by a long, mature exit tunnel that partially offset the general thermodynamic tendency of all polypeptides to form β-sheets. RNA chaperoned the evolution of protein folding from the very beginning. The universal common core of the ribosome, with a mass of nearly 2 million Daltons, was finalized by LUCA. The ribosome entered stasis after LUCA and remained in that state for billions of years. Bacterial ribosomes never left stasis. Archaeal ribosomes have remained near stasis, except for the superphylum Asgard, which has accreted rRNA post LUCA. Eukaryotic ribosomes in some lineages appear to be logarithmically accreting rRNA over the last billion years. Ribosomal expansion in Asgard and Eukarya has been incremental and iterative, without substantial remodeling of pre-existing basal structures. The ribosome preserves information on its history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Bowman
- Center for the Origins of Life, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Anton S Petrov
- Center for the Origins of Life, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Moran Frenkel-Pinter
- Center for the Origins of Life, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Petar I Penev
- Center for the Origins of Life, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Loren Dean Williams
- Center for the Origins of Life, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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Qu G, Li A, Acevedo‐Rocha CG, Sun Z, Reetz MT. The Crucial Role of Methodology Development in Directed Evolution of Selective Enzymes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:13204-13231. [PMID: 31267627 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201901491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ge Qu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of Sciences 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area Tianjin 300308 China
| | - Aitao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology College of Life Sciences Hubei University 368 Youyi Road Wuchang Wuhan 430062 China
| | | | - Zhoutong Sun
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of Sciences 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area Tianjin 300308 China
| | - Manfred T. Reetz
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Chinese Academy of Sciences 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area Tianjin 300308 China
- Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1 45470 Mülheim Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 4 Philipps-University 35032 Marburg Germany
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