1
|
Guanidinium binding to proteins: The intriguing effects on the D1 and D2 domains of Thermotoga maritima Arginine Binding Protein and a comprehensive analysis of the Protein Data Bank. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 163:375-385. [PMID: 32629051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Thermotoga maritima Arginine Binding Protein has been extensively characterized because of its peculiar features and its possible use as a biosensor. In this characterization, deletion of the C-terminal helix to obtain the monomeric protein TmArgBP20-233 and dissection of the monomer in its two domains, D1 and D2, have been performed. In the present study the stability of these three forms against guanidinium chloride is investigated by means of circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. All three proteins show a high conformational stability; moreover, D1 shows an unusual behavior in the presence of low concentrations of guanidinium chloride. This finding has led us to investigate a possible binding interaction by means of isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography; the results indicate that D1 is able to bind the guanidinium ion (GuH+), due to its similarity with the arginine terminal moiety. The analysis of the structural and dynamic properties of the D1-GuH+ complex indicates that the protein binds the ligand through multiple and diversified interactions. An exhaustive survey of the binding modes of GuH+ to proteins indicates that this is a rather common feature. These observations provide interesting insights into the effects that GuH+ is able to induce in protein structures.
Collapse
|
2
|
Smaldone G, Ruggiero A, Balasco N, Vitagliano L. Development of a Protein Scaffold for Arginine Sensing Generated through the Dissection of the Arginine-Binding Protein from Thermotoga maritima. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207503. [PMID: 33053818 PMCID: PMC7589609 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine is one of the most important nutrients of living organisms as it plays a major role in important biological pathways. However, the accumulation of arginine as consequence of metabolic defects causes hyperargininemia, an autosomal recessive disorder. Therefore, the efficient detection of the arginine is a field of relevant biomedical/biotechnological interest. Here, we developed protein variants suitable for arginine sensing by mutating and dissecting the multimeric and multidomain structure of Thermotoga maritima arginine-binding protein (TmArgBP). Indeed, previous studies have shown that TmArgBP domain-swapped structure can be manipulated to generate simplified monomeric and single domain scaffolds. On both these stable scaffolds, to measure tryptophan fluorescence variations associated with the arginine binding, a Phe residue of the ligand binding pocket was mutated to Trp. Upon arginine binding, both mutants displayed a clear variation of the Trp fluorescence. Notably, the single domain scaffold variant exhibited a good affinity (~3 µM) for the ligand. Moreover, the arginine binding to this variant could be easily reverted under very mild conditions. Atomic-level data on the recognition process between the scaffold and the arginine were obtained through the determination of the crystal structure of the adduct. Collectively, present data indicate that TmArgBP scaffolds represent promising candidates for developing arginine biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Smaldone
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113 80143 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Alessia Ruggiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16. I-80134 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16. I-80134 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (L.V.)
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16. I-80134 Naples, Italy; (N.B.); (L.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Leveraging nature's biomolecular designs in next-generation protein sequencing reagent development. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:7261-7271. [PMID: 32617618 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10745-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation approaches for protein sequencing are now emerging that could have the potential to revolutionize the field in proteomics. One such sequencing method involves fluorescence-based imaging of immobilized peptides in which the N-terminal amino acid of a polypeptide is readout sequentially by a series of fluorescently labeled biomolecules. When selectively bound to a specific N-terminal amino acid, the NAAB (N-terminal amino acid binder) affinity reagent identifies the amino acid through its associated fluorescence tag. A key technical challenge in implementing this fluoro-sequencing approach is the need to develop NAAB affinity reagents with the high affinity and selectivity for specific N-terminal amino acids required for this biotechnology application. One approach to develop such a NAAB affinity reagent is to leverage naturally occurring biomolecules that bind amino acids and/or peptides. Here, we describe several candidate biomolecules that could be considered for this purpose and discuss the potential for developability of each. Key points • Next-generation sequencing methods are emerging that could revolutionize proteomics. • Sequential readout of N-terminal amino acids by fluorescent-tagged affinity reagents. • Native peptide/amino acid binders can be engineered into affinity reagents. • Protein size and structure contribute to feasibility of reagent developability.
Collapse
|
4
|
Thermotogales origin scenario of eukaryogenesis. J Theor Biol 2020; 492:110192. [PMID: 32044287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
How eukaryotes were generated is an enigma of evolutionary biology. Widely accepted archaeal-origin eukaryogenesis scenarios, based on similarities of genes and related characteristics between archaea and eukaryotes, cannot explain several eukaryote-specific features of the last eukaryotic common ancestor, such as glycerol-3-phosphate-type membrane lipids, large cells and genomes, and endomembrane formation. Thermotogales spheroids, having multicopy-integrated large nucleoids and producing progeny in periplasm, may explain all of these features as well as endoplasmic reticulum-type signal cleavage sites, although they cannot divide. We hypothesize that the progeny chromosome is formed by random joining small DNAs in immature progeny, followed by reorganization by mechanisms including homologous recombination enabled with multicopy-integrated large genome (MILG). We propose that Thermotogales ancestor spheroids came to divide owing to the archaeal cell division genes horizontally transferred via virus-related particles, forming the first eukaryotic common ancestor (FECA). Referring to the hypothesis, the archaeal information-processing system would have been established in FECA by random joining DNAs excised from the MILG, which contained horizontally transferred archaeal and bacterial DNAs, followed by reorganization by the MILG-enabled homologous recombination. Thus, the large genome may have been a prerequisite, but not a consequence, of eukaryogenesis. The random joining of DNAs likely provided the basic mechanisms for eukaryotic evolution: producing the diversity by the formations of supergroups, novel genes, and introns that are involved in exon shuffling.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bernhard M, Diefenbach M, Biesalski M, Laube B. Electrical Sensing of Phosphonates by Functional Coupling of Phosphonate Binding Protein PhnD to Solid-State Nanopores. ACS Sens 2020; 5:234-241. [PMID: 31829017 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.9b02097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Combining the stability of solid-state nanopores with the unique sensing properties of biological components in a miniaturized electrical hybrid nanopore device is a challenging approach to advance the sensitivity and selectivity of small-molecule detection in healthcare and environment analytics. Here, we demonstrate a simple method to design an electrical hybrid nanosensor comprising a bacterial binding protein tethered to a solid-state nanopore allowing high-affinity detection of phosphonates. The diverse family of bacterial substrate-binding proteins (SBPs) binds specifically and efficiently to various substances and has been implicated as an ideal biorecognition element for analyte detection in the design of hybrid bionanosensors. Here, we demonstrate that the coupling of the purified phosphonate binding protein PhnD via primary amines to the reactive NHS groups of P(DMAA-co-NMAS) polymers inside a single track-etched nanopore in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) foils results in ligand-specific and concentration-dependent changes in the nanopore current. Application of the phosphonate 2-aminoethylphosphonate (2AEP) or ethylphosphonate (EP) induces a large conformational rearrangement in PnhD around the hinge in a venus flytrap mechanism resulting in a concentration depended on increase of the single pore current with binding affinities of 27 and 373 nM, respectively. Thus, the specificity and stability of this simple hybrid sensor concept combine the advantages of both, the diversity of ligand-specific substrate-binding proteins and solid-state nanopores encouraging further options to produce robust devices amenable to medical or environmental high-throughput-based applications in nanotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Max Bernhard
- Department of Biology, Neurophysiology and Neurosensory Systems, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Mathias Diefenbach
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Markus Biesalski
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Bodo Laube
- Department of Biology, Neurophysiology and Neurosensory Systems, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstrasse 3, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Caprari S, Brandi V, Pasquadibisceglie A, Polticelli F. Uncovering the structure and function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa periplasmic proteins by an in silico approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2019; 38:4508-4520. [PMID: 31631799 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1683468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen highly relevant from a biomedical viewpoint. It is one of the main causes of infection in hospitalized patients and a major cause of mortality of cystic fibrosis patients. This is also due to its ability to develop resistance to antibiotics by various mechanisms. Therefore, it is urgent and desirable to identify novel targets for the development of new antibacterial drugs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this work this problem was tackled by an in silico approach aimed at providing a reliable structural model and functional annotation for the Pseudomonas aeruginosa periplasmic proteins for which these data are not available yet. A total of 83 protein sequences were analyzed, and the corresponding structural models were built, leading to the identification of 32 periplasmic 'substrate-binding proteins', 14 enzymes and 4 proteins with different functions, including lipids and metals binding. The most interesting cases were found within the 'enzymes' group with the identification of a lipase, which can be regarded as a virulence factor, a protease involved in the assembly of β-barrel membrane proteins and a l,d-transpeptidase, which could contribute to confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics to the bacterium.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Caprari
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.,National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Smaldone G, Balasco N, Vigorita M, Ruggiero A, Cozzolino S, Berisio R, Del Vecchio P, Graziano G, Vitagliano L. Domain communication in Thermotoga maritima Arginine Binding Protein unraveled through protein dissection. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 119:758-769. [PMID: 30059738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.07.172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Substrate binding proteins represent a large protein family that plays fundamental roles in selective transportation of metabolites across membrane. The function of these proteins relies on the relative motions of their two domains. Insights into domain communication in this class of proteins have been here collected using Thermotoga maritima Arginine Binding Protein (TmArgBP) as model system. TmArgBP was dissected into two domains (D1 and D2) that were exhaustively characterized using a repertoire of different experimental and computational techniques. Indeed, stability, crystalline structure, ability to recognize the arginine substrate, and dynamics of the two individual domains have been here studied. Present data demonstrate that, although in the parent protein both D1 and D2 cooperate for the arginine anchoring; only D1 is intrinsically able to bind the substrate. The implications of this finding on the mechanism of arginine binding and release by TmArgBP have been discussed. Interestingly, both D1 and D2 retain the remarkable thermal/chemical stability of the parent protein. The analysis of the structural and dynamic properties of TmArgBP and of the individual domains highlights possible routes of domain communication. Finally, this study generated two interesting molecular tools, the two stable isolated domains that could be used in future investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Marilisa Vigorita
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, Università del Sannio, via Port'arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessia Ruggiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Serena Cozzolino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rita Berisio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Graziano
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, Università del Sannio, via Port'arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Whitfield JH, Zhang WH, Herde MK, Clifton BE, Radziejewski J, Janovjak H, Henneberger C, Jackson CJ. Construction of a robust and sensitive arginine biosensor through ancestral protein reconstruction. Protein Sci 2015; 24:1412-22. [PMID: 26061224 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors for signaling molecules allow the study of physiological processes by bringing together the fields of protein engineering, fluorescence imaging, and cell biology. Construction of genetically encoded biosensors generally relies on the availability of a binding "core" that is both specific and stable, which can then be combined with fluorescent molecules to create a sensor. However, binding proteins with the desired properties are often not available in nature and substantial improvement to sensors can be required, particularly with regard to their durability. Ancestral protein reconstruction is a powerful protein-engineering tool able to generate highly stable and functional proteins. In this work, we sought to establish the utility of ancestral protein reconstruction to biosensor development, beginning with the construction of an l-arginine biosensor. l-arginine, as the immediate precursor to nitric oxide, is an important molecule in many physiological contexts including brain function. Using a combination of ancestral reconstruction and circular permutation, we constructed a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor for l-arginine (cpFLIPR). cpFLIPR displays high sensitivity and specificity, with a Kd of ∼14 µM and a maximal dynamic range of 35%. Importantly, cpFLIPR was highly robust, enabling accurate l-arginine measurement at physiological temperatures. We established that cpFLIPR is compatible with two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and report l-arginine concentrations in brain tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason H Whitfield
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - William H Zhang
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michel K Herde
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ben E Clifton
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Johanna Radziejewski
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Harald Janovjak
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Christian Henneberger
- Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J Jackson
- Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Song C, Li H, Sheng L, Zhang X. Characterization of the interaction between superoxide dismutase and 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase. Gene 2015; 568:1-7. [PMID: 25958347 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Thermophiles are attractive microorganisms to study the adaptation of life in high temperature environment. It is revealed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) is essential for thermoadaptation of thermophiles. However, the SOD-mediated pathway of thermoadaptation remains unclear. To address this issue, the proteins interacted with SOD were characterized in Thermus thermophilus in this study. Based on co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses, the results showed that 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase α subunit was bound to SOD. The isothermal titration calorimetry analysis showed the existence of the interaction between SOD and 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase α subunit. The bacterial two-hybrid data indicated that SOD was directly interacted with 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase α subunit. Gene site-directed mutagenesis analysis revealed that the intracellular interaction between SOD and 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase α subunit was dependent on their whole molecules. Therefore our study presented a novel aspect of SOD in the thermoadaptation of thermophiles by interaction with dehydrogenase, a key enzyme of tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chongfu Song
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China; School of Chemistry and Material Engineering, Fuyang Teachers College, Fuyang 236037, People's Republic of China
| | - Hebin Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangquan Sheng
- School of Chemistry and Material Engineering, Fuyang Teachers College, Fuyang 236037, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife of Ministry of Education and College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ruggiero A, Dattelbaum JD, Staiano M, Berisio R, D'Auria S, Vitagliano L. A loose domain swapping organization confers a remarkable stability to the dimeric structure of the arginine binding protein from Thermotoga maritima. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96560. [PMID: 24832102 PMCID: PMC4022495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The arginine binding protein from Thermatoga maritima (TmArgBP), a substrate binding protein (SBP) involved in the ABC system of solute transport, presents a number of remarkable properties. These include an extraordinary stability to temperature and chemical denaturants and the tendency to form multimeric structures, an uncommon feature among SBPs involved in solute transport. Here we report a biophysical and structural characterization of the TmArgBP dimer. Our data indicate that the dimer of the protein is endowed with a remarkable stability since its full dissociation requires high temperature as well as SDS and urea at high concentrations. In order to elucidate the atomic level structural properties of this intriguing protein, we determined the crystallographic structures of the apo and the arginine-bound forms of TmArgBP using MAD and SAD methods, respectively. The comparison of the liganded and unliganded models demonstrates that TmArgBP tertiary structure undergoes a very large structural re-organization upon arginine binding. This transition follows the Venus Fly-trap mechanism, although the entity of the re-organization observed in TmArgBP is larger than that observed in homologous proteins. Intriguingly, TmArgBP dimerizes through the swapping of the C-terminal helix. This dimer is stabilized exclusively by the interactions established by the swapping helix. Therefore, the TmArgBP dimer combines a high level of stability and conformational freedom. The structure of the TmArgBP dimer represents an uncommon example of large tertiary structure variations amplified at quaternary structure level by domain swapping. Although the biological relevance of the dimer needs further assessments, molecular modelling suggests that the two TmArgBP subunits may simultaneously interact with two distinct ABC transporters. Moreover, the present protein structures provide some clues about the determinants of the extraordinary stability of the biomolecule. The availability of an accurate 3D model represents a powerful tool for the design of new TmArgBP suited for biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan D Dattelbaum
- Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Maria Staiano
- Laboratory for Molecular Sensing, IBP-CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Berisio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sabato D'Auria
- Laboratory for Molecular Sensing, IBP-CNR, Naples, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|