1
|
Chen PC, Kutzki F, Mojzisch A, Simon B, Xu ER, Aponte-Santamaría C, Horny K, Jeffries C, Schneppenheim R, Wilmanns M, Brehm MA, Gräter F, Hennig J. Structure and dynamics of the von Willebrand Factor C6 domain. J Struct Biol 2022; 214:107923. [PMID: 36410652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2022.107923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder with different levels of severity. VWD-associated mutations are located in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene, coding for the large multidomain plasma protein VWF with essential roles in hemostasis and thrombosis. On the one hand, a variety of mutations in the C-domains of VWF are associated with increased bleeding upon vascular injury. On the other hand, VWF gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the C4 domain have recently been identified, which induce an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Mechanistic insights into how these mutations affect the molecular behavior of VWF are scarce and holistic approaches are challenging due to the multidomain and multimeric character of this large protein. Here, we determine the structure and dynamics of the C6 domain and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant G2705R in C6 by combining nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and aggregometry. Our findings indicate that this mutation mostly destabilizes VWF by leading to a more pronounced hinging between both subdomains of C6. Hemostatic parameters of variant G2705R are close to normal under static conditions, but the missense mutation results in a gain-of-function under flow conditions, due to decreased VWF stem stability. Together with the fact that two C4 variants also exhibit GOF characteristics, our data underline the importance of the VWF stem region in VWF's hemostatic activity and the risk of mutation-associated prothrombotic properties in VWF C-domain variants due to altered stem dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Chia Chen
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian Kutzki
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angelika Mojzisch
- Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Simon
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Emma-Ruoqi Xu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Camilo Aponte-Santamaría
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Horny
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cy Jeffries
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schneppenheim
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Wilmanns
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany; University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria A Brehm
- Department of Digital Health Sciences and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Siegen, Am Eichenhang 50, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Frauke Gräter
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg 35, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany; Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, INF 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Chair of Biochemistry IV, Biophysical Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang D, Wan L, Yang F, Liu W, Liu L, He S, Xie N. VWCE Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Breast Cancer Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:586342. [PMID: 33194737 PMCID: PMC7643001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.586342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, for which the majority of deaths result from metastases. Von Willebrand factor C and EGF domain (VWCE) is a member of the Von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene family; however, its function, regulatory mechanism, and clinical value in breast cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we sought to elucidate the role of VWCE in breast cancer metastasis. We examined the expression of VWCE in breast cancer tissues and normal control tissues of 50 breast cancer patients. We found that VWCE expression was downregulated in breast cancer cells and tissues compared to normal breast epithelial cells or the adjacent normal tissues. To explore the role of VWCE in human breast cancer development, we introduced a VWCE-overexpressing or control lentiviral vector into the breast cancer MDA-MB-453 and MDA-MB-231 lines in vitro. The overexpression of VWCE inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance of the breast cancer cell lines. More importantly, the forced expression of VWCE suppressed tumor formation and metastasis in nude mice. iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that VWCE overexpression induced a 10-fold decrease in the level of WD-repeat domain 1 (WDR1) protein expression. Rescue experiments further verified that WDR1 was a downstream molecule of VWCE, and WDR1 overexpression reversed the above effects of VWCE overexpression on tumor growth. Therefore, VWCE may represent a novel tumor suppressor, for which its deregulation promotes breast cancer progression via the upregulation of WDR1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lili Wan
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenlan Liu
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Litao Liu
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shengnan He
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ni Xie
- Health Science Center, Biobank Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Goebel EJ, Hart KN, McCoy JC, Thompson TB. Structural biology of the TGFβ family. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1530-1546. [PMID: 31594405 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219880894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway orchestrates a wide breadth of biological processes, ranging from bone development to reproduction. Given this, there has been a surge of interest from the drug development industry to modulate the pathway – at several points. This review discusses and provides additional context for several layers of the TGFβ signaling pathway from a structural biology viewpoint. The combination of structural techniques coupled with biophysical studies has provided a foundational knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing this high impact, ubiquitous pathway, underlying many of the current therapeutic pursuits. This work seeks to consolidate TGFβ-related structural knowledge and educate other researchers of the apparent gaps that still prove elusive. We aim to highlight the importance of these structures and provide the contextual information to understand the contribution to the field, with the hope of advancing the discussion and exploration of the TGFβ signaling pathway. Impact statement The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway is a multifacetted and highly regulated pathway, forming the underpinnings of a large range of biological processes. Here, we review and consolidate the key steps in TGFβ signaling using literature rooted in structural and biophysical techniques, with a focus on molecular mechanisms and gaps in knowledge. From extracellular regulation to ligand–receptor interactions and intracellular activation cascades, we hope to provide an introductory base for understanding the TGFβ pathway as a whole.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erich J Goebel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Kaitlin N Hart
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jason C McCoy
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu ER, von Bülow S, Chen PC, Lenting PJ, Kolšek K, Aponte-Santamaría C, Simon B, Foot J, Obser T, Schneppenheim R, Gräter F, Denis CV, Wilmanns M, Hennig J. Structure and dynamics of the platelet integrin-binding C4 domain of von Willebrand factor. Blood 2019; 133:366-376. [PMID: 30305279 PMCID: PMC6450055 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-04-843615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a key player in the regulation of hemostasis by promoting recruitment of platelets to sites of vascular injury. An array of 6 C domains forms the dimeric C-terminal VWF stem. Upon shear force activation, the stem adopts an open conformation allowing the adhesion of VWF to platelets and the vessel wall. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism and associated functional perturbations in disease-related variants, knowledge of high-resolution structures and dynamics of C domains is of paramount interest. Here, we present the solution structure of the VWF C4 domain, which binds to the platelet integrin and is therefore crucial for the VWF function. In the structure, we observed 5 intra- and inter-subdomain disulfide bridges, of which 1 is unique in the C4 domain. The structure further revealed an unusually hinged 2-subdomain arrangement. The hinge is confined to a very short segment around V2547 connecting the 2 subdomains. Together with 2 nearby inter-subdomain disulfide bridges, this hinge induces slow conformational changes and positional alternations of both subdomains with respect to each other. Furthermore, the structure demonstrates that a clinical gain-of-function VWF variant (Y2561) is more likely to have an effect on the arrangement of the C4 domain with neighboring domains rather than impairing platelet integrin binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma-Ruoqi Xu
- Hamburg Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sören von Bülow
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Po-Chia Chen
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter J Lenting
- INSERM, UMR_S 1176, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Katra Kolšek
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Camilo Aponte-Santamaría
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, Mathematikon, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Max Planck Tandem Group in Computational Biophysics, University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Bernd Simon
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jaelle Foot
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tobias Obser
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and
| | - Reinhard Schneppenheim
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and
| | - Frauke Gräter
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cécile V Denis
- INSERM, UMR_S 1176, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Matthias Wilmanns
- Hamburg Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg, Germany
- University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu ER, Blythe EE, Fischer G, Hyvönen M. Structural analyses of von Willebrand factor C domains of collagen 2A and CCN3 reveal an alternative mode of binding to bone morphogenetic protein-2. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:12516-12527. [PMID: 28584056 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.788992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are secreted growth factors that promote differentiation processes in embryogenesis and tissue development. Regulation of BMP signaling involves binding to a variety of extracellular proteins, among which are many von Willebrand factor C (vWC) domain-containing proteins. Although the crystal structure of the complex of crossveinless-2 (CV-2) vWC1 and BMP-2 previously revealed one mode of the vWC/BMP-binding mechanism, other vWC domains may bind to BMP differently. Here, using X-ray crystallography, we present for the first time structures of the vWC domains of two proteins thought to interact with BMP-2: collagen IIA and matricellular protein CCN3. We found that these two vWC domains share a similar N-terminal fold that differs greatly from that in CV-2 vWC, which comprises its BMP-2-binding site. We analyzed the ability of these vWC domains to directly bind to BMP-2 and detected an interaction only between the collagen IIa vWC and BMP-2. Guided by the collagen IIa vWC domain crystal structure and conservation of surface residues among orthologous domains, we mapped the BMP-binding epitope on the subdomain 1 of the vWC domain. This binding site is different from that previously observed in the complex between CV-2 vWC and BMP-2, revealing an alternative mode of interaction between vWC domains and BMPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma-Ruoqi Xu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Emily E Blythe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Gerhard Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Marko Hyvönen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
We review the evolution and structure of members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family, antagonistic or agonistic modulators, and receptors that regulate TGF-β signaling in extracellular environments. The growth factor (GF) domain common to all family members and many of their antagonists evolved from a common cystine knot growth factor (CKGF) domain. The CKGF superfamily comprises six distinct families in primitive metazoans, including the TGF-β and Dan families. Compared with Wnt/Frizzled and Notch/Delta families that also specify body axes, cell fate, tissues, and other families that contain CKGF domains that evolved in parallel, the TGF-β family was the most fruitful in evolution. Complexes between the prodomains and GFs of the TGF-β family suggest a new paradigm for regulating GF release by conversion from closed- to open-arm procomplex conformations. Ternary complexes of the final step in extracellular signaling show how TGF-β GF dimers bind type I and type II receptors on the cell surface, and enable understanding of much of the specificity and promiscuity in extracellular signaling. However, structures suggest that when GFs bind repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family coreceptors, type I receptors do not bind until reaching an intracellular, membrane-enveloped compartment, blurring the line between extra- and intracellular signaling. Modulator protein structures show how structurally diverse antagonists including follistatins, noggin, and members of the chordin family bind GFs to regulate signaling; complexes with the Dan family remain elusive. Much work is needed to understand how these molecular components assemble to form signaling hubs in extracellular environments in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Hinck
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260
| | - Thomas D Mueller
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs Institute of the University Wuerzburg, D-97082 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Timothy A Springer
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
The discovery of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands and the realization that their bioactivities need to be tightly controlled temporally and spatially led to intensive research that has identified a multitude of extracellular modulators of TGF-β family ligands, uncovered their functions in developmental and pathophysiological processes, defined the mechanisms of their activities, and explored potential modulator-based therapeutic applications in treating human diseases. These studies revealed a diverse repertoire of extracellular and membrane-associated molecules that are capable of modulating TGF-β family signals via control of ligand availability, processing, ligand-receptor interaction, and receptor activation. These molecules include not only soluble ligand-binding proteins that were conventionally considered as agonists and antagonists of TGF-β family of growth factors, but also extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and proteoglycans that can serve as "sink" and control storage and release of both the TGF-β family ligands and their regulators. This extensive network of soluble and ECM modulators helps to ensure dynamic and cell-specific control of TGF-β family signals. This article reviews our knowledge of extracellular modulation of TGF-β growth factors by diverse proteins and their molecular mechanisms to regulate TGF-β family signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenbei Chang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
BMPER variants associated with a novel, attenuated subtype of diaphanospondylodysostosis. J Hum Genet 2015; 60:743-7. [PMID: 26467725 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2015.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Diaphanospondylodysostosis (DSD), caused by loss of bone morphogenetic protein-binding endothelial regulator (BMPER), has been considered a lethal skeletal dysplasia characterized by severe deficiency of vertebral body and sacral ossification, reduced rib number and cystic kidneys. In this study, however, we have demonstrated that variants in BMPER may cause a milder disorder, without renal anomalies, that is compatible with long-term survival. Four siblings, three males and one female, presented with severe congenital scoliosis associated with rib and vertebral malformations as well as strikingly delayed ossification of the pedicles. The female was stillborn from an unrelated cause. Stabilization of the scoliosis with expandable titanium rods was successful in the three boys, all of whom have short stature. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was hypothesized. Single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis was performed for three of the siblings to identify autosomal genes with shared allele patterns, suggesting possible linkage. Exome sequencing of one sibling was then performed. Rare variants were identified in 347 genes with shared alleles. Only one of these genes had bi-allelic variants in a gene strongly expressed in paraxial mesenchyme: BMPER, which is the cause of DSD, an autosomal recessive disorder. The disorder described herein could represent an attenuated form of DSD or could be designated a separate entity such as spondylopedicular dysplasia.
Collapse
|
9
|
Brazil DP, Church RH, Surae S, Godson C, Martin F. BMP signalling: agony and antagony in the family. Trends Cell Biol 2015; 25:249-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
|