1
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Kumamoto S, Yamamoto A, Shiratsuchi Y, Matsuo K, Higashiura A, Hira D. Structural Investigations of Cargo Molecules Inside Icosahedrally Symmetric Encapsulin by VUVCD Spectroscopic Measurements. Chirality 2024; 36:e23700. [PMID: 39077830 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23700] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Prokaryotes organize intracellular compartments with protein-based organelles called encapsulins. Encapsulins with icosahedral symmetry can encapsulate specific cargo proteins mediated by targeting peptides or encapsulation-mediating domains. Encapsulins have been used in eukaryotic cells for bioengineering, vaccine development, and nanoparticle alignment. Their versatility makes them attractive for research; however, detailed structural information on encapsulins is crucial for further applied research. However, cargo proteins are randomly oriented inside the icosahedral encapsulins. The random orientation of cargo proteins presents a challenge for structural analysis that relies on averaging processes such as x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle imaging. Therefore, we aimed to accurately estimate the secondary structure content and elucidate the structure of cargo proteins inside the particle by measuring the circular dichroism (CD) spectra using vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism (VUVCD) spectroscopy. Thus, the structure of the cargo protein inside encapsulin was evaluated. This approach could potentially set a standard for evaluating cargo proteins inside particles in future applied research on encapsulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiori Kumamoto
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akima Yamamoto
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yu Shiratsuchi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichi Matsuo
- Hiroshima Synchrotron Radiation Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Akifumi Higashiura
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hira
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto, Japan
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2
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Benisch R, Giessen TW. Structural and biochemical characterization of an encapsulin-associated rhodanese from Acinetobacter baumannii. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5129. [PMID: 39073218 PMCID: PMC11284452 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5129] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Rhodanese-like domains (RLDs) represent a widespread protein family canonically involved in sulfur transfer reactions between diverse donor and acceptor molecules. RLDs mediate these transsulfuration reactions via a transient persulfide intermediate, created by modifying a conserved cysteine residue in their active sites. RLDs are involved in various aspects of sulfur metabolism, including sulfide oxidation in mitochondria, iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, and thio-cofactor biosynthesis. However, due to the inherent complexity of sulfur metabolism caused by the intrinsically high nucleophilicity and redox sensitivity of thiol-containing compounds, the physiological functions of many RLDs remain to be explored. Here, we focus on a single domain Acinetobacter baumannii RLD (Ab-RLD) associated with a desulfurase encapsulin which is able to store substantial amounts of sulfur inside its protein shell. We determine the 1.6 Å x-ray crystal structure of Ab-RLD, highlighting a homodimeric structure with a number of unusual features. We show through kinetic analysis that Ab-RLD exhibits thiosulfate sulfurtransferase activity with both cyanide and glutathione acceptors. Using native mass spectrometry and in vitro assays, we provide evidence that Ab-RLD can stably carry a persulfide and thiosulfate modification and may employ a ternary catalytic mechanism. Our results will inform future studies aimed at investigating the functional link between Ab-RLD and the desulfurase encapsulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Benisch
- Program in Chemical BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Program in Chemical BiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of Biological ChemistryUniversity of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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3
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Xie Y, Shu T, Liu T, Spindler MC, Mahamid J, Hocky GM, Gresham D, Holt LJ. Polysome collapse and RNA condensation fluidize the cytoplasm. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2698-2716.e9. [PMID: 39059370 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The cell interior is packed with macromolecules of mesoscale size, and this crowded milieu significantly influences cellular physiology. Cellular stress responses almost universally lead to inhibition of translation, resulting in polysome collapse and release of mRNA. The released mRNA molecules condense with RNA-binding proteins to form ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates known as processing bodies and stress granules. Here, we show that polysome collapse and condensation of RNA transiently fluidize the cytoplasm, and coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations support this as a minimal mechanism for the observed biophysical changes. Increased mesoscale diffusivity correlates with the efficient formation of quality control bodies (Q-bodies), membraneless organelles that compartmentalize misfolded peptides during stress. Synthetic, light-induced RNA condensation also fluidizes the cytoplasm. Together, our study reveals a functional role for stress-induced translation inhibition and formation of RNP condensates in modulating the physical properties of the cytoplasm to enable efficient response of cells to stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xie
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tong Shu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiewei Liu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Marie-Christin Spindler
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Mahamid
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Glen M Hocky
- Department of Chemistry and Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Gresham
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Liam J Holt
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Hernandez CM, Duran-Chaparro DC, van Eeuwen T, Rout MP, Holt LJ. Development and Characterization of 50 nanometer diameter Genetically Encoded Multimeric Nanoparticles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.05.602291. [PMID: 39005449 PMCID: PMC11245105 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.05.602291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms that regulate the physical properties of the cell interior remain poorly understood, especially at the mesoscale (10nm-100nm). Changes in these properties have been suggested to be crucial for both normal physiology and disease. Many crucial macromolecules and molecular assemblies such as ribosomes, RNA polymerase, and biomolecular condensates span the mesoscale size range. Therefore, we need better tools to study the cellular environment at this scale. A recent approach has been to use genetically encoded multimeric nanoparticles (GEMs), which consist of self-assembling scaffold proteins fused to fluorescent tags. After translation of the fusion protein, the monomers self-assemble into bright and stable nanoparticles of defined geometry that can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Physical properties of the cell can then be inferred through analysis of the motion of these particles, an approach called nanorheology. Previously, 40nm-GEMs elucidated TORC1 kinase as a regulator of cytoplasmic crowding. However, extremely sensitive microscopes were required. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a 50 nm diameter GEM that is brighter and probes a larger length scale. 50nm-GEMs will make high-throughput nanorheology accessible to a broader range of researchers and reveal new insights into the biophysical properties of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy M Hernandez
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 435 E 30th Street NY 10016, United States
| | - David C Duran-Chaparro
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 435 E 30th Street NY 10016, United States
| | - Trevor van Eeuwen
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
| | - Michael P Rout
- Laboratory of Cellular and Structural Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY10065
| | - Liam J Holt
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, 435 E 30th Street NY 10016, United States
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5
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Lučić M, Allport T, Clarke TA, Williams LJ, Wilson MT, Chaplin AK, Worrall JAR. The oligomeric states of dye-decolorizing peroxidases from Streptomyces lividans and their implications for mechanism of substrate oxidation. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5073. [PMID: 38864770 PMCID: PMC11168072 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
A common evolutionary mechanism in biology to drive function is protein oligomerization. In prokaryotes, the symmetrical assembly of repeating protein units to form homomers is widespread, yet consideration in vitro of whether such assemblies have functional or mechanistic consequences is often overlooked. Dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) are one such example, where their dimeric α + β barrel units can form various oligomeric states, but the oligomer influence, if any, on mechanism and function has received little attention. In this work, we have explored the oligomeric state of three DyPs found in Streptomyces lividans, each with very different mechanistic behaviors in their reactions with hydrogen peroxide and organic substrates. Using analytical ultracentrifugation, we reveal that except for one of the A-type DyPs where only a single sedimenting species is detected, oligomer states ranging from homodimers to dodecamers are prevalent in solution. Using cryo-EM on preparations of the B-type DyP, we determined a 3.02 Å resolution structure of a hexamer assembly that corresponds to the dominant oligomeric state in solution as determined by analytical ultracentrifugation. Furthermore, cryo-EM data detected sub-populations of higher-order oligomers, with one of these formed by an arrangement of two B-type DyP hexamers to give a dodecamer assembly. Our solution and structural insights of these oligomer states provide a new framework to consider previous mechanistic studies of these DyP members and are discussed in terms of long-range electron transfer for substrate oxidation and in the "storage" of oxidizable equivalents on the heme until a two-electron donor is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Lučić
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of EssexColchesterUK
| | - Thomas Allport
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | | | | | | | - Amanda K. Chaplin
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
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6
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Van de Steen A, Wilkinson HC, Dalby PA, Frank S. Encapsulation of Transketolase into In Vitro-Assembled Protein Nanocompartments Improves Thermal Stability. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3660-3674. [PMID: 38835217 PMCID: PMC11190991 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01153] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Protein compartments offer definitive structures with a large potential design space that are of particular interest for green chemistry and therapeutic applications. One family of protein compartments, encapsulins, are simple prokaryotic nanocompartments that self-assemble from a single monomer into selectively permeable cages of between 18 and 42 nm. Over the past decade, encapsulins have been developed for a diverse application portfolio utilizing their defined cargo loading mechanisms and repetitive surface display. Although it has been demonstrated that encapsulation of non-native cargo proteins provides protection from protease activity, the thermal effects arising from enclosing cargo within encapsulins remain poorly understood. This study aimed to establish a methodology for loading a reporter protein into thermostable encapsulins to determine the resulting stability change of the cargo. Building on previous in vitro reassembly studies, we first investigated the effectiveness of in vitro reassembly and cargo-loading of two size classes of encapsulins Thermotoga maritima T = 1 and Myxococcus xanthus T = 3, using superfolder Green Fluorescent Protein. We show that the empty T. maritima capsid reassembles with higher yield than the M. xanthus capsid and that in vitro loading promotes the formation of the M. xanthus T = 3 capsid form over the T = 1 form, while overloading with cargo results in malformed T. maritima T = 1 encapsulins. For the stability study, a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-probed industrially relevant enzyme cargo, transketolase, was then loaded into the T. maritima encapsulin. Our results show that site-specific orthogonal FRET labels can reveal changes in thermal unfolding of encapsulated cargo, suggesting that in vitro loading of transketolase into the T. maritima T = 1 encapsulin shell increases the thermal stability of the enzyme. This work supports the move toward fully harnessing structural, spatial, and functional control of in vitro assembled encapsulins with applications in cargo stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul A. Dalby
- Department of Biochemical
Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Stefanie Frank
- Department of Biochemical
Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
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7
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Eren E, Watts NR, Montecinos F, Wingfield PT. Encapsulated Ferritin-like Proteins: A Structural Perspective. Biomolecules 2024; 14:624. [PMID: 38927029 PMCID: PMC11202242 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Encapsulins are self-assembling nano-compartments that naturally occur in bacteria and archaea. These nano-compartments encapsulate cargo proteins that bind to the shell's interior through specific recognition sequences and perform various metabolic processes. Encapsulation enables organisms to perform chemical reactions without exposing the rest of the cell to potentially harmful substances while shielding cargo molecules from degradation and other adverse effects of the surrounding environment. One particular type of cargo protein, the ferritin-like protein (FLP), is the focus of this review. Encapsulated FLPs are members of the ferritin-like protein superfamily, and they play a crucial role in converting ferrous iron (Fe+2) to ferric iron (Fe+3), which is then stored inside the encapsulin in mineralized form. As such, FLPs regulate iron homeostasis and protect organisms against oxidative stress. Recent studies have demonstrated that FLPs have tremendous potential as biosensors and bioreactors because of their ability to catalyze the oxidation of ferrous iron with high specificity and efficiency. Moreover, they have been investigated as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer drug development and bacterial pathogenesis. Further research will likely lead to new insights and applications for these remarkable proteins in biomedicine and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paul T. Wingfield
- Protein Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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8
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Eren E, Watts NR, Conway JF, Wingfield PT. Myxococcus xanthus encapsulin cargo protein EncD is a flavin-binding protein with ferric reductase activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400426121. [PMID: 38748579 PMCID: PMC11126975 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400426121] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Encapsulins are protein nanocompartments that regulate cellular metabolism in several bacteria and archaea. Myxococcus xanthus encapsulins protect the bacterial cells against oxidative stress by sequestering cytosolic iron. These encapsulins are formed by the shell protein EncA and three cargo proteins: EncB, EncC, and EncD. EncB and EncC form rotationally symmetric decamers with ferroxidase centers (FOCs) that oxidize Fe+2 to Fe+3 for iron storage in mineral form. However, the structure and function of the third cargo protein, EncD, have yet to be determined. Here, we report the x-ray crystal structure of EncD in complex with flavin mononucleotide. EncD forms an α-helical hairpin arranged as an antiparallel dimer, but unlike other flavin-binding proteins, it has no β-sheet, showing that EncD and its homologs represent a unique class of bacterial flavin-binding proteins. The cryo-EM structure of EncA-EncD encapsulins confirms that EncD binds to the interior of the EncA shell via its C-terminal targeting peptide. With only 100 amino acids, the EncD α-helical dimer forms the smallest flavin-binding domain observed to date. Unlike EncB and EncC, EncD lacks a FOC, and our biochemical results show that EncD instead is a NAD(P)H-dependent ferric reductase, indicating that the M. xanthus encapsulins act as an integrated system for iron homeostasis. Overall, this work contributes to our understanding of bacterial metabolism and could lead to the development of technologies for iron biomineralization and the production of iron-containing materials for the treatment of various diseases associated with oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Eren
- Protein Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Norman R. Watts
- Protein Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - James F. Conway
- Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15260
| | - Paul T. Wingfield
- Protein Expression Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
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9
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Szyszka TN, Andreas MP, Lie F, Miller LM, Adamson LSR, Fatehi F, Twarock R, Draper BE, Jarrold MF, Giessen TW, Lau YH. Point mutation in a virus-like capsid drives symmetry reduction to form tetrahedral cages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321260121. [PMID: 38722807 PMCID: PMC11098114 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321260121] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein capsids are a widespread form of compartmentalization in nature. Icosahedral symmetry is ubiquitous in capsids derived from spherical viruses, as this geometry maximizes the internal volume that can be enclosed within. Despite the strong preference for icosahedral symmetry, we show that simple point mutations in a virus-like capsid can drive the assembly of unique symmetry-reduced structures. Starting with the encapsulin from Myxococcus xanthus, a 180-mer bacterial capsid that adopts the well-studied viral HK97 fold, we use mass photometry and native charge detection mass spectrometry to identify a triple histidine point mutant that forms smaller dimorphic assemblies. Using cryoelectron microscopy, we determine the structures of a precedented 60-mer icosahedral assembly and an unexpected 36-mer tetrahedron that features significant geometric rearrangements around a new interaction surface between capsid protomers. We subsequently find that the tetrahedral assembly can be generated by triple-point mutation to various amino acids and that even a single histidine point mutation is sufficient to form tetrahedra. These findings represent a unique example of tetrahedral geometry when surveying all characterized encapsulins, HK97-like capsids, or indeed any virus-derived capsids reported in the Protein Data Bank, revealing the surprising plasticity of capsid self-assembly that can be accessed through minimal changes in the protein sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Szyszka
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Felicia Lie
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
| | - Lohra M. Miller
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN47405
| | | | - Farzad Fatehi
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, United Kingdom
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Reidun Twarock
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, United Kingdom
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, United Kingdom
- Department of Biology, University of York, YorkYO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
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10
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Helalat SH, Téllez RC, Dezfouli EA, Sun Y. Sortase A-Based Post-translational Modifications on Encapsulin Nanocompartments. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:2762-2769. [PMID: 38689446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Protein-based encapsulin nanocompartments, known for their well-defined structures and versatile functionalities, present promising opportunities in the fields of biotechnology and nanomedicine. In this investigation, we effectively developed a sortase A-mediated protein ligation system in Escherichia coli to site-specifically attach target proteins to encapsulin, both internally and on its surfaces without any further in vitro steps. We explored the potential applications of fusing sortase enzyme and a protease for post-translational ligation of encapsulin to a green fluorescent protein and anti-CD3 scFv. Our results demonstrated that this system could attach other proteins to the nanoparticles' exterior surfaces without adversely affecting their folding and assembly processes. Additionally, this system enabled the attachment of proteins inside encapsulins which varied shapes and sizes of the nanoparticles due to cargo overload. This research developed an alternative enzymatic ligation method for engineering encapsulin nanoparticles to facilitate the conjugation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Hossein Helalat
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rodrigo Coronel Téllez
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ehsan Ansari Dezfouli
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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11
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Pore engineering as a general strategy to improve protein-based enzyme nanoreactor performance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.02.592161. [PMID: 38746127 PMCID: PMC11092584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.02.592161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Enzyme nanoreactors are nanoscale compartments consisting of encapsulated enzymes and a selectively permeable barrier. Sequestration and co-localization of enzymes can increase catalytic activity, stability, and longevity, highly desirable features for many biotechnological and biomedical applications of enzyme catalysts. One promising strategy to construct enzyme nanoreactors is to repurpose protein nanocages found in nature. However, protein-based enzyme nanoreactors often exhibit decreased catalytic activity, partially caused by a mismatch of protein shell selectivity and the substrate requirements of encapsulated enzymes. No broadly applicable and modular protein-based nanoreactor platform is currently available. Here, we introduce a pore-engineered universal enzyme nanoreactor platform based on encapsulins - microbial self-assembling protein nanocompartments with programmable and selective enzyme packaging capabilities. We structurally characterize our protein shell designs via cryo-electron microscopy and highlight their polymorphic nature. Through fluorescence polarization assays, we show their improved molecular flux behavior and highlight their expanded substrate range via a number of proof-of-concept enzyme nanoreactor designs. This work lays the foundation for utilizing our encapsulin-based nanoreactor platform for future biotechnological and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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12
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Dutcher CA, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. A two-component quasi-icosahedral protein nanocompartment with variable shell composition and irregular tiling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.25.591138. [PMID: 38712103 PMCID: PMC11071501 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.25.591138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Protein shells or capsids are a widespread form of compartmentalization in nature. Viruses use protein capsids to protect and transport their genomes while many cellular organisms use protein shells for varied metabolic purposes. These protein-based compartments often exhibit icosahedral symmetry and consist of a small number of structural components with defined roles. Encapsulins are a prevalent protein-based compartmentalization strategy in prokaryotes. All encapsulins studied thus far consist of a single shell protein that adopts the viral HK97-fold. Here, we report the characterization of a Family 2B two-component encapsulin from Streptomyces lydicus. We show the differential assembly behavior of the two shell components and demonstrate their ability to co-assemble into mixed shells with variable shell composition. We determined the structures of both shell proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. Using 3D-classification and crosslinking studies, we highlight the irregular tiling of mixed shells. Our work expands the known assembly modes of HK97-fold proteins and lays the foundation for future functional and engineering studies on two-component encapsulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra A. Dutcher
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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13
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Andreas MP, Giessen TW. The biosynthesis of the odorant 2-methylisoborneol is compartmentalized inside a protein shell. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.23.590730. [PMID: 38712110 PMCID: PMC11071394 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Terpenoids are the largest class of natural products, found across all domains of life. One of the most abundant bacterial terpenoids is the volatile odorant 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), partially responsible for the earthy smell of soil and musty taste of contaminated water. Many bacterial 2-MIB biosynthetic gene clusters were thought to encode a conserved transcription factor, named EshA in the model soil bacterium Streptomyces griseus . Here, we revise the function of EshA, now referred to as Sg Enc, and show that it is a Family 2B encapsulin shell protein. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we find that Sg Enc forms an icosahedral protein shell and encapsulates 2-methylisoborneol synthase (2-MIBS) as a cargo protein. Sg Enc contains a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) binding domain (CBD)-fold insertion and a unique metal-binding domain, both displayed on the shell exterior. We show that Sg Enc CBDs do not bind cAMP. We find that 2-MIBS cargo loading is mediated by an N-terminal disordered cargo-loading domain and that 2-MIBS activity and Sg Enc shell structure are not modulated by cAMP. Our work redefines the function of EshA and establishes Family 2B encapsulins as cargo-loaded protein nanocompartments involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
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14
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Jones JA, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Structural basis for peroxidase encapsulation inside the encapsulin from the Gram-negative pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2558. [PMID: 38519509 PMCID: PMC10960027 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46880-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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Encapsulins are self-assembling protein nanocompartments capable of selectively encapsulating dedicated cargo proteins, including enzymes involved in iron storage, sulfur metabolism, and stress resistance. They represent a unique compartmentalization strategy used by many pathogens to facilitate specialized metabolic capabilities. Encapsulation is mediated by specific cargo protein motifs known as targeting peptides (TPs), though the structural basis for encapsulation of the largest encapsulin cargo class, dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs), is currently unknown. Here, we characterize a DyP-containing encapsulin from the enterobacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. By combining cryo-electron microscopy with TP and TP-binding site mutagenesis, we elucidate the molecular basis for cargo encapsulation. TP binding is mediated by cooperative hydrophobic and ionic interactions as well as shape complementarity. Our results expand the molecular understanding of enzyme encapsulation inside protein nanocompartments and lay the foundation for rationally modulating encapsulin cargo loading for biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Jones
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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15
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Benisch R, Giessen TW. Structural and biochemical characterization of an encapsulin-associated rhodanese from Acinetobacter baumannii. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.19.581022. [PMID: 38464153 PMCID: PMC10925157 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.19.581022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Rhodanese-like domains (RLDs) represent a widespread protein family canonically involved in sulfur transfer reactions between diverse donor and acceptor molecules. RLDs mediate these transsulfuration reactions via a transient persulfide intermediate, created by modifying a conserved cysteine residue in their active sites. RLDs are involved in various aspects of sulfur metabolism, including sulfide oxidation in mitochondria, iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, and thio-cofactor biosynthesis. However, due to the inherent complexity of sulfur metabolism caused by the intrinsically high nucleophilicity and redox sensitivity of thiol-containing compounds, the physiological functions of many RLDs remain to be explored. Here, we focus on a single domain Acinetobacter baumannii RLD (Ab-RLD) associated with a desulfurase encapsulin which is able to store substantial amounts of sulfur inside its protein shell. We determine the 1.6 Å x-ray crystal structure of Ab-RLD, highlighting a homodimeric structure with a number of unusual features. We show through kinetic analysis that Ab-RLD exhibits thiosulfate sulfurtransferase activity with both cyanide and glutathione acceptors. Using native mass spectrometry and in vitro assays, we provide evidence that Ab-RLD can stably carry a persulfide and thiosulfate modification and may employ a ternary catalytic mechanism. Our results will inform future studies aimed at investigating the functional link between Ab-RLD and the desulfurase encapsulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Benisch
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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16
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Peng Y, Yan H, Zhang J, Peng R, Feng X, Su J, Yi H, Lu Y, Chen Z. Potent immune responses against thermostable Foot-and-Mouth disease virus VP1 nanovaccine adjuvanted with polymeric thermostable scaffold. Vaccine 2024; 42:732-737. [PMID: 38220487 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute zoonosis causes significant economic losses. Vaccines able to stimulate efficient protective immune responses are urgently needed. In this study, Escherichia coli-derived recombinant VP1 of serotype A and O FMD virus (FMDV) was conjugated to thermostable scaffold lumazine synthase (LS) or Quasibacillus thermotolerans encapsulin (QtEnc) using a robust plug-and-display SpyTag/SpyCatcher system to generate multimeric nanovaccines. These nanovaccines induced highly potent antibody responses in vaccinated mice. On day 14 after the first immunisation, antibody titres were approximately 100 times higher than those of monomer antigens. Both vaccines induced high and long-term IgG antibody production. Moreover, the QtEnc-VP1 nanovaccine induced higher antibody titres than the LS-VP1 nanovaccine. The nanovaccines also induced Th1-biased immune responses and higher levels of neutralising antibodies. These data indicated that FMDV nanovaccines generated by conjugating VP1 with a thermostable scaffold are highly immunogenic and ideal candidates for FMDV control in low-resource areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Peng
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Haozhen Yan
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ruihao Peng
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiangning Feng
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jiayue Su
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Huaimin Yi
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuying Lu
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zeliang Chen
- One Health Center of Excellence for Research and Training, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccines and Biological Products, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, P. R. China; Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
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17
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Szyszka TN, Andreas MP, Lie F, Miller LM, Adamson LSR, Fatehi F, Twarock R, Draper BE, Jarrold MF, Giessen TW, Lau YH. Point mutation in a virus-like capsid drives symmetry reduction to form tetrahedral cages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.579038. [PMID: 38370832 PMCID: PMC10871247 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.579038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Protein capsids are a widespread form of compartmentalisation in nature. Icosahedral symmetry is ubiquitous in capsids derived from spherical viruses, as this geometry maximises the internal volume that can be enclosed within. Despite the strong preference for icosahedral symmetry, we show that simple point mutations in a virus-like capsid can drive the assembly of novel symmetry-reduced structures. Starting with the encapsulin from Myxococcus xanthus, a 180-mer bacterial capsid that adopts the well-studied viral HK97 fold, we use mass photometry and native charge detection mass spectrometry to identify a triple histidine point mutant that forms smaller dimorphic assemblies. Using cryo-EM, we determine the structures of a precedented 60-mer icosahedral assembly and an unprecedented 36-mer tetrahedron that features significant geometric rearrangements around a novel interaction surface between capsid protomers. We subsequently find that the tetrahedral assembly can be generated by triple point mutation to various amino acids, and that even a single histidine point mutation is sufficient to form tetrahedra. These findings represent the first example of tetrahedral geometry across all characterised encapsulins, HK97-like capsids, or indeed any virus-derived capsids reported in the Protein Data Bank, revealing the surprising plasticity of capsid self-assembly that can be accessed through minimal changes in protein sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N Szyszka
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Felicia Lie
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lohra M Miller
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Lachlan S R Adamson
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York, UK
| | - Reidun Twarock
- Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, UK
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, UK
| | - Benjamin E Draper
- Megadalton Solutions Inc., 3750 E Bluebird Ln, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
| | - Martin F Jarrold
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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18
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Benisch R, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. A widespread bacterial protein compartment sequesters and stores elemental sulfur. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk9345. [PMID: 38306423 PMCID: PMC10836720 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk9345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Subcellular compartments often serve to store nutrients or sequester labile or toxic compounds. As bacteria mostly do not possess membrane-bound organelles, they often have to rely on protein-based compartments. Encapsulins are one of the most prevalent protein-based compartmentalization strategies found in prokaryotes. Here, we show that desulfurase encapsulins can sequester and store large amounts of crystalline elemental sulfur. We determine the 1.78-angstrom cryo-EM structure of a 24-nanometer desulfurase-loaded encapsulin. Elemental sulfur crystals can be formed inside the encapsulin shell in a desulfurase-dependent manner with l-cysteine as the sulfur donor. Sulfur accumulation can be influenced by the concentration and type of sulfur source in growth medium. The selectively permeable protein shell allows the storage of redox-labile elemental sulfur by excluding cellular reducing agents, while encapsulation substantially improves desulfurase activity and stability. These findings represent an example of a protein compartment able to accumulate and store elemental sulfur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Benisch
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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19
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Brown C, Agarwal A, Luque A. pyCapsid: identifying dominant dynamics and quasi-rigid mechanical units in protein shells. Bioinformatics 2024; 40:btad761. [PMID: 38113434 PMCID: PMC10786678 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY pyCapsid is a Python package developed to facilitate the characterization of the dynamics and quasi-rigid mechanical units of protein shells and other protein complexes. The package was developed in response to the rapid increase of high-resolution structures, particularly capsids of viruses, requiring multiscale biophysical analyses. Given a protein shell, pyCapsid generates the collective vibrations of its amino-acid residues, identifies quasi-rigid mechanical regions associated with the disassembly of the structure, and maps the results back to the input proteins for interpretation. pyCapsid summarizes the main results in a report that includes publication-quality figures. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION pyCapsid's source code is available under MIT License on GitHub. It is compatible with Python 3.8-3.10 and has been deployed in two leading Python package-management systems, PIP and Conda. Installation instructions and tutorials are available in the online documentation and in the pyCapsid's YouTube playlist. In addition, a cloud-based implementation of pyCapsid is available as a Google Colab notebook. pyCapsid Colab does not require installation and generates the same report and outputs as the installable version. Users can post issues regarding pyCapsid in the repository's issues section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Brown
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
- Department of Physics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
| | - Anuradha Agarwal
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
| | - Antoni Luque
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
- Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92116, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
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20
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Rūmnieks J, Füzik T, Tārs K. Structure of the Borrelia Bacteriophage φBB1 Procapsid. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168323. [PMID: 37866476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages of Borrelia burgdorferi are a biologically important but under-investigated feature of the Lyme disease-causing spirochete. No virulent borrelial viruses have been identified, but all B. burgdorferi isolates carry a prophage φBB1 as resident circular plasmids. Like its host, the φBB1 phage is quite distinctive and shares little sequence similarity with other known bacteriophages. We expressed φBB1 head morphogenesis proteins in Escherichia coli which resulted in assembly of homogeneous prolate procapsid structures and used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the three-dimensional structure of these particles. The φBB1 procapsids consist of 415 copies of the major capsid protein and an equal combined number of three homologous capsid decoration proteins that form trimeric knobs on the outside of the particle. One of the end vertices of the particle is occupied by a portal assembled from twelve copies of the portal protein. The φBB1 scaffolding protein is entirely α-helical and has an elongated shape with a small globular domain in the middle. Within the tubular section of the procapsid, the internal scaffold is built of stacked rings, each composed of 32 scaffolding protein molecules, which run in opposite directions from both caps with a heterogeneous part in the middle. Inside the portal-containing cap, the scaffold is organized asymmetrically with ten scaffolding protein molecules bound to the portal. The φBB1 procapsid structure provides better insight into the vast structural diversity of bacteriophages and presents clues of how elongated bacteriophage particles might be assembled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jānis Rūmnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Tibor Füzik
- Structural Virology, Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia; Faculty of Biology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, 1004 Riga, Latvia
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21
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Badieyan S, Lichon D, Andreas MP, Gillies JP, Peng W, Shi J, DeSantis ME, Aiken CR, Böcking T, Giessen TW, Campbell EM, Cianfrocco MA. HIV-1 binds dynein directly to hijack microtubule transport machinery. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.29.555335. [PMID: 37693451 PMCID: PMC10491134 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Viruses exploit host cytoskeletal elements and motor proteins for trafficking through the dense cytoplasm. Yet the molecular mechanism that describes how viruses connect to the motor machinery is unknown. Here, we demonstrate the first example of viral microtubule trafficking from purified components: HIV-1 hijacking microtubule transport machinery. We discover that HIV-1 directly binds to the retrograde microtubule-associated motor, dynein, and not via a cargo adaptor, as previously suggested. Moreover, we show that HIV-1 motility is supported by multiple, diverse dynein cargo adaptors as HIV-1 binds to dynein light and intermediate chains on dynein's tail. Further, we demonstrate that multiple dynein motors tethered to rigid cargoes, like HIV-1 capsids, display reduced motility, distinct from the behavior of multiple motors on membranous cargoes. Our results introduce a new model of viral trafficking wherein a pathogen opportunistically 'hijacks' the microtubule transport machinery for motility, enabling multiple transport pathways through the host cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Drew Lichon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John P Gillies
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Wang Peng
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jiong Shi
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Morgan E DeSantis
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Christopher R Aiken
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Till Böcking
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science and ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Edward M Campbell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael A Cianfrocco
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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22
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Structure and heterogeneity of a highly cargo-loaded encapsulin shell. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108022. [PMID: 37657675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins are self-assembling protein nanocompartments able to selectively encapsulate dedicated cargo enzymes. Encapsulins are widespread across bacterial and archaeal phyla and are involved in oxidative stress resistance, iron storage, and sulfur metabolism. Encapsulin shells exhibit icosahedral geometry and consist of 60, 180, or 240 identical protein subunits. Cargo encapsulation is mediated by the specific interaction of targeting peptides or domains, found in all cargo proteins, with the interior surface of the encapsulin shell during shell self-assembly. Here, we report the 2.53 Å cryo-EM structure of a heterologously produced and highly cargo-loaded T3 encapsulin shell from Myxococcus xanthus and explore the systems' structural heterogeneity. We find that exceedingly high cargo loading results in the formation of substantial amounts of distorted and aberrant shells, likely caused by a combination of unfavorable steric clashes of cargo proteins and shell conformational changes. Based on our cryo-EM structure, we determine and analyze the targeting peptide-shell binding mode. We find that both ionic and hydrophobic interactions mediate targeting peptide binding. Our results will guide future attempts at rationally engineering encapsulins for biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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23
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Rochal SB, Konevtsova OV, Golushko IY, Podgornik R. Close packings of identical proteins in small spherical capsids and similar proteinaceous shells. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:8649-8658. [PMID: 37921635 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01106b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the principles governing protein arrangement in viral capsids and structurally similar protein shells can enable the development of new antiviral strategies and the design of artificial protein cages for various applications. We study these principles within the context of the close packing problem, by analyzing dozens of small spherical shells assembled from a single type of protein. First, we use icosahedral spherical close packings containing 60T identical disks, where T ≤ 4, to rationalize the protein arrangement in twenty real icosahedral shells both satisfying and violating the paradigmatic Caspar-Klug model. We uncover a striking correspondence between the protein mass centers in the considered shells and the centers of disks in the close packings. To generalize the packing model, we consider proteins with a weak shape anisotropy and propose an interaction energy, minimization of which allows us to obtain spherical dense packings of slightly anisotropic structural units. In the case of strong anisotropy, we model the proteins as sequences of overlapping discs of different sizes, with minimum energy configuration not only resulting in packings, accurately reproducing locations and orientations of individual proteins, but also revealing that icosahedral packings that display the handedness of real capsids are energetically more favorable. Finally, by introducing effective disc charges, we rationalize the formation of inter-protein bonds in protein shells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei B Rochal
- Physics Faculty, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
| | - Olga V Konevtsova
- Physics Faculty, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
| | - Ivan Yu Golushko
- Physics Faculty, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
| | - Rudolf Podgornik
- School of Physical Sciences and Kavli Institute for Theoretical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Wenzhou Institute of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
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24
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Sun L, Niu J, Zhang J, Peng Y, Feng X, Huang F, Liu J, Li S, Chen Z. Thermostable T Cell Multiepitope Nanoparticle Antigens Inducing Potent Immune Responses against the Swine Fever Virus. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2358-2368. [PMID: 37861250 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
African swine fever (ASF) is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) and is a highly contagious, acute, febrile disease that has high morbidity and mortality rates in domestic and wild swine. However, a safe and effective vaccine against ASF remains unavailable as single antigens fail to provide sufficient protection. Therefore, a combination of multiple antigens with an efficient delivery system might be an alternative strategy. Herein, a de novo-designed antigen with multiple T-cell epitopes (TEPs) of ASFV was conjugated for surface display on self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs) of Aquifex aeolicus lumazine synthase (AaLS) and Quasibacillus thermotolerans encapsulin (QT) through the SpyCatcher/SpyTag system to construct nanovaccines (TEP-Spy-NPs). TEP-Spy-NPs exhibited significantly more thermal, storage, and freeze-thaw stability in comparison to TEP monomers. TEP-Spy-NPs were highly immunogenic and induced strong polyclonal antibody responses in mice and pigs. The specific antibody titers against the TEP of the TEP-Spy-AaLS and TEP-Spy-QT groups were significantly higher than those of the TEP monomer immune group after the second booster immunization. The antibody titer against TEP of the TEP-Spy-QT group was approximately twice that of the TEP-Spy-AaLS group in mice. ELISpot analysis demonstrated that more IFN-γ- and IL-2-secreting splenic lymphocytes were produced by TEP-Spy-AaLS- and TEP-Spy-QT-immunized mice than by TEP monomer-immunized mice. TEP-Spy-NPs elicited stronger cellular immunity and in vivo immunity in immunized pigs than did TEP monomers. Thus, the TEP nanovaccine successfully induced strong humoral and cellular immune responses in mice and pigs, and TEP-Spy-NPs have the potential as candidate vaccines for ASFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, No. 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
- Department of Cell Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jingqi Niu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, No. 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuanli Peng
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiangning Feng
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Cell Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, No. 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
| | - Shanhu Li
- Department of Cell Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zeliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, No. 120 Dongling Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao 028000, China
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25
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Mara P, Zhou YL, Teske A, Morono Y, Beaudoin D, Edgcomb V. Microbial gene expression in Guaymas Basin subsurface sediments responds to hydrothermal stress and energy limitation. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1907-1919. [PMID: 37658181 PMCID: PMC10579382 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01492-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Analyses of gene expression of subsurface bacteria and archaea provide insights into their physiological adaptations to in situ subsurface conditions. We examined patterns of expressed genes in hydrothermally heated subseafloor sediments with distinct geochemical and thermal regimes in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, Mexico. RNA recovery and cell counts declined with sediment depth, however, we obtained metatranscriptomes from eight sites at depths spanning between 0.8 and 101.9 m below seafloor. We describe the metabolic potential of sediment microorganisms, and discuss expressed genes involved in tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA modifications that enable physiological flexibility of bacteria and archaea in the hydrothermal subsurface. Microbial taxa in hydrothermally influenced settings like Guaymas Basin may particularly depend on these catalytic RNA functions since they modulate the activity of cells under elevated temperatures and steep geochemical gradients. Expressed genes for DNA repair, protein maintenance and circadian rhythm were also identified. The concerted interaction of many of these genes may be crucial for microorganisms to survive and to thrive in the Guaymas Basin subsurface biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Mara
- Geology and Geophysics Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Ying-Li Zhou
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Andreas Teske
- Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yuki Morono
- Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
| | - David Beaudoin
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Virginia Edgcomb
- Geology and Geophysics Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
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26
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Quinton AR, McDowell HB, Hoiczyk E. Encapsulins: Nanotechnology's future in a shell. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 125:1-48. [PMID: 38783722 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Encapsulins, virus capsid-like bacterial nanocompartments have emerged as promising tools in medicine, imaging, and material sciences. Recent work has shown that these protein-bound icosahedral 'organelles' possess distinct properties that make them exceptionally usable for nanotechnology applications. A key factor contributing to their appeal is their ability to self-assemble, coupled with their capacity to encapsulate a wide range of cargos. Their genetic manipulability, stability, biocompatibility, and nano-size further enhance their utility, offering outstanding possibilities for practical biotechnology applications. In particular, their amenability to engineering has led to their extensive modification, including the packaging of non-native cargos and the utilization of the shell surface for displaying immunogenic or targeting proteins and peptides. This inherent versatility, combined with the ease of expressing encapsulins in heterologous hosts, promises to provide broad usability. Although mostly not yet commercialized, encapsulins have started to demonstrate their vast potential for biotechnology, from drug delivery to biofuel production and the synthesis of valuable inorganic materials. In this review, we will initially discuss the structure, function and diversity of encapsulins, which form the basis for these emerging applications, before reviewing ongoing practical uses and highlighting promising applications in medicine, engineering and environmental sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Ruth Quinton
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Benjamin McDowell
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Egbert Hoiczyk
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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27
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Gabashvili AN, Chmelyuk NS, Oda VV, Leonova MK, Sarkisova VA, Lazareva PA, Semkina AS, Belyakov NA, Nizamov TR, Nikitin PI. Magnetic and Fluorescent Dual-Labeled Genetically Encoded Targeted Nanoparticles for Malignant Glioma Cell Tracking and Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2422. [PMID: 37896182 PMCID: PMC10609955 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a primary malignant brain tumor, a radically incurable disease characterized by rapid growth resistance to classical therapies, with a median patient survival of about 15 months. For decades, a plethora of approaches have been developed to make GBM therapy more precise and improve the diagnosis of this pathology. Targeted delivery mediated by the use of various molecules (monoclonal antibodies, ligands to overexpressed tumor receptors) is one of the promising methods to achieve this goal. Here we present a novel genetically encoded nanoscale dual-labeled system based on Quasibacillus thermotolerans (Qt) encapsulins exploiting biologically inspired designs with iron-containing nanoparticles as a cargo, conjugated with human fluorescent labeled transferrin (Tf) acting as a vector. It is known that the expression of transferrin receptors (TfR) in glioma cells is significantly higher compared to non-tumor cells, which enables the targeting of the resulting nanocarrier. The selectivity of binding of the obtained nanosystem to glioma cells was studied by qualitative and quantitative assessment of the accumulation of intracellular iron, as well as by magnetic particle quantification method and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Used approaches unambiguously demonstrated that transferrin-conjugated encapsulins were captured by glioma cells much more efficiently than by benign cells. The resulting bioinspired nanoplatform can be supplemented with a chemotherapeutic drug or genotherapeutic agent and used for targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent to malignant glioma cells. Additionally, the observed cell-assisted biosynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles could be an attractive way to achieve a narrow size distribution of particles for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna N. Gabashvili
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilov Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.)
| | - Nelly S. Chmelyuk
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Leninskiy Prospekt 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.L.)
| | - Vera V. Oda
- MILLAB Group Ltd., 100/2 Dmitrovskoe Highway, 127247 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria K. Leonova
- Department of Physical Chemistry, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Leninskiy Prospekt 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Viktoria A. Sarkisova
- Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1 Leninskiy Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Cell Proliferation Laboratory, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology RAS, 32 Vavilov Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina A. Lazareva
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.L.)
| | - Alevtina S. Semkina
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovityanova Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.L.)
- Department of Basic and Applied Neurobiology, Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, 23 Kropotkinskiy Lane, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolai A. Belyakov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilov Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.)
| | - Timur R. Nizamov
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Leninskiy Prospekt 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Petr I. Nikitin
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilov Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.)
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28
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Jones JA, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Structural basis for peroxidase encapsulation in a protein nanocompartment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558302. [PMID: 37790520 PMCID: PMC10542125 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins are self-assembling protein nanocompartments capable of selectively encapsulating dedicated cargo proteins, including enzymes involved in iron storage, sulfur metabolism, and stress resistance. They represent a unique compartmentalization strategy used by many pathogens to facilitate specialized metabolic capabilities. Encapsulation is mediated by specific cargo protein motifs known as targeting peptides (TPs), though the structural basis for encapsulation of the largest encapsulin cargo class, dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs), is currently unknown. Here, we characterize a DyP-containing encapsulin from the enterobacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. By combining cryo-electron microscopy with TP mutagenesis, we elucidate the molecular basis for cargo encapsulation. TP binding is mediated by cooperative hydrophobic and ionic interactions as well as shape complementarity. Our results expand the molecular understanding of enzyme encapsulation inside protein nanocompartments and lay the foundation for rationally modulating encapsulin cargo loading for biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A. Jones
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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29
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Kwon S, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Structure and heterogeneity of a highly cargo-loaded encapsulin shell. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.26.550694. [PMID: 37546724 PMCID: PMC10402063 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.26.550694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins are self-assembling protein nanocompartments able to selectively encapsulate dedicated cargo enzymes. Encapsulins are widespread across bacterial and archaeal phyla and are involved in oxidative stress resistance, iron storage, and sulfur metabolism. Encapsulin shells exhibit icosahedral geometry and consist of 60, 180, or 240 identical protein subunits. Cargo encapsulation is mediated by the specific interaction of targeting peptides or domains, found in all cargo proteins, with the interior surface of the encapsulin shell during shell self-assembly. Here, we report the 2.53 Å cryo-EM structure of a heterologously produced and highly cargo-loaded T3 encapsulin shell from Myxococcus xanthus and explore the systems' structural heterogeneity. We find that exceedingly high cargo loading results in the formation of substantial amounts of distorted and aberrant shells, likely caused by a combination of unfavorable steric clashes of cargo proteins and shell conformational changes. Based on our cryo-EM structure, we determine and analyze the targeting peptide-shell binding mode. We find that both ionic and hydrophobic interactions mediate targeting peptide binding. Our results will guide future attempts at rationally engineering encapsulins for biomedical and biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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30
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Abstract
Encapsulins are a recently discovered class of prokaryotic self-assembling icosahedral protein nanocompartments measuring between 24 and 42 nm in diameter, capable of selectively encapsulating dedicated cargo proteins in vivo. They have been classified into four families based on sequence identity and operon structure, and thousands of encapsulin systems have recently been computationally identified across a wide range of bacterial and archaeal phyla. Cargo encapsulation is mediated by the presence of specific targeting motifs found in all native cargo proteins that interact with the interior surface of the encapsulin shell during self-assembly. Short C-terminal targeting peptides (TPs) are well documented in Family 1 encapsulins, while more recently, larger N-terminal targeting domains (TDs) have been discovered in Family 2. The modular nature of TPs and their facile genetic fusion to non-native cargo proteins of interest has made cargo encapsulation, both in vivo and in vitro, readily exploitable and has therefore resulted in a range of rationally engineered nano-compartmentalization systems. This review summarizes current knowledge on cargo protein encapsulation within encapsulins and highlights select studies that utilize TP fusions to non-native cargo in creative and useful ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Jones
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Robert Benisch
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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31
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Babar TK, Glare TR, Hampton JG, Hurst MRH, Narciso J, Sheen CR, Koch B. Linocin M18 protein from the insect pathogenic bacterium Brevibacillus laterosporus isolates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s00253-023-12563-8. [PMID: 37204448 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12563-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Brevibacillus laterosporus (Bl) is a Gram-positive and spore-forming bacterium. Insect pathogenic strains have been characterised in New Zealand, and two isolates, Bl 1821L and Bl 1951, are under development for use in biopesticides. However, growth in culture is sometimes disrupted, affecting mass production. Based on previous work, it was hypothesised that Tectiviridae phages might be implicated. While investigating the cause of the disrupted growth, electron micrographs of crude lysates showed structural components of putative phages including capsid and tail-like structures. Sucrose density gradient purification yielded a putative self-killing protein of ~30 kDa. N-terminal sequencing of the ~30 kDa protein identified matches to a predicted 25 kDa hypothetical and a 31.4 kDa putative encapsulating protein homologs, with the genes encoding each protein adjacent in the genomes. BLASTp analysis of the homologs of 31.4 kDa amino acid sequences shared 98.6% amino acid identity to the Linocin M18 bacteriocin family protein of Brevibacterium sp. JNUCC-42. Bioinformatic tools including AMPA and CellPPD defined that the bactericidal potential originated from a putative encapsulating protein. Antagonistic activity of the ~30 kDa encapsulating protein of Bl 1821L and Bl 1951during growth in broth exhibited bacterial autolytic activity. LIVE/DEAD staining of Bl 1821L cells after treatment with the ~30 kDa encapsulating protein of Bl 1821L substantiated the findings by showing 58.8% cells with the compromised cell membranes as compared to 37.5% cells in the control. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of the identified proteins of Bl 1821L was validated through gene expression in a Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis WB800N. KEY POINTS: • Gene encoding the 31.4 kDa antibacterial Linocin M18 protein was identified • It defined the autocidal activity of Linocin M18 (encapsulating) protein • Identified the possible killing mechanism of the encapsulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauseef K Babar
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand.
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60000, Pakistan.
| | - Travis R Glare
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
| | - John G Hampton
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Mark R H Hurst
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch, Lincoln Research Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Josefina Narciso
- Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
- Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln, Canterbury, 7647, New Zealand
| | - Campbell R Sheen
- Protein Science and Engineering, Callaghan Innovation, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Barbara Koch
- Protein Science and Engineering, Callaghan Innovation, Christchurch, New Zealand
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32
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Abrahamson CH, Palmero BJ, Kennedy NW, Tullman-Ercek D. Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Multienzyme Organization and Encapsulation. Annu Rev Biophys 2023; 52:553-572. [PMID: 36854212 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-092222-020832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The advent of biotechnology has enabled metabolic engineers to assemble heterologous pathways in cells to produce a variety of products of industrial relevance, often in a sustainable way. However, many pathways face challenges of low product yield. These pathways often suffer from issues that are difficult to optimize, such as low pathway flux and off-target pathway consumption of intermediates. These issues are exacerbated by the need to balance pathway flux with the health of the cell, particularly when a toxic intermediate builds up. Nature faces similar challenges and has evolved spatial organization strategies to increase metabolic pathway flux and efficiency. Inspired by these strategies, bioengineers have developed clever strategies to mimic spatial organization in nature. This review explores the use of spatial organization strategies, including protein scaffolding and protein encapsulation inside of proteinaceous shells, toward overcoming bottlenecks in metabolic engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte H Abrahamson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA;
| | - Brett J Palmero
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Nolan W Kennedy
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Danielle Tullman-Ercek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA;
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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33
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Jones JA, Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Exploring the Extreme Acid Tolerance of a Dynamic Protein Nanocage. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1388-1399. [PMID: 36796007 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01424] [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: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins are microbial protein nanocages capable of efficient self-assembly and cargo enzyme encapsulation. Due to their favorable properties, including high thermostability, protease resistance, and robust heterologous expression, encapsulins have become popular bioengineering tools for applications in medicine, catalysis, and nanotechnology. Resistance against physicochemical extremes like high temperature and low pH is a highly desirable feature for many biotechnological applications. However, no systematic search for acid-stable encapsulins has been carried out, while the influence of pH on encapsulin shells has so far not been thoroughly explored. Here, we report on a newly identified encapsulin nanocage from the acid-tolerant bacterium Acidipropionibacterium acidipropionici. Using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and proteolytic assays, we demonstrate its extreme acid tolerance and resilience against proteases. We structurally characterize the novel nanocage using cryo-electron microscopy, revealing a dynamic five-fold pore that displays distinct "closed" and "open" states at neutral pH but only a singular "closed" state under strongly acidic conditions. Further, the "open" state exhibits the largest pore in an encapsulin shell reported to date. Non-native protein encapsulation capabilities are demonstrated, and the influence of external pH on internalized cargo is explored. Our results expand the biotechnological application range of encapsulin nanocages toward potential uses under strongly acidic conditions and highlight pH-responsive encapsulin pore dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Jones
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0624, United States
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0624, United States
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0624, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1382, United States
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34
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Winter DL, Lebhar H, McCluskey JB, Glover DJ. A versatile multimodal chromatography strategy to rapidly purify protein nanostructures assembled in cell lysates. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:66. [PMID: 36829140 PMCID: PMC9960191 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01817-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein nanostructures produced through the self-assembly of individual subunits are attractive scaffolds to attach and position functional molecules for applications in biomaterials, metabolic engineering, tissue engineering, and a plethora of nanomaterials. However, the assembly of multicomponent protein nanomaterials is generally a laborious process that requires each protein component to be separately expressed and purified prior to assembly. Moreover, excess components not incorporated into the final assembly must be removed from the solution and thereby necessitate additional processing steps. RESULTS We developed an efficient approach to purify functionalized protein nanostructures directly from bacterial lysates through a type of multimodal chromatography (MMC) that combines size-exclusion, hydrophilic interaction, and ion exchange to separate recombinant protein assemblies from excess free subunits and bacterial proteins. We employed the ultrastable filamentous protein gamma-prefoldin as a material scaffold that can be functionalized with a variety of protein domains through SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation chemistry. The purification of recombinant gamma-prefoldin filaments from bacterial lysates using MMC was tested across a wide range of salt concentrations and pH, demonstrating that the MMC resin is robust, however the optimal choice of salt species, salt concentration, and pH is likely dependent on the protein nanostructure to be purified. In addition, we show that pre-processing of the samples with tangential flow filtration to remove nucleotides and metabolites improves resin capacity, and that post-processing with Triton X-114 phase partitioning is useful to remove lipids and any remaining lipid-associated protein. Subsequently, functionalized protein filaments were purified from bacterial lysates using MMC and shown to be free of unincorporated subunits. The assembly and purification of protein filaments with varying amounts of functionalization was confirmed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Förster resonance energy transfer, and transmission electron microscopy. Finally, we compared our MMC workflow to anion exchange chromatography with the purification of encapsulin nanocompartments containing a fluorescent protein as a cargo, demonstrating the versatility of the protocol and that the purity of the assembly is comparable to more traditional procedures. CONCLUSIONS We envision that the use of MMC will increase the throughput of protein nanostructure prototyping as well as enable the upscaling of the bioproduction of protein nanodevices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Winter
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hélène Lebhar
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432Recombinant Products Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joshua B. McCluskey
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dominic J. Glover
- grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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35
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Chmelyuk NS, Oda VV, Gabashvili AN, Abakumov MA. Encapsulins: Structure, Properties, and Biotechnological Applications. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:35-49. [PMID: 37068871 PMCID: PMC9937530 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
In 1994 a new class of prokaryotic compartments was discovered, collectively called "encapsulins" or "nanocompartments". Encapsulin shell protomer proteins self-assemble to form icosahedral structures of various diameters (24-42 nm). Inside of nanocompartments shells, one or several cargo proteins, diverse in their functions, can be encapsulated. In addition, non-native cargo proteins can be loaded into nanocompartments, and shell surfaces can be modified via various compounds, which makes it possible to create targeted drug delivery systems, labels for optical and MRI imaging, and to use encapsulins as bioreactors. This review describes a number of strategies of encapsulins application in various fields of science, including biomedicine and nanobiotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly S Chmelyuk
- National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Moscow, 119049, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 117977, Russia
| | - Vera V Oda
- National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Moscow, 119049, Russia
| | - Anna N Gabashvili
- National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Moscow, 119049, Russia
| | - Maxim A Abakumov
- National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Moscow, 119049, Russia.
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 117977, Russia
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36
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Lu J, Duan J, Han Y, Gou M, Li J, Li Q, Pang Y. A novel serum spherical lectin from lamprey reveals a more efficient mechanism of immune initiation and regulation in jawless vertebrates. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:102. [PMID: 36418956 PMCID: PMC9682848 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00401-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against pathogens and involves antibody and complement system-mediated antigen removal. Immune-response-related complement molecules have been identified in lamprey, and the occurrence of innate immune response via the mannose-binding lectin-associated serine proteases of the lectin cascade has been reported. We have previously shown that lamprey (Lampetra japonica) serum can efficiently and specifically eliminate foreign pathogens. Therefore, we aimed to understand the immune mechanism of lamprey serum in this study. We identified and purified a novel spherical lectin (LSSL) from lamprey serum. LSSL had two structural calcium ions coordinated with conserved amino acids, as determined through cryogenic electron microscopy. LSSL showed high binding capacity with microbial and mammalian glycans and demonstrated agglutination activity against bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that LSSL was transferred from phage transposons to the lamprey genome via horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, LSSL was associated with mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 1 and promoted the deposition of the C3 fragment on the surface of target cells upon binding. These results led us to conclude that LSSL initiates and regulates agglutination, resulting in exogenous pathogen and tumor cell eradication. Our observations will give a greater understanding of the origin and evolution of the complement system in higher vertebrates and lead to the identification of novel immune molecules and pathways for defense against pathogens and tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Lu
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
| | - Jinsong Duan
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Yinglun Han
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
| | - Meng Gou
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
| | - Jun Li
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
| | - Qingwei Li
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
| | - Yue Pang
- grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China ,grid.440818.10000 0000 8664 1765Lamprey Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116081 China
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Kwon S, Giessen TW. Engineered Protein Nanocages for Concurrent RNA and Protein Packaging In Vivo. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:3504-3515. [PMID: 36170610 PMCID: PMC9944510 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00391] [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: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Protein nanocages have emerged as an important engineering platform for biotechnological and biomedical applications. Among naturally occurring protein cages, encapsulin nanocompartments have recently gained prominence due to their favorable physico-chemical properties, ease of shell modification, and highly efficient and selective intrinsic protein packaging capabilities. Here, we expand encapsulin function by designing and characterizing encapsulins for concurrent RNA and protein encapsulation in vivo. Our strategy is based on modifying encapsulin shells with nucleic acid-binding peptides without disrupting the native protein packaging mechanism. We show that our engineered encapsulins reliably self-assemble in vivo, are capable of efficient size-selective in vivo RNA packaging, can simultaneously load multiple functional RNAs, and can be used for concurrent in vivo packaging of RNA and protein. Our engineered encapsulation platform has potential for codelivery of therapeutic RNAs and proteins to elicit synergistic effects and as a modular tool for other biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokmu Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Wang Q, Zhou YM, Xing CY, Li WC, Shen Y, Yan P, Guo JS, Fang F, Chen YP. Encapsulins from Ca. Brocadia fulgida: An effective tool to enhance the tolerance of engineered bacteria (pET-28a-cEnc) to Zn 2. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 435:128954. [PMID: 35462189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Zn2+ is largely discharged from many industries and poses a severe threat to the environment, making its remediation crucial. Encapsulins, proteinaceous nano-compartments, may protect cells against environmental stresses by sequestering toxic substances. To determine whether hemerythrin-containing encapsulins (cEnc) from anammox bacteria Ca. Brocadia fulgida can help cells deal with toxic substances such as Zn2+, we transferred cEnc into E.coli by molecular biology technologies for massive expression and then cultured them in media with increasing Zn2+ levels. The engineered bacteria (with cEnc) grew better and entered the apoptosis phase later, while wild bacteria showed poor survival. Furthermore, tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analysis was used to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanism by which the genetically-engineered bacteria (with cEnc) adapted to Zn2+ stress. When Zn2+ was sequestered in cEnc as a transition, the engineered bacteria presented a complex network of regulatory systems against Zn2+-induced cytotoxicity, including functions related to ribosomes, sulfur metabolism, flagellar assembly, DNA repair, protein synthesis, and Zn2+ efflux. Our findings offer an effective and promising stress control strategy to enhance the Zn2+ tolerance of bacteria for Zn2+ remediation and provide a new application for encapsulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Que Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Yue-Ming Zhou
- National Base of International Science and Technology Cooperation for Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Chong-Yang Xing
- Key Laboratory of Reservoir Aquatic Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Wen-Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Yu Shen
- National Base of International Science and Technology Cooperation for Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Peng Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Jin-Song Guo
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - You-Peng Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of MOE, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China.
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Andreas MP, Giessen TW. Heterologous expression and purification of encapsulins in Streptomyces coelicolor. MethodsX 2022; 9:101787. [PMID: 35898614 PMCID: PMC9309400 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years a large number of encapsulin nanocompartment-encoding operons have been identified in bacterial and archaeal genomes. Encapsulin-encoding genes and operons from GC-rich Gram-positive bacteria, particularly of the phylum Actinobacteria, are often difficult to overexpress and purify in a soluble form using standard Escherichia coli expression systems. Here, we present a protocol to heterologously overexpress encapsulin nanocompartments and encapsulin-containing operons in Streptomyces coelicolor. Successful encapsulin production begins with the transfer of a Streptomyces expression plasmid, encoding the gene(s) of interest, via conjugation to the model actinobacterium S. coelicolor. After growing the conjugated S. coelicolor culture to the optimal optical density, protein production is induced by the addition of the inducer thiostrepton, followed by expression in liquid culture for 1-3 days. Cells are lysed and encapsulin proteins purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation and size exclusion chromatography. The method outlined in this protocol can be utilized to improve cargo loading and overall soluble expression of encapsulin systems when compared to expression in E. coli.•Clone an encapsulin-encoding gene or operon into a Streptomyces expression vector.•Transfer the Streptomyces expression vector to S. coelicolor via conjugation.•Heterologously express and purify empty or cargo-loaded encapsulins from S. coelicolor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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40
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Condensation and Protection of DNA by the Myxococcus xanthus Encapsulin: A Novel Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147829. [PMID: 35887179 PMCID: PMC9321382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Encapsulins are protein nanocages capable of harboring smaller proteins (cargo proteins) within their cavity. The function of the encapsulin systems is related to the encapsulated cargo proteins. The Myxococcus xanthus encapsulin (EncA) naturally encapsulates ferritin-like proteins EncB and EncC as cargo, resulting in a large iron storage nanocompartment, able to accommodate up to 30,000 iron atoms per shell. In the present manuscript we describe the binding and protection of circular double stranded DNA (pUC19) by EncA using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and DNase protection assays. EncA binds pUC19 with an apparent dissociation constant of 0.3 ± 0.1 µM and a Hill coefficient of 1.4 ± 0.1, while EncC alone showed no interaction with DNA. Accordingly, the EncAC complex displayed a similar DNA binding capacity as the EncA protein. The data suggest that initially, EncA converts the plasmid DNA from a supercoiled to a more relaxed form with a beads-on-a-string morphology. At higher concentrations, EncA self-aggregates, condensing the DNA. This process physically protects DNA from enzymatic digestion by DNase I. The secondary structure and thermal stability of EncA and the EncA-pUC19 complex were evaluated using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopy. The overall secondary structure of EncA is maintained upon interaction with pUC19 while the melting temperature of the protein (Tm) slightly increased from 76 ± 1 °C to 79 ± 1 °C. Our work reports, for the first time, the in vitro capacity of an encapsulin shell to interact and protect plasmid DNA similarly to other protein nanocages that may be relevant in vivo.
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41
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Tasneem N, Szyszka TN, Jenner EN, Lau YH. How Pore Architecture Regulates the Function of Nanoscale Protein Compartments. ACS NANO 2022; 16:8540-8556. [PMID: 35583458 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling proteins can form porous compartments that adopt well-defined architectures at the nanoscale. In nature, protein compartments act as semipermeable barriers to enable spatial separation and organization of complex biochemical processes. The compartment pores play a key role in their overall function by selectively controlling the influx and efflux of important biomolecular species. By engineering the pores, the functionality of compartments can be tuned to facilitate non-native applications, such as artificial nanoreactors for catalysis. In this review, we analyze how protein structure determines the porosity and impacts the function of both native and engineered compartments, highlighting the wealth of structural data recently obtained by cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. Through this analysis, we offer perspectives on how current structural insights can inform future studies into the design of artificial protein compartments as nanoreactors with tunable porosity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuren Tasneem
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Taylor N Szyszka
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- University of Sydney Nano Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Eric N Jenner
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Eastern Avenue, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- University of Sydney Nano Institute, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Abstract
Subcellular compartmentalization is a defining feature of all cells. In prokaryotes, compartmentalization is generally achieved via protein-based strategies. The two main classes of microbial protein compartments are bacterial microcompartments and encapsulin nanocompartments. Encapsulins self-assemble into proteinaceous shells with diameters between 24 and 42 nm and are defined by the viral HK97-fold of their shell protein. Encapsulins have the ability to encapsulate dedicated cargo proteins, including ferritin-like proteins, peroxidases, and desulfurases. Encapsulation is mediated by targeting sequences present in all cargo proteins. Encapsulins are found in many bacterial and archaeal phyla and have been suggested to play roles in iron storage, stress resistance, sulfur metabolism, and natural product biosynthesis. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they share a common ancestor with viral capsid proteins. Many pathogens encode encapsulins, and recent evidence suggests that they may contribute toward pathogenicity. The existing information on encapsulin structure, biochemistry, biological function, and biomedical relevance is reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias W. Giessen
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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43
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Gabashvili AN, Efremova MV, Vodopyanov SS, Chmelyuk NS, Oda VV, Sarkisova VA, Leonova MK, Semkina AS, Ivanova AV, Abakumov MA. New Approach to Non-Invasive Tumor Model Monitoring via Self-Assemble Iron Containing Protein Nanocompartments. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:1657. [PMID: 35630878 PMCID: PMC9145190 DOI: 10.3390/nano12101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common oncological disease worldwide. There are multiple animal models for different types of breast carcinoma, allowing the research of tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. When studying these processes, it is crucial to visualize cancer cells for a prolonged time via a non-invasive method, for example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, we establish a new genetically encoded material based on Quasibacillus thermotolerans (Q.thermotolerans, Qt) encapsulin, stably expressed in mouse 4T1 breast carcinoma cells. The label consists of a protein shell containing an enzyme called ferroxidase. When adding Fe2+, a ferroxidase oxidizes Fe2+ to Fe3+, followed by iron oxide nanoparticles formation. Additionally, genes encoding mZip14 metal transporter, enhancing the iron transport, were inserted into the cells via lentiviral transduction. The expression of transgenic sequences does not affect cell viability, and the presence of magnetic nanoparticles formed inside encapsulins results in an increase in T2 relaxivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna N. Gabashvili
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
- Transplantation Immunology Laboratory, Biomedical Technology Department, National Medical Research Center for Hematology, Novy Zykovsky Drive, 4A, 125167 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria V. Efremova
- Department of Chemistry and TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Cascade P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Stepan S. Vodopyanov
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
- Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiy Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Nelly S. Chmelyuk
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova St., 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Vera V. Oda
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
| | - Viktoria A. Sarkisova
- Biology Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiy Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Cell Proliferation Laboratory, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Vavilova Street, 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria K. Leonova
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
| | - Alevtina S. Semkina
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova St., 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Basic and Applied Neurobiology, Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Kropotkinskiy Per. 23, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna V. Ivanova
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
| | - Maxim A. Abakumov
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospect, 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.G.); (S.S.V.); (N.S.C.); (V.V.O.); (M.K.L.); (A.V.I.)
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova St., 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
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44
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Edwardson TGW, Levasseur MD, Tetter S, Steinauer A, Hori M, Hilvert D. Protein Cages: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9145-9197. [PMID: 35394752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that self-assemble into polyhedral shell-like structures are useful molecular containers both in nature and in the laboratory. Here we review efforts to repurpose diverse protein cages, including viral capsids, ferritins, bacterial microcompartments, and designed capsules, as vaccines, drug delivery vehicles, targeted imaging agents, nanoreactors, templates for controlled materials synthesis, building blocks for higher-order architectures, and more. A deep understanding of the principles underlying the construction, function, and evolution of natural systems has been key to tailoring selective cargo encapsulation and interactions with both biological systems and synthetic materials through protein engineering and directed evolution. The ability to adapt and design increasingly sophisticated capsid structures and functions stands to benefit the fields of catalysis, materials science, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mao Hori
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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45
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Habibi N, Mauser A, Ko Y, Lahann J. Protein Nanoparticles: Uniting the Power of Proteins with Engineering Design Approaches. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104012. [PMID: 35077010 PMCID: PMC8922121 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein nanoparticles, PNPs, have played a long-standing role in food and industrial applications. More recently, their potential in nanomedicine has been more widely pursued. This review summarizes recent trends related to the preparation, application, and chemical construction of nanoparticles that use proteins as major building blocks. A particular focus has been given to emerging trends related to applications in nanomedicine, an area of research where PNPs are poised for major breakthroughs as drug delivery carriers, particle-based therapeutics or for non-viral gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahal Habibi
- Biointerfaces InstituteDepartment of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Ava Mauser
- Biointerfaces InstituteDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Yeongun Ko
- Biointerfaces InstituteDepartment of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Joerg Lahann
- Biointerfaces InstituteDepartments of Chemical EngineeringMaterial Science and EngineeringBiomedical Engineeringand Macromolecular Science and EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
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46
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Adamson LSR, Tasneem N, Andreas MP, Close W, Jenner EN, Szyszka TN, Young R, Cheah LC, Norman A, MacDermott-Opeskin HI, O'Mara ML, Sainsbury F, Giessen TW, Lau YH. Pore structure controls stability and molecular flux in engineered protein cages. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022. [PMID: 35119930 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.27.428512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein cages are a common architectural motif used by living organisms to compartmentalize and control biochemical reactions. While engineered protein cages have featured in the construction of nanoreactors and synthetic organelles, relatively little is known about the underlying molecular parameters that govern stability and flux through their pores. In this work, we systematically designed 24 variants of the Thermotoga maritima encapsulin cage, featuring pores of different sizes and charges. Twelve pore variants were successfully assembled and purified, including eight designs with exceptional thermal stability. While negatively charged mutations were better tolerated, we were able to form stable assemblies covering a full range of pore sizes and charges, as observed in seven new cryo-EM structures at 2.5- to 3.6-Å resolution. Molecular dynamics simulations and stopped-flow experiments revealed the importance of considering both pore size and charge, together with flexibility and rate-determining steps, when designing protein cages for controlling molecular flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan S R Adamson
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Nuren Tasneem
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael P Andreas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William Close
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Eric N Jenner
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Taylor N Szyszka
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Reginald Young
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Li Chen Cheah
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Megan L O'Mara
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Frank Sainsbury
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Tobias W Giessen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Campderdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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47
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Adamson LSR, Tasneem N, Andreas MP, Close W, Jenner EN, Szyszka TN, Young R, Cheah LC, Norman A, MacDermott-Opeskin HI, O’Mara ML, Sainsbury F, Giessen TW, Lau YH. Pore structure controls stability and molecular flux in engineered protein cages. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl7346. [PMID: 35119930 PMCID: PMC8816334 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl7346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Protein cages are a common architectural motif used by living organisms to compartmentalize and control biochemical reactions. While engineered protein cages have featured in the construction of nanoreactors and synthetic organelles, relatively little is known about the underlying molecular parameters that govern stability and flux through their pores. In this work, we systematically designed 24 variants of the Thermotoga maritima encapsulin cage, featuring pores of different sizes and charges. Twelve pore variants were successfully assembled and purified, including eight designs with exceptional thermal stability. While negatively charged mutations were better tolerated, we were able to form stable assemblies covering a full range of pore sizes and charges, as observed in seven new cryo-EM structures at 2.5- to 3.6-Å resolution. Molecular dynamics simulations and stopped-flow experiments revealed the importance of considering both pore size and charge, together with flexibility and rate-determining steps, when designing protein cages for controlling molecular flux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan S. R. Adamson
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Nuren Tasneem
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael P. Andreas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - William Close
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Eric N. Jenner
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Taylor N. Szyszka
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Reginald Young
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Li Chen Cheah
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alexander Norman
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Megan L. O’Mara
- Research School of Chemistry, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Frank Sainsbury
- CSIRO Future Science Platform in Synthetic Biology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), 41 Boggo Road, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Tobias W. Giessen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Corresponding author. (T.W.G.); (Y.H.L.)
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Campderdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Corresponding author. (T.W.G.); (Y.H.L.)
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48
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Eren E, Wang B, Winkler DC, Watts NR, Steven AC, Wingfield PT. Structural characterization of the Myxococcus xanthus encapsulin and ferritin-like cargo system gives insight into its iron storage mechanism. Structure 2022; 30:551-563.e4. [PMID: 35150605 PMCID: PMC8995368 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Encapsulins are bacterial organelle-like cages involved in various aspects of metabolism, especially protection from oxidative stress. They can serve as vehicles for a wide range of medical applications. Encapsulin shell proteins are structurally similar to HK97 bacteriophage capsid protein and their function depends on the encapsulated cargos. The Myxococcus xanthus encapsulin system comprises EncA and three cargos: EncB, EncC, and EncD. EncB and EncC are similar to bacterial ferritins that can oxidize Fe+2 to less toxic Fe+3. We analyzed EncA, EncB, and EncC by cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. Cryo-EM shows that EncA cages can have T = 3 and T = 1 symmetry and that EncA T = 1 has a unique protomer arrangement. Also, we define EncB and EncC binding sites on EncA. X-ray crystallography of EncB and EncC reveals conformational changes at the ferroxidase center and additional metal binding sites, suggesting a mechanism for Fe oxidation and storage within the encapsulin shell.
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49
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Ross J, McIver Z, Lambert T, Piergentili C, Bird JE, Gallagher KJ, Cruickshank FL, James P, Zarazúa-Arvizu E, Horsfall LE, Waldron KJ, Wilson MD, Mackay CL, Baslé A, Clarke DJ, Marles-Wright J. Pore dynamics and asymmetric cargo loading in an encapsulin nanocompartment. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabj4461. [PMID: 35080974 PMCID: PMC8791618 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj4461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins are protein nanocompartments that house various cargo enzymes, including a family of decameric ferritin-like proteins. Here, we study a recombinant Haliangium ochraceum encapsulin:encapsulated ferritin complex using cryo-electron microscopy and hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to gain insight into the structural relationship between the encapsulin shell and its protein cargo. An asymmetric single-particle reconstruction reveals four encapsulated ferritin decamers in a tetrahedral arrangement within the encapsulin nanocompartment. This leads to a symmetry mismatch between the protein cargo and the icosahedral encapsulin shell. The encapsulated ferritin decamers are offset from the interior face of the encapsulin shell. Using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we observed the dynamic behavior of the major fivefold pore in the encapsulin shell and show the pore opening via the movement of the encapsulin A-domain. These data will accelerate efforts to engineer the encapsulation of heterologous cargo proteins and to alter the permeability of the encapsulin shell via pore modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ross
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Zak McIver
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Thomas Lambert
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Cecilia Piergentili
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jasmine Emma Bird
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Kelly J. Gallagher
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Faye L. Cruickshank
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Patrick James
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Louise E. Horsfall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Kevin J. Waldron
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Marcus D. Wilson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - C. Logan Mackay
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Arnaud Baslé
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David J. Clarke
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Jon Marles-Wright
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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50
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Boyton I, Goodchild SC, Diaz D, Elbourne A, Collins-Praino LE, Care A. Characterizing the Dynamic Disassembly/Reassembly Mechanisms of Encapsulin Protein Nanocages. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:823-836. [PMID: 35036749 PMCID: PMC8757444 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Encapsulins, self-assembling icosahedral protein nanocages derived from prokaryotes, represent a versatile set of tools for nanobiotechnology. However, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying encapsulin self-assembly, disassembly, and reassembly is lacking. Here, we characterize the disassembly/reassembly properties of three encapsulin nanocages that possess different structural architectures: T = 1 (24 nm), T = 3 (32 nm), and T = 4 (42 nm). Using spectroscopic techniques and electron microscopy, encapsulin architectures were found to exhibit varying sensitivities to the denaturant guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), extreme pH, and elevated temperature. While all three encapsulins showed the capacity to reassemble following GuHCl-induced disassembly (within 75 min), only the smallest T = 1 nanocage reassembled after disassembly in basic pH (within 15 min). Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed that all encapsulins showed a significant loss of structural integrity after undergoing sequential disassembly/reassembly steps. These findings provide insights into encapsulins' disassembly/reassembly dynamics, thus informing their future design, modification, and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- India Boyton
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Technology
Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
- ARC
Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Macquarie
Park, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Sophia C. Goodchild
- Department
of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South
Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Dennis Diaz
- Department
of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South
Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Aaron Elbourne
- School
of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Lyndsey E. Collins-Praino
- Adelaide
Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
- ARC
Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Macquarie
Park, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Andrew Care
- School
of Life Sciences, University of Technology
Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia
- ARC
Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Macquarie University, Macquarie
Park, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- ARC Centre
of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie
University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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