1
|
Fan R, Aranko AS. Catcher/Tag Toolbox: Biomolecular Click-Reactions For Protein Engineering Beyond Genetics. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300600. [PMID: 37851860 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Manipulating protein architectures beyond genetic control has attracted widespread attention. Catcher/Tag systems enable highly specific conjugation of proteins in vivo and in vitro via an isopeptide-bond. They provide efficient, robust, and irreversible strategies for protein conjugation and are simple yet powerful tools for a variety of applications in enzyme industry, vaccines, biomaterials, and cellular applications. Here we summarize recent development of the Catcher/Tag toolbox with a particular emphasis on the design of Catcher/Tag pairs targeted for specific applications. We cover the current limitations of the Catcher/Tag systems and discuss the pH sensitivity of the reactions. Finally, we conclude some of the future directions in the development of this versatile protein conjugation method and envision that improved control over inducing the ligation reaction will further broaden the range of applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruxia Fan
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fedorov D, Roas-Escalona N, Tolmachev D, Harmat AL, Scacchi A, Sammalkorpi M, Aranko AS, Linder MB. Triblock Proteins with Weakly Dimerizing Terminal Blocks and an Intrinsically Disordered Region for Rational Design of Condensate Properties. Small 2023:e2306817. [PMID: 37964343 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Condensates are molecular assemblies that are formed through liquid-liquid phase separation and play important roles in many biological processes. The rational design of condensate formation and their properties is central to applications, such as biosynthetic materials, synthetic biology, and for understanding cell biology. Protein engineering is used to make a triblock structure with varying terminal blocks of folded proteins on both sides of an intrinsically disordered mid-region. Dissociation constants are determined in the range of micromolar to millimolar for a set of proteins suitable for use as terminal blocks. Varying the weak dimerization of terminal blocks leads to an adjustable tendency for condensate formation while keeping the intrinsically disordered region constant. The dissociation constants of the terminal domains correlate directly with the tendency to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation. Differences in physical properties, such as diffusion rate are not directly correlated with the strength of dimerization but can be understood from the properties and interplay of the constituent blocks. The work demonstrates the importance of weak interactions in condensate formation and shows a principle for protein design that will help in fabricating functional condensates in a predictable and rational way.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Fedorov
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Nelmary Roas-Escalona
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Dmitry Tolmachev
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Adam L Harmat
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Alberto Scacchi
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Maria Sammalkorpi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
- Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, Aalto, FI-00076, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fan R, Hakanpää J, Elfving K, Taberman H, Linder MB, Aranko AS. Biomolecular Click Reactions Using a Minimal pH-Activated Catcher/Tag Pair for Producing Native-Sized Spider-Silk Proteins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202216371. [PMID: 36695475 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202216371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
A type of protein/peptide pair known as Catcher/Tag pair spontaneously forms an intermolecular isopeptide bond which can be applied for biomolecular click reactions. Covalent protein conjugation using Catcher/Tag pairs has turned out to be a valuable tool in biotechnology and biomedicines, but it is essential to increase the current toolbox of orthogonal Catcher/Tag pairs to expand the range of applications further, for example, for controlled multiple-fragment ligation. We report here the engineering of novel Catcher/Tag pairs for protein ligation, aided by a crystal structure of a minimal CnaB domain from Lactobacillus plantarum. We show that a newly engineered pair, called SilkCatcher/Tag enables efficient pH-inducible protein ligation in addition to being compatible with the widely used SpyCatcher/Tag pair. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the SilkCatcher/Tag pair in the production of native-sized highly repetitive spider-silk-like proteins with >90 % purity, which is not possible by traditional recombinant production methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruxia Fan
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Johanna Hakanpää
- Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY), Photon Science, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.,Hamburg Unit c/o DESY, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Notkestrasse 85, 22603, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Karoliina Elfving
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Helena Taberman
- Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY), Photon Science, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lemetti L, Scacchi A, Yin Y, Shen M, Linder MB, Sammalkorpi M, Aranko AS. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Assembly of Silk-like Proteins is Dependent on the Polymer Length. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3142-3153. [PMID: 35796676 PMCID: PMC9364312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Phase transitions
have an essential role in the assembly of nature’s
protein-based materials into hierarchically organized structures,
yet many of the underlying mechanisms and interactions remain to be
resolved. A central question for designing proteins for materials
is how the protein architecture and sequence affects the nature of
the phase transitions and resulting assembly. In this work, we produced
82 kDa (1×), 143 kDa (2×), and 204 kDa (3×) silk-mimicking
proteins by taking advantage of protein ligation by SpyCatcher/Tag
protein-peptide pair. We show that the three silk proteins all undergo
a phase transition from homogeneous solution to assembly formation.
In the assembly phase, a length- and concentration-dependent transition
between two distinct assembly morphologies, one forming aggregates
and another coacervates, exists. The coacervates showed properties
that were dependent on the protein size. Computational modeling of
the proteins by a bead-spring model supports the experimental results
and provides us a possible mechanistic origin for the assembly transitions
based on architectures and interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lemetti
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Alberto Scacchi
- Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, Otakaari 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Yin Yin
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Mengjie Shen
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| | - Maria Sammalkorpi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, and Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, 02150, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland.,Academy of Finland Center of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER), Aalto University, Kemistintie 1, Espoo 02150, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Heikkinen HA, Aranko AS, Iwaï H. The NMR structure of the engineered halophilic DnaE intein for segmental isotopic labeling using conditional protein splicing. J Magn Reson 2022; 338:107195. [PMID: 35398651 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2022.107195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein trans-splicing catalyzed by split inteins has been used for segmental isotopic labeling of proteins for alleviating the complexity of NMR signals. Whereas inteins spontaneously trigger protein splicing upon protein folding, inteins from extremely halophilic organisms require a high salinity condition to induce protein splicing. We designed and created a salt-inducible intein from the widely used DnaE intein from Nostoc punctiforme by introducing 29 mutations, which required a lower salt concentration than naturally occurring halo-obligate inteins. We determined the NMR solution structure of the engineered salt-inducible DnaE intein in 2 M NaCl, showing the essentially identical three-dimensional structure to the original one, albeit it unfolds without salts. The NMR structure of a halo-obligate intein under high salinity suggests that the stabilization of the active folded conformation is not a mere result of various intramolecular interactions but the subtle energy balance from the complex interactions, including the solvation energy, which involve waters, ions, co-solutes, and protein polypeptide chains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harri A Heikkinen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland.
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 65, Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bonneel M, Hennebert E, Aranko AS, Hwang DS, Lefevre M, Pommier V, Wattiez R, Delroisse J, Flammang P. Molecular mechanisms mediating stiffening in the mechanically adaptable connective tissues of sea cucumbers. Matrix Biol 2022; 108:39-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
7
|
Beyer HM, Virtanen SI, Aranko AS, Mikula KM, Lountos GT, Wlodawer A, Ollila OHS, Iwaï H. The Convergence of the Hedgehog/Intein Fold in Different Protein Splicing Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218367. [PMID: 33171880 PMCID: PMC7664689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein splicing catalyzed by inteins utilizes many different combinations of amino-acid types at active sites. Inteins have been classified into three classes based on their characteristic sequences. We investigated the structural basis of the protein splicing mechanism of class 3 inteins by determining crystal structures of variants of a class 3 intein from Mycobacterium chimaera and molecular dynamics simulations, which suggested that the class 3 intein utilizes a different splicing mechanism from that of class 1 and 2 inteins. The class 3 intein uses a bond cleavage strategy reminiscent of proteases but share the same Hedgehog/INTein (HINT) fold of other intein classes. Engineering of class 3 inteins from a class 1 intein indicated that a class 3 intein would unlikely evolve directly from a class 1 or 2 intein. The HINT fold appears as structural and functional solution for trans-peptidyl and trans-esterification reactions commonly exploited by diverse mechanisms using different combinations of amino-acid types for the active-site residues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannes M. Beyer
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
| | - Salla I. Virtanen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
| | - A. Sesilja Aranko
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
| | - Kornelia M. Mikula
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
| | - George T. Lountos
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - O. H. Samuli Ollila
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.M.B.); (S.I.V.); (A.S.A.); (K.M.M.); (O.H.S.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-2941-59752
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Oeemig JS, Beyer HM, Aranko AS, Mutanen J, Iwaï H. Substrate specificities of inteins investigated by QuickDrop-cassette mutagenesis. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:3338-3355. [PMID: 32805768 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Inteins catalyze self-excision from host precursor proteins while concomitantly ligating the flanking substrates (exteins) with a peptide bond. Noncatalytic extein residues near the splice junctions, such as the residues at the -1 and +2 positions, often strongly influence the protein-splicing efficiency. The substrate specificities of inteins have not been studied for many inteins. We developed a convenient mutagenesis platform termed "QuickDrop"-cassette mutagenesis for investigating the influences of 20 amino acid types at the -1 and +2 positions of different inteins. We elucidated 17 different profiles of the 20 amino acid dependencies across different inteins. The substrate specificities will accelerate our understanding of the structure-function relationship at the splicing junctions for broader applications of inteins in biotechnology and molecular biosciences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesper S Oeemig
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannes M Beyer
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Justus Mutanen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lefevre M, Flammang P, Aranko AS, Linder MB, Scheibel T, Humenik M, Leclercq M, Surin M, Tafforeau L, Wattiez R, Leclère P, Hennebert E. Sea star-inspired recombinant adhesive proteins self-assemble and adsorb on surfaces in aqueous environments to form cytocompatible coatings. Acta Biomater 2020; 112:62-74. [PMID: 32502634 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sea stars adhere to various underwater substrata using an efficient protein-based adhesive secretion. The protein Sfp1 is a major component of this secretion. In the natural glue, it is cleaved into four subunits (Sfp1 Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma) displaying specific domains which mediate protein-protein or protein-carbohydrate interactions. In this study, we used the bacterium E. coli to produce recombinantly two fragments of Sfp1 comprising most of its functional domains: the C-terminal part of the Beta subunit (rSfp1 Beta C-term) and the Delta subunit (rSfp1 Delta). Using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size exclusion chromatography, we show that the proteins self-assemble and form oligomers and aggregates in the presence of NaCl. Moreover, they adsorb onto glass and polystyrene upon addition of Na+ and/or Ca2+ ions, forming homogeneous coatings or irregular meshworks, depending on the cation species and concentration. We show that coatings made of each of the two proteins have no cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells and even increase their proliferation. We propose that the Sfp1 recombinant protein coatings are valuable new materials with potential for cell culture or biomedical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biological adhesives offer impressive performance in their natural context and, therewith, the potential to inspire the development of advanced biomaterials for an increasing variety of applications in medicine or in material sciences. To date, most marine adhesive proteins that have been produced recombinantly in order to develop bio-inspired adhesives are small proteins from mussels and barnacles. Here, we produced two multi-modular proteins based on the sequence of Sfp1, a major protein from sea star adhesive secretion. These two proteins comprise most of Sfp1 functional domains which mediate protein-protein and protein-carbohydrate interactions. We characterized the two recombinant proteins with an emphasis on functional characteristics such as self-assembly, adsorption and cytocompatibility. We discuss their potential as biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Lefevre
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium; Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Research Institute for Materials, Center for Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Patrick Flammang
- Biology of Marine Organisms and Biomimetics Unit, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI-02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Thomas Scheibel
- Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Prof.-Rüdiger-Bormann Str.1, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Martin Humenik
- Department of Biomaterials, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Prof.-Rüdiger-Bormann Str.1, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Maxime Leclercq
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Research Institute for Materials, Center for Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Surin
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Research Institute for Materials, Center for Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Lionel Tafforeau
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Ruddy Wattiez
- Laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Philippe Leclère
- Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, Research Institute for Materials, Center for Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Elise Hennebert
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mohammadi P, Aranko AS, Landowski CP, Ikkala O, Jaudzems K, Wagermaier W, Linder MB. Biomimetic composites with enhanced toughening using silk-inspired triblock proteins and aligned nanocellulose reinforcements. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaaw2541. [PMID: 31548982 PMCID: PMC6744269 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw2541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Silk and cellulose are biopolymers that show strong potential as future sustainable materials. They also have complementary properties, suitable for combination in composite materials where cellulose would form the reinforcing component and silk the tough matrix. A major challenge concerns balancing structure and functional properties in the assembly process. We used recombinant proteins with triblock architecture, combining structurally modified spider silk with terminal cellulose affinity modules. Flow alignment of cellulose nanofibrils and triblock protein allowed continuous fiber production. Protein assembly involved phase separation into concentrated coacervates, with subsequent conformational switching from disordered structures into β sheets. This process gave the matrix a tough adhesiveness, forming a new composite material with high strength and stiffness combined with increased toughness. We show that versatile design possibilities in protein engineering enable new fully biological materials and emphasize the key role of controlled assembly at multiple length scales for realization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pezhman Mohammadi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Corresponding author. (P.M.); (M.B.L.)
| | - A. Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | | | - Olli Ikkala
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Department of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, 1006 Riga, Latvia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, D 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Markus B. Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Corresponding author. (P.M.); (M.B.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lemetti L, Hirvonen SP, Fedorov D, Batys P, Sammalkorpi M, Tenhu H, Linder MB, Aranko AS. Molecular crowding facilitates assembly of spidroin-like proteins through phase separation. Eur Polym J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
12
|
Mohammadi P, Aranko AS, Lemetti L, Cenev Z, Zhou Q, Virtanen S, Landowski CP, Penttilä M, Fischer WJ, Wagermaier W, Linder MB. Phase transitions as intermediate steps in the formation of molecularly engineered protein fibers. Commun Biol 2018; 1:86. [PMID: 30271967 PMCID: PMC6123624 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0090-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A central concept in molecular bioscience is how structure formation at different length scales is achieved. Here we use spider silk protein as a model to design new recombinant proteins that assemble into fibers. We made proteins with a three-block architecture with folded globular domains at each terminus of a truncated repetitive silk sequence. Aqueous solutions of these engineered proteins undergo liquid-liquid phase separation as an essential pre-assembly step before fibers can form by drawing in air. We show that two different forms of phase separation occur depending on solution conditions, but only one form leads to fiber assembly. Structural variants with one-block or two-block architectures do not lead to fibers. Fibers show strong adhesion to surfaces and self-fusing properties when placed into contact with each other. Our results show a link between protein architecture and phase separation behavior suggesting a general approach for understanding protein assembly from dilute solutions into functional structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pezhman Mohammadi
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland.
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Laura Lemetti
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Zoran Cenev
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Salla Virtanen
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | | | - Merja Penttilä
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | | | - Wolfgang Wagermaier
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Markus B Linder
- Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, 02150, Espoo, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ciragan A, Aranko AS, Tascon I, Iwaï H. Salt-inducible Protein Splicing in cis and trans by Inteins from Extremely Halophilic Archaea as a Novel Protein-Engineering Tool. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:4573-4588. [PMID: 27720988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intervening protein sequences (inteins) from extremely halophilic haloarchaea can be inactive under low salinity but could be activated by increasing the salt content to a specific concentration for each intein. The halo-obligatory inteins confer high solubility under both low and high salinity conditions. We showed the broad utility of salt-dependent protein splicing in cis and trans by demonstrating backbone cyclization, self-cleavage for purification, and scarless protein ligation for segmental isotopic labeling. Artificially split MCM2 intein derived from Halorhabdus utahensis remained highly soluble and was capable of protein trans-splicing with excellent ligation kinetics by reassembly under high salinity conditions. Importantly, the MCM2 intein has the active site residue of Ser at the +1 position, which remains in the ligated product, instead of Cys as found in many other efficient split inteins. Since Ser is more abundant than Cys in proteins, the novel split intein could widen the applications of segmental labeling in protein NMR spectroscopy and traceless protein ligation by exploiting a Ser residue in the native sequences as the +1 position of the MCM2 intein. The split halo-obligatory intein was successfully used to demonstrate the utility in NMR investigation of intact proteins by producing segmentally isotope-labeled intact TonB protein from Helicobacter pylori.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Ciragan
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - A Sesilja Aranko
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Igor Tascon
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Protein splicing in trans by split inteins has increasingly become a powerful protein-engineering tool for protein ligation, both in vivo and in vitro. Over 100 naturally occurring and artificially engineered split inteins have been reported for protein ligation using protein trans-splicing. Here, we review the current status of the reported split inteins in order to delineate an empirical or rational strategy for constructing new split inteins suitable for various applications in biotechnology and chemical biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Sesilja Aranko
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Macromolecular Crystallography Laboratory, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Aranko AS, Oeemig JS, Zhou D, Kajander T, Wlodawer A, Iwaï H. Structure-based engineering and comparison of novel split inteins for protein ligation. Mol Biosyst 2014; 10:1023-34. [PMID: 24574026 DOI: 10.1039/c4mb00021h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Protein splicing is an autocatalytic process involving self-excision of an internal protein domain, the intein, and concomitant ligation of the two flanking sequences, the exteins, with a peptide bond. Protein splicing can also take place in trans by naturally split inteins or artificially split inteins, ligating the exteins on two different polypeptide chains into one polypeptide chain. Protein trans-splicing could work in foreign contexts by replacing the native extein sequences with other protein sequences. Protein ligation using protein trans-splicing increasingly becomes a useful tool for biotechnological applications such as semi-synthesis of proteins, segmental isotopic labeling, and in vivo protein engineering. However, only a few split inteins have been successfully applied for protein ligation. Naturally split inteins have been widely used, but they are cross-reactive to each other, limiting their applications to multiple-fragment ligation. Based on the three-dimensional structures including two newly determined intein structures, we derived 21 new split inteins from four highly efficient cis-splicing inteins, in order to develop novel split inteins suitable for protein ligation. We systematically compared trans-splicing of 24 split inteins and tested the cross-activities among them to identify orthogonal split intein fragments that could be used in chemical biology and biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Sesilja Aranko
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki, FIN-00014, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Aranko AS, Oeemig JS, Iwaï H. Structural basis for proteintrans-splicing by a bacterial intein-like domain - protein ligation without nucleophilic side chains. FEBS J 2013; 280:3256-69. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Sesilja Aranko
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics; Institute of Biotechnology; University of Helsinki; Finland
| | - Jesper S. Oeemig
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics; Institute of Biotechnology; University of Helsinki; Finland
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics; Institute of Biotechnology; University of Helsinki; Finland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Aranko AS, Volkmann G. Protein trans-splicing as a protein ligation tool to study protein structure and function. Biomol Concepts 2011; 2:183-98. [DOI: 10.1515/bmc.2011.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractProtein trans-splicing (PTS) exerted by split inteins is a protein ligation reaction which enables overcoming the barriers of conventional heterologous protein production. We provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art in split intein engineering, as well as the achievements of PTS technology in the realm of protein structure-function analyses, including incorporation of natural and artificial protein modifications, controllable protein reconstitution, segmental isotope labeling and protein cyclization. We further discuss factors crucial for the successful implementation of PTS in these protein engineering approaches, and speculate on necessary future endeavours to make PTS a universally applicable protein ligation tool.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Sesilja Aranko
- 1Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Buchinger E, Aachmann FL, Aranko AS, Valla S, Skjåk-Braek G, Iwaï H, Wimmer R. Use of protein trans-splicing to produce active and segmentally (2)H, (15)N labeled mannuronan C5-epimerase AlgE4. Protein Sci 2010; 19:1534-43. [PMID: 20552686 DOI: 10.1002/pro.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Alginate epimerases are large multidomain proteins capable of epimerising C5 on beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) turning it into alpha-L-guluronic acid (G) in a polymeric alginate. Azotobacter vinelandii secretes a family of seven epimerases, each of which is capable of producing alginates with characteristic G distribution patterns. All seven epimerases consist of two types of modules, denoted A and R, in varying numbers. Attempts to study these enzymes with solution-state NMR are hampered by their size-the smallest epimerase, AlgE4, consisting of one A- and one R-module, is 58 kDa, resulting in heavy signal overlap impairing the interpretation of NMR spectra. Thus we obtained segmentally (2)H, (15)N labeled AlgE4 isotopomeres (A-[(2)H, (15)N]-R and [(2)H, (15)N]-A-R) by protein trans-splicing using the naturally split intein of Nostoc punctiforme. The NMR spectra of native AlgE4 and the ligated versions coincide well proving the conservation of protein structure. The activity of the ligated AlgE4 was verified by two different enzyme activity assays, demonstrating that ligated AlgE4 displays the same catalytic activity as wild-type AlgE4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edith Buchinger
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Aalborg DK-9000, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Busche AEL, Aranko AS, Talebzadeh-Farooji M, Bernhard F, Dötsch V, Iwaï H. Segmental isotopic labeling of a central domain in a multidomain protein by protein trans-splicing using only one robust DnaE intein. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:6128-31. [PMID: 19591176 DOI: 10.1002/anie.200901488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alena E L Busche
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance and Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt Macromolecular Complexes (CEF), University of Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Aranko AS, Züger S, Buchinger E, Iwaï H. In vivo and in vitro protein ligation by naturally occurring and engineered split DnaE inteins. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5185. [PMID: 19365564 PMCID: PMC2664965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protein trans-splicing by naturally occurring split DnaE inteins is used for protein ligation of foreign peptide fragments. In order to widen biotechnological applications of protein trans-splicing, it is highly desirable to have split inteins with shorter C-terminal fragments, which can be chemically synthesized. Principal Findings We report the identification of new functional split sites in DnaE inteins from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and from Nostoc punctiforme. One of the newly engineered split intein bearing C-terminal 15 residues showed more robust protein trans-splicing activity than naturally occurring split DnaE inteins in a foreign context. During the course of our experiments, we found that protein ligation by protein trans-splicing depended not only on the splicing junction sequences, but also on the foreign extein sequences. Furthermore, we could classify the protein trans-splicing reactions in foreign contexts with a simple kinetic model into three groups according to their kinetic parameters in the presence of various reducing agents. Conclusion The shorter C-intein of the newly engineered split intein could be a useful tool for biotechnological applications including protein modification, incorporation of chemical probes, and segmental isotopic labelling. Based on kinetic analysis of the protein splicing reactions, we propose a general strategy to improve ligation yields by protein trans-splicing, which could significantly enhance the applications of protein ligation by protein trans-splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Sesilja Aranko
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Züger
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Edith Buchinger
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Oeemig JS, Aranko AS, Djupsjöbacka J, Heinämäki K, Iwaï H. Solution structure of DnaE intein from Nostoc punctiforme: structural basis for the design of a new split intein suitable for site-specific chemical modification. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:1451-6. [PMID: 19344715 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2009] [Revised: 03/13/2009] [Accepted: 03/25/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Naturally split DnaE intein from Nostoc punctiforme (Npu) has robust protein trans-splicing activity and high tolerance of sequence variations at the splicing junctions. We determined the solution structure of a single chain variant of NpuDnaE intein by NMR spectroscopy. Based on the NMR structure and the backbone dynamics of the single chain NpuDnaE intein, we designed a functional split variant of the NpuDnaE intein having a short C-terminal half (C-intein) composed of six residues. In vivo and in vitro protein ligation of model proteins by the newly designed split intein were demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesper S Oeemig
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Muona
- Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|