1052 Citations
Synthesis of '- '-oligoadenylates - A by oligoadenylate synthetase OAS is an important innate cellular response that limits viral replication by activating the latent cellular RNase RNase L to degrade single-stranded RNA Some rotaviruses and coronaviruses antagonize the OAS RNase L pathway through the activity of an encoded H phosphoesterase domain that cleaves - A These viral H phosphoesterases are phylogenetically related to the cellular A kinase anchoring protein AKAP and share a core structure and an active site that contains two well-defined HF S T F where F is a hydrophobic residue motifs but their mechanism of substrate binding ... More
Synthesis of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates (2-5A) by oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) is an important innate cellular response that limits viral replication by activating the latent cellular RNase, RNase L, to degrade single-stranded RNA. Some rotaviruses and coronaviruses antagonize the OAS/RNase L pathway through the activity of an encoded 2H phosphoesterase domain that cleaves 2-5A. These viral 2H phosphoesterases are phylogenetically related to the cellular A kinase anchoring protein 7 (AKAP7) and share a core structure and an active site that contains two well-defined HF(S/T)F (where F is a hydrophobic residue) motifs, but their mechanism of substrate binding is unknown. Here, we report the structures of a viral 2H phosphoesterase, the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the group A rotavirus (RVA) VP3 protein, both alone and in complex with 2-5A. The domain forms a compact fold, with a concave �-sheet that contains the catalytic cleft, but it lacks two a-helical regions and two �-strands observed in AKAP7 and other 2H phosphoesterases. The cocrystal structure shows significant conformational changes in the R loop upon ligand binding. Bioinformatics and biochemical analyses reveal that conserved residues and residues required for catalytic activity and substrate binding comprise the catalytic motifs and a region on one side of the binding cleft. We demonstrate that the VP3 CTD of group B rotavirus, but not that of group G, cleaves 2-5A. These findings suggest that the VP3 CTD is a streamlined version of a 2H phosphoesterase with a ligand-binding mechanism that is shared among 2H phosphodiesterases that cleave 2-5A. Less
Custom-made pencils containing reagents dispersed in a solid matrix were developed to enable rapid and solvent-free deposition of reagents onto membrane-based fluidic devices The technique is as simple as drawing with the reagent pencils on a device When aqueous samples are added to the device the reagents dissolve from the pencil matrix and become available to react with analytes in the sample Colorimetric glucose assays conducted on devices prepared using reagent pencils had comparable accuracy and precision to assays conducted on conventional devices prepared with reagents deposited from solution Most importantly sensitive reagents such as enzymes are stable in the ... More
Custom-made pencils containing reagents dispersed in a solid matrix were developed to enable rapid and solvent-free deposition of reagents onto membrane-based fluidic devices. The technique is as simple as drawing with the reagent pencils on a device. When aqueous samples are added to the device, the reagents dissolve from the pencil matrix and become available to react with analytes in the sample. Colorimetric glucose assays conducted on devices prepared using reagent pencils had comparable accuracy and precision to assays conducted on conventional devices prepared with reagents deposited from solution. Most importantly, sensitive reagents, such as enzymes, are stable in the pencils under ambient conditions, and no significant decrease in the activity of the enzyme horseradish peroxidase stored in a pencil was observed after 63 days. Reagent pencils offer a new option for preparing and customizing diagnostic tests at the point of care without the need for specialized equipment. Less
Recently the first known light-driven sodium pumps from the microbial rhodopsin family were discovered We have solved the structure of one of them Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin KR in the monomeric blue state and in two pentameric red states at resolutions of and and respectively The structures reveal the ion-translocation pathway and show that the sodium ion is bound outside the protein at the oligomerization interface that the ion-release cavity is capped by a unique N-terminal -helix and that the ion-uptake cavity is unexpectedly large and open to the surface Obstruction of the cavity with the mutation G F imparts KR ... More
Recently, the first known light-driven sodium pumps, from the microbial rhodopsin family, were discovered. We have solved the structure of one of them, Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2), in the monomeric blue state and in two pentameric red states, at resolutions of 1.45 Å and 2.2 and 2.8 Å, respectively. The structures reveal the ion-translocation pathway and show that the sodium ion is bound outside the protein at the oligomerization interface, that the ion-release cavity is capped by a unique N-terminal α-helix and that the ion-uptake cavity is unexpectedly large and open to the surface. Obstruction of the cavity with the mutation G263F imparts KR2 with the ability to pump potassium. These results pave the way for the understanding and rational design of cation pumps with new specific properties valuable for optogenetics. Less
Crystallization of integral membrane proteins MPs is notoriously difficult given their poor stability outside native membrane environment and due to the interference of detergent micelles with crystallization process MP crystallization in a membrane mimetic matrix known as lipidic cubic phase LCP has recently started to gain popularity following successes in structure determination of G protein-coupled receptors GPCRs transporters and enzymes Unlike crystallization trials in aqueous solutions where protein molecules are free to move diffusion of MPs in LCP is restricted and thus a high level of protein mobility can serve as an early indication for subsequent crystallization success Prompted by ... More
Crystallization of integral membrane proteins (MPs) is notoriously difficult, given their poor stability outside native membrane environment and due to the interference of detergent micelles with crystallization process. MP crystallization in a membrane mimetic matrix, known as lipidic cubic phase (LCP), has recently started to gain popularity, following successes in structure determination of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), transporters, and enzymes. Unlike crystallization trials in aqueous solutions where protein molecules are free to move, diffusion of MPs in LCP is restricted, and, thus, a high level of protein mobility can serve as an early indication for subsequent crystallization success. Prompted by our initial observations that precipitant conditions can dramatically affect diffusion of GPCRs in LCP, we have developed a simple precrystallization assay, based on measuring protein diffusion at a number of different conditions by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (LCP-FRAP). Over the last few years, the LCP-FRAP assay was incorporated in our GPCR structure determination pipeline and proved as a powerful technique allowing for a faster identification of crystallization conditions for many different receptors. The assay is used to screen for the best protein constructs, ligands, LCP host lipids, precipitants, and additives, thereby focusing subsequent crystallization trials on the most promising parts of the multidimensional crystallization phase diagram, substantially increasing the likelihood of finding the right crystallization condition. Here, we describe our LCP-FRAP protocols for guiding GPCR crystallization, which can be adapted to any other MP, and discuss some of the critical considerations related to application of this assay. Less
The programmable RNA-guided DNA cleavage activity of the bacterial CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas is the basis of genome editing applications in numerous model organisms and cell types In a binary complex with a dual crRNA tracrRNA guide or single-molecule guide RNA Cas targets double-stranded DNAs harboring sequences complementary to a -nucleotide segment in the guide RNA Recent structural studies of the enzyme have uncovered the molecular mechanism of RNA-guided DNA recognition Here we provide protocols for electrophoretic mobility shift and fluorescence-detection size exclusion chromatography assays used to probe DNA binding by Cas that allowed us to reconstitute and crystallize the enzyme ... More
The programmable RNA-guided DNA cleavage activity of the bacterial CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 is the basis of genome editing applications in numerous model organisms and cell types. In a binary complex with a dual crRNA:tracrRNA guide or single-molecule guide RNA, Cas9 targets double-stranded DNAs harboring sequences complementary to a 20-nucleotide segment in the guide RNA. Recent structural studies of the enzyme have uncovered the molecular mechanism of RNA-guided DNA recognition. Here, we provide protocols for electrophoretic mobility shift and fluorescence-detection size exclusion chromatography assays used to probe DNA binding by Cas9 that allowed us to reconstitute and crystallize the enzyme in a ternary complex with a guide RNA and a bona fide target DNA. The procedures can be used for further mechanistic investigations of the Cas9 endonuclease family and are potentially applicable to other multicomponent protein-nucleic acid complexes. Less
Na -translocating NADH quinone oxidoreductase NQR is a redox-driven sodium pump operating in the respiratory chain of various bacteria including pathogenic species The enzyme has a unique set of redox active prosthetic groups which includes two covalently bound flavin mononucleotide FMN residues attached to threonine residues in subunits NqrB and NqrC The reason of FMN covalent bonding in the subunits has not been established yet In the current work binding of free FMN to the apo-form of NqrC from Vibrio harveyi was studied showing very low affinity of NqrC to FMN in the absence of its covalent bonding To study ... More
Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR) is a redox-driven sodium pump operating in the respiratory chain of various bacteria, including pathogenic species. The enzyme has a unique set of redox active prosthetic groups, which includes two covalently bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN) residues attached to threonine residues in subunits NqrB and NqrC. The reason of FMN covalent bonding in the subunits has not been established yet. In the current work, binding of free FMN to the apo-form of NqrC from Vibrio harveyi was studied showing very low affinity of NqrC to FMN in the absence of its covalent bonding. To study structural aspects of flavin binding in NqrC, its holo-form was crystallized and its 3D structure was solved at 1.56 Å resolution. It was found that the isoalloxazine moiety of the FMN residue is buried in a hydrophobic cavity and that its pyrimidine ring is squeezed between hydrophobic amino acid residues while its benzene ring is extended from the protein surroundings. This structure of the flavin-binding pocket appears to provide flexibility of the benzene ring, which can help the FMN residue to take the bended conformation and thus to stabilize the one-electron reduced form of the prosthetic group. These properties may also lead to relatively weak noncovalent binding of the flavin. This fact along with periplasmic location of the FMN-binding domains in the vast majority of NqrC-like proteins may explain the necessity of the covalent bonding of this prosthetic group to prevent its loss to the external medium. Less
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases play a critical role in protein synthesis by providing precursor transfer-RNA molecules correctly charged with their cognate amino-acids The essential nature of these enzymes make them attractive targets for designing new drugs against important pathogenic protozoans like Toxoplasma Because no structural data currently exists for a protozoan glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase QRS an understanding of its potential as a drug target and its function in the assembly of the Toxoplasma multi-aminoacyl tRNA MARS complex is therefore lacking Here we describe the optimization of expression and purification conditions that permitted the recovery and crystallization of both domains of the Toxoplasma ... More
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases play a critical role in protein synthesis by providing precursor transfer-RNA molecules correctly charged with their cognate amino-acids. The essential nature of these enzymes make them attractive targets for designing new drugs against important pathogenic protozoans like Toxoplasma. Because no structural data currently exists for a protozoan glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (QRS), an understanding of its potential as a drug target and its function in the assembly of the Toxoplasma multi-aminoacyl tRNA (MARS) complex is therefore lacking. Here we describe the optimization of expression and purification conditions that permitted the recovery and crystallization of both domains of the Toxoplasma QRS enzyme from a heterologous Escherichia coli expression system. Expression of full-length QRS was only achieved after the addition of an N-terminal histidine affinity tag and the isolated protein was active on both cellular and in vitro produced Toxoplasma tRNA. Taking advantage of the proteolytic susceptibility of QRS to cleavage into component domains, N-terminal glutathione S-transferase (GST) motif-containing domain fragments were isolated and crystallization conditions discovered. Isolation of the C-terminal catalytic domain was accomplished after subcloning the domain and optimizing expression conditions. Purified catalytic domain survived cryogenic storage and yielded large diffraction-quality crystals over-night after optimization of screening conditions. This work will form the basis of future structural studies into structural–functional relationships of both domains including potential targeted drug-design studies and investigations into the assembly of the Toxoplasma MARS complex. Less
Bi-functional - and - opioid receptor OR ligands are potential therapeutic alternatives to alkaloid opiate analgesics with diminished side effects We solved the structure of human -OR bound to the bi-functional -OR antagonist and -OR agonist tetrapeptide H-Dmt -Tic -Phe -Phe -NH DIPP-NH by serial femtosecond crystallography revealing a cis-peptide bond between H-Dmt and Tic The observed receptor-peptide interactions are critical to understand the pharmacological profiles of opioid peptides and to develop improved analgesics
Antibodies are complex macromolecules and their phase behavior as well as interactions within different solvents and precipitants are still not understood To shed some light into the processes on a molecular dimension the occurring self-interactions between antibody molecules were analyzed by means of the osmotic second virial coefficient B The determined B follows qualitatively the phenomenological Hofmeister series describing the aggregation probability of antibodies for the various solvent compositions However a direct correlation between crystallization probability and B in form of a crystallization slot does not seem to be feasible for antibodies since the phase behavior is strongly dependent on ... More
Antibodies are complex macromolecules and their phase behavior as well as interactions within different solvents and precipitants are still not understood. To shed some light into the processes on a molecular dimension, the occurring self-interactions between antibody molecules were analyzed by means of the osmotic second virial coefficient (B22). The determined B22 follows qualitatively the phenomenological Hofmeister series describing the aggregation probability of antibodies for the various solvent compositions. However, a direct correlation between crystallization probability and B22 in form of a crystallization slot does not seem to be feasible for antibodies since the phase behavior is strongly dependent on their anisotropy. Kinetic parameters have to be taken into account due to the molecular size and complexity of the molecules. This is confirmed by a comparison of experimental data with a theoretical phase diagram. On the other hand the solubility is thermodynamically driven and therefore the B22 could be used to establish a universal solubility line for the monoclonal antibody mAb04c and different solvent compositions by using thermodynamic models. � 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:438�451, 2015 Less
Knowledge of protein phase behavior is essential for downstream process design in the biopharmaceutical industry Proteins can either be soluble crystalline or precipitated Additionally liquid liquid phase separation gelation and skin formation can occur A method to generate phase diagrams in high throughput on an automated liquid handling station in microbatch scale was developed For lysozyme from chicken egg white human lysozyme glucose oxidase and glucose isomerase phase diagrams were generated at four different pH values pH and Sodium chloride ammonium sulfate polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol were used as precipitants Crystallizing conditions could be found for lysozyme from chicken ... More
Knowledge of protein phase behavior is essential for downstream process design in the biopharmaceutical industry. Proteins can either be soluble, crystalline or precipitated. Additionally liquid–liquid phase separation, gelation and skin formation can occur. A method to generate phase diagrams in high throughput on an automated liquid handling station in microbatch scale was developed. For lysozyme from chicken egg white, human lysozyme, glucose oxidase and glucose isomerase phase diagrams were generated at four different pH values – pH 3, 5, 7 and 9. Sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, polyethylene glycol 300 and polyethylene glycol 1000 were used as precipitants. Crystallizing conditions could be found for lysozyme from chicken egg white using sodium chloride, for human lysozyme using sodium chloride or ammonium sulfate and glucose isomerase using ammonium sulfate. PEG caused destabilization of human lysozyme and glucose oxidase solutions or a balance of stabilizing and destabilizing effects for glucose isomerase near the isoelectric point. This work presents a systematic generation and extensive study of phase diagrams of proteins. Thus, it adds to the general understanding of protein behavior in liquid formulation and presents a convenient methodology applicable to any protein solution. Less
Cyclic nucleotide-sensitive ion channels are molecular pores that open in response to cAMP or cGMP which are universal second messengers Binding of a cyclic nucleotide to the carboxyterminal cyclic nucleotide binding domain CNBD of these channels is thought to cause a conformational change that promotes channel opening The C-linker domain which connects the channel pore to this CNBD plays an important role in coupling ligand binding to channel opening Current structural insight into this mechanism mainly derives from X-ray crystal structures of the C-linker CNBD from hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated HCN channels However these structures reveal little to no conformational changes ... More
Cyclic nucleotide-sensitive ion channels are molecular pores that open in response to cAMP or cGMP, which are universal second messengers. Binding of a cyclic nucleotide to the carboxyterminal cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD) of these channels is thought to cause a conformational change that promotes channel opening. The C-linker domain, which connects the channel pore to this CNBD, plays an important role in coupling ligand binding to channel opening. Current structural insight into this mechanism mainly derives from X-ray crystal structures of the C-linker/CNBD from hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-modulated (HCN) channels. However, these structures reveal little to no conformational changes upon comparison of the ligand-bound and unbound form. In this study, we take advantage of a recently identified prokaryote ion channel, SthK, which has functional properties that strongly resemble cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels and is activated by cAMP, but not by cGMP. We determined X-ray crystal structures of the C-linker/CNBD of SthK in the presence of cAMP or cGMP. We observe that the structure in complex with cGMP, which is an antagonist, is similar to previously determined HCN channel structures. In contrast, the structure in complex with cAMP, which is an agonist, is in a more open conformation. We observe that the CNBD makes an outward swinging movement, which is accompanied by an opening of the C-linker. This conformation mirrors the open gate structures of the Kv1.2 channel or MthK channel, which suggests that the cAMP-bound C-linker/CNBD from SthK represents an activated conformation. These results provide a structural framework for better understanding cyclic nucleotide modulation of ion channels, including HCN and CNG channels. Less
Xyloglucan-specific endo- - -glucanases Xegs EC exhibit high catalytic specificity for - linkages of xyloglucan a branched hemicellulosic polysaccharide abundant in dicot primary cell walls and present in many monocot species In nature GH Xegs are not associated with carbohydrate-binding modules CBMs and here we have investigated the effect of the fusion of the xyloglucan-specific CBM on the structure and function of a GH Xeg from Aspergillus niveus XegA This fusion presented enhanced catalytic properties and conferred superior thermal stability on the XegA An increased k cat chimera s - XegA s - and reduced KM chimera mg mL - ... More
Xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanases (Xegs, EC 3.2.1.151) exhibit high catalytic specificity for β-1,4 linkages of xyloglucan, a branched hemicellulosic polysaccharide abundant in dicot primary cell walls and present in many monocot species. In nature, GH12 Xegs are not associated with carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), and here, we have investigated the effect of the fusion of the xyloglucan-specific CBM44 on the structure and function of a GH12 Xeg from Aspergillus niveus (XegA). This fusion presented enhanced catalytic properties and conferred superior thermal stability on the XegA. An increased k cat (chimera, 177.03 s(-1); XegA, 144.31 s(-1)) and reduced KM (chimera, 1.30 mg mL(-1); XegA, 1.50 mg mL(-1)) resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in catalytic efficiency of the chimera over the parental XegA. Although both parental and chimeric enzymes presented catalytic optima at pH 5.5 and 60 °C, the thermostabilitiy of the chimera at 60 °C was greater than the parental XegA. Moreover, the crystallographic structure of XegA together with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the spatial arrangement of the domains in the chimeric enzyme resulted in the formation of an extended binding cleft that may explain the improved kinetic properties of the CBM44-XegA chimera. Less
The identification of suitable conditions for crystallization is a rate-limiting step in protein structure determination The pH of an experiment is an important parameter and has the potential to be used in data-mining studies to help reduce the number of crystallization trials required However the pH is usually recorded as that of the buffer solution which can be highly inaccurate
Modern high-throughput structural biology laboratories produce vast amounts of raw experimental data The traditional method of data reduction is very simple results are summarized in peer-reviewed publications which are hopefully published in high-impact journals By their nature publications include only the most important results derived from experiments that may have been performed over the course of many years The main content of the published paper is a concise compilation of these data an interpretation of the experimental results and a comparison of these results with those obtained by other scientists Due to an avalanche of structural biology manuscripts submitted to ... More
Modern high-throughput structural biology laboratories produce vast amounts of raw experimental data. The traditional method of data reduction is very simple�results are summarized in peer-reviewed publications, which are hopefully published in high-impact journals. By their nature, publications include only the most important results derived from experiments that may have been performed over the course of many years. The main content of the published paper is a concise compilation of these data, an interpretation of the experimental results, and a comparison of these results with those obtained by other scientists.
Due to an avalanche of structural biology manuscripts submitted to scientific journals, in many recent cases descriptions of experimental methodology (and sometimes even experimental results) are pushed to supplementary materials that are only published online and sometimes may not be reviewed as thoroughly as the main body of a manuscript. Trouble may arise when experimental results are contradicting the results obtained by other scientists, which requires (in the best case) the reexamination of the original raw data or independent repetition of the experiment according to the published description of the experiment. There are reports that a significant fraction of experiments obtained in academic laboratories cannot be repeated in an industrial environment (Begley CG & Ellis LM, Nature 483(7391):531�3, 2012). This is not an indication of scientific fraud but rather reflects the inadequate description of experiments performed on different equipment and on biological samples that were produced with disparate methods. For that reason the goal of a modern data management system is not only the simple replacement of the laboratory notebook by an electronic one but also the creation of a sophisticated, internally consistent, scalable data management system that will combine data obtained by a variety of experiments performed by various individuals on diverse equipment. All data should be stored in a core database that can be used by custom applications to prepare internal reports, statistics, and perform other functions that are specific to the research that is pursued in a particular laboratory.
This chapter presents a general overview of the methods of data management and analysis used by structural genomics (SG) programs. In addition to a review of the existing literature on the subject, also presented is experience in the development of two SG data management systems, UniTrack and LabDB. The description is targeted to a general audience, as some technical details have been (or will be) published elsewhere. The focus is on �data management,� meaning the process of gathering, organizing, and storing data, but also briefly discussed is �data mining,� the process of analysis ideally leading to an understanding of the data. In other words, data mining is the conversion of data into information. Clearly, effective data management is a precondition for any useful data mining. If done properly, gathering details on millions of experiments on thousands of proteins and making them publicly available for analysis�even after the projects themselves have ended�may turn out to be one of the most important benefits of SG programs. Less
Due to an avalanche of structural biology manuscripts submitted to scientific journals, in many recent cases descriptions of experimental methodology (and sometimes even experimental results) are pushed to supplementary materials that are only published online and sometimes may not be reviewed as thoroughly as the main body of a manuscript. Trouble may arise when experimental results are contradicting the results obtained by other scientists, which requires (in the best case) the reexamination of the original raw data or independent repetition of the experiment according to the published description of the experiment. There are reports that a significant fraction of experiments obtained in academic laboratories cannot be repeated in an industrial environment (Begley CG & Ellis LM, Nature 483(7391):531�3, 2012). This is not an indication of scientific fraud but rather reflects the inadequate description of experiments performed on different equipment and on biological samples that were produced with disparate methods. For that reason the goal of a modern data management system is not only the simple replacement of the laboratory notebook by an electronic one but also the creation of a sophisticated, internally consistent, scalable data management system that will combine data obtained by a variety of experiments performed by various individuals on diverse equipment. All data should be stored in a core database that can be used by custom applications to prepare internal reports, statistics, and perform other functions that are specific to the research that is pursued in a particular laboratory.
This chapter presents a general overview of the methods of data management and analysis used by structural genomics (SG) programs. In addition to a review of the existing literature on the subject, also presented is experience in the development of two SG data management systems, UniTrack and LabDB. The description is targeted to a general audience, as some technical details have been (or will be) published elsewhere. The focus is on �data management,� meaning the process of gathering, organizing, and storing data, but also briefly discussed is �data mining,� the process of analysis ideally leading to an understanding of the data. In other words, data mining is the conversion of data into information. Clearly, effective data management is a precondition for any useful data mining. If done properly, gathering details on millions of experiments on thousands of proteins and making them publicly available for analysis�even after the projects themselves have ended�may turn out to be one of the most important benefits of SG programs. Less
The catalytic domain of the trimeric human -enoyl-CoA isomerase type HsECI has the typical crotonase fold In the active site of this fold two main chain NH groups form an oxyanion hole for binding the thioester oxygen of the E- or Z-enoyl-CoA substrate molecules A catalytic glutamate is essential for the proton transfer between the substrate C and C atoms for forming the product E-enoyl-CoA which is a key intermediate in the -oxidation pathway The active site is covered by the C-terminal helix- In HsECI the isomerase domain is extended at its N terminus by an acyl-CoA binding protein ACBP ... More
The catalytic domain of the trimeric human ?3,?2-enoyl-CoA isomerase, type 2 (HsECI2), has the typical crotonase fold. In the active site of this fold two main chain NH groups form an oxyanion hole for binding the thioester oxygen of the 3E- or 3Z-enoyl-CoA substrate molecules. A catalytic glutamate is essential for the proton transfer between the substrate C2 and C4 atoms for forming the product 2E-enoyl-CoA, which is a key intermediate in the �-oxidation pathway. The active site is covered by the C-terminal helix-10. In HsECI2, the isomerase domain is extended at its N terminus by an acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) domain. Small angle X-ray scattering analysis of HsECI2 shows that the ACBP domain protrudes out of the central isomerase trimer. X-ray crystallography of the isomerase domain trimer identifies the active site geometry. A tunnel, shaped by loop-2 and extending from the catalytic site to bulk solvent, suggests a likely mode of binding of the fatty acyl chains. Calorimetry data show that the separately expressed ACBP and isomerase domains bind tightly to fatty acyl-CoA molecules. The truncated isomerase variant (without ACBP domain) has significant enoyl-CoA isomerase activity; however, the full-length isomerase is more efficient. Structural enzymological studies of helix-10 variants show the importance of this helix for efficient catalysis. Its hydrophobic side chains, together with residues from loop-2 and loop-4, complete a hydrophobic cluster that covers the active site, thereby fixing the thioester moiety in a mode of binding competent for efficient catalysis. Less
The modified base -formylcytosine fC was recently identified in mammalian DNA and might be considered to be the 'seventh' base of the genome This nucleotide has been implicated in active demethylation mediated by the base excision repair enzyme thymine DNA glycosylase Genomics and proteomics studies have suggested an additional role for fC in transcription regulation through chromatin remodeling Here we propose that fC might affect these processes through its effect on DNA conformation Biophysical and structural analysis revealed that fC alters the structure of the DNA double helix and leads to a conformation unique among known DNA structures including those ... More
The modified base 5-formylcytosine (5fC) was recently identified in mammalian DNA and might be considered to be the 'seventh' base of the genome. This nucleotide has been implicated in active demethylation mediated by the base excision repair enzyme thymine DNA glycosylase. Genomics and proteomics studies have suggested an additional role for 5fC in transcription regulation through chromatin remodeling. Here we propose that 5fC might affect these processes through its effect on DNA conformation. Biophysical and structural analysis revealed that 5fC alters the structure of the DNA double helix and leads to a conformation unique among known DNA structures including those comprising other cytosine modifications. The 1.4-�-resolution X-ray crystal structure of a DNA dodecamer comprising three 5fCpG sites shows how 5fC changes the geometry of the grooves and base pairs associated with the modified base, leading to helical underwinding. Less
For the successful application of protein crystallization as a downstream step a profound knowledge of protein phase behavior in solutions is needed Therefore a systematic screening was conducted to analyze the influence of macromolecular precipitants in the form of polyethylene glycol PEG First the influence of molecular weight and concentration of PEG at different pH-values were investigated and analyzed in three-dimensional -D phase diagrams to find appropriate conditions in terms of a fast kinetic and crystal size for downstream processing In comparison to the use of salts as precipitant PEG was more suitable to obtain compact -D crystals over a ... More
For the successful application of protein crystallization as a downstream step, a profound knowledge of protein phase behavior in solutions is needed. Therefore, a systematic screening was conducted to analyze the influence of macromolecular precipitants in the form of polyethylene glycol (PEG). First, the influence of molecular weight and concentration of PEG at different pH-values were investigated and analyzed in three-dimensional (3-D) phase diagrams to find appropriate conditions in terms of a fast kinetic and crystal size for downstream processing. In comparison to the use of salts as precipitant, PEG was more suitable to obtain compact 3-D crystals over a broad range of conditions, whereby the molecular weight of PEG is, besides the pH-value, the most important parameter. Second, osmotic second virial coefficients as parameters for protein interactions are experimentally determined with static light scattering to gain a deep insight view in the phase behavior on a molecular basis. The PEG-protein solutions were analyzed as a pseudo-one-compartment system. As the precipitant is also a macromolecule, the new approach of analyzing cross-interactions between the protein and the macromolecule PEG in form of the osmotic second cross-virial coefficient (B23) was applied. Both parameters help to understand the protein phase behavior. However, a predictive description of protein phase behavior for systems consisting of monoclonal antibodies and PEG as precipitant is not possible, as kinetic phenomena and concentration dependencies were not taken into account. Less
Bacteriorhodopsins are a large family of seven-helical transmembrane proteins that function as light-driven proton pumps Here we present the crystal structure of a new member of the family Haloarcula marismortui bacteriorhodopsin I HmBRI D N mutant at the resolution of While the HmBRI retinal-binding pocket and proton donor site are similar to those of other archaeal proton pumps its proton release region is extended and contains additional water molecules The protein's fold is reinforced by three novel inter-helical hydrogen bonds two of which result from double substitutions relative to Halobacterium salinarum bacteriorhodopsin and other similar proteins Despite the expression in ... More
Bacteriorhodopsins are a large family of seven-helical transmembrane proteins that function as light-driven proton pumps. Here, we present the crystal structure of a new member of the family, Haloarcula marismortui bacteriorhodopsin I (HmBRI) D94N mutant, at the resolution of 2.5 Å. While the HmBRI retinal-binding pocket and proton donor site are similar to those of other archaeal proton pumps, its proton release region is extended and contains additional water molecules. The protein's fold is reinforced by three novel inter-helical hydrogen bonds, two of which result from double substitutions relative to Halobacterium salinarum bacteriorhodopsin and other similar proteins. Despite the expression in Escherichia coli and consequent absence of native lipids, the protein assembles as a trimer in crystals. The unique extended loop between the helices D and E of HmBRI makes contacts with the adjacent protomer and appears to stabilize the interface. Many lipidic hydrophobic tail groups are discernible in the membrane region, and their positions are similar to those of archaeal isoprenoid lipids in the crystals of other proton pumps, isolated from native or native-like sources. All these features might explain the HmBRI properties and establish the protein as a novel model for the microbial rhodopsin proton pumping studies. Less
Wax esters WEs are esters of fatty acids and fatty alcohols They can cover a broad range of physical properties which makes them especially interesting for industrial applications including additives in cosmetics and high class lubricants Biosynthesis of WEs is a widespread feature in nature and is carried out by two essential classes of enzymes One of them is the class of fatty acyl reductases FARs which reduce acyl-CoAs or acyl-acyl carrier proteins acyl-ACPs to the corresponding fatty alcohols The second one is the class of wax synthases WSs which esterify fatty alcohols with acyl CoAs yielding WEs The majority ... More
Wax esters (WEs) are esters of fatty acids and fatty alcohols. They can cover a broad range of physical properties, which makes them especially interesting for industrial applications, including additives in cosmetics and high class lubricants. Biosynthesis of WEs is a widespread feature in nature and is carried out by two essential classes of enzymes. One of them is the class of fatty acyl reductases (FARs), which reduce acyl-CoAs or acyl-acyl carrier proteins (acyl-ACPs) to the corresponding fatty alcohols. The second one is the class of wax synthases (WSs), which esterify fatty alcohols with acyl CoAs, yielding WEs. The majority of FARs and WSs described to date exhibit a broad substrate range, resulting in wax blends of heterogeneous compositions. With respect to a commercial production of WEs in genetically modified plants, a defined WE blend is desired rather than a mixture of WEs. Enzymes with improved substrate specificities, tailored for the production of individual WE blends, are one way to overcome these issues. However, the required knowledge about structure-function relationships in FARs and WSs for the construction of respective enzymes is lacking to date. The aim of the present thesis was thus to elucidate structural determinants of substrate specificity in FARs and WSs. To date, crystal structures are neither available from FARs nor from WSs. Hence, four FARs (DmFAR1 from Drosophila melanogaster, MaFAR1 from Marinobacter aquaeolei, MmFAR1 from Mus musculus and TcFAR1 from Tribolium castaneum), two WSs (AbWSD1 from Acinetobacter baylyi and MmAWAT2 from Mus musculus) and a soluble diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (AtDGAT3 from Arabidopsis thaliana) were studied in order to obtain structural insights. The activity of DmFAR1 was first described in the present work. It produces tetracosanol and hexacosanol upon expression in yeast, while expression in E. coli yielded tetradecanol, hexadecanol, hexadecenol and octadecenol. DmFAR1, MaFAR1, MmFAR1, AbWSD1, MmAWAT2 and AtDGAT3 were expressed in and purified from E. coli. Although this resulted in aggregated proteins in most cases, AbWSD1 was obtained in a quaternary structure corresponding to a trimer, when expressed as a fusion protein with the bacterial trigger factor. The respective fusion protein reproducibly formed crystals, which diffracted to 2.1 Å. Attempts to soak the crystals with iodine led to disruption of the crystals. Hence, the respective selenoprotein was produced and applied to crystallisation screens, which were ongoing at the end of this thesis. In order to elucidate substrate specificity determining structures in MmAWAT2, comparative studies of MmAWAT2 and MmDGAT2, which share ~ 70 % homology, were carried out. Both enzymes are acyltransferases and are capable of synthesising both, TAGs and WEs. Furthermore, both enzymes show distinct substrate specificities with respect to WE synthesis. Two predicted, neighboured hairpin forming transmembrane (TM) domains were identified to have an influence on the substrate specificity of MmAWAT2. Chimeric enzyme variants of MmAWAT2 carrying the respective section of the MmDGAT2 sequence showed a severely altered acyl chain incorporation pattern into WEs as compared to both, MmAWAT2 and MmDGAT2. Furthermore, respective variants showed an altered ratio of produced WEs and TAGs. This phenotype was also exhibited by the MmAWAT2 single amino acid exchange variant N36R, carrying a mutation in the part of the sequence which encodes the two predicted TM domains. Thus, the predicted TM domains of MmAWAT2 seem to have a role in substrate specificity determination of the enzyme. This work provides further insights into structure function relationships concerning substrate specificity in DGAT2-type acyltransferases. Furthermore, the successful crystallisation of a WS might pave the way for an extensive comprehension of this class of enzymes. Less
Hydrocarbon stapling can restore bioactive -helical structure to natural peptides yielding research tools and prototype therapeutics to dissect and target protein interactions Here we explore the capacity of peptide stapling to generate high-fidelity protease-resistant mimics of antigenic structures for vaccine development HIV- has been refractory to vaccine technologies thus far although select human antibodies can broadly neutralize HIV- by targeting sequences of the gp juxtamembrane fusion apparatus To develop candidate HIV- immunogens we generated and characterized stabilized -helices of the membrane-proximal external region SAH-MPER of gp SAH-MPER peptides were remarkably protease resistant and bound to the broadly neutralizing E and ... More
Hydrocarbon stapling can restore bioactive α-helical structure to natural peptides, yielding research tools and prototype therapeutics to dissect and target protein interactions. Here we explore the capacity of peptide stapling to generate high-fidelity, protease-resistant mimics of antigenic structures for vaccine development. HIV-1 has been refractory to vaccine technologies thus far, although select human antibodies can broadly neutralize HIV-1 by targeting sequences of the gp41 juxtamembrane fusion apparatus. To develop candidate HIV-1 immunogens, we generated and characterized stabilized α-helices of the membrane-proximal external region (SAH-MPER) of gp41. SAH-MPER peptides were remarkably protease resistant and bound to the broadly neutralizing 4E10 and 10E8 antibodies with high affinity, recapitulating the structure of the MPER epitope when differentially engaged by the two anti-HIV Fabs. Thus, stapled peptides may provide a new opportunity to develop chemically stabilized antigens for vaccination. Less
The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a leading cause of canine bacterial pyoderma resulting in worldwide morbidity in dogs S pseudintermedius also causes life-threatening human infections Furthermore methicillin-resistant S pseudintermedius is emerging resembling the human health threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Therefore it is increasingly important to characterize targets for intervention strategies to counteract S pseudintermedius infections Here we used biophysical methods mutagenesis and X-ray crystallography to define the ligand-binding properties and structure of SitA an S pseudintermedius surface lipoprotein SitA was strongly and specifically stabilized by Mn and Zn ions Crystal structures of SitA complexed with Mn and Zn ... More
The Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a leading cause of canine bacterial pyoderma, resulting in worldwide morbidity in dogs. S. pseudintermedius also causes life-threatening human infections. Furthermore, methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius is emerging, resembling the human health threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore it is increasingly important to characterize targets for intervention strategies to counteract S. pseudintermedius infections. Here we used biophysical methods, mutagenesis, and X-ray crystallography, to define the ligand-binding properties and structure of SitA, an S. pseudintermedius surface lipoprotein. SitA was strongly and specifically stabilized by Mn2+ and Zn2+ ions. Crystal structures of SitA complexed with Mn2+ and Zn2+ revealed a canonical class III solute-binding protein with the metal cation bound in a cavity between N- and C-terminal lobes. Unexpectedly, one crystal contained both apo- and holo-forms of SitA, revealing a large side-chain reorientation of His64, and associated structural differences accompanying ligand binding. Such conformational changes may regulate fruitful engagement of the cognate ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter system (SitBC) required for metal uptake. These results provide the first detailed characterization and mechanistic insights for a potential therapeutic target of the major canine pathogen S. pseudintermedius, and also shed light on homologous structures in related staphylococcal pathogens afflicting humans. Less
Secondary structure refolding is a key event in biology as it modulates the conformation of many proteins in the cell generating functional or aberrant states The crystal structures of mannosyltransferase PimA reveal an exceptional flexibility of the protein along the catalytic cycle including -strand to -helix and -helix to -strand transitions These structural changes modulate catalysis and are promoted by interactions of the protein with anionic phospholipids in the membrane
Structural and functional studies require the development of sophisticated Big Data technologies and software to increase the knowledge derived and ensure reproducibility of the data This paper presents summaries of the Structural Biology Knowledge Base the VIPERdb Virus Structure Database evaluation of homology modeling by the Protein Model Portal the ProSMART tool for conformation-independent structure comparison the LabDB super laboratory information management system and the Cambridge Structural Database These techniques and technologies represent important tools for the transformation of crystallographic data into knowledge and information in an effort to address the problem of non-reproducibility of experimental results
Amphipols APols have become important tools for the stabilization folding and in vitro structural and functional studies of membrane proteins MPs Direct crystallization of MPs solubilized in APols would be of high importance for structural biology However despite considerable efforts it is still not clear whether MP APol complexes can form well-ordered crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography In the present work we show that an APol-trapped MP can be crystallized in meso Bacteriorhodopsin BR trapped by APol A - was mixed with a lipidic mesophase and crystallization was induced by adding a precipitant The crystals diffract beyond The structure of ... More
Amphipols (APols) have become important tools for the stabilization, folding, and in vitro structural and functional studies of membrane proteins (MPs). Direct crystallization of MPs solubilized in APols would be of high importance for structural biology. However, despite considerable efforts, it is still not clear whether MP/APol complexes can form well-ordered crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography. In the present work, we show that an APol-trapped MP can be crystallized in meso. Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) trapped by APol A8-35 was mixed with a lipidic mesophase, and crystallization was induced by adding a precipitant. The crystals diffract beyond 2 Å. The structure of BR was solved to 2 Å and found to be indistinguishable from previous structures obtained after transfer from detergent solutions. We suggest the proposed protocol of in meso crystallization to be generally applicable to APol-trapped MPs. Less
The visual inspection of crystallization experiments is an important yet time-consuming and subjective step in X-ray crystallo graphy Previously published studies have focused on automatically classifying crystallization droplets into distinct but ultimately arbitrary experiment outcomes here a method is described that instead ranks droplets by their likelihood of containing crystals or microcrystals thereby prioritizing for visual inspection those images that are most likely to contain useful information The use of textons is introduced to describe crystallization droplets objectively allowing them to be scored with the posterior probability of a random forest classifier trained against droplets manually annotated for the presence ... More
The visual inspection of crystallization experiments is an important yet time-consuming and subjective step in X-ray crystallo�graphy. Previously published studies have focused on automatically classifying crystallization droplets into distinct but ultimately arbitrary experiment outcomes; here, a method is described that instead ranks droplets by their likelihood of containing crystals or microcrystals, thereby prioritizing for visual inspection those images that are most likely to contain useful information. The use of textons is introduced to describe crystallization droplets objectively, allowing them to be scored with the posterior probability of a random forest classifier trained against droplets manually annotated for the presence or absence of crystals or microcrystals. Unlike multi-class classification, this two-class system lends itself naturally to unidirectional ranking, which is most useful for assisting sequential viewing because images can be arranged simply by using these scores: this places droplets with probable crystalline behaviour early in the viewing order. Using this approach, the top ten wells included at least one human-annotated crystal or microcrystal for 94% of the plates in a data set of 196 plates imaged with a Minstrel HT system. The algorithm is robustly transferable to at least one other imaging system: when the parameters trained from Minstrel HT images are applied to a data set imaged by the Rock Imager system, human-annotated crystals ranked in the top ten wells for 90% of the plates. Because rearranging images is fundamental to the approach, a custom viewer was written to seamlessly support such ranked viewing, along with another important output of the algorithm, namely the shape of the curve of scores, which is itself a useful overview of the behaviour of the plate; additional features with known usefulness were adopted from existing viewers. Evidence is presented that such ranked viewing of images allows faster but more accurate evaluation of drops, in particular for the identification of microcrystals. Less
The farnesoid X receptor FXR regulates the homeostasis of bile acids lipids and glucose Because endogenous chemicals bind and activate FXR it is important to examine which xenobiotic compounds would disrupt normal receptor function We used a cell-based human FXR -lactamase Bla reporter gene assay to profile the Tox K compound collection of environmental chemicals and drugs Structure-activity relationships of FXR-active compounds revealed by this screening were then compared against the androgen receptor estrogen receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and and the vitamin D receptor We identified several FXR-active structural classes including anthracyclines benzimidazoles dihydropyridines pyrethroids retinoic acids and vinca alkaloids ... More
The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates the homeostasis of bile acids, lipids and glucose. Because endogenous chemicals bind and activate FXR, it is important to examine which xenobiotic compounds would disrupt normal receptor function. We used a cell-based human FXR β-lactamase (Bla) reporter gene assay to profile the Tox21 10K compound collection of environmental chemicals and drugs. Structure-activity relationships of FXR-active compounds revealed by this screening were then compared against the androgen receptor, estrogen receptor α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors δ and γ and the vitamin D receptor. We identified several FXR-active structural classes including anthracyclines, benzimidazoles, dihydropyridines, pyrethroids, retinoic acids and vinca alkaloids. Microtubule inhibitors potently decreased FXR reporter gene activity. Pyrethroids specifically antagonized FXR transactivation. Anthracyclines affected reporter activity in all tested assays, suggesting non-specific activity. These results provide important information to prioritize chemicals for further investigation and suggest possible modes of action of compounds in FXR signaling. Less
The inner membrane ring of the bacterial type III secretion system TTSS is composed of two proteins In Chlamydia trachomatis this ring is formed by CdsD gene name CT and CdsJ gene name CTA CdsD consists of amino acids The last amino acids at its C-terminal end relate it to the type III secretion system YscD HrpQ protein family The C-terminal domain consisting of amino acids of C trachomatis CdsD was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using immobilized metal-affinity chromatography IMAC and size-exclusion chromatography The protein was crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method A data set was collected to resolution ... More
The inner membrane ring of the bacterial type III secretion system (TTSS) is composed of two proteins. In Chlamydia trachomatis this ring is formed by CdsD (gene name CT_664) and CdsJ (gene name CTA_0609). CdsD consists of 829 amino acids. The last 400 amino acids at its C-terminal end relate it to the type III secretion system YscD/HrpQ protein family. The C-terminal domain, consisting of amino acids 558–771, of C. trachomatis CdsD was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using immobilized metal-affinity chromatography (IMAC) and size-exclusion chromatography. The protein was crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method. A data set was collected to 2.26 Å resolution. The crystals have the symmetry of space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 106.60, b = 23.91, c = 118.65 Å, β = 104.95°. According to the data analysis there is expected to be one molecule in the asymmetric unit, with a Matthews coefficient of 3.0 Å3 Da−1. Less
Rotavirus RV nonstructural protein NSP is a virulence factor that disrupts cellular Ca homeostasis and plays multiple roles regulating RV replication and the pathophysiology of RV-induced diarrhea Although its native oligomeric state is unclear crystallographic studies of the coiled-coil domain CCD of NSP from two different strains suggest that it functions as a tetramer or a pentamer While the CCD of simian strain SA NSP forms a tetramer that binds Ca at its core the CCD of human strain ST forms a pentamer lacking the bound Ca despite the residues E and Q that coordinate Ca binding being conserved In ... More
Rotavirus (RV) nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) is a virulence factor that disrupts cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and plays multiple roles regulating RV replication and the pathophysiology of RV-induced diarrhea. Although its native oligomeric state is unclear, crystallographic studies of the coiled-coil domain (CCD) of NSP4 from two different strains suggest that it functions as a tetramer or a pentamer. While the CCD of simian strain SA11 NSP4 forms a tetramer that binds Ca2+ at its core, the CCD of human strain ST3 forms a pentamer lacking the bound Ca2+ despite the residues (E120 and Q123) that coordinate Ca2+ binding being conserved. In these previous studies, while the tetramer crystallized at neutral pH, the pentamer crystallized at low pH, suggesting that preference for a particular oligomeric state is pH dependent and that pH could influence Ca2+ binding. Here, we sought to examine if the CCD of NSP4 from a single RV strain can exist in two oligomeric states regulated by Ca2+ or pH. Biochemical, biophysical, and crystallographic studies show that while the CCD of SA11 NSP4 exhibits high-affinity binding to Ca2+ at neutral pH and forms a tetramer, it does not bind Ca2+ at low pH and forms a pentamer, and the transition from tetramer to pentamer is reversible with pH. Mutational analysis shows that Ca2+ binding is necessary for the tetramer formation, as an E120A mutant forms a pentamer. We propose that the structural plasticity of NSP4 regulated by pH and Ca2+ may form a basis for its pleiotropic functions during RV replication.
IMPORTANCE The nonstructural protein NSP4 of rotavirus is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in virus replication, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis. Previous crystallography studies of the coiled-coil domain (CCD) of NSP4 from two different rotavirus strains showed two distinct oligomeric states, a Ca2+-bound tetrameric state and a Ca2+-free pentameric state. Whether NSP4 CCD from the same strain can exist in different oligomeric states and what factors might regulate its oligomeric preferences are not known. This study used a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and crystallography techniques and found that the NSP4 CCD can undergo a reversible transition from a Ca2+-bound tetramer to a Ca2+-free pentamer in response to changes in pH. From these studies, we hypothesize that this remarkable structural adaptability of the CCD forms a basis for the pleiotropic functional properties of NSP4. Less
IMPORTANCE The nonstructural protein NSP4 of rotavirus is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in virus replication, morphogenesis, and pathogenesis. Previous crystallography studies of the coiled-coil domain (CCD) of NSP4 from two different rotavirus strains showed two distinct oligomeric states, a Ca2+-bound tetrameric state and a Ca2+-free pentameric state. Whether NSP4 CCD from the same strain can exist in different oligomeric states and what factors might regulate its oligomeric preferences are not known. This study used a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and crystallography techniques and found that the NSP4 CCD can undergo a reversible transition from a Ca2+-bound tetramer to a Ca2+-free pentamer in response to changes in pH. From these studies, we hypothesize that this remarkable structural adaptability of the CCD forms a basis for the pleiotropic functional properties of NSP4. Less
The isolation of human monoclonal antibodies mAbs is providing important insights regarding the specificities that underlie broad neutralization of HIV- reviewed in Here we report a broad and extremely potent HIV-specific mAb termed O which binds novel HIV- envelope glycoprotein Env epitope O neutralized of pseudoviruses with an IC g ml The median IC of neutralized viruses was g ml among the most potent thus far described O did not bind monomeric forms of Env tested but did bind the trimeric BG SOSIP Mutagenesis and a reconstruction by negative-stain electron microscopy of the Fab in complex with trimer revealed it ... More
The isolation of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is providing important insights regarding the specificities that underlie broad neutralization of HIV-1 (reviewed in1). Here we report a broad and extremely potent HIV-specific mAb, termed 35O22, which binds novel HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) epitope. 35O22 neutralized 62% of 181 pseudoviruses with an IC50<50 �g/ml. The median IC50 of neutralized viruses was 0.033 �g/ml, among the most potent thus far described. 35O22 did not bind monomeric forms of Env tested, but did bind the trimeric BG505 SOSIP.664. Mutagenesis and a reconstruction by negative-stain electron microscopy of the Fab in complex with trimer revealed it to bind a conserved epitope, which stretched across gp120 and gp41. The specificity of 35O22 represents a novel site of vulnerability on HIV Env, which serum analysis indicates to be commonly elicited by natural infection. Binding to this new site of vulnerability may thus be an important complement to current mAb-based approaches to immunotherapies, prophylaxis, and vaccine design. Less
Protein crystals obtained in initial screens typically require optimization before they are of X-ray diffraction quality Seeding is one such optimization method In classical seeding experiments the seed crystals are put into new albeit similar conditions The past decade has seen the emergence of an alternative seeding strategy microseed matrix screening MMS In this strategy the seed crystals are transferred into conditions unrelated to the seed source Examples of MMS applications from in-house projects and the literature include the generation of multiple crystal forms and different space groups better diffracting crystals and crystallization of previously uncrystallizable targets MMS can be ... More
Protein crystals obtained in initial screens typically require optimization before they are of X-ray diffraction quality. Seeding is one such optimization method. In classical seeding experiments, the seed crystals are put into new, albeit similar, conditions. The past decade has seen the emergence of an alternative seeding strategy: microseed matrix screening (MMS). In this strategy, the seed crystals are transferred into conditions unrelated to the seed source. Examples of MMS applications from in-house projects and the literature include the generation of multiple crystal forms and different space groups, better diffracting crystals and crystallization of previously uncrystallizable targets. MMS can be implemented robotically, making it a viable option for drug-discovery programs. In conclusion, MMS is a simple, time- and cost-efficient optimization method that is applicable to many recalcitrant crystallization problems. Less
We have recently established a procedure for serial femtosecond crystallography in lipidic cubic phase LCP-SFX for protein structure determination at X-ray free electron lasers XFELs LCP-SFX uses the gel-like lipidic cubic phase LCP as a matrix for growth and delivery of membrane protein microcrystals for crystallographic data collection LCP is a liquid-crystalline mesophase composed of lipids and water It provides a membrane-mimicking environment that stabilizes membrane proteins and supports their crystallization Here we describe detailed procedures for the preparation and characterization of microcrystals for LCP-SFX applications The advantages of LCP-SFX over traditional crystallographic methods include the capability of collecting room ... More
We have recently established a procedure for serial femtosecond crystallography in lipidic cubic phase (LCP-SFX) for protein structure determination at X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs). LCP-SFX uses the gel-like lipidic cubic phase (LCP) as a matrix for growth and delivery of membrane protein microcrystals for crystallographic data collection. LCP is a liquid-crystalline mesophase, composed of lipids and water. It provides a membrane-mimicking environment that stabilizes membrane proteins and supports their crystallization. Here we describe detailed procedures for the preparation and characterization of microcrystals for LCP-SFX applications. The advantages of LCP-SFX over traditional crystallographic methods include the capability of collecting room temperature high-resolution data with minimal effects of radiation damage from sub-10 �m crystals of membrane and soluble proteins that are difficult to crystallize, while eliminating the need for crystal harvesting and cryo-cooling. Compared to SFX methods for microcrystals in solution using liquid injectors, LCP-SFX reduces protein consumption by 2�3 orders of magnitude for data collection at currently available XFELs. The whole procedure typically takes 3�5 days, including the time required for crystals to grow. Less
The LabDB laboratory information management system LIMS tracks organizes and analyzes data from chemical and solution management protein production crystallization diffraction structure solution and in vitro biochemical and biophysical experiments The system is comprised of multiple modules specialized for different tasks such as the Xtaldb system for crystallization or the hkldb module of the HKL- suite for diffraction data collection and structure solution The biochemical biophysical experiments tracked by LabDB include spectrophotometric binding and kinetics thermal shift binding isothermal titration calorimetry ITC and protein quantitation These tools associate functional and structural experiments for example for selecting likely substrates for co-crystallization ... More
The LabDB laboratory information management system (LIMS) tracks, organizes and analyzes data from chemical and solution management, protein production, crystallization, diffraction, structure solution, and in vitro biochemical and biophysical experiments. The system is comprised of multiple modules specialized for different tasks, such as the Xtaldb system for crystallization or the hkldb module of the HKL-3000 suite for diffraction data collection and structure solution. The biochemical/biophysical experiments tracked by LabDB include spectrophotometric binding and kinetics, thermal shift binding, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and protein quantitation. These tools associate functional and structural experiments, for example, for selecting likely substrates for co-crystallization and soaking experiments. Whenever possible, the system harvests data with no or minimal user intervention from laboratory hardware. Devices that may connect to or import data into LabDB include crystal observation (Rigaku Minstrel HT and Formulatrix Rock Imager), liquid handling (Formulatrix Rock Maker and Emerald Opti-Matrix Maker), chromatography (GE Healthcare AKTA), quantitation (Caliper LabChip GX II and Bio-Rad Gel Doc EZ), RT-PCR (Applied Biosystems 7900HT and Bio-Rad C1000/CFX96) and ITC (MicroCal iTC-200) systems. LabDB is used by two high-throughput PSI:Biology centers (MCSG and NYSGRC) as well as other major NIH consortia (the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Enzyme Function Initiative), and track millions of experiments on tens of thousands of targets.[1] The system also provides extensive data mining and analysis tools for translating raw experimental data into information and knowledge. We present examples of analyses generated by the system useful in designing new experiments. Less
Protein crystallization with microseed matrix screening: application to human germline antibody Fabs
The crystallization of human antibody Fab fragments constructed from all pairs of four different heavy chains and four different light chains was enabled by employing microseed matrix screening MMS In initial screening diffraction-quality crystals were obtained for only three Fabs while many Fabs produced hits that required optimization Application of MMS using the initial screens and or refinement screens resulted in diffraction-quality crystals of these Fabs Five Fabs that failed to give hits in the initial screen were crystallized by cross-seeding MMS followed by MMS optimization The crystallization protocols and strategies that resulted in structure determination of all Fabs are ... More
The crystallization of 16 human antibody Fab fragments constructed from all pairs of four different heavy chains and four different light chains was enabled by employing microseed matrix screening (MMS). In initial screening, diffraction-quality crystals were obtained for only three Fabs, while many Fabs produced hits that required optimization. Application of MMS, using the initial screens and/or refinement screens, resulted in diffraction-quality crystals of these Fabs. Five Fabs that failed to give hits in the initial screen were crystallized by cross-seeding MMS followed by MMS optimization. The crystallization protocols and strategies that resulted in structure determination of all 16 Fabs are presented. These results illustrate the power of MMS and provide a basis for developing future strategies for macromolecular crystallization. Less
We show here that an automated solution-based affinity selection mass spectrometry ASMS system can be built exclusively from commercially available parts The value of this technology lies in the throughput compounds day coupled with a low hit rate The system being a binding assay requires little development time yielding a fast timeline between target availability and hit identification In addition the use of exact mass simplifies the hit identification We demonstrate this system using carbonic anhydrase as the target and a library of proprietary compounds
Protein phase behavior characterization is a multivariate problem due to the high amount of influencing parameters and the diversity of the proteins Single influences on the protein are not understood and fundamental knowledge remains to be obtained For this purpose a systematic screening method was developed to characterize the influence of fluid phase conditions on the phase behavior of proteins in three-dimensional phase diagrams This approach was applied to three monoclonal antibodies to investigate influences of pH protein and salt concentrations with five different salts being tested Although differences exist between the antibodies this extensive study confirmed the general applicability ... More
Protein phase behavior characterization is a multivariate problem due to the high amount of influencing parameters and the diversity of the proteins. Single influences on the protein are not understood and fundamental knowledge remains to be obtained. For this purpose, a systematic screening method was developed to characterize the influence of fluid phase conditions on the phase behavior of proteins in three-dimensional phase diagrams. This approach was applied to three monoclonal antibodies to investigate influences of pH, protein and salt concentrations, with five different salts being tested. Although differences exist between the antibodies, this extensive study confirmed the general applicability of the Hofmeister series over the broad parameter range analyzed. The influence of the different salts on the aggregation (crystallization and precipitation) probability was described qualitatively using this Hofmeister series, with a differentiation between crystallization and precipitation being impossible, however. � 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1103�1113, 2014 Less
The disulfide bond forming DsbA enzymes and their DsbB interaction partners are attractive targets for development of antivirulence drugs because both are essential for virulence factor assembly in Gram-negative pathogens Here we characterize PmDsbA from Proteus mirabilis a bacterial pathogen increasingly associated with multidrug resistance PmDsbA exhibits the characteristic properties of a DsbA including an oxidizing potential destabilizing disulfide acidic active site cysteine and dithiol oxidase catalytic activity We evaluated a peptide PWATCDS derived from the partner protein DsbB and showed by thermal shift and isothermal titration calorimetry that it binds to PmDsbA The crystal structures of PmDsbA and the ... More
The disulfide bond forming DsbA enzymes and their DsbB interaction partners are attractive targets for development of antivirulence drugs because both are essential for virulence factor assembly in Gram-negative pathogens. Here we characterize PmDsbA from Proteus mirabilis, a bacterial pathogen increasingly associated with multidrug resistance. PmDsbA exhibits the characteristic properties of a DsbA, including an oxidizing potential, destabilizing disulfide, acidic active site cysteine, and dithiol oxidase catalytic activity. We evaluated a peptide, PWATCDS, derived from the partner protein DsbB and showed by thermal shift and isothermal titration calorimetry that it binds to PmDsbA. The crystal structures of PmDsbA, and the active site variant PmDsbAC30S were determined to high resolution. Analysis of these structures allows categorization of PmDsbA into the DsbA class exemplified by the archetypal Escherichia coli DsbA enzyme. We also present a crystal structure of PmDsbAC30S in complex with the peptide PWATCDS. The structure shows that the peptide binds non-covalently to the active site CXXC motif, the cis-Pro loop, and the hydrophobic groove adjacent to the active site of the enzyme. This high-resolution structural data provides a critical advance for future structure-based design of non-covalent peptidomimetic inhibitors. Such inhibitors would represent an entirely new antibacterial class that work by switching off the DSB virulence assembly machinery. Less
The Smoothened receptor SMO mediates signal transduction in the hedgehog pathway which is implicated in normal development and carcinogenesis SMO antagonists can suppress the growth of some tumors however mutations at SMO have been found to abolish their anti-tumor effects a phenomenon known as chemoresistance Here we report three crystal structures of human SMO bound to the antagonists SANT and Anta XV and the agonist SAG at resolution The long and narrow cavity in the transmembrane domain of SMO harbors multiple ligand binding sites where SANT binds at a deeper site as compared with other ligands Distinct interactions at D ... More
The Smoothened receptor (SMO) mediates signal transduction in the hedgehog pathway, which is implicated in normal development and carcinogenesis. SMO antagonists can suppress the growth of some tumors; however, mutations at SMO have been found to abolish their anti-tumor effects, a phenomenon known as chemoresistance. Here we report three crystal structures of human SMO bound to the antagonists SANT1 and Anta XV, and the agonist, SAG1.5, at 2.6–2.8Å resolution. The long and narrow cavity in the transmembrane domain of SMO harbors multiple ligand binding sites, where SANT1 binds at a deeper site as compared with other ligands. Distinct interactions at D4736.55 elucidated the structural basis for the differential effects of chemoresistance mutations on SMO antagonists. The agonist SAG1.5 induces a conformational rearrangement of the binding pocket residues, which could contribute to SMO activation. Collectively, these studies reveal the structural basis for the modulation of SMO by small molecules. Less
A systematic study of the crystallization of an a-helical integral membrane enzyme diacylglycerol kinase DgkA using the lipidic cubic mesophase or in meso method is described These trials have resulted in the production of blocky rhombohedron-shaped crystals of diffraction quality currently in use for structure determination Dramatic improvements in crystal quality were obtained when the identity of the lipid used to form the mesophase bilayer into which the protein was reconstituted as a prelude to crystallogenesis was varied These monoacylglycerol lipids incorporated fatty acyl chains ranging from to carbon atoms long with cis olefinic bonds located toward the middle of ... More
A systematic study of the crystallization of an a-helical, integral membrane enzyme, diacylglycerol kinase, DgkA, using the lipidic cubic mesophase or in meso method is described. These trials have resulted in the production of blocky, rhombohedron-shaped crystals of diffraction quality currently in use for structure determination. Dramatic improvements in crystal quality were obtained when the identity of the lipid used to form the mesophase bilayer into which the protein was reconstituted as a prelude to crystallogenesis was varied. These monoacylglycerol lipids incorporated fatty acyl chains ranging from 14 to 18 carbon atoms long with cis olefinic bonds located toward the middle of the chain. Best crystals were obtained with a lipid that had an acyl chain 15 carbon atoms long with the double bond between carbons 7 and 8. It is speculated that the effectiveness of this lipid derives from hydrophobic mismatch between the target integral membrane protein and the bilayer of the host mesophase. Low temperature (4 �C) worked in concert with the short chain lipid to provide high quality crystals. Recommended screening strategies for crystallizing membrane proteins that include host lipid type and low temperature are made on the basis of this and related in meso crystallization trials. Less
Metabolic pathways in eubacteria and archaea often are encoded by operons and or gene clusters genome neighborhoods that provide important clues for assignment of both enzyme functions and metabolic pathways We describe a bioinformatic approach genome neighborhood network GNN that enables large scale prediction of the in vitro enzymatic activities and in vivo physiological functions metabolic pathways of uncharacterized enzymes in protein families We demonstrate the utility of the GNN approach by predicting in vitro activities and in vivo functions in the proline racemase superfamily PRS InterPro IPR The predictions were verified by measuring in vitro activities for proteins in ... More
Metabolic pathways in eubacteria and archaea often are encoded by operons and/or gene clusters (genome neighborhoods) that provide important clues for assignment of both enzyme functions and metabolic pathways. We describe a bioinformatic approach (genome neighborhood network; GNN) that enables large scale prediction of the in vitro enzymatic activities and in vivo physiological functions (metabolic pathways) of uncharacterized enzymes in protein families. We demonstrate the utility of the GNN approach by predicting in vitro activities and in vivo functions in the proline racemase superfamily (PRS; InterPro IPR008794). The predictions were verified by measuring in vitro activities for 51 proteins in 12 families in the PRS that represent ~85% of the sequences; in vitro activities of pathway enzymes, carbon/nitrogen source phenotypes, and/or transcriptomic studies confirmed the predicted pathways. The synergistic use of sequence similarity networks3 and GNNs will facilitate the discovery of the components of novel, uncharacterized metabolic pathways in sequenced genomes. Less
Lipidic cubic phase LCP is a gel-like liquid crystalline membrane-mimetic matrix It has been successfully used to stabilize and crystallize challenging membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors the structure of which is often difficult to obtain by other methods Despite many advantages the LCP crystallization method has not been widely adopted because of difficulties associated with handling highly viscous LCP material Recent advances in the development of tools and instruments for LCP crystallization are aimed at facilitating the research in this area and to help structural biologists in integrating these technologies in their working routine
Phospholipids have major roles in the structure and function of all cell membranes Most integral membrane proteins from the large CDP-alcohol phosphatidyltransferase family are involved in phospholipid biosynthesis across the three domains of life They share a conserved sequence pattern and catalyse the displacement of CMP from a CDP-alcohol by a second alcohol Here we report the crystal structure of a bifunctional enzyme comprising a cytoplasmic nucleotidyltransferase domain IPCT fused with a membrane CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase domain DIPPS at resolution The bifunctional protein dimerizes through the DIPPS domains each comprising six transmembrane -helices The active site cavity is hydrophilic and widely ... More
Phospholipids have major roles in the structure and function of all cell membranes. Most integral membrane proteins from the large CDP-alcohol phosphatidyltransferase family are involved in phospholipid biosynthesis across the three domains of life. They share a conserved sequence pattern and catalyse the displacement of CMP from a CDP-alcohol by a second alcohol. Here we report the crystal structure of a bifunctional enzyme comprising a cytoplasmic nucleotidyltransferase domain (IPCT) fused with a membrane CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase domain (DIPPS) at 2.65 Å resolution. The bifunctional protein dimerizes through the DIPPS domains, each comprising six transmembrane α-helices. The active site cavity is hydrophilic and widely open to the cytoplasm with a magnesium ion surrounded by four highly conserved aspartate residues from helices TM2 and TM3. We show that magnesium is essential for the enzymatic activity and is involved in catalysis. Substrates docking is validated by mutagenesis studies, and a structure-based catalytic mechanism is proposed. Less
Type-A -aminobutyric acid receptors GABAARs are the principal mediators of rapid inhibitory synaptic transmission in the human brain A decline in GABAAR signalling triggers hyperactive neurological disorders such as insomnia anxiety and epilepsy Here we present the first three-dimensional structure of a GABAAR the human homopentamer at resolution This structure reveals architectural elements unique to eukaryotic Cys-loop receptors explains the mechanistic consequences of multiple human disease mutations and shows a surprising structural role for a conserved N-linked glycan The receptor was crystallised bound to a previously unknown agonist benzamidine opening a new avenue for the rational design of GABAAR modulators ... More
Type-A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAARs) are the principal mediators of rapid inhibitory synaptic transmission in the human brain. A decline in GABAAR signalling triggers hyperactive neurological disorders such as insomnia, anxiety and epilepsy. Here we present the first three-dimensional structure of a GABAAR, the human β3 homopentamer, at 3 Å resolution. This structure reveals architectural elements unique to eukaryotic Cys-loop receptors, explains the mechanistic consequences of multiple human disease mutations and shows a surprising structural role for a conserved N-linked glycan. The receptor was crystallised bound to a previously unknown agonist, benzamidine, opening a new avenue for the rational design of GABAAR modulators. The channel region forms a closed gate at the base of the pore, representative of a desensitised state. These results offer new insights into the signalling mechanisms of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels and enhance current understanding of GABAergic neurotransmission. Less
Bacterial chemotaxis receptors are elongated homodimeric coiled-coil bundles which transduce signals generated in an N-terminal sensor domain across nm to a conserved C-terminal signaling subdomain This signal transduction regulates the activity of associated kinases altering the behavior of the flagellar motor and hence cell motility Signaling is in turn modulated by selective methylation and demethylation of specific glutamate and glutamine residues in an adaptation subdomain We have determined the structure of a chimeric protein consisting of the HAMP domain from Archaeoglobus fulgidus Af and the methyl-accepting domain of Escherichia coli Tsr It shows a nm coiled coil that alternates between ... More
Bacterial chemotaxis receptors are elongated homodimeric coiled-coil bundles, which transduce signals generated in an N-terminal sensor domain across 15–20 nm to a conserved C-terminal signaling subdomain. This signal transduction regulates the activity of associated kinases, altering the behavior of the flagellar motor and hence cell motility. Signaling is in turn modulated by selective methylation and demethylation of specific glutamate and glutamine residues in an adaptation subdomain. We have determined the structure of a chimeric protein, consisting of the HAMP domain from Archaeoglobus fulgidus Af1503 and the methyl-accepting domain of Escherichia coli Tsr. It shows a 21 nm coiled coil that alternates between two coiled-coil packing modes: canonical knobs-into-holes and complementary x-da, a variant form related to the canonical one by axial rotation of the helices. Comparison of the obtained structure to the Thermotoga maritima chemoreceptor TM1143 reveals that they adopt different axial rotation states in their adaptation subdomains. This conformational change is presumably induced by the upstream HAMP domain and may modulate the affinity of the chemoreceptor to the methylation–demethylation system. The presented findings extend the cogwheel model for signal transmission to chemoreceptors. Less
Crystallization remains the bottleneck in the crystallographic process leading from a gene to a three-dimensional model of the encoded protein or RNA Automation of the individual steps of a crystallization experiment from the preparation of crystallization cocktails for initial or optimization screens to the imaging of the experiments has been the response to address this issue Today large high-throughput crystallization facilities many of them open to the general user community are capable of setting up thousands of crystallization trials per day It is thus possible to test multiple constructs of each target for their ability to form crystals on a ... More
Crystallization remains the bottleneck in the crystallographic process leading from a gene to a three-dimensional model of the encoded protein or RNA. Automation of the individual steps of a crystallization experiment, from the preparation of crystallization cocktails for initial or optimization screens to the imaging of the experiments, has been the response to address this issue. Today, large high-throughput crystallization facilities, many of them open to the general user community, are capable of setting up thousands of crystallization trials per day. It is thus possible to test multiple constructs of each target for their ability to form crystals on a production-line basis. This has improved success rates and made crystallization much more convenient. High-throughput crystallization, however, cannot relieve users of the task of producing samples of high quality. Moreover, the time gained from eliminating manual preparations must now be invested in the careful evaluation of the increased number of experiments. The latter requires a sophisticated data and laboratory information-management system. A review of the current state of automation at the individual steps of crystallization with specific attention to the automation of optimization is given. Less
Membrane transporters that clear the neurotransmitter glutamate from synapses are driven by symport of sodium ions and counter-transport of a potassium ion Previous crystal structures of a homologous archaeal sodium and aspartate symporter showed that a dedicated transport domain carries the substrate and ions across the membrane Here we report new crystal structures of this homologue in ligand-free and ions-only bound outward- and inward-facing conformations We show that after ligand release the apo transport domain adopts a compact and occluded conformation that can traverse the membrane completing the transport cycle Sodium binding primes the transport domain to accept its substrate ... More
Membrane transporters that clear the neurotransmitter glutamate from synapses are driven by symport of sodium ions and counter-transport of a potassium ion. Previous crystal structures of a homologous archaeal sodium and aspartate symporter showed that a dedicated transport domain carries the substrate and ions across the membrane. Here, we report new crystal structures of this homologue in ligand-free and ions-only bound outward- and inward-facing conformations. We show that after ligand release, the apo transport domain adopts a compact and occluded conformation that can traverse the membrane, completing the transport cycle. Sodium binding primes the transport domain to accept its substrate and triggers extracellular gate opening, which prevents inward domain translocation until substrate binding takes place. Furthermore, we describe a new cation-binding site ideally suited to bind a counter-transported ion. We suggest that potassium binding at this site stabilizes the translocation-competent conformation of the unloaded transport domain in mammalian homologues. Less
The continued increase in the size of the protein sequence databases as a result of advances in genome sequencing technology is overwhelming the ability to perform experimental characterization of function Consequently functions are assigned to the vast majority of proteins via automated homology-based methods with the result that as many as are incorrectly annotated or unannotated Schnoes et al PLoS Comput Biol e PMC free article PubMed Google Scholar This manuscript describes a study of the d-mannonate dehydratase ManD subgroup of the enolase superfamily ENS to investigate how function diverges as sequence diverges Previously one member of the subgroup had ... More
The continued increase in the size of the protein sequence databases as a result of advances in genome sequencing technology is overwhelming the ability to perform experimental characterization of function. Consequently, functions are assigned to the vast majority of proteins via automated, homology-based methods, with the result that as many as 50% are incorrectly annotated or unannotated (Schnoes et al. PLoS Comput. Biol. 2009, 5 (12), e1000605 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]). This manuscript describes a study of the d-mannonate dehydratase (ManD) subgroup of the enolase superfamily (ENS) to investigate how function diverges as sequence diverges. Previously, one member of the subgroup had been experimentally characterized as ManD [dehydration of d-mannonate to 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-mannonate (equivalently, 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-gluconate)]. In this study, 42 additional members were characterized to sample sequence�function space in the ManD subgroup. These were found to differ in both catalytic efficiency and substrate specificity: (1) high efficiency (kcat/KM = 103 to 104 M�1 s�1) for dehydration of d-mannonate, (2) low efficiency (kcat/KM = 101 to 102 M�1 s�1) for dehydration of d-mannonate and/or d-gluconate, and 3) no-activity with either d-mannonate or d-gluconate (or any other acid sugar tested). Thus, the ManD subgroup is not isofunctional and includes d-gluconate dehydratases (GlcDs) that are divergent from the GlcDs that have been characterized in the mandelate racemase subgroup of the ENS (Lamble et al. FEBS Lett. 2004, 576, 133�136 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]) (Ahmed et al. Biochem. J. 2005, 390, 529�540 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]). These observations signal caution for functional assignment based on sequence homology and lay the foundation for the studies of the physiological functions of the GlcDs and the promiscuous ManDs/GlcDs. Less
The lipidic mesophase or in meso method for crystallizing membrane proteins has several high profile targets to its credit and is growing in popularity Despite its success the method is in its infancy as far as rational crystallogenesis is concerned Consequently significant time effort and resources are still required to generate structure-grade crystals especially with a new target type Therefore a need exists for crystallogenesis protocols that are effective with a broad range of membrane protein types Recently a strategy for crystallizing a prokaryotic a-helical membrane protein diacylglycerol kinase DgkA by the in meso method was reported Cryst Growth Des ... More
The lipidic mesophase or in meso method for crystallizing membrane proteins has several high profile targets to its credit and is growing in popularity. Despite its success, the method is in its infancy as far as rational crystallogenesis is concerned. Consequently, significant time, effort, and resources are still required to generate structure-grade crystals, especially with a new target type. Therefore, a need exists for crystallogenesis protocols that are effective with a broad range of membrane protein types. Recently, a strategy for crystallizing a prokaryotic a-helical membrane protein, diacylglycerol kinase (DgkA), by the in meso method was reported (Cryst. Growth. Des. 2013, 13, 2846-2857 [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]). Here, we describe its application to the human a-helical microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES1). While the DgkA strategy proved useful, significant modifications were needed to generate structure-quality crystals of this important therapeutic target. These included protein engineering, using an additive phospholipid in the hosting mesophase, performing multiple rounds of salt screening, and carrying out trials at 4 �C in the presence of a tight binding ligand. The crystallization strategy detailed here should prove useful for generating structures of other integral membrane proteins by the in meso method. Less
PII signaling proteins comprise one of the most versatile signaling devices in nature and have a highly conserved structure In cyanobacteria PipX and N-acetyl-l-glutamate kinase are receptors of PII signaling and these interactions are modulated by ADP ATP and -oxoglutarate These effector molecules bind interdependently to three anti-cooperative binding sites on the trimeric PII protein and thereby affect its structure Here we used the PII protein from Synechococcus elongatus PCC to reveal the structural basis of anti-cooperative ADP binding Furthermore we clarified the mutual influence of PII-receptor interaction and sensing of the ATP ADP ratio The crystal structures of two ... More
PII signaling proteins comprise one of the most versatile signaling devices in nature and have a highly conserved structure. In cyanobacteria, PipX and N-acetyl-l-glutamate kinase are receptors of PII signaling, and these interactions are modulated by ADP, ATP, and 2-oxoglutarate. These effector molecules bind interdependently to three anti-cooperative binding sites on the trimeric PII protein and thereby affect its structure. Here we used the PII protein from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 to reveal the structural basis of anti-cooperative ADP binding. Furthermore, we clarified the mutual influence of PII-receptor interaction and sensing of the ATP/ADP ratio. The crystal structures of two forms of trimeric PII, one with one ADP bound and the other with all three ADP-binding sites occupied, revealed significant differences in the ADP binding mode: at one site (S1) ADP is tightly bound through side-chain and main-chain interactions, whereas at the other two sites (S2 and S3) the ADP molecules are only bound by main-chain interactions. In the presence of the PII-receptor PipX, the affinity of ADP to the first binding site S1 strongly increases, whereas the affinity for ATP decreases due to PipX favoring the S1 conformation of PII-ADP. In consequence, the PII-PipX interaction is highly sensitive to subtle fluctuations in the ATP/ADP ratio. By contrast, the PII-N-acetyl-l-glutamate kinase interaction, which is negatively affected by ADP, is insensitive to these fluctuations. Modulation of the metabolite-sensing properties of PII by its receptors allows PII to differentially perceive signals in a target-specific manner and to perform multitasking signal transduction. Less
Human noroviruses NoVs cause acute epidemic gastroenteritis Susceptibility to the majority of NoV infections is determined by genetically controlled secretor-dependent expression of histo-blood group antigens HBGAs which are also critical for NoV attachment to host cells Human NoVs are classified into two major genogroups genogroup I GI and GII with each genogroup further divided into several genotypes GII NoVs are more prevalent and exhibit periodic emergence of new variants suggested to be driven by altered HBGA binding specificities and antigenic drift Recent epidemiological studies show increased activity among GI NoVs with some members showing the ability to bind nonsecretor HBGAs ... More
Human noroviruses (NoVs) cause acute epidemic gastroenteritis. Susceptibility to the majority of NoV infections is determined by genetically controlled secretor-dependent expression of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), which are also critical for NoV attachment to host cells. Human NoVs are classified into two major genogroups (genogroup I [GI] and GII), with each genogroup further divided into several genotypes. GII NoVs are more prevalent and exhibit periodic emergence of new variants, suggested to be driven by altered HBGA binding specificities and antigenic drift. Recent epidemiological studies show increased activity among GI NoVs, with some members showing the ability to bind nonsecretor HBGAs. NoVs bind HBGAs through the protruding (P) domain of the major capsid protein VP1. GI NoVs, similar to GII, exhibit significant sequence variations in the P domain; it is unclear how these variations affect HBGA binding specificities. To understand the determinants of possible strain-specific HBGA binding among GI NoVs, we determined the structure of the P domain of a GI.7 clinical isolate and compared it to the previously determined P domain structures of GI.1 and GI.2 strains. Our crystallographic studies revealed significant structural differences, particularly in the loop regions of the GI.7 P domain, altering its surface topography and electrostatic landscape and potentially indicating antigenic variation. The GI.7 strain bound to H- and A-type, Lewis secretor, and Lewis nonsecretor families of HBGAs, allowing us to further elucidate the structural determinants of nonsecretor HBGA binding among GI NoVs and to infer several contrasting and generalizable features of HBGA binding in the GI NoVs. Less
In the Gram-negative enterobacterium Erwinia Pectobacterium and Serratia sp ATCC intrinsic resistance to the carbapenem antibiotic -carbapen- -em- -carboxylic acid is mediated by the CarF and CarG proteins by an unknown mechanism Here we report a high-resolution crystal structure for the Serratia sp ATCC carbapenem resistance protein CarG This structure of CarG is the first in the carbapenem intrinsic resistance CIR family of resistance proteins from carbapenem-producing bacteria The crystal structure shows the protein to form a homodimer in agreement with results from analytical gel filtration The structure of CarG does not show homology with any known antibiotic resistance proteins ... More
In the Gram-negative enterobacterium Erwinia (Pectobacterium) and Serratia sp. ATCC 39006, intrinsic resistance to the carbapenem antibiotic 1-carbapen-2-em-3-carboxylic acid is mediated by the CarF and CarG proteins, by an unknown mechanism. Here, we report a high-resolution crystal structure for the Serratia sp. ATCC 39006 carbapenem resistance protein CarG. This structure of CarG is the first in the carbapenem intrinsic resistance (CIR) family of resistance proteins from carbapenem-producing bacteria. The crystal structure shows the protein to form a homodimer, in agreement with results from analytical gel filtration. The structure of CarG does not show homology with any known antibiotic resistance proteins nor does it belong to any well-characterised protein structural family. However, it is a close structural homologue of the bacterial inhibitor of invertebrate lysozyme, PliI-Ah, with some interesting structural variations, including the absence of the catalytic site responsible for lysozyme inhibition. Both proteins show a unique �-sandwich fold with short terminal a-helices. The core of the protein is formed by stacked anti-parallel sheets that are individually very similar in the two proteins but differ in their packing interface, causing the splaying of the two sheets in CarG. Furthermore, a conserved cation binding site identified in CarG is absent from the homologue. Less