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At least 91 records · Page 5

Methods and compositions to increase the rate of ligation reactions catalyzed by a sortase

In various embodiments methods and compositions to increase the rate and/or activity of ligation reactions catalyzed by a sortase. In certain embodiments reagents are provided that comprises, inter alia, a polypeptide comprising an amino terminal polyglycine sequence comprising at least three contiguous Gly residues (e.g., a triglycine sequence, a tetraglycine sequence, a pentaglycine sequence, etc.) followed by a peptide that is to be ligated to a moiety followed by a sequence comprising the catalytic domain of a Sortase A enzyme.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Resolving domain positions of cellobiose dehydrogenase by small angle X–ray scattering

The interdomain electron transfer (IET) between the catalytic flavodehydrogenase domain and the electron-transferring cytochrome domain of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) plays an essential role in biocatalysis, biosensors and biofuel cells, as well as in its natural function as an auxiliary enzyme of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase. We investigated the mobility of the cytochrome and dehydrogenase domains of CDH, which is hypothesised to limit IET in solution by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). CDH from Myriococcum thermophilum (syn. Crassicarpon hotsonii, syn. Thermothelomyces myriococcoides) was probed by SAXS to study the CDH mobility at different pH and in the presence of divalent cations. By comparison of the experimental SAXS data, using pair-distance distribution functions and Kratky plots, we show an increase in CDH mobility at higher pH, indicating alterations of domain mobility. To further visualise CDH movement in solution, we performed SAXS-based multistate modelling. Glycan structures present on CDH partially masked the resulting SAXS shapes, we diminished these effects by deglycosylation and studied the effect of glycoforms by modelling. The modelling shows that with increasing pH, the cytochrome domain adopts a more flexible state with significant separation from the dehydrogenase domain. On the contrary, the presence of calcium ions decreases the mobility of the cytochrome domain. Experimental SAXS data, multistate modelling and previously reported kinetic data show how pH and divalent ions impact the closed state necessary for the IET governed by the movement of the CDH cytochrome domain.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structure of the poxvirus decapping enzyme D9 reveals its mechanism of cap recognition and catalysis

Poxviruses encode decapping enzymes that remove the protective 5' cap from both host and viral mRNAs to commit transcripts for decay by the cellular exonuclease Xrn1. Decapping by these enzymes is critical for poxvirus pathogenicity by means of simultaneously suppressing host protein synthesis and limiting the accumulation of viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a trigger for antiviral responses. Here we present a high-resolution structural view of the vaccinia virus decapping enzyme D9. This Nudix enzyme contains a domain organization different from other decapping enzymes in which a three-helix bundle is inserted into the catalytic Nudix domain. The 5' mRNA cap is positioned in a bipartite active site at the interface of the two domains. Specificity for the methylated guanosine cap is achieved by stacking between conserved aromatic residues in a manner similar to that observed in canonical cap-binding proteins VP39, eIF4E, and CBP20, and distinct from eukaryotic decapping enzyme Dcp2.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structure of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase and polyglutamine binding

Puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.11.14, UniProt P55786), a zinc metallopeptidase belonging to the M1 family, degrades a number of bioactive peptides as well as peptides released from the proteasome, including polyglutamine. We report the crystal structure of PSA at 2.3 Å. Overall, the enzyme adopts a V-shaped architecture with four domains characteristic of the M1 family aminopeptidases, but it is in a less compact conformation compared to most M1 enzymes of known structure. A microtubule binding sequence is present in a C-terminal HEAT repeat domain of the enzyme in a position where it might serve to mediate interaction with tubulin. In the catalytic metallopeptidase domain, an elongated active site groove lined with aromatic and hydrophobic residues and a large S1 subsite may play a role in broad substrate recognition. The structure with bound polyglutamine shows a possible interacting mode of this peptide, which is supported by mutation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The C2 domain augments Ras GTPase-activating protein catalytic activity

Regulation of Ras GTPases by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) is essential for their normal signaling. Nine of the ten GAPs for Ras contain a C2 domain immediately proximal to their canonical GAP domain, and in RasGAP (p120GAP, p120RasGAP;RASA1) mutation of this domain is associated with vascular malformations in humans. Here, we show that the C2 domain of RasGAP is required for full catalytic activity toward Ras. Analyses of the RasGAP C2-GAP crystal structure, AlphaFold models, and sequence conservation reveal direct C2 domain interaction with the Ras allosteric lobe. This is achieved by an evolutionarily conserved surface centered around RasGAP residue R707, point mutation of which impairs the catalytic advantage conferred by the C2 domain in vitro. In mice,R707Cmutation phenocopies the vascular and signaling defects resulting from constitutive disruption of theRASA1gene. In SynGAP, mutation of the equivalent conserved C2 domain surface impairs catalytic activity. Our results indicate that the C2 domain is required to achieve full catalytic activity of GAPs for Ras.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Structural and Mechanistic Advances in the Chemistry of Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase (MCR)

Methane represents 34% of U.S. energy consumption and is a major greenhouse gas related to the global carbon cycle and energy production. However, current industrial practices significantly increase atmospheric methane levels, necessitating a deeper understanding of its biosynthesis and oxidation. Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is central to biological methane metabolism, catalyzing the final step of methanogenesis and the first step in anaerobic methane oxidation. It is also a key target for strategies to capture and transform methane into value-added chemicals.The active site of MCR is a buried Ni-based cofactor only accessible by the substrates via a 50 Å long tunnel. Although the Ni(I) state is required to initiate catalysis, capturing this state remains a challenge for the current structural techniques. Recent advances in structural biology using X-ray Free-Electron Laser serial crystallography have provided insights into MCR's inactive Ni(II) state at room temperature and show promise for capturing its active Ni(I) form.Our team has established several critical aspects of the MCR mechanism using a combination of experimental and computational studies. MCR uses CH 3 -SCoM and CoBSH as substrates, producing methane and a disulfide product CoMSSCoB. Kinetic analysis showed that productive substrate binding requires CH 3 -SCoM to bind first, inducing conformational changes that optimize the active site for subsequent CoBSH binding. Following substrate binding, four proposed methane production/oxidation mechanisms were examined, establishing whether the reaction proceeds through an organometallic methyl-nickel(III), methyl anion ion, or methyl radical intermediate. Experimental measurements using CoBSH analogs successfully slowed the reaction, allowing for mechanistic insight that demonstrated the methyl radical pathway, where the initial interactions involve homolytic cleavage of the methyl-sulfur bond, generating a methyl radical that quickly abstracts the thiol hydrogen atom of CoBSH to form methane. Computational studies further confirmed that, compared to other mechanisms, the methyl radical mechanism is thermodynamically more favorable and accessible under physiological conditions.Spectroscopic and computational studies challenged the conventional understanding of substrate binding in MCR by proposing an alternative positioning of CH 3 -SCoM and CoMSSCoB in the active site pocket. The research suggested that CH 3 -SCoM (substrate) and CoMSSCoB (product) bind via their sulfonate groups to the Ni(I) center of cofactor F 430 . This binding allows for the reaction without substrate reorganization in the pocket but would require a long-range electron transfer. Altogether, the work summarized in this review reflects our current understanding of the enzyme's catalytic mechanism and structural dynamics. This is essential for developing efficient methane conversion technologies that could mitigate its environmental impact while harnessing energy-storage properties.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Discovery of first-in-class inhibitors of ASH1L histone methyltransferase with anti-leukemic activity

ASH1L histone methyltransferase plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of different diseases, including acute leukemia. While ASH1L represents an attractive drug target, developing ASH1L inhibitors is challenging, as the catalytic SET domain adapts an inactive conformation with autoinhibitory loop blocking the access to the active site. Here, by applying fragment-based screening followed by medicinal chemistry and a structure-based design, we developed first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of the ASH1L SET domain. The crystal structures of ASH1L-inhibitor complexes reveal compound binding to the autoinhibitory loop region in the SET domain. When tested in MLL leukemia models, our lead compound, AS-99, blocks cell proliferation, induces apoptosis and differentiation, downregulates MLL fusion target genes, and reduces the leukemia burden in vivo. This work validates the ASH1L SET domain as a druggable target and provides a chemical probe to further study the biological functions of ASH1L as well as to develop therapeutic agents.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Cancer-associated somatic mutations in human phosphofructokinase-1 reveal a critical electrostatic interaction for allosteric regulation of enzyme activity

Metabolic reprogramming, including increased glucose uptake and lactic acid excretion, is a hallmark of cancer. The glycolytic ‘gatekeeper’ enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1), which catalyzes the step committing glucose to breakdown, is dysregulated in cancers. While altered PFK1 activity and expression in tumors have been demonstrated, little is known about the effects of cancer-associated somatic mutations. Somatic mutations in PFK1 inform our understanding of allosteric regulation by identifying key amino acid residues involved in the regulation of enzyme activity. Here, we characterized mutations disrupting an evolutionarily conserved salt bridge between aspartic acid and arginine in human platelet (PFKP) and liver (PFKL) isoforms. Using purified recombinant proteins, we showed that disruption of the Asp–Arg pair in two PFK1 isoforms decreased enzyme activity and altered allosteric regulation. We determined the crystal structure of PFK1 to 3.6 Å resolution and used molecular dynamic simulations to understand molecular mechanisms of altered allosteric regulation. We showed that PFKP-D564N had a decreased total system energy and changes in the electrostatic surface potential of the effector site. Cells expressing PFKP-D564N demonstrated a decreased rate of glycolysis, while their ability to induce glycolytic flux under conditions of low cellular energy was enhanced compared with cells expressing wild-type PFKP. Taken together, these results suggest that mutations in Arg–Asp pair at the interface of the catalytic-regulatory domains stabilizes the t-state and presents novel mechanistic insight for therapeutic development in cancer.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structure of a HIV-1 IN-Allosteric inhibitor complex at 2.93 Å resolution: Routes to inhibitor optimization

HIV integrase (IN) inserts viral DNA into the host genome and is the target of the strand transfer inhibitors (STIs), a class of small molecules currently in clinical use. Another potent class of antivirals is the allosteric inhibitors of integrase, or ALLINIs. ALLINIs promote IN aggregation by stabilizing an interaction between the catalytic core domain (CCD) and carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) that undermines viral particle formation in late replication. Ongoing challenges with inhibitor potency, toxicity, and viral resistance motivate research to understand their mechanism. Here, we report a 2.93 Å X-ray crystal structure of the minimal ternary complex between CCD , CTD , and the ALLINI BI-224436. This structure reveals an asymmetric ternary complex with a prominent network of π-mediated interactions that suggest specific avenues for future ALLINI development and optimization.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

An atypical BRCT–BRCT interaction with the XRCC1 scaffold protein compacts human DNA Ligase IIIα within a flexible DNA repair complex

The XRCC1–DNA ligase IIIα complex (XL) is critical for DNA single-strand break repair, a key target for PARP inhibitors in cancer cells deficient in homologous recombination. Here, we combined biophysical approaches to gain insights into the shape and conformational flexibility of the XL as well as XRCC1 and DNA ligase IIIα (LigIIIα) alone. Structurally-guided mutational analyses based on the crystal structure of the human BRCT–BRCT heterodimer identified the network of salt bridges that together with the N-terminal extension of the XRCC1 C-terminal BRCT domain constitute the XL molecular interface. Coupling size exclusion chromatography with small angle X-ray scattering and multiangle light scattering (SEC-SAXS–MALS), we determined that the XL is more compact than either XRCC1 or LigIIIα, both of which form transient homodimers and are highly disordered. The reduced disorder and flexibility allowed us to build models of XL particles visualized by negative stain electron microscopy that predict close spatial organization between the LigIIIα catalytic core and both BRCT domains of XRCC1. Together our results identify an atypical BRCT–BRCT interaction as the stable nucleating core of the XL that links the flexible nick sensing and catalytic domains of LigIIIα to other protein partners of the flexible XRCC1 scaffold.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Phenotypic effects of changes in the FTVTxK region of an Arabidopsis secondary wall cellulose synthase compared with results from analogous mutations in other isoforms

Abstract Understanding protein structure and function relationships in cellulose synthase (CesA), including divergent isomers, is an important goal. Here, we report results from mutant complementation assays that tested the ability of sequence variants of AtCesA7, a secondary wall CesA of Arabidopsis thaliana , to rescue the collapsed vessels, short stems, and low cellulose content of the irx3‐1 AtCesA7 null mutant. We tested a catalytic null mutation and seven missense or small domain changes in and near the AtCesA7 FTVTSK motif, which lies near the catalytic domain and may, analogously to bacterial CesA, exist within a substrate “gating loop.” A low‐to‐high gradient of rescue occurred, and even inactive AtCesA7 had a small positive effect on stem cellulose content but not stem elongation. Overall, secondary wall cellulose content and stem length were moderately correlated, but the results were consistent with threshold amounts of cellulose supporting particular developmental processes. Vibrational sum frequency generation microscopy allowed tissue‐specific analysis of cellulose content in stem xylem and interfascicular fibers, revealing subtle differences between selected genotypes that correlated with the extent of rescue of the collapsing xylem phenotype. Similar tests on PpCesA5 from the moss Physcomitrium (formerly Physcomitrella ) patens helped us to synergize the AtCesA7 results with prior results on AtCesA1 and PpCesA5. The cumulative results show that the FTVTxK region is important for the function of an angiosperm secondary wall CesA as well as widely divergent primary wall CesAs, while differences in complementation results between isomers may reflect functional differences that can be explored in further work.

Burris, Jason N.↗

The Magnetosome Protein, Mms6 from Magnetospirillum magneticum Strain AMB-1, Is a Lipid-Activated Ferric Reductase

Magnetosomes of magnetotactic bacteria consist of magnetic nanocrystals with defined morphologies enclosed in vesicles originated from cytoplasmic membrane invaginations. Although many proteins are involved in creating magnetosomes, a single magnetosome protein, Mms6 from Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1, can direct the crystallization of magnetite nanoparticles in vitro. The in vivo role of Mms6 in magnetosome formation is debated, and the observation that Mms6 binds Fe3+ more tightly than Fe2+ raises the question of how, in a magnetosome environment dominated by Fe3+, Mms6 promotes the crystallization of magnetite, which contains both Fe3+ and Fe2+. Here we show that Mms6 is a ferric reductase that reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ using NADH and FAD as electron donor and cofactor, respectively. Reductase activity is elevated when Mms6 is integrated into either liposomes or bicelles. Analysis of Mms6 mutants suggests that the C-terminal domain binds iron and the N-terminal domain contains the catalytic site. Although Mms6 forms multimers that involve C-terminal and N-terminal domain interactions, a fusion protein with ubiquitin remains a monomer and displays reductase activity, which suggests that the catalytic site is fully in the monomer. However, the quaternary structure of Mms6 appears to alter the iron binding characteristics of the C-terminal domain. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that Mms6, a membrane protein, promotes the formation of magnetite in vivo by a mechanism that involves reducing iron.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Two Mesoporous Domains Are Better Than One for Catalytic Deconstruction of Polyolefins

Catalytic hydrogenolysis of polyolefins into valuable liquid, oil, or wax-like hydrocarbon chains for second-life applications is typically accompanied by the hydrogen-wasting co-formation of low value volatiles, notably methane, that increase greenhouse gas emissions. Catalytic sites confined at the bottom of mesoporous wells, under conditions in which the pore exerts the greatest influence over the mechanism, are capable of producing less gases than unconfined sites. A new architecture was designed to emphasize this pore effect, with the active platinum nanoparticles embedded between linear, hexagonal mesoporous silica and gyroidal cubic MCM-48 silica (mSiO 2 /Pt/MCM-48). This catalyst deconstructs polyolefins selectively into ~C 20 –C 40 paraffins and cleaves C–C bonds at a rate (TOF = 4.2 ± 0.3 s –1 ) exceeding that of materials lacking these combined features while generating negligible volatile side products including methane. The time-independent product distribution is consistent with a processive mechanism for polymer deconstruction. In contrast to time- and polymer length-dependent products obtained from non-porous catalysts, mSiO 2 /Pt/MCM-48 yields a C 28 -centered Gaussian distribution of waxy hydrocarbons from polyolefins of varying molecular weight, composition, and physical properties, including low-density polyethylene, isotactic polypropylene, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene, and mixtures of multiple, post-industrial polyolefins. Here, coarse-grained simulation reveals that the porous-core architecture enables the paraffins to diffuse away from the active platinum site, preventing secondary reactions that produce gases.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The first DEP domain of the RhoGEF P-Rex1 autoinhibits activity and contributes to membrane binding

Phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP 3 )-dependent Rac exchanger 1 (P-Rex1) catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP on Rac GTPases, thereby triggering changes in the actin cytoskeleton and in transcription. Its overexpression is highly correlated with the metastasis of certain cancers. P-Rex1 recruitment to the plasma membrane and its activity are regulated via interactions with heterotrimeric Gβγ subunits, PIP 3 , and protein kinase A (PKA). Deletion analysis has further shown that domains C-terminal to its catalytic Dbl homology (DH) domain confer autoinhibition. Among these, the first dishevelled, Egl-10, and pleckstrin domain (DEP1) remains to be structurally characterized. DEP1 also harbors the primary PKA phosphorylation site, suggesting that an improved understanding of this region could substantially increase our knowledge of P-Rex1 signaling and open the door to new selective chemotherapeutics. Here we show that the DEP1 domain alone can autoinhibit activity in context of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment of P-Rex1 and interacts with the DH/PH domains in solution. The 3.1 Å crystal structure of DEP1 features a domain swap, similar to that observed previously in the Dvl2 DEP domain, involving an exposed basic loop that contains the PKA site. Using purified proteins, we show that although DEP1 phosphorylation has no effect on the activity or solution conformation of the DH/PH-DEP1 fragment, it inhibits binding of the DEP1 domain to liposomes containing phosphatidic acid. Thus, we propose that PKA phosphorylation of the DEP1 domain hampers P-Rex1 binding to negatively charged membranes in cells, freeing the DEP1 domain to associate with and inhibit the DH/PH module.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

TASOR is a pseudo-PARP that directs HUSH complex assembly and epigenetic transposon control

The HUSH complex represses retroviruses, transposons and genes to maintain the integrity of vertebrate genomes. HUSH regulates deposition of the epigenetic mark H3K9me3, but how its three core subunits — TASOR, MPP8 and Periphilin — contribute to assembly and targeting of the complex remains unknown. Here, we define the biochemical basis of HUSH assembly and find that its modular architecture resembles the yeast RNA-induced transcriptional silencing complex. TASOR, the central HUSH subunit, associates with RNA processing components. TASOR is required for H3K9me3 deposition over LINE-1 repeats and repetitive exons in transcribed genes. In the context of previous studies, this suggests that an RNA intermediate is important for HUSH activity. We dissect the TASOR and MPP8 domains necessary for transgene repression. Structure-function analyses reveal TASOR bears a catalytically-inactive PARP domain necessary for targeted H3K9me3 deposition. We conclude that TASOR is a multifunctional pseudo-PARP that directs HUSH assembly and epigenetic regulation of repetitive genomic targets.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Structural basis of impaired disaggregase function in the oxidation-sensitive SKD3 mutant causing 3-methylglutaconic aciduria

Abstract Mitochondria are critical to cellular and organismal health. To prevent damage, mitochondria have evolved protein quality control machines to survey and maintain the mitochondrial proteome. SKD3, also known as CLPB, is a ring-forming, ATP-fueled protein disaggregase essential for preserving mitochondrial integrity and structure. SKD3 deficiency causes 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type VII (MGCA7) and early death in infants, while mutations in the ATPase domain impair protein disaggregation with the observed loss-of-function correlating with disease severity. How mutations in the non-catalytic N-domain cause disease is unknown. Here, we show that the disease-associated N-domain mutation, Y272C, forms an intramolecular disulfide bond with Cys267 and severely impairs SKD3 Y272C function under oxidizing conditions and in living cells. While Cys267 and Tyr272 are found in all SKD3 isoforms, isoform-1 features an additional α-helix that may compete with substrate-binding as suggested by crystal structure analyses and in silico modeling, underscoring the importance of the N-domain to SKD3 function.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Microbial Type IA Topoisomerase C-Terminal Domain Sequence Motifs, Distribution and Combination

Type IA topoisomerases have highly conserved catalytic N-terminal domains for the cleaving and rejoining of a single DNA/RNA strand that have been extensively characterized. In contrast, the C-terminal region has been less covered. Two major types of small tandem C-terminal domains, Topo_C_ZnRpt (containing C4 zinc finger) and Topo_C_Rpt (without cysteines) were initially identified in Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis topoisomerase I, respectively. Their structures and interaction with DNA oligonucleotides have been revealed in structural studies. Here, we first present the diverse distribution and combinations of these two structural elements in various bacterial topoisomerase I (TopA). Previously, zinc fingers have not been seen in type IA topoisomerases from well-studied fungal species within the phylum Ascomycota. In our extended studies of C-terminal DNA-binding domains, the presence of zf-GRF and zf-CCHC types of zinc fingers in topoisomerase III (Top3) from fungi species in many phyla other than Ascomycota has drawn our attention. We secondly analyze the distribution and combination of these fungal zf-GRF- and zf-CCHC-containing domains. Their potential structures and DNA-binding mechanism are evaluated. The highly diverse arrangements and combinations of these DNA/RNA-binding domains in microbial type IA topoisomerase C-terminal regions have important implications for their interactions with nucleic acids and protein partners as part of their physiological functions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Topobexin targets the Topoisomerase II ATPase domain for beta isoform-selective inhibition and anthracycline cardioprotection

Abstract Topoisomerase II alpha and beta (TOP2A and TOP2B) isoenzymes perform essential and non-redundant cellular functions. Anthracyclines induce their potent anti-cancer effects primarily via TOP2A, but at the same time they induce a dose limiting cardiotoxicity through TOP2B. Here we describe the development of theobexclass of TOP2 inhibitors that bind to a previously unidentified druggable pocket in the TOP2 ATPase domain to act as allosteric catalytic inhibitors by locking the ATPase domain conformation with the capability of isoform-selective inhibition. Through rational drug design we have developed topobexin, which interacts with residues that differ between TOP2A and TOP2B to provide inhibition that is both selective for TOP2B and superior to dexrazoxane. Topobexin is a potent protectant against chronic anthracycline cardiotoxicity in an animal model. This demonstration of TOP2 isoform-specific inhibition underscores the broader potential to improve drug specificity and minimize adverse effects in various medical treatments.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗