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Shoeman RL, Hartmann E, Schlichting I. Growing and making nano- and microcrystals. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:854-882. [PMID: 36451055 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Thanks to recent technological advances in X-ray and micro-electron diffraction and solid-state NMR, structural information can be obtained by using much smaller crystals. Thus, microcrystals have become a valuable commodity rather than a mere stepping stone toward obtaining macroscopic crystals. Microcrystals are particularly useful for structure determination using serial data collection approaches at synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers. The latter's enormous peak brilliance and short X-ray pulse duration mean that structural information can be obtained before the effects of radiation damage are seen; these properties also facilitate time-resolved crystallography. To establish defined reaction initiation conditions, microcrystals with a desired and narrow size distribution are critical. Here, we describe milling and seeding techniques as well as filtration approaches for the reproducible and size-adjustable preparation of homogeneous nano- and microcrystals. Nanocrystals and crystal seeds can be obtained by milling using zirconium beads and the BeadBug homogenizer; fragmentation of large crystals yields micro- or nanocrystals by flowing crystals through stainless steel filters by using an HPLC pump. The approaches can be scaled to generate micro- to milliliter quantities of microcrystals, starting from macroscopic crystals. The procedure typically takes 3-5 d, including the time required to grow the microcrystals.
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2
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Aplin C, Milano SK, Zielinski KA, Pollack L, Cerione RA. Evolving Experimental Techniques for Structure-Based Drug Design. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:6599-6607. [PMID: 36029222 PMCID: PMC10161966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Structure-based drug design (SBDD) is a prominent method in rational drug development and has traditionally benefitted from the atomic models of protein targets obtained using X-ray crystallography at cryogenic temperatures. In this perspective, we highlight recent advances in the development of structural techniques that are capable of probing dynamic information about protein targets. First, we discuss advances in the field of X-ray crystallography including serial room-temperature crystallography as a method for obtaining high-resolution conformational dynamics of protein-inhibitor complexes. Next, we look at cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM), another high-resolution technique that has recently been used to study proteins and protein complexes that are too difficult to crystallize. Finally, we present small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as a potential high-throughput screening tool to identify inhibitors that target protein complexes and protein oligomerization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody Aplin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Shawn K Milano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kara A Zielinski
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Richard A Cerione
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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3
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Barends TR, Stauch B, Cherezov V, Schlichting I. Serial femtosecond crystallography. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:59. [PMID: 36643971 PMCID: PMC9833121 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFELs), new, high-throughput serial crystallography techniques for macromolecular structure determination have emerged. Serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) and related methods provide possibilities beyond canonical, single-crystal rotation crystallography by mitigating radiation damage and allowing time-resolved studies with unprecedented temporal resolution. This primer aims to assist structural biology groups with little or no experience in serial crystallography planning and carrying out a successful SFX experiment. It discusses the background of serial crystallography and its possibilities. Microcrystal growth and characterization methods are discussed, alongside techniques for sample delivery and data processing. Moreover, it gives practical tips for preparing an experiment, what to consider and do during a beamtime and how to conduct the final data analysis. Finally, the Primer looks at various applications of SFX, including structure determination of membrane proteins, investigation of radiation damage-prone systems and time-resolved studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R.M. Barends
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stauch
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- Department of Chemistry, The Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ilme Schlichting
- Department for Biological Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg, Germany,
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4
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Båth P, Banacore A, Börjesson P, Bosman R, Wickstrand C, Safari C, Dods R, Ghosh S, Dahl P, Ortolani G, Björg Ulfarsdottir T, Hammarin G, García Bonete MJ, Vallejos A, Ostojić L, Edlund P, Linse JB, Andersson R, Nango E, Owada S, Tanaka R, Tono K, Joti Y, Nureki O, Luo F, James D, Nass K, Johnson PJM, Knopp G, Ozerov D, Cirelli C, Milne C, Iwata S, Brändén G, Neutze R. Lipidic cubic phase serial femtosecond crystallography structure of a photosynthetic reaction centre. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2022; 78:698-708. [PMID: 35647917 PMCID: PMC9159286 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798322004144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography relies upon the growth of microcrystals at high concentration. An LCP crystallization protocol for the Blastochloris viridis photosynthetic reaction centre that utilizes seeding from detergent-grown crystals is reported. Serial crystallography is a rapidly growing method that can yield structural insights from microcrystals that were previously considered to be too small to be useful in conventional X-ray crystallography. Here, conditions for growing microcrystals of the photosynthetic reaction centre of Blastochloris viridis within a lipidic cubic phase (LCP) crystallization matrix that employ a seeding protocol utilizing detergent-grown crystals with a different crystal packing are described. LCP microcrystals diffracted to 2.25 Å resolution when exposed to XFEL radiation, which is an improvement of 0.15 Å over previous microcrystal forms. Ubiquinone was incorporated into the LCP crystallization media and the resulting electron density within the mobile QB pocket is comparable to that of other cofactors within the structure. As such, LCP microcrystallization conditions will facilitate time-resolved diffraction studies of electron-transfer reactions to the mobile quinone, potentially allowing the observation of structural changes associated with the two electron-transfer reactions leading to complete reduction of the ubiquinone ligand.
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Nass Kovacs G. Potential of X-ray free-electron lasers for challenging targets in structure-based drug discovery. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2021; 39:101-110. [PMID: 34906320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
X-ray crystallography has provided the vast majority of three-dimensional macromolecular structures. Most of these are high-resolution structures that enable a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. The standardized workflows and robust infrastructure of synchrotron-based macromolecular crystallography (MX) offer the high throughput essential to cost-conscious investigations in structure- and fragment-based drug discovery. Nonetheless conventional MX is limited by fundamental bottlenecks, in particular X-ray radiation damage, which limits the amount of data extractable from a crystal. While this limit can in principle be circumvented by using larger crystals, crystals of the requisite size often cannot be obtained in sufficient quality. That is especially true for membrane protein crystals, which constitute the majority of current drug targets. This conventional paradigm for MX-suitable samples changed dramatically with the advent of serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) based on the ultra-short and extremely intense X-ray pulses of X-ray Free-Electron Lasers. SFX provides high-resolution structures from tiny crystals and does so with uniquely low levels of radiation damage. This has yielded a number of novel structures for G-protein coupled receptors, one of the most relevant membrane protein superfamilies for drug discovery, as well as tantalizing advances in time-resolved crystallography that elucidate protein dynamics. This article attempts to map the potential of SFX for drug discovery, while providing the reader with an overview of the yet remaining technical challenges associated with such a novel technique as SFX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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6
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Carbajo S. Light by design: emerging frontiers in ultrafast photon sciences and light–matter interactions. JPHYS PHOTONICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1088/2515-7647/ac015e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Photon sciences and technologies establish the building blocks for myriad scientific and engineering frontiers in life and energy sciences. Because of their overarching functionality, the developmental roadmap and opportunities underpinned by photonics are often semiotically mediated by the delineation of subject areas of application. In this perspective article, we map current and emerging linkages between three intersecting areas of research stewarded by advanced photonics technologies, namely light by design, outlined as (a) quantum and structured photonics, (b) light–matter interactions in accelerators and accelerator-based light sources, and (c) ultrafast sciences and quantum molecular dynamics. In each section, we will concentrate on state-of-the-art achievements and present prospective applications in life sciences, biochemistry, quantum optics and information sciences, and environmental and chemical engineering, all founded on a broad range of photon sources and methodologies. We hope that this interconnected mapping of challenges and opportunities seeds new concepts, theory, and experiments in the advancement of ultrafast photon sciences and light–matter interactions. Through this mapping, we hope to inspire a critically interdisciplinary approach to the science and applications of light by design.
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Stohrer C, Horrell S, Meier S, Sans M, von Stetten D, Hough M, Goldman A, Monteiro DCF, Pearson AR. Homogeneous batch micro-crystallization of proteins from ammonium sulfate. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:194-204. [PMID: 33559608 PMCID: PMC7869895 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798320015454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of X-ray free-electron lasers has led to the development of serial macromolecular crystallography techniques, making it possible to study smaller and more challenging crystal systems and to perform time-resolved studies on fast time scales. For most of these studies the desired crystal size is limited to a few micrometres, and the generation of large amounts of nanocrystals or microcrystals of defined size has become a bottleneck for the wider implementation of these techniques. Despite this, methods to reliably generate microcrystals and fine-tune their size have been poorly explored. Working with three different enzymes, L-aspartate α-decarboxylase, copper nitrite reductase and copper amine oxidase, the precipitating properties of ammonium sulfate were exploited to quickly transition from known vapour-diffusion conditions to reproducible, large-scale batch crystallization, circumventing the tedious determination of phase diagrams. Furthermore, the specific ammonium sulfate concentration was used to fine-tune the crystal size and size distribution. Ammonium sulfate is a common precipitant in protein crystallography, making these findings applicable to many crystallization systems to facilitate the production of large amounts of microcrystals for serial macromolecular crystallography experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stohrer
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Horrell
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Meier
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Sans
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - David von Stetten
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg Unit c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Diana C. F. Monteiro
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Hauptman–Woodward Medical Research Institute, 700 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Arwen R. Pearson
- Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Institute for Nanostructure and Solid State Physics, Universität Hamburg, CFEL, Building 99, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Ultrafast structural changes within a photosynthetic reaction centre. Nature 2021; 589:310-314. [PMID: 33268896 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-3000-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic reaction centres harvest the energy content of sunlight by transporting electrons across an energy-transducing biological membrane. Here we use time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography1 using an X-ray free-electron laser2 to observe light-induced structural changes in the photosynthetic reaction centre of Blastochloris viridis on a timescale of picoseconds. Structural perturbations first occur at the special pair of chlorophyll molecules of the photosynthetic reaction centre that are photo-oxidized by light. Electron transfer to the menaquinone acceptor on the opposite side of the membrane induces a movement of this cofactor together with lower amplitude protein rearrangements. These observations reveal how proteins use conformational dynamics to stabilize the charge-separation steps of electron-transfer reactions.
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Abstract
The advent of the X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) in the last decade created the discipline of serial crystallography but also the challenge of how crystal samples are delivered to X-ray. Early sample delivery methods demonstrated the proof-of-concept for serial crystallography and XFEL but were beset with challenges of high sample consumption, jet clogging and low data collection efficiency. The potential of XFEL and serial crystallography as the next frontier of structural solution by X-ray for small and weakly diffracting crystals and provision of ultra-fast time-resolved structural data spawned a huge amount of scientific interest and innovation. To utilize the full potential of XFEL and broaden its applicability to a larger variety of biological samples, researchers are challenged to develop better sample delivery methods. Thus, sample delivery is one of the key areas of research and development in the serial crystallography scientific community. Sample delivery currently falls into three main systems: jet-based methods, fixed-target chips, and drop-on-demand. Huge strides have since been made in reducing sample consumption and improving data collection efficiency, thus enabling the use of XFEL for many biological systems to provide high-resolution, radiation damage-free structural data as well as time-resolved dynamics studies. This review summarizes the current main strategies in sample delivery and their respective pros and cons, as well as some future direction.
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10
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Beale JH, Bolton R, Marshall SA, Beale EV, Carr SB, Ebrahim A, Moreno-Chicano T, Hough MA, Worrall JAR, Tews I, Owen RL. Successful sample preparation for serial crystallography experiments. J Appl Crystallogr 2019; 52:1385-1396. [PMID: 31798361 PMCID: PMC6878878 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576719013517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial crystallography, at both synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser light sources, is becoming increasingly popular. However, the tools in the majority of crystallization laboratories are focused on producing large single crystals by vapour diffusion that fit the cryo-cooled paradigm of modern synchrotron crystallography. This paper presents several case studies and some ideas and strategies on how to perform the conversion from a single crystal grown by vapour diffusion to the many thousands of micro-crystals required for modern serial crystallography grown by batch crystallization. These case studies aim to show (i) how vapour diffusion conditions can be converted into batch by optimizing the length of time crystals take to appear; (ii) how an understanding of the crystallization phase diagram can act as a guide when designing batch crystallization protocols; and (iii) an accessible methodology when attempting to scale batch conditions to larger volumes. These methods are needed to minimize the sample preparation gap between standard rotation crystallography and dedicated serial laboratories, ultimately making serial crystallography more accessible to all crystallographers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H. Beale
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Rachel Bolton
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Stephen A. Marshall
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Emma V. Beale
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Stephen B. Carr
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Ali Ebrahim
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Tadeo Moreno-Chicano
- Institute de Biologie Structurale, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Michael A. Hough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | | | - Ivo Tews
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Robin L. Owen
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Fermi Avenue, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK
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11
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Andersson R, Safari C, Båth P, Bosman R, Shilova A, Dahl P, Ghosh S, Dunge A, Kjeldsen-Jensen R, Nan J, Shoeman RL, Kloos M, Doak RB, Mueller U, Neutze R, Brändén G. Well-based crystallization of lipidic cubic phase microcrystals for serial X-ray crystallography experiments. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2019; 75:937-946. [PMID: 31588925 PMCID: PMC6779076 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798319012695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Serial crystallography is having an increasing impact on structural biology. This emerging technique opens up new possibilities for studying protein structures at room temperature and investigating structural dynamics using time-resolved X-ray diffraction. A limitation of the method is the intrinsic need for large quantities of well ordered micrometre-sized crystals. Here, a method is presented to screen for conditions that produce microcrystals of membrane proteins in the lipidic cubic phase using a well-based crystallization approach. A key advantage over earlier approaches is that the progress of crystal formation can be easily monitored without interrupting the crystallization process. In addition, the protocol can be scaled up to efficiently produce large quantities of crystals for serial crystallography experiments. Using the well-based crystallization methodology, novel conditions for the growth of showers of microcrystals of three different membrane proteins have been developed. Diffraction data are also presented from the first user serial crystallography experiment performed at MAX IV Laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecka Andersson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Safari
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Petra Båth
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Robert Bosman
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Dahl
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Swagatha Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andreas Dunge
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rasmus Kjeldsen-Jensen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jie Nan
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Robert L Shoeman
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Kloos
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Bruce Doak
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Mueller
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Richard Neutze
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gisela Brändén
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
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12
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Mishin A, Gusach A, Luginina A, Marin E, Borshchevskiy V, Cherezov V. An outlook on using serial femtosecond crystallography in drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:933-945. [PMID: 31184514 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1626822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: X-ray crystallography has made important contributions to modern drug development but its application to many important drug targets has been extremely challenging. The recent emergence of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and advancements in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) have offered new opportunities to overcome limitations of traditional crystallography to accelerate the structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) process. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe the general principles of X-ray generation and the main properties of XFEL beams, outline details of SFX data collection and processing, and summarize the progress in the development of associated instrumentation for sample delivery and X-ray detection. An overview of the SFX applications to various important drug targets such as membrane proteins is also provided. Expert opinion: While SFX has already made clear advancements toward the understanding of the structure and dynamics of several major drug targets, its robust application in SBDD still needs further developments of new high-throughput techniques for sample production, automation of crystal delivery and data collection, as well as for processing and storage of large amounts of data. The expansion of the available XFEL beamtime is a key to the success of SFX in SBDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Mishin
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Anastasiia Gusach
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Aleksandra Luginina
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Egor Marin
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Valentin Borshchevskiy
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia
| | - Vadim Cherezov
- a Research Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology , Dolgoprudny , Russia.,b Bridge Institute, Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA
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13
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Kwan TOC, Reis R, Siligardi G, Hussain R, Cheruvara H, Moraes I. Selection of Biophysical Methods for Characterisation of Membrane Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2605. [PMID: 31137900 PMCID: PMC6566885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, there have been many developments and advances in the field of integral membrane protein research. As important pharmaceutical targets, it is paramount to understand the mechanisms of action that govern their structure-function relationships. However, the study of integral membrane proteins is still incredibly challenging, mostly due to their low expression and instability once extracted from the native biological membrane. Nevertheless, milligrams of pure, stable, and functional protein are always required for biochemical and structural studies. Many modern biophysical tools are available today that provide critical information regarding to the characterisation and behaviour of integral membrane proteins in solution. These biophysical approaches play an important role in both basic research and in early-stage drug discovery processes. In this review, it is not our objective to present a comprehensive list of all existing biophysical methods, but a selection of the most useful and easily applied to basic integral membrane protein research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan O C Kwan
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
| | - Rosana Reis
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
| | - Giuliano Siligardi
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Rohanah Hussain
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Harish Cheruvara
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK.
| | - Isabel Moraes
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK.
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK.
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14
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Grünbein ML, Nass Kovacs G. Sample delivery for serial crystallography at free-electron lasers and synchrotrons. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2019; 75:178-191. [PMID: 30821706 PMCID: PMC6400261 DOI: 10.1107/s205979831801567x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high peak brilliance and femtosecond pulse duration of X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) provide new scientific opportunities for experiments in physics, chemistry and biology. In structural biology, one of the major applications is serial femtosecond crystallography. The intense XFEL pulse results in the destruction of any exposed microcrystal, making serial data collection mandatory. This requires a high-throughput serial approach to sample delivery. To this end, a number of such sample-delivery techniques have been developed, some of which have been ported to synchrotron sources, where they allow convenient low-dose data collection at room temperature. Here, the current sample-delivery techniques used at XFEL and synchrotron sources are reviewed, with an emphasis on liquid injection and high-viscosity extrusion, including their application for time-resolved experiments. The challenges associated with sample delivery at megahertz repetition-rate XFELs are also outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Luise Grünbein
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Nass Kovacs
- Department of Biomolecular Mechanisms, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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15
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Arnal RD, Zhao Y, Mitra AK, Spence JCH, Millane RP. The phase problem for two-dimensional crystals. II. Simulations. Acta Crystallogr A Found Adv 2018; 74:537-544. [DOI: 10.1107/s2053273318008707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Phasing of diffraction data from two-dimensional crystals using only minimal molecular envelope information is investigated by simulation. Two-dimensional crystals are an attractive target for studying membrane proteins using X-ray free-electron lasers, particularly for dynamic studies at room temperature. Simulations using an iterative projection algorithm show that phasing is feasible with fairly minimal molecular envelope information, supporting recent uniqueness results for this problem [Arnal & Millane (2017).Acta Cryst.A73, 438–448]. The effects of noise and likely requirements for structure determination using X-ray free-electron laser sources are investigated.
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16
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Birch J, Axford D, Foadi J, Meyer A, Eckhardt A, Thielmann Y, Moraes I. The fine art of integral membrane protein crystallisation. Methods 2018; 147:150-162. [PMID: 29778646 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins are among the most fascinating and important biomolecules as they play a vital role in many biological functions. Knowledge of their atomic structures is fundamental to the understanding of their biochemical function and key in many drug discovery programs. However, over the years, structure determination of integral membrane proteins has proven to be far from trivial, hence they are underrepresented in the protein data bank. Low expression levels, insolubility and instability are just a few of the many hurdles one faces when studying these proteins. X-ray crystallography has been the most used method to determine atomic structures of membrane proteins. However, the production of high quality membrane protein crystals is always very challenging, often seen more as art than a rational experiment. Here we review valuable approaches, methods and techniques to successful membrane protein crystallisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Birch
- Membrane Protein Laboratory, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0DE, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Danny Axford
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK
| | - James Foadi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Arne Meyer
- XtalConcepts GmbH, Schnackenburgallee 13, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annette Eckhardt
- XtalConcepts GmbH, Schnackenburgallee 13, 22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Thielmann
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Molecular Membrane Biology, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 3, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Isabel Moraes
- Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK; Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE, UK; National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK.
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17
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Thompson MC, Cascio D, Yeates TO. Microfocus diffraction from different regions of a protein crystal: structural variations and unit-cell polymorphism. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2018; 74:411-421. [PMID: 29717712 PMCID: PMC5930349 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798318003479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Real macromolecular crystals can be non-ideal in a myriad of ways. This often creates challenges for structure determination, while also offering opportunities for greater insight into the crystalline state and the dynamic behavior of macromolecules. To evaluate whether different parts of a single crystal of a dynamic protein, EutL, might be informative about crystal and protein polymorphism, a microfocus X-ray synchrotron beam was used to collect a series of 18 separate data sets from non-overlapping regions of the same crystal specimen. A principal component analysis (PCA) approach was employed to compare the structure factors and unit cells across the data sets, and it was found that the 18 data sets separated into two distinct groups, with large R values (in the 40% range) and significant unit-cell variations between the members of the two groups. This categorization mapped the different data-set types to distinct regions of the crystal specimen. Atomic models of EutL were then refined against two different data sets obtained by separately merging data from the two distinct groups. A comparison of the two resulting models revealed minor but discernable differences in certain segments of the protein structure, and regions of higher deviation were found to correlate with regions where larger dynamic motions were predicted to occur by normal-mode molecular-dynamics simulations. The findings emphasize that large spatially dependent variations may be present across individual macromolecular crystals. This information can be uncovered by simultaneous analysis of multiple partial data sets and can be exploited to reveal new insights about protein dynamics, while also improving the accuracy of the structure-factor data ultimately obtained in X-ray diffraction experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Duilio Cascio
- UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Todd O. Yeates
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- UCLA–DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, California, USA
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18
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Schieferstein JM, Pawate AS, Varel MJ, Guha S, Astrauskaite I, Gennis RB, Kenis PJA. X-ray transparent microfluidic platforms for membrane protein crystallization with microseeds. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:944-954. [PMID: 29469138 PMCID: PMC5849577 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc01141e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Crystallization of membrane proteins is a critical step for uncovering atomic resolution 3-D structures and elucidating structure-function relationships. Microseeding, the process of transferring sub-microscopic crystal nuclei from initial screens into new crystallization experiments, is an effective, yet underutilized approach to grow crystals suitable for X-ray crystallography. Here, we report simplified methods for crystallization of membrane proteins that utilize microseeding in X-ray transparent microfluidic chips. First, a microfluidic method for introduction of microseed dilutions into metastable crystallization experiments is demonstrated for photoactive yellow protein and cytochrome bo3 oxidase. As microseed concentration decreased, the number of crystals decreased while the average size increased. Second, we demonstrate a microfluidic chip for microseed screening, where many crystallization conditions were formulated on-chip prior to mixing with microseeds. Crystallization composition, crystal size, and diffraction data were collected and mapped on phase diagrams, which revealed that crystals of similar diffraction quality and size typically grow in distinct regions of the phase diagram.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Schieferstein
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL, USA.
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19
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X-ray free electron laser: opportunities for drug discovery. Essays Biochem 2017; 61:529-542. [PMID: 29118098 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20170031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Past decades have shown the impact of structural information derived from complexes of drug candidates with their protein targets to facilitate the discovery of safe and effective medicines. Despite recent developments in single particle cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography has been the main method to derive structural information. The unique properties of X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) with unmet peak brilliance and beam focus allow X-ray diffraction data recording and successful structure determination from smaller and weaker diffracting crystals shortening timelines in crystal optimization. To further capitalize on the XFEL advantage, innovations in crystal sample delivery for the X-ray experiment, data collection and processing methods are required. This development was a key contributor to serial crystallography allowing structure determination at room temperature yielding physiologically more relevant structures. Adding the time resolution provided by the femtosecond X-ray pulse will enable monitoring and capturing of dynamic processes of ligand binding and associated conformational changes with great impact to the design of candidate drug compounds.
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