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Chino M, Di Costanzo LF, Leone L, La Gatta S, Famulari A, Chiesa M, Lombardi A, Pavone V. Designed Rubredoxin miniature in a fully artificial electron chain triggered by visible light. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2368. [PMID: 37185349 PMCID: PMC10130062 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Designing metal sites into de novo proteins has significantly improved, recently. However, identifying the minimal coordination spheres, able to encompass the necessary information for metal binding and activity, still represents a great challenge, today. Here, we test our understanding with a benchmark, nevertheless difficult, case. We assemble into a miniature 28-residue protein, the quintessential elements required to fold properly around a FeCys4 redox center, and to function efficiently in electron-transfer. This study addresses a challenge in de novo protein design, as it reports the crystal structure of a designed tetra-thiolate metal-binding protein in sub-Å agreement with the intended design. This allows us to well correlate structure to spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. Given its high reduction potential compared to natural and designed FeCys4-containing proteins, we exploit it as terminal electron acceptor of a fully artificial chain triggered by visible light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Chino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Franklin Di Costanzo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Linda Leone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Salvatore La Gatta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonino Famulari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, Via Giuria 9, 10125, Torino, Italy
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Zaragoza, Calle Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mario Chiesa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, Via Giuria 9, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Pavone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy.
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2
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Bragança PMS, Carepo MSP, Pauleta SR, Pinter TBJ, Elia M, Cordas CM, Moura I, Pecoraro VL, Moura JJG. Incorporation of a molybdenum atom in a Rubredoxin-type Centre of a de novo-designed α 3DIV-L21C three-helical bundle peptide. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 240:112096. [PMID: 36603242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.112096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The rational design and functionalization of small, simple, and stable peptides scaffolds is an attractive avenue to mimic catalytic metal-centres of complex proteins, relevant for the design of metalloenzymes with environmental, biotechnological and health impacts. The de novo designed α3DIV-L21C framework has a rubredoxin-like metal binding site and was used in this work to incorporate a Mo-atom. Thermostability studies using differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase of 4 °C in the melting temperature of the Mo-α3DIV-L21C when compared to the apo-α3DIV-L21C. Circular dichroism in the visible and far-UV regions corroborated these results showing that Mo incorporation provides stability to the peptide even though there were almost no differences observed in the secondary structure. A formal reduction potential of ∼ -408 mV vs. NHE, pH 7.6 was determined. Combining electrochemical results, EPR and UV-visible data we discuss the oxidation state of the molybdenum centre in Mo-α3DIV-L21C and propose that is mainly in a Mo (VI) oxidation state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M S Bragança
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Microbial Stress Lab, UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Marta S P Carepo
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Escola de Psicologia e Ciências da Vida, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Sofia R Pauleta
- Microbial Stress Lab, UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Tyler B J Pinter
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, United States
| | - Maddalena Elia
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Cristina M Cordas
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Isabel Moura
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Vincent L Pecoraro
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055, United States
| | - José J G Moura
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
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3
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Koebke KJ, Pinter TBJ, Pitts WC, Pecoraro VL. Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Metalloproteins. Chem Rev 2022; 122:12046-12109. [PMID: 35763791 PMCID: PMC10735231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark advances in our understanding of metalloprotein function is showcased in our ability to design new, non-native, catalytically active protein scaffolds. This review highlights progress and milestone achievements in the field of de novo metalloprotein design focused on reports from the past decade with special emphasis on de novo designs couched within common subfields of bioinorganic study: heme binding proteins, monometal- and dimetal-containing catalytic sites, and metal-containing electron transfer sites. Within each subfield, we highlight several of what we have identified as significant and important contributions to either our understanding of that subfield or de novo metalloprotein design as a discipline. These reports are placed in context both historically and scientifically. General suggestions for future directions that we feel will be important to advance our understanding or accelerate discovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | | | - Winston C. Pitts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
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4
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Boncella AE, Sabo ET, Santore RM, Carter J, Whalen J, Hudspeth JD, Morrison CN. The expanding utility of iron-sulfur clusters: Their functional roles in biology, synthetic small molecules, maquettes and artificial proteins, biomimetic materials, and therapeutic strategies. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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6
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Koebke KJ, Tebo AG, Manickas EC, Deb A, Penner-Hahn JE, Pecoraro VL. Nitrite reductase activity within an antiparallel de novo scaffold. J Biol Inorg Chem 2021; 26:855-862. [PMID: 34487215 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-021-01889-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Copper nitrite reductase (CuNiR) is a copper enzyme that converts nitrite to nitric oxide and is an important part of the global nitrogen cycle in bacteria. The relatively simple CuHis3 binding site of the CuNiR active site has made it an enticing target for small molecule modeling and de novo protein design studies. We have previously reported symmetric CuNiR models within parallel three stranded coiled coil systems, with activities that span a range of three orders of magnitude. In this report, we investigate the same CuHis3 binding site within an antiparallel three helical bundle scaffold, which allows the design of asymmetric constructs. We determine that a simple CuHis3 binding site can be designed within this scaffold with enhanced activity relative to the comparable construct in parallel coiled coils. Incorporating more complex designs or repositioning this binding site can decrease this activity as much as 15 times. Comparing these constructs, we reaffirm a previous result in which a blue shift in the 1s to 4p transition energy determined by Cu(I) X-ray absorption spectroscopy is correlated with an enhanced activity within imidazole-based constructs. With this step and recent successful electron transfer site designs within this scaffold, we are one step closer to a fully functional de novo designed nitrite reductase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl J Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alison G Tebo
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | | | - Aniruddha Deb
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James E Penner-Hahn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Unravelling the Structure of the Tetrahedral Metal-Binding Site in METP3 through an Experimental and Computational Approach. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175221. [PMID: 34500655 PMCID: PMC8434281 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structural determinants for metal ion coordination in metalloproteins is a fundamental issue for designing metal binding sites with predetermined geometry and activity. In order to achieve this, we report in this paper the design, synthesis and metal binding properties of METP3, a homodimer made up of a small peptide, which self assembles in the presence of tetrahedrally coordinating metal ions. METP3 was obtained through a redesign approach, starting from the previously developed METP molecule. The undecapeptide sequence of METP, which dimerizes to house a Cys4 tetrahedral binding site, was redesigned in order to accommodate a Cys2His2 site. The binding properties of METP3 were determined toward different metal ions. Successful assembly of METP3 with Co(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), in the expected 2:1 stoichiometry and tetrahedral geometry was proven by UV-visible spectroscopy. CD measurements on both the free and metal-bound forms revealed that the metal coordination drives the peptide chain to fold into a turned conformation. Finally, NMR data of the Zn(II)-METP3 complex, together with a retrostructural analysis of the Cys-X-X-His motif in metalloproteins, allowed us to define the model structure. All the results establish the suitability of the short METP sequence for accommodating tetrahedral metal binding sites, regardless of the first coordination ligands.
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8
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Nguyen H, Kleingardner J. Identifying metal binding amino acids based on backbone geometries as a tool for metalloprotein engineering. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1247-1257. [PMID: 33829594 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Metal cofactors within proteins perform a versatile set of essential cellular functions. In order to take advantage of the diverse functionality of metalloproteins, researchers have been working to design or modify metal binding sites in proteins to rationally tune the function or activity of the metal cofactor. This study has performed an analysis on the backbone atom geometries of metal-binding amino acids among 10 different metal binding sites within the entire protein data bank. A set of 13 geometric parameters (features) was identified that is capable of predicting the presence of a metal cofactor in the protein structure with overall accuracies of up to 97% given only the relative positions of their backbone atoms. The decision tree machine-learning algorithm used can quickly analyze an entire protein structure for the presence of sets of primary metal coordination spheres upon mutagenesis, independent of their original amino acid identities. The methodology was designed for application in the field of metalloprotein engineering. A cluster analysis using the data set was also performed and demonstrated that the features chosen are useful for identifying clusters of structurally similar metal-binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Nguyen
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jesse Kleingardner
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Tebo A, Quaranta A, Pecoraro VL, Aukauloo A. Enhanced Photoinduced Electron Transfer Through a Tyrosine Relay in a De Novo Designed Protein Scaffold Bearing a Photoredox Unit and a Fe
II
S
4
Site. CHEMPHOTOCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Tebo
- Program in Chemical Biology University of Michigan Ann Arbor USA
- Department of Chemistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor USA
| | - Annamaria Quaranta
- Institut de Biologie Integrative de la cellule CEA Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette France
| | | | - Ally Aukauloo
- Institut de Biologie Integrative de la cellule CEA Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette France
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d'Orsay Université Paris-Saclay Orsay France
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10
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Klein AS, Zeymer C. Design and engineering of artificial metalloproteins: from de novo metal coordination to catalysis. Protein Eng Des Sel 2021; 34:6150309. [PMID: 33635315 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metalloproteins are essential to sustain life. Natural evolution optimized them for intricate structural, regulatory and catalytic functions that cannot be fulfilled by either a protein or a metal ion alone. In order to understand this synergy and the complex design principles behind the natural systems, simpler mimics were engineered from the bottom up by installing de novo metal sites in either natural or fully designed, artificial protein scaffolds. This review focuses on key challenges associated with this approach. We discuss how proteins can be equipped with binding sites that provide an optimal coordination environment for a metal cofactor of choice, which can be a single metal ion or a complex multinuclear cluster. Furthermore, we highlight recent studies in which artificial metalloproteins were engineered towards new functions, including electron transfer and catalysis. In this context, the powerful combination of de novo protein design and directed evolution is emphasized for metalloenzyme development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas S Klein
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Cathleen Zeymer
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität München, 85747 Garching, Germany
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11
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Pinter TBJ, Koebke KJ, Pecoraro VL. Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Helical Scaffolds. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:7678-7699. [PMID: 31441170 PMCID: PMC7035182 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201907502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between protein structure and function is one of the greatest puzzles within biochemistry. De novo metalloprotein design is a way to wipe the board clean and determine what is required to build in function from the ground up in an unrelated structure. This Review focuses on protein design efforts to create de novo metalloproteins within alpha-helical scaffolds. Examples of successful designs include those with carbonic anhydrase or nitrite reductase activity by incorporating a ZnHis3 or CuHis3 site, or that recapitulate the spectroscopic properties of unique electron-transfer sites in cupredoxins (CuHis2 Cys) or rubredoxins (FeCys4 ). This work showcases the versatility of alpha helices as scaffolds for metalloprotein design and the progress that is possible through careful rational design. Our studies cover the invariance of carbonic anhydrase activity with different site positions and scaffolds, refinement of our cupredoxin models, and enhancement of nitrite reductase activity up to 1000-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B. J. Pinter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109-1055
| | - Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109-1055
| | - Vincent L. Pecoraro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109-1055
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12
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Pinter TBJ, Koebke KJ, Pecoraro VL. Katalyse und Elektronentransfer in helikalen De‐novo‐Gerüststrukturen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201907502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B. J. Pinter
- Department of Chemistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan 48109-1055 USA
| | - Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan 48109-1055 USA
| | - Vincent L. Pecoraro
- Department of Chemistry University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan 48109-1055 USA
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13
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Mathieu E, Tolbert AE, Koebke KJ, Tard C, Iranzo O, Penner-Hahn JE, Policar C, Pecoraro V. Rational De Novo Design of a Cu Metalloenzyme for Superoxide Dismutation. Chemistry 2020; 26:249-258. [PMID: 31710732 PMCID: PMC6944188 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are highly efficient enzymes for superoxide dismutation and the first line of defense against oxidative stress. These metalloproteins contain a redox-active metal ion in their active site (Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni) with a tightly controlled reduction potential found in a close range around the optimal value of 0.36 V versus the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE). Rationally designed proteins with well-defined three-dimensional structures offer new opportunities for obtaining functional SOD mimics. Here, we explore four different copper-binding scaffolds: H3 (His3 ), H4 (His4 ), H2 DH (His3 Asp with two His and one Asp in the same plane) and H3 D (His3 Asp with three His in the same plane) by using the scaffold of the de novo protein GRα3 D. EPR and XAS analysis of the resulting copper complexes demonstrates that they are good CuII -bound structural mimics of Cu-only SODs. Furthermore, all the complexes exhibit SOD activity, though three orders of magnitude slower than the native enzyme, making them the first de novo copper SOD mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Mathieu
- Laboratoire des biomolécules, LBM, Département de chimie, École normale supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Audrey E. Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Karl J. Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
| | - Cédric Tard
- LCM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, IP Paris, F-91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Olga Iranzo
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, iSm2, Marseille, France
| | | | - Clotilde Policar
- Laboratoire des biomolécules, LBM, Département de chimie, École normale supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Pecoraro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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Jeong WJ, Yu J, Song WJ. Proteins as diverse, efficient, and evolvable scaffolds for artificial metalloenzymes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:9586-9599. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc03137b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We have extracted and categorized the desirable properties of proteins that are adapted as the scaffolds for artificial metalloenzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Jae Jeong
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeseung Yu
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
| | - Woon Ju Song
- Department of Chemistry
- Seoul National University
- Seoul 08826
- Republic of Korea
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15
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Grayson KJ, Anderson JLR. Designed for life: biocompatible de novo designed proteins and components. J R Soc Interface 2019; 15:rsif.2018.0472. [PMID: 30158186 PMCID: PMC6127164 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A principal goal of synthetic biology is the de novo design or redesign of biomolecular components. In addition to revealing fundamentally important information regarding natural biomolecular engineering and biochemistry, functional building blocks will ultimately be provided for applications including the manufacture of valuable products and therapeutics. To fully realize this ambitious goal, the designed components must be biocompatible, working in concert with natural biochemical processes and pathways, while not adversely affecting cellular function. For example, de novo protein design has provided us with a wide repertoire of structures and functions, including those that can be assembled and function in vivo. Here we discuss such biocompatible designs, as well as others that have the potential to become biocompatible, including non-protein molecules, and routes to achieving full biological integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J Grayson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - J L Ross Anderson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK .,BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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16
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Koebke KJ, Ruckthong L, Meagher JL, Mathieu E, Harland J, Deb A, Lehnert N, Policar C, Tard C, Penner-Hahn JE, Stuckey JA, Pecoraro VL. Clarifying the Copper Coordination Environment in a de Novo Designed Red Copper Protein. Inorg Chem 2018; 57:12291-12302. [PMID: 30226758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b01989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cupredoxins are copper-dependent electron-transfer proteins that can be categorized as blue, purple, green, and red depending on the spectroscopic properties of the Cu(II) bound forms. Interestingly, despite significantly different first coordination spheres and nuclearity, all cupredoxins share a common Greek Key β-sheet fold. We have previously reported the design of a red copper protein within a completely distinct three-helical bundle protein, α3DChC2. (1) While this design demonstrated that a β-barrel fold was not requisite to recapitulate the properties of a native cupredoxin center, the parent peptide α3D was not sufficiently stable to allow further study through additional mutations. Here we present the design of an elongated protein GRANDα3D (GRα3D) with Δ Gu = -11.4 kcal/mol compared to the original design's -5.1 kcal/mol. Diffraction quality crystals were grown of GRα3D (a first for an α3D peptide) and solved to a resolution of 1.34 Å. Examination of this structure suggested that Glu41 might interact with the Cu in our previously reported red copper protein. The previous bis(histidine)(cysteine) site (GRα3DChC2) was designed into this new scaffold and a series of variant constructs were made to explore this hypothesis. Mutation studies around Glu41 not only prove the proposed interaction, but also enabled tuning of the constructs' hyperfine coupling constant from 160 to 127 × 10-4 cm-1. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis is consistent with these hyperfine coupling differences being the result of variant 4p mixing related to coordination geometry changes. These studies not only prove that an Glu41-Cu interaction leads to the α3DChC2 construct's red copper protein like spectral properties, but also exemplify the exact control one can have in a de novo construct to tune the properties of an electron-transfer Cu site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emilie Mathieu
- Laboratoire des biomolécules, LBM, Département de chimie , École normale supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 75005 Paris , France
| | | | | | | | - Clotilde Policar
- Laboratoire des biomolécules, LBM, Département de chimie , École normale supérieure, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 75005 Paris , France
| | - Cédric Tard
- LCM, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique , Université Paris-Saclay , 91128 Palaiseau Cedex , France
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