1
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Perez AR, Lee Y, Colvin ME, Merg AD. Interhelical E@g-N@a interactions modulate coiled coil stability within a de novo set of orthogonal peptide heterodimers. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3540. [PMID: 37690796 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The designability of orthogonal coiled coil (CC) dimers, which draw on well-established design rules, plays a pivotal role in fueling the development of CCs as synthetically versatile assembly-directing motifs for the fabrication of bionanomaterials. Here, we aim to expand the synthetic CC toolkit through establishing a "minimalistic" set of orthogonal, de novo CC peptides that comprise 3.5 heptads in length and a single buried Asn to prescribe dimer formation. The designed sequences display excellent partner fidelity, confirmed via circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and Ni-NTA binding assays, and are corroborated in silico using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Detailed analysis of the MD conformational data highlights the importance of interhelical E@g-N@a interactions in coordinating an extensive 6-residue hydrogen bonding network that "locks" the interchain Asn-Asn' contact in place. The enhanced stability imparted to the Asn-Asn' bond elicits an increase in thermal stability of CCs up to ~15°C and accounts for significant differences in stability within the collection of similarly designed orthogonal CC pairs. The presented work underlines the utility of MD simulation as a tool for constructing de novo, orthogonal CCs, and presents an alternative handle for modulating the stability of orthogonal CCs via tuning the number of interhelical E@g-N@a contacts. Expansion of CC design rules is a key ingredient for guiding the design and assembly of more complex, intricate CC-based architectures for tackling a variety of challenges within the fields of nanomedicine and bionanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Perez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Yumie Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Colvin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Andrea D Merg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
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2
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Woolfson DN. Understanding a protein fold: the physics, chemistry, and biology of α-helical coiled coils. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104579. [PMID: 36871758 PMCID: PMC10124910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein science is being transformed by powerful computational methods for structure prediction and design: AlphaFold2 can predict many natural protein structures from sequence, and other AI methods are enabling the de novo design of new structures. This raises a question: how much do we understand the underlying sequence-to-structure/function relationships being captured by these methods? This perspective presents our current understanding of one class of protein assembly, the α-helical coiled coils. At first sight, these are straightforward: sequence repeats of hydrophobic (h) and polar (p) residues, (hpphppp)n, direct the folding and assembly of amphipathic α helices into bundles. However, many different bundles are possible: they can have two or more helices (different oligomers); the helices can have parallel, antiparallel or mixed arrangements (different topologies); and the helical sequences can be the same (homomers) or different (heteromers). Thus, sequence-to-structure relationships must be present within the hpphppp repeats to distinguish these states. I discuss the current understanding of this problem at three levels: First, physics gives a parametric framework to generate the many possible coiled-coil backbone structures. Second, chemistry provides a means to explore and deliver sequence-to-structure relationships. Third, biology shows how coiled coils are adapted and functionalized in nature, inspiring applications of coiled coils in synthetic biology. I argue that the chemistry is largely understood; the physics is partly solved, though the considerable challenge of predicting even relative stabilities of different coiled-coil states remains; but there is much more to explore in the biology and synthetic biology of coiled coils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, United Kingdom; BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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3
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Programming multicellular assembly with synthetic cell adhesion molecules. Nature 2023; 614:144-152. [PMID: 36509107 PMCID: PMC9892004 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05622-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesion molecules are ubiquitous in multicellular organisms, specifying precise cell-cell interactions in processes as diverse as tissue development, immune cell trafficking and the wiring of the nervous system1-4. Here we show that a wide array of synthetic cell adhesion molecules can be generated by combining orthogonal extracellular interactions with intracellular domains from native adhesion molecules, such as cadherins and integrins. The resulting molecules yield customized cell-cell interactions with adhesion properties that are similar to native interactions. The identity of the intracellular domain of the synthetic cell adhesion molecules specifies interface morphology and mechanics, whereas diverse homotypic or heterotypic extracellular interaction domains independently specify the connectivity between cells. This toolkit of orthogonal adhesion molecules enables the rationally programmed assembly of multicellular architectures, as well as systematic remodelling of native tissues. The modularity of synthetic cell adhesion molecules provides fundamental insights into how distinct classes of cell-cell interfaces may have evolved. Overall, these tools offer powerful abilities for cell and tissue engineering and for systematically studying multicellular organization.
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4
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Rhys GG, Cross JA, Dawson WM, Thompson HF, Shanmugaratnam S, Savery NJ, Dodding MP, Höcker B, Woolfson DN. De novo designed peptides for cellular delivery and subcellular localisation. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:999-1004. [PMID: 35836017 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01076-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly, it is possible to design peptide and protein assemblies de novo from first principles or computationally. This approach provides new routes to functional synthetic polypeptides, including designs to target and bind proteins of interest. Much of this work has been developed in vitro. Therefore, a challenge is to deliver de novo polypeptides efficiently to sites of action within cells. Here we describe the design, characterisation, intracellular delivery, and subcellular localisation of a de novo synthetic peptide system. This system comprises a dual-function basic peptide, programmed both for cell penetration and target binding, and a complementary acidic peptide that can be fused to proteins of interest and introduced into cells using synthetic DNA. The designs are characterised in vitro using biophysical methods and X-ray crystallography. The utility of the system for delivery into mammalian cells and subcellular targeting is demonstrated by marking organelles and actively engaging functional protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guto G Rhys
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jessica A Cross
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Harry F Thompson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Nigel J Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mark P Dodding
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Birte Höcker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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5
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Clapacs Z, ONeill CL, Shrimali P, Lokhande G, Files M, Kim DD, Gaharwar AK, Rudra JS. Coiled Coil Crosslinked Alginate Hydrogels Dampen Macrophage-Driven Inflammation. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:1183-1194. [PMID: 35170303 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alginate hydrogels are widely used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their excellent biocompatibility. A facile and commonly used strategy to crosslink alginate is the addition of Ca2+ that leads to hydrogelation. However, extracellular Ca2+ is a secondary messenger in activating inflammasome pathways following physical injury or pathogenic insult, which carries the risk of persistent inflammation and scaffold rejection. Here, we present graft copolymers of charge complementary heterodimeric coiled coil (CC) peptides and alginate that undergo supramolecular self-assembly to form Ca2+ free alginate hydrogels. The formation of heterodimeric CCs was confirmed using circular dichroism spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy revealed a significant difference in crosslink density and homogeneity between Ca2+ and CC crosslinked gels. The resulting hydrogels were self-supporting and display shear-thinning and shear-recovery properties. In response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, peritoneal macrophages and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells cultured in the CC crosslinked gels exhibited a 10-fold reduction in secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β compared to Ca2+ crosslinked gels. A similar response was also observed in vivo upon peritoneal delivery of Ca2+ or CC crosslinked gels. Analysis of peritoneal lavage showed that macrophages in mice injected with Ca2+ crosslinked gels display a more inflammatory phenotype compared to macrophages from mice injected with CC crosslinked gels. These results suggest that CC peptides by virtue of their tunable sequence-structure-function relationship and mild gelation conditions are promising alternative crosslinkers for alginate and other biopolymer scaffolds used in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain Clapacs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, United States
| | - Conor L ONeill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, United States
| | - Paresh Shrimali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, United States
| | - Giriraj Lokhande
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77840, United States
| | - Megan Files
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Darren D Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, United States
| | - Akhilesh K Gaharwar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77840, United States
| | - Jai S Rudra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, United States
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6
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Naudin EA, Albanese KI, Smith AJ, Mylemans B, Baker EG, Weiner OD, Andrews DM, Tigue N, Savery NJ, Woolfson DN. From peptides to proteins: coiled-coil tetramers to single-chain 4-helix bundles. Chem Sci 2022; 13:11330-11340. [PMID: 36320580 PMCID: PMC9533478 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc04479j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of completely synthetic proteins from first principles—de novo protein design—is challenging. This is because, despite recent advances in computational protein–structure prediction and design, we do not understand fully the sequence-to-structure relationships for protein folding, assembly, and stabilization. Antiparallel 4-helix bundles are amongst the most studied scaffolds for de novo protein design. We set out to re-examine this target, and to determine clear sequence-to-structure relationships, or design rules, for the structure. Our aim was to determine a common and robust sequence background for designing multiple de novo 4-helix bundles. In turn, this could be used in chemical and synthetic biology to direct protein–protein interactions and as scaffolds for functional protein design. Our approach starts by analyzing known antiparallel 4-helix coiled-coil structures to deduce design rules. In terms of the heptad repeat, abcdefg—i.e., the sequence signature of many helical bundles—the key features that we identify are: a = Leu, d = Ile, e = Ala, g = Gln, and the use of complementary charged residues at b and c. Next, we implement these rules in the rational design of synthetic peptides to form antiparallel homo- and heterotetramers. Finally, we use the sequence of the homotetramer to derive in one step a single-chain 4-helix-bundle protein for recombinant production in E. coli. All of the assembled designs are confirmed in aqueous solution using biophysical methods, and ultimately by determining high-resolution X-ray crystal structures. Our route from peptides to proteins provides an understanding of the role of each residue in each design. Rules for designing 4-helix bundles are defined, tested, and used to generate de novo peptide assemblies and a single-chain protein.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A. Naudin
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Katherine I. Albanese
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Abigail J. Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Bram Mylemans
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Emily G. Baker
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Orion D. Weiner
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, 555 Mission Bay Blvd. South, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - David M. Andrews
- Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge Science Park, Darwin Building, Cambridge CB4 0WG, UK
| | - Natalie Tigue
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
- BrisEngBio, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
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7
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Daudey GA, Shen M, Singhal A, van der Est P, Sevink GJA, Boyle AL, Kros A. Liposome fusion with orthogonal coiled coil peptides as fusogens: the efficacy of roleplaying peptides. Chem Sci 2021; 12:13782-13792. [PMID: 34760163 PMCID: PMC8549789 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc06635d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological membrane fusion is a highly specific and coordinated process as a multitude of vesicular fusion events proceed simultaneously in a complex environment with minimal off-target delivery. In this study, we develop a liposomal fusion model system with specific recognition using lipidated derivatives of a set of four de novo designed heterodimeric coiled coil (CC) peptide pairs. Content mixing was only obtained between liposomes functionalized with complementary peptides, demonstrating both fusogenic activity of CC peptides and the specificity of this model system. The diverse peptide fusogens revealed important relationships between the fusogenic efficacy and the peptide characteristics. The fusion efficiency increased from 20% to 70% as affinity between complementary peptides decreased, (from KF ≈ 108 to 104 M−1), and fusion efficiency also increased due to more pronounced asymmetric role-playing of membrane interacting ‘K’ peptides and homodimer-forming ‘E’ peptides. Furthermore, a new and highly fusogenic CC pair (E3/P1K) was discovered, providing an orthogonal peptide triad with the fusogenic CC pairs P2E/P2K and P3E/P3K. This E3/P1k pair was revealed, via molecular dynamics simulations, to have a shifted heptad repeat that can accommodate mismatched asparagine residues. These results will have broad implications not only for the fundamental understanding of CC design and how asparagine residues can be accommodated within the hydrophobic core, but also for drug delivery systems by revealing the necessary interplay of efficient peptide fusogens and enabling the targeted delivery of different carrier vesicles at various peptide-functionalized locations. We developed a liposomal fusion model system with specific recognition using a set of heterodimeric coiled coil peptide pairs. This study unravels important structure–fusogenic efficacy relationships of peptide fusogens.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert A Daudey
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Mengjie Shen
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Ankush Singhal
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Patrick van der Est
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - G J Agur Sevink
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Aimee L Boyle
- Macromolecular Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Kros
- Supramolecular and Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University P.O. Box 9502 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands
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8
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A nanobody toolbox targeting dimeric coiled-coil modules for functionalization of designed protein origami structures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2021899118. [PMID: 33893235 PMCID: PMC8092592 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2021899118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coiled-coil (CC) dimers are widely used in protein design because of their modularity and well-understood sequence-structure relationship. In CC protein origami design, a polypeptide chain is assembled from a defined sequence of CC building segments that determine the self-assembly of protein cages into polyhedral shapes, such as the tetrahedron, triangular prism, or four-sided pyramid. However, a targeted functionalization of the CC modules could significantly expand the versatility of protein origami scaffolds. Here, we describe a panel of single-chain camelid antibodies (nanobodies) directed against different CC modules of a de novo designed protein origami tetrahedron. We show that these nanobodies are able to recognize the same CC modules in different polyhedral contexts, such as isolated CC dimers, tetrahedra, triangular prisms, or trigonal bipyramids, thereby extending the ability to functionalize polyhedra with nanobodies in a desired stoichiometry. Crystal structures of five nanobody-CC complexes in combination with small-angle X-ray scattering show binding interactions between nanobodies and CC dimers forming the edges of a tetrahedron with the nanobody entering the tetrahedral cavity. Furthermore, we identified a pair of allosteric nanobodies in which the binding to the distant epitopes on the antiparallel homodimeric APH CC is coupled via a strong positive cooperativity. A toolbox of well-characterized nanobodies specific for CC modules provides a unique tool to target defined sites in the designed protein structures, thus opening numerous opportunities for the functionalization of CC protein origami polyhedra or CC-based bionanomaterials.
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9
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Stam MJ, Wood CW. DE-STRESS: a user-friendly web application for the evaluation of protein designs. Protein Eng Des Sel 2021; 34:gzab029. [PMID: 34908138 PMCID: PMC8672653 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo protein design is a rapidly growing field, and there are now many interesting and useful examples of designed proteins in the literature. However, most designs could be classed as failures when characterised in the lab, usually as a result of low expression, misfolding, aggregation or lack of function. This high attrition rate makes protein design unreliable and costly. It is possible that some of these failures could be caught earlier in the design process if it were quick and easy to generate information and a set of high-quality metrics regarding designs, which could be used to make reproducible and data-driven decisions about which designs to characterise experimentally. We present DE-STRESS (DEsigned STRucture Evaluation ServiceS), a web application for evaluating structural models of designed and engineered proteins. DE-STRESS has been designed to be simple, intuitive to use and responsive. It provides a wealth of information regarding designs, as well as tools to help contextualise the results and formally describe the properties that a design requires to be fit for purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Stam
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AB, UK
| | - Christopher W Wood
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, UK
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10
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Aupič J, Strmšek Ž, Lapenta F, Pahovnik D, Pisanski T, Drobnak I, Ljubetič A, Jerala R. Designed folding pathway of modular coiled-coil-based proteins. Nat Commun 2021; 12:940. [PMID: 33574262 PMCID: PMC7878764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural proteins are characterised by a complex folding pathway defined uniquely for each fold. Designed coiled-coil protein origami (CCPO) cages are distinct from natural compact proteins, since their fold is prescribed by discrete long-range interactions between orthogonal pairwise-interacting coiled-coil (CC) modules within a single polypeptide chain. Here, we demonstrate that CCPO proteins fold in a stepwise sequential pathway. Molecular dynamics simulations and stopped-flow Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements reveal that CCPO folding is dominated by the effective intra-chain distance between CC modules in the primary sequence and subsequent folding intermediates, allowing identical CC modules to be employed for multiple cage edges and thus relaxing CCPO cage design requirements. The number of orthogonal modules required for constructing a CCPO tetrahedron can be reduced from six to as little as three different CC modules. The stepwise modular nature of the folding pathway offers insights into the folding of tandem repeat proteins and can be exploited for the design of modular protein structures based on a given set of orthogonal modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Aupič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Strmšek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Fabio Lapenta
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - David Pahovnik
- Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Pisanski
- FAMNIT, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
- Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Drobnak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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11
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Linghu C, Johnson SL, Valdes PA, Shemesh OA, Park WM, Park D, Piatkevich KD, Wassie AT, Liu Y, An B, Barnes SA, Celiker OT, Yao CC, Yu CCJ, Wang R, Adamala KP, Bear MF, Keating AE, Boyden ES. Spatial Multiplexing of Fluorescent Reporters for Imaging Signaling Network Dynamics. Cell 2020; 183:1682-1698.e24. [PMID: 33232692 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In order to analyze how a signal transduction network converts cellular inputs into cellular outputs, ideally one would measure the dynamics of many signals within the network simultaneously. We found that, by fusing a fluorescent reporter to a pair of self-assembling peptides, it could be stably clustered within cells at random points, distant enough to be resolved by a microscope but close enough to spatially sample the relevant biology. Because such clusters, which we call signaling reporter islands (SiRIs), can be modularly designed, they permit a set of fluorescent reporters to be efficiently adapted for simultaneous measurement of multiple nodes of a signal transduction network within single cells. We created SiRIs for indicators of second messengers and kinases and used them, in hippocampal neurons in culture and intact brain slices, to discover relationships between the speed of calcium signaling, and the amplitude of PKA signaling, upon receiving a cAMP-driving stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyang Linghu
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shannon L Johnson
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Pablo A Valdes
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Or A Shemesh
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Won Min Park
- Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Demian Park
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kiryl D Piatkevich
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Asmamaw T Wassie
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yixi Liu
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Bobae An
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stephanie A Barnes
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Orhan T Celiker
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Chun-Chen Yao
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Chih-Chieh Jay Yu
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ru Wang
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Katarzyna P Adamala
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Mark F Bear
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Amy E Keating
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Edward S Boyden
- Department of Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Center for Neurobiological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Koch Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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12
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Nagarkar RP, Fichman G, Schneider JP. Engineering and characterization of apH‐sensitive homodimeric antiparallel coiled coil. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Radhika P. Nagarkar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Delaware Newark Delaware USA
| | - Galit Fichman
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Frederick Maryland USA
| | - Joel P. Schneider
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Frederick Maryland USA
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13
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Park WM. Coiled-Coils: the Molecular Zippers that Self-Assemble Protein Nanostructures. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3584. [PMID: 32438665 PMCID: PMC7278914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coiled-coils, the bundles of intertwined helical protein motifs, have drawn much attention as versatile molecular toolkits. Because of programmable interaction specificity and affinity as well as well-established sequence-to-structure relationships, coiled-coils have been used as subunits that self-assemble various molecular complexes in a range of fields. In this review, I describe recent advances in the field of protein nanotechnology, with a focus on programming assembly of protein nanostructures using coiled-coil modules. Modular design approaches to converting the helical motifs into self-assembling building blocks are described, followed by a discussion on the molecular basis and principles underlying the modular designs. This review also provides a summary of recently developed nanostructures with a variety of structural features, which are in categories of unbounded nanostructures, discrete nanoparticles, and well-defined origami nanostructures. Challenges existing in current design strategies, as well as desired improvements for controls over material properties and functionalities for applications, are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Min Park
- Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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14
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Jin J, Baker EG, Wood CW, Bath J, Woolfson DN, Turberfield AJ. Peptide Assembly Directed and Quantified Using Megadalton DNA Nanostructures. ACS NANO 2019; 13:9927-9935. [PMID: 31381314 PMCID: PMC6764022 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b04251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In nature, co-assembly of polypeptides, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides is used to create functional supramolecular structures. Here, we show that DNA nanostructures can be used to template interactions between peptides and to enable the quantification of multivalent interactions that would otherwise not be observable. Our functional building blocks are peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates comprising de novo designed dimeric coiled-coil peptides covalently linked to oligonucleotide tags. These conjugates are incorporated in megadalton DNA origami nanostructures and direct nanostructure association through peptide-peptide interactions. Free and bound nanostructures can be counted directly from electron micrographs, allowing estimation of the dissociation constants of the peptides linking them. Results for a single peptide-peptide interaction are consistent with the measured solution-phase free energy; DNA nanostructures displaying multiple peptides allow the effects of polyvalency to be probed. This use of DNA nanostructures as identifiers allows the binding strengths of homo- and heterodimeric peptide combinations to be measured in a single experiment and gives access to dissociation constants that are too low to be quantified by conventional techniques. The work also demonstrates that hybrid biomolecules can be programmed to achieve spatial organization of complex synthetic biomolecular assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jin
- Department
of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1
3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Emily G. Baker
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher W. Wood
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Bath
- Department
of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1
3PU, United Kingdom
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School
of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- Bristol
BioDesign Institute, BrisSynBio, University
of Bristol Research Centre in Synthetic Biology, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Turberfield
- Department
of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University
of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1
3PU, United Kingdom
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15
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Smith AJ, Thomas F, Shoemark D, Woolfson DN, Savery NJ. Guiding Biomolecular Interactions in Cells Using de Novo Protein-Protein Interfaces. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1284-1293. [PMID: 31059644 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
An improved ability to direct and control biomolecular interactions in living cells would have an impact on synthetic biology. A key issue is the need to introduce interacting components that act orthogonally to endogenous proteomes and interactomes. Here, we show that low-complexity, de novo designed protein-protein interaction (PPI) domains can substitute for natural PPIs and guide engineered protein-DNA interactions in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we use de novo homo- and heterodimeric coiled coils to reconstitute a cytoplasmic split adenylate cyclase, recruit RNA polymerase to a promoter and activate gene expression, and oligomerize both natural and designed DNA-binding domains to repress transcription. Moreover, the stabilities of the heterodimeric coiled coils can be modulated by rational design and, thus, adjust the levels of gene activation and repression in vivo. These experiments demonstrate the possibilities for using designed proteins and interactions to control biomolecular systems such as enzyme cascades and circuits in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail J. Smith
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Franziska Thomas
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - Deborah Shoemark
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - Nigel J. Savery
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
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16
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Rhys GG, Wood CW, Beesley JL, Zaccai NR, Burton AJ, Brady RL, Thomson AR, Woolfson DN. Navigating the Structural Landscape of De Novo α-Helical Bundles. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:8787-8797. [PMID: 31066556 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The association of amphipathic α helices in water leads to α-helical-bundle protein structures. However, the driving force for this-the hydrophobic effect-is not specific and does not define the number or the orientation of helices in the associated state. Rather, this is achieved through deeper sequence-to-structure relationships, which are increasingly being discerned. For example, for one structurally extreme but nevertheless ubiquitous class of bundle-the α-helical coiled coils-relationships have been established that discriminate between all-parallel dimers, trimers, and tetramers. Association states above this are known, as are antiparallel and mixed arrangements of the helices. However, these alternative states are less well understood. Here, we describe a synthetic-peptide system that switches between parallel hexamers and various up-down-up-down tetramers in response to single-amino-acid changes and solution conditions. The main accessible states of each peptide variant are characterized fully in solution and, in most cases, to high resolution with X-ray crystal structures. Analysis and inspection of these structures helps rationalize the different states formed. This navigation of the structural landscape of α-helical coiled coils above the dimers and trimers that dominate in nature has allowed us to design rationally a well-defined and hyperstable antiparallel coiled-coil tetramer (apCC-Tet). This robust de novo protein provides another scaffold for further structural and functional designs in protein engineering and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guto G Rhys
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Christopher W Wood
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Joseph L Beesley
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
| | - Nathan R Zaccai
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
| | - Antony J Burton
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- Frick Chemistry Laboratory , Princeton University , Princeton , New Jersey 08544 , United States
| | - R Leo Brady
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
| | - Andrew R Thomson
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry , University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , United Kingdom
| | - Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , Medical Sciences Building, University Walk , Bristol BS8 1TD , United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio , University of Bristol , Life Sciences Building, Tyndall Avenue , Bristol BS8 1TQ , United Kingdom
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17
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Rink WM, Thomas F. De Novo Designed α-Helical Coiled-Coil Peptides as Scaffolds for Chemical Reactions. Chemistry 2018; 25:1665-1677. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- W. Mathis Rink
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry; Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Tammannstraße 2 37077 Göttingen Germany
| | - Franziska Thomas
- Institute of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry; Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Tammannstraße 2 37077 Göttingen Germany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration; Von-Siebold-Straße 3a 37075 Göttingen Germany
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18
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Glover DJ, Lim S, Xu D, Sloan NB, Zhang Y, Clark DS. Assembly of Multicomponent Protein Filaments Using Engineered Subunit Interfaces. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2447-2456. [PMID: 30234970 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting the ability of proteins to self-assemble into architectural templates may provide novel routes for the positioning of functional molecules in nanotechnology. Here we report the engineering of multicomponent protein templates composed of distinct monomers that assemble in repeating orders into a dynamic functional structure. This was achieved by redesigning the protein-protein interfaces of a molecular chaperone with helical sequences to create unique subunits that assemble through orthogonal coiled-coils into filaments up to several hundred nanometers in length. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that functional proteins could be fused to the subunits to achieve ordered alignment along filaments. Importantly, the multicomponent filaments had molecular chaperone activity and could prevent other proteins from thermal-induced aggregation, a potentially useful property for the scaffolding of enzymes. The design in this work is presented as proof-of-concept for the creation of modular templates that could potentially be used to position functional molecules, stabilize other proteins such as enzymes, and enable controlled assembly of nanostructures with unique topologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J. Glover
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Samuel Lim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Dawei Xu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Nancy B. Sloan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Douglas S. Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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19
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Peptide design by optimization on a data-parameterized protein interaction landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10342-E10351. [PMID: 30322927 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812939115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many applications in protein engineering require optimizing multiple protein properties simultaneously, such as binding one target but not others or binding a target while maintaining stability. Such multistate design problems require navigating a high-dimensional space to find proteins with desired characteristics. A model that relates protein sequence to functional attributes can guide design to solutions that would be hard to discover via screening. In this work, we measured thousands of protein-peptide binding affinities with the high-throughput interaction assay amped SORTCERY and used the data to parameterize a model of the alpha-helical peptide-binding landscape for three members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins: Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and Bfl-1. We applied optimization protocols to explore extremes in this landscape to discover peptides with desired interaction profiles. Computational design generated 36 peptides, all of which bound with high affinity and specificity to just one of Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, or Bfl-1, as intended. We designed additional peptides that bound selectively to two out of three of these proteins. The designed peptides were dissimilar to known Bcl-2-binding peptides, and high-resolution crystal structures confirmed that they engaged their targets as expected. Excellent results on this challenging problem demonstrate the power of a landscape modeling approach, and the designed peptides have potential uses as diagnostic tools or cancer therapeutics.
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20
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Lechner H, Ferruz N, Höcker B. Strategies for designing non-natural enzymes and binders. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2018; 47:67-76. [PMID: 30248579 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The design of tailor-made enzymes is a major goal in biochemical research that can result in wide-range applications and will lead to a better understanding of how proteins fold and function. In this review we highlight recent advances in enzyme and small molecule binder design. A focus is placed on novel strategies for the design of scaffolds, developments in computational methods, and recent applications of these techniques on receptors, sensors, and enzymes. Further, the integration of computational and experimental methodologies is discussed. The outlined examples of designed enzymes and binders for various purposes highlight the importance of this topic and underline the need for tailor-made proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horst Lechner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Noelia Ferruz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Birte Höcker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany.
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21
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Zheng F, Grigoryan G. Simplifying the Design of Protein-Peptide Interaction Specificity with Sequence-Based Representations of Atomistic Models. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1561:189-200. [PMID: 28236239 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6798-8_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Computationally designed peptides targeting protein-protein interaction interfaces are of great interest as reagents for biological research and potential therapeutics. In recent years, it has been shown that detailed structure-based calculations can, in favorable cases, describe relevant determinants of protein-peptide recognition. Yet, despite large increases in available computing power, such accurate modeling of the binding reaction is still largely outside the realm of protein design. The chief limitation is in the large sequence spaces generally involved in protein design problems, such that it is typically infeasible to apply expensive modeling techniques to score each sequence. Toward addressing this issue, we have previously shown that by explicitly evaluating the scores of a relatively small number of sequences, it is possible to synthesize a direct mapping between sequences and scores, such that the entire sequence space can be analyzed extremely rapidly. The associated method, called Cluster Expansion, has been used in a number of studies to design binding affinity and specificity. In this chapter, we provide instructions and guidance for applying this technique in the context of designing protein-peptide interactions to enable the use of more detailed and expensive scoring approaches than is typically possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Gevorg Grigoryan
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, 6211 Sudikoff Lab, Room 113, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
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22
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Lapenta F, Aupič J, Strmšek Ž, Jerala R. Coiled coil protein origami: from modular design principles towards biotechnological applications. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:3530-3542. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00822h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This review illustrates the current state in designing coiled-coil-based proteins with an emphasis on coiled coil protein origami structures and their potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Lapenta
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology
- National Institute of Chemistry
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
| | - Jana Aupič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology
- National Institute of Chemistry
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
| | - Žiga Strmšek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology
- National Institute of Chemistry
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology
- National Institute of Chemistry
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence
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23
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Drobnak I, Ljubetič A, Gradišar H, Pisanski T, Jerala R. Designed Protein Origami. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 940:7-27. [PMID: 27677507 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-39196-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are highly perfected natural molecular machines, owing their properties to the complex tertiary structures with precise spatial positioning of different functional groups that have been honed through millennia of evolutionary selection. The prospects of designing new molecular machines and structural scaffolds beyond the limits of natural proteins make design of new protein folds a very attractive prospect. However, de novo design of new protein folds based on optimization of multiple cooperative interactions is very demanding. As a new alternative approach to design new protein folds unseen in nature, folds can be designed as a mathematical graph, by the self-assembly of interacting polypeptide modules within the single chain. Orthogonal coiled-coil dimers seem like an ideal building module due to their shape, adjustable length, and above all their designability. Similar to the approach of DNA nanotechnology, where complex tertiary structures are designed from complementary nucleotide segments, a polypeptide chain composed of a precisely specified sequence of coiled-coil forming segments can be designed to self-assemble into polyhedral scaffolds. This modular approach encompasses long-range interactions that define complex tertiary structures. We envision that by expansion of the toolkit of building blocks and design strategies of the folding pathways protein origami technology will be able to construct diverse molecular machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Drobnak
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Gradišar
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Pisanski
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia. .,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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24
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Ljubetič A, Lapenta F, Gradišar H, Drobnak I, Aupič J, Strmšek Ž, Lainšček D, Hafner-Bratkovič I, Majerle A, Krivec N, Benčina M, Pisanski T, Veličković TĆ, Round A, Carazo JM, Melero R, Jerala R. Design of coiled-coil protein-origami cages that self-assemble in vitro and in vivo. Nat Biotechnol 2017; 35:1094-1101. [DOI: 10.1038/nbt.3994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Strand Displacement in Coiled-Coil Structures: Controlled Induction and Reversal of Proximity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201705339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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26
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Gröger K, Gavins G, Seitz O. Strand Displacement in Coiled-Coil Structures: Controlled Induction and Reversal of Proximity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:14217-14221. [PMID: 28913864 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Coiled-coil peptides are frequently used to create new function upon the self-assembly of supramolecular complexes. A multitude of coil peptide sequences provides control over the specificity and stability of coiled-coil complexes. However, comparably little attention has been paid to the development of methods that allow the reversal of complex formation under non-denaturing conditions. Herein, we present a reversible two-state switching system. The process involves two peptide molecules for the formation of a size-mismatched coiled-coil duplex and a third, disruptor peptide that targets an overhanging end. A real-time fluorescence assay revealed that the proximity between two chromophores can be switched on and off, repetitively if desired. Showcasing the advantages provided by non-denaturing conditions, the method permitted control over the bivalent interactions of the tSH2 domain of Syk kinase with a phosphopeptide ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gröger
- Institut für Chemie der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georgina Gavins
- Institut für Chemie der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Seitz
- Institut für Chemie der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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27
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Park WM, Bedewy M, Berggren KK, Keating AE. Modular assembly of a protein nanotriangle using orthogonally interacting coiled coils. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10577. [PMID: 28874805 PMCID: PMC5585338 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10918-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic protein assemblies that adopt programmed shapes would support many applications in nanotechnology. We used a rational design approach that exploits the modularity of orthogonally interacting coiled coils to create a self-assembled protein nanotriangle. Coiled coils have frequently been used to construct nanoassemblies and materials, but rarely with successful prior specification of the resulting structure. We designed a heterotrimer from three pairs of heterodimeric coiled coils that mediate specific interactions while avoiding undesired crosstalk. Non-associating pairs of coiled-coil units were strategically fused to generate three chains that were predicted to preferentially form the heterotrimer, and a rational annealing process led to the desired oligomer. Extensive biophysical characterization and modeling support the formation of a molecular triangle, which is a shape distinct from naturally occurring supramolecular nanostructures. Our approach can be extended to design more complex nanostructures using additional coiled-coil modules, other protein parts, or templated surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Min Park
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Mostafa Bedewy
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA
| | - Karl K Berggren
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA
| | - Amy E Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, USA.
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28
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Stein V, Nabi M, Alexandrov K. Ultrasensitive Scaffold-Dependent Protease Sensors with Large Dynamic Range. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1337-1342. [PMID: 28291337 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The rational construction of synthetic protein switches with predefined input-output parameters constitutes a key goal of synthetic biology with many potential applications ranging from metabolic engineering to diagnostics. Yet, generally applicable strategies to construct tailor-engineered protein switches have so far remained elusive. Here, we use SpyTag/SpyCatcher-mediated protein ligation to engineer modularly organized, scaffold-dependent protease sensors that exploit a combination of affinity targeting and protease-inducible protein-protein interactions. We use this architecture to create a suite of integrated signal sensing and amplification circuits that can detect the activity of α-thrombin and prostate specific antigen with a dynamic range covering 5 orders of magnitude. We determine the key design features critical for signal transmission between protease-based sensors, transducers, and actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Stein
- Institute
for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QBP Building 80, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Masuda Nabi
- Institute
for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QBP Building 80, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirill Alexandrov
- Institute
for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QBP Building 80, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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29
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Drobnak I, Gradišar H, Ljubetič A, Merljak E, Jerala R. Modulation of Coiled-Coil Dimer Stability through Surface Residues while Preserving Pairing Specificity. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:8229-8236. [PMID: 28553984 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The coiled-coil dimer is a widespread protein structural motif and, due to its designability, represents an attractive building block for assembling modular nanostructures. The specificity of coiled-coil dimer pairing is mainly based on hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between residues at positions a, d, e, and g of the heptad repeat. Binding affinity, on the other hand, can also be affected by surface residues that face away from the dimerization interface. Here we show how design of the local helical propensity of interacting peptides can be used to tune the stabilities of coiled-coil dimers over a wide range. By designing intramolecular charge pairs, regions of high local helical propensity can be engineered to form trigger sequences, and dimer stability is adjusted without changing the peptide length or any of the directly interacting residues. This general principle is demonstrated by a change in thermal stability by more than 30 °C as a result of only two mutations outside the binding interface. The same approach was successfully used to modulate the stabilities in an orthogonal set of coiled-coils without affecting their binding preferences. The stability effects of local helical propensity and peptide charge are well described by a simple linear model, which should help improve current coiled-coil stability prediction algorithms. Our findings enable tuning the stabilities of coiled-coil-based building modules match a diverse range of applications in synthetic biology and nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Drobnak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry , Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Gradišar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry , Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence , Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry , Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Estera Merljak
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry , Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Roman Jerala
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry , Hajdrihova 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,EN-FIST Centre of Excellence , Trg OF 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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30
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Crooks RO, Lathbridge A, Panek AS, Mason JM. Computational Prediction and Design for Creating Iteratively Larger Heterospecific Coiled Coil Sets. Biochemistry 2017; 56:1573-1584. [PMID: 28267310 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A major biochemical goal is the ability to mimic nature in engineering highly specific protein-protein interactions (PPIs). We previously devised a computational interactome screen to identify eight peptides that form four heterospecific dimers despite 32 potential off-targets. To expand the speed and utility of our approach and the PPI toolkit, we have developed new software to derive much larger heterospecific sets (≥24 peptides) while directing against antiparallel off-targets. It works by predicting Tm values for every dimer on the basis of core, electrostatic, and helical propensity components. These guide interaction specificity, allowing heterospecific coiled coil (CC) sets to be incrementally assembled. Prediction accuracy is experimentally validated using circular dichroism and size exclusion chromatography. Thermal denaturation data from a 22-CC training set were used to improve software prediction accuracy and verified using a 136-CC test set consisting of eight predicted heterospecific dimers and 128 off-targets. The resulting software, qCIPA, individually now weighs core a-a' (II/NN/NI) and electrostatic g-e'+1 (EE/EK/KK) components. The expanded data set has resulted in emerging sequence context rules for otherwise energetically equivalent CCs; for example, introducing intrahelical electrostatic charge blocks generated increased stability for designed CCs while concomitantly decreasing the stability of off-target CCs. Coupled with increased prediction accuracy and speed, the approach can be applied to a wide range of downstream chemical and synthetic biology applications, in addition more generally to impose specificity on structurally unrelated PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard O Crooks
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Alexander Lathbridge
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Anna S Panek
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath , Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
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31
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Fletcher JM, Bartlett GJ, Boyle AL, Danon JJ, Rush LE, Lupas AN, Woolfson DN. N@a and N@d: Oligomer and Partner Specification by Asparagine in Coiled-Coil Interfaces. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:528-538. [PMID: 28026921 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The α-helical coiled coil is one of the best-studied protein-protein interaction motifs. As a result, sequence-to-structure relationships are available for the prediction of natural coiled-coil sequences and the de novo design of new ones. However, coiled coils adopt a wide range of oligomeric states and topologies, and our understanding of the specification of these and the discrimination between them remains incomplete. Gaps in our knowledge assume more importance as coiled coils are used increasingly to construct biomimetic systems of higher complexity; for this, coiled-coil components need to be robust, orthogonal, and transferable between contexts. Here, we explore how the polar side chain asparagine (Asn, N) is tolerated within otherwise hydrophobic helix-helix interfaces of coiled coils. The long-held view is that Asn placed at certain sites of the coiled-coil sequence repeat selects one oligomer state over others, which is rationalized by the ability of the side chain to make hydrogen bonds, or interactions with chelated ions within the coiled-coil interior of the favored state. We test this with experiments on de novo peptide sequences traditionally considered as directing parallel dimers and trimers, and more widely through bioinformatics analysis of natural coiled-coil sequences and structures. We find that when located centrally, rather than near the termini of such coiled-coil sequences, Asn does exert the anticipated oligomer-specifying influence. However, outside of these bounds, Asn is observed less frequently in the natural sequences, and the synthetic peptides are hyperthermostable and lose oligomer-state specificity. These findings highlight that not all regions of coiled-coil repeat sequences are equivalent, and that care is needed when designing coiled-coil interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M. Fletcher
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Gail J. Bartlett
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Aimee L. Boyle
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan J. Danon
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Laura E. Rush
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Andrei N. Lupas
- Department
of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Derek N. Woolfson
- School
of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University
Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
- BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Life Science
Building, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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32
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Abstract
Computational protein design (CPD), a yet evolving field, includes computer-aided engineering for partial or full de novo designs of proteins of interest. Designs are defined by a requested structure, function, or working environment. This chapter describes the birth and maturation of the field by presenting 101 CPD examples in a chronological order emphasizing achievements and pending challenges. Integrating these aspects presents the plethora of CPD approaches with the hope of providing a "CPD 101". These reflect on the broader structural bioinformatics and computational biophysics field and include: (1) integration of knowledge-based and energy-based methods, (2) hierarchical designated approach towards local, regional, and global motifs and the integration of high- and low-resolution design schemes that fit each such region, (3) systematic differential approaches towards different protein regions, (4) identification of key hot-spot residues and the relative effect of remote regions, (5) assessment of shape-complementarity, electrostatics and solvation effects, (6) integration of thermal plasticity and functional dynamics, (7) negative design, (8) systematic integration of experimental approaches, (9) objective cross-assessment of methods, and (10) successful ranking of potential designs. Future challenges also include dissemination of CPD software to the general use of life-sciences researchers and the emphasis of success within an in vivo milieu. CPD increases our understanding of protein structure and function and the relationships between the two along with the application of such know-how for the benefit of mankind. Applied aspects range from biological drugs, via healthier and tastier food products to nanotechnology and environmentally friendly enzymes replacing toxic chemicals utilized in the industry.
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33
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Abstract
α-Helical coiled coils are ubiquitous protein-folding and protein-interaction domains in which two or more α-helical chains come together to form bundles. Through a combination of bioinformatics analysis of many thousands of natural coiled-coil sequences and structures, plus empirical protein engineering and design studies, there is now a deep understanding of the sequence-to-structure relationships for this class of protein architecture. This has led to considerable success in rational design and what might be termed in biro de novo design of simple coiled coils, which include homo- and hetero-meric parallel dimers, trimers and tetramers. In turn, these provide a toolkit for directing the assembly of both natural proteins and more complex designs in protein engineering, materials science and synthetic biology. Moving on, the increased and improved use of computational design is allowing access to coiled-coil structures that are rare or even not observed in nature, for example α-helical barrels, which comprise five or more α-helices and have central channels into which different functions may be ported. This chapter reviews all of these advances, outlining improvements in our knowledge of the fundamentals of coiled-coil folding and assembly, and highlighting new coiled coil-based materials and applications that this new understanding is opening up. Despite considerable progress, however, challenges remain in coiled-coil design, and the next decade promises to be as productive and exciting as the last.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek N Woolfson
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TS, Bristol, UK.
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, BS8 1TD, Bristol, UK.
- BrisSynBio, Life Sciences Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1TQ, Bristol, UK.
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Abstract
![]()
In
this paper, we investigate the coassembly of peptides derived
from the central and C-terminal regions of the β-amyloid peptide
(Aβ). In the preceding paper, J. Am. Chem. Soc.2016, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06000, we established that peptides containing residues 17–23 (LVFFAED)
from the central region of Aβ and residues 30–36 (AIIGLMV)
from the C-terminal region of Aβ assemble to form homotetramers
consisting of two hydrogen-bonded dimers. Here, we mix these tetramer-forming
peptides and determine how they coassemble. Incorporation of a single 15N isotopic label into each peptide provides a spectroscopic
probe with which to elucidate the coassembly of the peptides by 1H,15N HSQC. Job’s method of continuous variation
and nonlinear least-squares fitting reveal that the peptides form
a mixture of heterotetramers in 3:1, 2:2, and 1:3 stoichiometries,
in addition to the homotetramers. These studies also establish the
relative stability of each tetramer and show that the 2:2 heterotetramer
predominates. 15N-Edited NOESY shows the 2:2 heterotetramer
comprises two different homodimers, rather than two heterodimers.
The peptides within the heterotetramer segregate in forming the homodimer
subunits, but the two homodimers coassemble in forming the heterotetramer.
These studies show that the central and C-terminal regions of Aβ
can preferentially segregate within β-sheets and that the resulting
segregated β-sheets can further coassemble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L Truex
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - James S Nowick
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
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35
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Truex NL, Wang Y, Nowick JS. Assembly of Peptides Derived from β-Sheet Regions of β-Amyloid. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:13882-13890. [PMID: 27642651 PMCID: PMC5089065 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
![]()
In
Alzheimer’s disease, aggregation of the β-amyloid
peptide (Aβ) results in the formation of oligomers and fibrils
that are associated with neurodegeneration. Aggregation of Aβ
occurs through interactions between different regions of the peptide.
This paper and the accompanying paper constitute a two-part investigation
of two key regions of Aβ: the central region and the C-terminal
region. These two regions promote aggregation and adopt β-sheet
structure in the fibrils, and may also do so in the oligomers. In
this paper, we study the assembly of macrocyclic β-sheet peptides
that contain residues 17–23 (LVFFAED) from the central region
and residues 30–36 (AIIGLMV) from the C-terminal region. These
peptides assemble to form tetramers. Each tetramer consists of two
hydrogen-bonded dimers that pack through hydrophobic interactions
in a sandwich-like fashion. Incorporation of a single 15N isotopic label into each peptide provides a spectroscopic probe
with which to elucidate the β-sheet assembly and interaction: 1H,15N HSQC studies facilitate the identification
of the monomers and tetramers; 15N-edited NOESY studies
corroborate the pairing of the dimers within the tetramers. In the
following paper, J. Am. Chem. Soc.2016, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b06001, we will extend these studies to elucidate the coassembly of the
peptides to form heterotetramers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas L Truex
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Yilin Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - James S Nowick
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine , Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
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36
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Optogenetic Inhibitor of the Transcription Factor CREB. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 22:1531-1539. [PMID: 26590638 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2015.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Current approaches for optogenetic control of transcription do not mimic the activity of endogenous transcription factors, which act at numerous sites in the genome in a complex interplay with other factors. Optogenetic control of dominant negative versions of endogenous transcription factors provides a mechanism for mimicking the natural regulation of gene expression. Here we describe opto-DN-CREB, a blue-light-controlled inhibitor of the transcription factor CREB created by fusing the dominant negative inhibitor A-CREB to photoactive yellow protein (PYP). A light-driven conformational change in PYP prevents coiled-coil formation between A-CREB and CREB, thereby activating CREB. Optogenetic control of CREB function was characterized in vitro, in HEK293T cells, and in neurons where blue light enabled control of expression of the CREB targets NR4A2 and c-Fos. Dominant negative inhibitors exist for numerous transcription factors; linking these to optogenetic domains offers a general approach for spatiotemporal control of native transcriptional events.
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37
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Abstract
The assembly of individual protein subunits into large-scale symmetrical structures is widespread in nature and confers new biological properties. Engineered protein assemblies have potential applications in nanotechnology and medicine; however, a major challenge in engineering assemblies de novo has been to design interactions between the protein subunits so that they specifically assemble into the desired structure. Here we demonstrate a simple, generalizable approach to assemble proteins into cage-like structures that uses short de novo designed coiled-coil domains to mediate assembly. We assembled eight copies of a C3-symmetric trimeric esterase into a well-defined octahedral protein cage by appending a C4-symmetric coiled-coil domain to the protein through a short, flexible linker sequence, with the approximate length of the linker sequence determined by computational modeling. The structure of the cage was verified using a combination of analytical ultracentrifugation, native electrospray mass spectrometry, and negative stain and cryoelectron microscopy. For the protein cage to assemble correctly, it was necessary to optimize the length of the linker sequence. This observation suggests that flexibility between the two protein domains is important to allow the protein subunits sufficient freedom to assemble into the geometry specified by the combination of C4 and C3 symmetry elements. Because this approach is inherently modular and places minimal requirements on the structural features of the protein building blocks, it could be extended to assemble a wide variety of proteins into structures with different symmetries.
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38
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Watson MD, Peran I, Raleigh DP. A Non-perturbing Probe of Coiled Coil Formation Based on Electron Transfer Mediated Fluorescence Quenching. Biochemistry 2016; 55:3685-91. [PMID: 27258904 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Coiled coils are abundant in nature, occurring in ∼3% of proteins across sequenced genomes, and are found in proteins ranging from transcription factors to structural proteins. The motif continues to be an important model system for understanding protein-protein interactions and is finding increased use in bioinspired materials and synthetic biology. Knowledge of the thermodynamics of self-assembly, particularly the dissociation constant KD, is essential for the application of designed coiled coils and for understanding the in vivo specificity of natural coiled coils. Standard methods for measuring KD typically rely on concentration dependent circular dichroism (CD). Fluorescence methods are an attractive alternative; however Trp is rarely found in an interior position of a coiled coil, and appending unnatural fluorophores can perturb the system. We demonstrate a simple, non-perturbing method to monitor coiled coil formation using p-cyanophenylalanine (FCN) and selenomethionine (MSe), the Se analogue of Met. FCN fluorescence can be selectively excited and is effectively quenched by electron transfer with MSe. Both FCN and MSe represent minimally perturbing substitutions in coiled coils. MSe quenching of FCN fluorescence is shown to offer a non-perturbing method for following coiled coil formation and for accurately determining dissociation constants. The method is validated using a designed heterodimeric coiled coil. The KD deduced by fluorescence monitored titration is in excellent agreement with the value deduced from concentration dependent CD measurements to within the uncertainty of the measurement. However, the fluorescence approach requires less protein, is less time-consuming, can be applied to lower concentrations and could be applied to high throughput screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Watson
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Graduate Program in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Ivan Peran
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Graduate Program in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
| | - Daniel P Raleigh
- Department of Chemistry and ‡Graduate Program in Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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39
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Božič Abram S, Aupič J, Dražić G, Gradišar H, Jerala R. Coiled-coil forming peptides for the induction of silver nanoparticles. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 472:566-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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40
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Ljubetič A, Drobnak I, Gradišar H, Jerala R. Designing the structure and folding pathway of modular topological bionanostructures. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:5220-9. [PMID: 27001947 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc00421k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polypeptides and polynucleotides are programmable natural polymers whose linear sequence can be easily designed and synthesized by the cellular transcription/translation machinery. Nature primarily uses proteins as the molecular machines and nucleic acids as the medium for the manipulation of heritable information. A protein's tertiary structure and function is defined by multiple cooperative weak long-range interactions that have been optimized through evolution. DNA nanotechnology uses orthogonal pairwise interacting modules of complementary nucleic acids as a strategy to construct defined complex 3D structures. A similar approach has recently been applied to protein design, using orthogonal dimerizing coiled-coil segments as interacting modules. When concatenated into a single polypeptide chain, they self-assemble into the 3D structure defined by the topology of interacting modules within the chain. This approach allows the construction of geometric polypeptide scaffolds, bypassing the folding problem of compact proteins by relying on decoupled pairwise interactions. However, the folding pathway still needs to be optimized in order to allow rapid self-assembly under physiological conditions. Again the modularity of designed topological structures can be used to define the rules that guide the folding pathway of long polymers, such as DNA, based on the stability and topology of connected building modules. This approach opens the way towards incorporation of designed foldamers in biological systems and their functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ljubetič
- National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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41
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Deriving Heterospecific Self-Assembling Protein-Protein Interactions Using a Computational Interactome Screen. J Mol Biol 2015; 428:385-398. [PMID: 26655848 PMCID: PMC4751974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between naturally occurring proteins are highly specific, with protein-network imbalances associated with numerous diseases. For designed protein–protein interactions (PPIs), required specificity can be notoriously difficult to engineer. To accelerate this process, we have derived peptides that form heterospecific PPIs when combined. This is achieved using software that generates large virtual libraries of peptide sequences and searches within the resulting interactome for preferentially interacting peptides. To demonstrate feasibility, we have (i) generated 1536 peptide sequences based on the parallel dimeric coiled-coil motif and varied residues known to be important for stability and specificity, (ii) screened the 1,180,416 member interactome for predicted Tm values and (iii) used predicted Tm cutoff points to isolate eight peptides that form four heterospecific PPIs when combined. This required that all 32 hypothetical off-target interactions within the eight-peptide interactome be disfavoured and that the four desired interactions pair correctly. Lastly, we have verified the approach by characterising all 36 pairs within the interactome. In analysing the output, we hypothesised that several sequences are capable of adopting antiparallel orientations. We subsequently improved the software by removing sequences where doing so led to fully complementary electrostatic pairings. Our approach can be used to derive increasingly large and therefore complex sets of heterospecific PPIs with a wide range of potential downstream applications from disease modulation to the design of biomaterials and peptides in synthetic biology. Naturally occurring protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are highly specific. For designed PPIs, however, specificity can be notoriously difficult to engineer. We have computationally screened a vast interactome to derive four heterospecific PPIs. Eight peptides form four heterospecific coiled coils; all 32 off targets are disfavoured. The method can derive larger and increasingly complex sets of heterospecific PPIs
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42
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Chen R, Rishi HS, Potapov V, Yamada MR, Yeh VJ, Chow T, Cheung CL, Jones AT, Johnson TD, Keating AE, DeLoache WC, Dueber JE. A Barcoding Strategy Enabling Higher-Throughput Library Screening by Microscopy. ACS Synth Biol 2015; 4:1205-16. [PMID: 26155738 PMCID: PMC4654675 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.5b00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dramatic progress has been made in the design and build phases of the design-build-test cycle for engineering cells. However, the test phase usually limits throughput, as many outputs of interest are not amenable to rapid analytical measurements. For example, phenotypes such as motility, morphology, and subcellular localization can be readily measured by microscopy, but analysis of these phenotypes is notoriously slow. To increase throughput, we developed microscopy-readable barcodes (MiCodes) composed of fluorescent proteins targeted to discernible organelles. In this system, a unique barcode can be genetically linked to each library member, making possible the parallel analysis of phenotypes of interest via microscopy. As a first demonstration, we MiCoded a set of synthetic coiled-coil leucine zipper proteins to allow an 8 × 8 matrix to be tested for specific interactions in micrographs consisting of mixed populations of cells. A novel microscopy-readable two-hybrid fluorescence localization assay for probing candidate interactions in the cytosol was also developed using a bait protein targeted to the peroxisome and a prey protein tagged with a fluorescent protein. This work introduces a generalizable, scalable platform for making microscopy amenable to higher-throughput library screening experiments, thereby coupling the power of imaging with the utility of combinatorial search paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Harneet S. Rishi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Vladimir Potapov
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Masaki R. Yamada
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Vincent J. Yeh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Thomas Chow
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Celia L. Cheung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Austin T. Jones
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Terry D. Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Amy E. Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - William C. DeLoache
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - John E. Dueber
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Potapov V, Kaplan JB, Keating AE. Data-driven prediction and design of bZIP coiled-coil interactions. PLoS Comput Biol 2015; 11:e1004046. [PMID: 25695764 PMCID: PMC4335062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective dimerization of the basic-region leucine-zipper (bZIP) transcription factors presents a vivid example of how a high degree of interaction specificity can be achieved within a family of structurally similar proteins. The coiled-coil motif that mediates homo- or hetero-dimerization of the bZIP proteins has been intensively studied, and a variety of methods have been proposed to predict these interactions from sequence data. In this work, we used a large quantitative set of 4,549 bZIP coiled-coil interactions to develop a predictive model that exploits knowledge of structurally conserved residue-residue interactions in the coiled-coil motif. Our model, which expresses interaction energies as a sum of interpretable residue-pair and triplet terms, achieves a correlation with experimental binding free energies of R = 0.68 and significantly out-performs other scoring functions. To use our model in protein design applications, we devised a strategy in which synthetic peptides are built by assembling 7-residue native-protein heptad modules into new combinations. An integer linear program was used to find the optimal combination of heptads to bind selectively to a target human bZIP coiled coil, but not to target paralogs. Using this approach, we designed peptides to interact with the bZIP domains from human JUN, XBP1, ATF4 and ATF5. Testing more than 132 candidate protein complexes using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay confirmed the formation of tight and selective heterodimers between the designed peptides and their targets. This approach can be used to make inhibitors of native proteins, or to develop novel peptides for applications in synthetic biology or nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Potapov
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jenifer B. Kaplan
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amy E. Keating
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Stein V, Alexandrov K. Synthetic protein switches: design principles and applications. Trends Biotechnol 2015; 33:101-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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