1
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Shen YH, Cheng WL, Wang X, Dai HE, Wang M, Liu L. Crystal Structure of a Thioredoxin-like Ferredoxin Encoded Within a Cobalamin Biosynthetic Operon of Rhodobacter capsulatus. Protein J 2025; 44:192-200. [PMID: 39924633 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-025-10254-z] [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] [Accepted: 02/01/2025] [Indexed: 02/11/2025]
Abstract
Thioredoxin-like ferredoxin is a small homodimeric protein containing a [2Fe-2S] cluster in each monomer. It is only found in bacteria but its physiological function remains largely unknown. The cobalamin biosynthetic operon in the genome of the purple phototroph Rhodobacter capsulatus encodes a putative ferredoxin dubbed as CfrX. To characterize this protein, we cloned, expressed, purified, and crystalized the recombinant CfrX in the iron-sulfur cluster-bound state, and solved the structure at 2.1-Å resolution. Adopting a typical thioredoxin-like ferredoxin fold, a CfrX monomer binds one [2Fe-2S] cluster through four Cys residues located on two protruding loops. Unexpectedly, CfrX dimerizes in a previously unreported manner. With the structural information, we ascertained CfrX as a thioredoxin-like ferredoxin. While the precise function of CfrX in cobalamin biosynthesis is elusive, a link between CfrX and aerobic cobaltochelatase should exist due to the gene clustering pattern. We also discussed the possible relationship among CfrX, CobW, and CobNST with respect to the [2Fe-2S] cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hao Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Wen-Long Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Huai-En Dai
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Mingzhu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China
| | - Lin Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China.
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2
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Clough SE, Young TR, Tarrant E, Scott AJP, Chivers PT, Glasfeld A, Robinson NJ. A metal-trap tests and refines blueprints to engineer cellular protein metalation with different elements. Nat Commun 2025; 16:810. [PMID: 39827241 PMCID: PMC11742986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56199-w] [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: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2025] [Indexed: 01/22/2025] Open
Abstract
It has been challenging to test how proteins acquire specific metals in cells. The speciation of metalation is thought to depend on the preferences of proteins for different metals competing at intracellular metal-availabilities. This implies mis-metalation may occur if proteins become mis-matched to metal-availabilities in heterologous cells. Here we use a cyanobacterial MnII-cupin (MncA) as a metal trap, to test predictions of metalation. By re-folding MncA in buffered competing metals, metal-preferences are determined. Relating metal-preferences to metal-availabilities estimated using cellular metal sensors, predicts mis-metalation of MncA with FeII in E. coli. After expression in E. coli, predominantly FeII-bound MncA is isolated experimentally. It is predicted that in metal-supplemented viable cells metal-MncA speciation should switch. MnII-, CoII-, or NiII-MncA are recovered from the respective metal-supplemented cells. Differences between observed and predicted metal-MncA speciation are used to refine estimated metal availabilities. Values are provided as blueprints to guide engineering biological protein metalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Clough
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Tessa R Young
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Emma Tarrant
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Andrew J P Scott
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Peter T Chivers
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Arthur Glasfeld
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK
| | - Nigel J Robinson
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, Durham, UK.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, Durham, UK.
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3
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Capdevila DA, Rondón JJ, Edmonds KA, Rocchio JS, Dujovne MV, Giedroc DP. Bacterial Metallostasis: Metal Sensing, Metalloproteome Remodeling, and Metal Trafficking. Chem Rev 2024; 124:13574-13659. [PMID: 39658019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2024]
Abstract
Transition metals function as structural and catalytic cofactors for a large diversity of proteins and enzymes that collectively comprise the metalloproteome. Metallostasis considers all cellular processes, notably metal sensing, metalloproteome remodeling, and trafficking (or allocation) of metals that collectively ensure the functional integrity and adaptability of the metalloproteome. Bacteria employ both protein and RNA-based mechanisms that sense intracellular transition metal bioavailability and orchestrate systems-level outputs that maintain metallostasis. In this review, we contextualize metallostasis by briefly discussing the metalloproteome and specialized roles that metals play in biology. We then offer a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of metalloregulatory proteins and metal-sensing riboswitches, defining general principles within each sensor superfamily that capture how specificity is encoded in the sequence, and how selectivity can be leveraged in downstream synthetic biology and biotechnology applications. This is followed by a discussion of recent work that highlights selected metalloregulatory outputs, including metalloproteome remodeling and metal allocation by metallochaperones to both client proteins and compartments. We close by briefly discussing places where more work is needed to fill in gaps in our understanding of metallostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana A Capdevila
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405 BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Johnma J Rondón
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405 BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Katherine A Edmonds
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Joseph S Rocchio
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Matias Villarruel Dujovne
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405 BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
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4
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Chakraborty UK, Park Y, Sengupta K, Jung W, Joshi CP, Francis DH, Chen P. A 'through-DNA' mechanism for co-regulation of metal uptake and efflux. Nat Commun 2024; 15:10555. [PMID: 39632925 PMCID: PMC11618457 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55017-z] [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: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 11/25/2024] [Indexed: 12/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Transition metals like Zn are essential for all organisms including bacteria, but fluctuations of their concentrations in the cell can be lethal. Organisms have thus evolved complex mechanisms for cellular metal homeostasis. One mechanistic paradigm involves pairs of transcription regulators sensing intracellular metal concentrations to regulate metal uptake and efflux. Here we report that Zur and ZntR, a prototypical pair of regulators for Zn uptake and efflux in E. coli, respectively, can coordinate their regulation through DNA, besides sensing cellular Zn2+ concentrations. Using a combination of live-cell single-molecule tracking and in vitro single-molecule FRET measurements, we show that unmetallated ZntR can enhance the unbinding kinetics of Zur from DNA by directly acting on Zur-DNA complexes, possibly through forming heteromeric ternary and quaternary complexes that involve both protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions. This 'through-DNA' mechanism may functionally facilitate the switching in Zn-uptake regulation when bacteria encounter changing Zn environments, such as facilitating derepression of Zn-uptake genes upon Zn depletion; it could also be relevant for regulating the uptake-vs.-efflux of various metals across different bacterial species and yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngchan Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kushal Sengupta
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Won Jung
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Chandra P Joshi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Physics, Durham Technical Community College, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Danielle H Francis
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Wheaton High School, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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5
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He B, Helmann JD. Metalation of Extracytoplasmic Proteins and Bacterial Cell Envelope Homeostasis. Annu Rev Microbiol 2024; 78:83-102. [PMID: 38960447 PMCID: PMC11922083 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-041522-091507] [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] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Cell physiology requires innumerable metalloenzymes supported by the selective import of metal ions. Within the crowded cytosol, most enzymes acquire their cognate cofactors from a buffered labile pool. Metalation of membrane-bound and secreted exoenzymes is more problematic since metal concentrations are highly variable outside the cell. Here, we focus on metalloenzymes involved in cell envelope homeostasis. Peptidoglycan synthesis often relies on Zn-dependent hydrolases, and metal-dependent β-lactamases play important roles in antibiotic resistance. In gram-positive bacteria, lipoteichoic acid synthesis requires Mn, with TerC family Mn exporters in a supporting role. For some exoenzymes, metalation occurs in the cytosol, and metalated enzymes are exported through the TAT secretion system. For others, metalation is facilitated by metal exporters, metallochaperones, or partner proteins that enhance metal affinity. To help ensure function, some metalloenzymes can function with multiple metals. Thus, cells employ a diversity of strategies to ensure metalation of enzymes functioning outside the cytosol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bixi He
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - John D Helmann
- Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
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6
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Galea D, Herzberg M, Nies DH. The metal-binding GTPases CobW2 and CobW3 are at the crossroads of zinc and cobalt homeostasis in Cupriavidus metallidurans. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0022624. [PMID: 39041725 PMCID: PMC11340326 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00226-24] [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: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The metal-resistant beta-proteobacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans is also able to survive conditions of metal starvation. We show that zinc-starved cells can substitute some of the required zinc with cobalt but not with nickel ions. The zinc importer ZupT was necessary for this process but was not essential for either zinc or cobalt import. The cellular cobalt content was also influenced by the two COG0523-family proteins, CobW2 and CobW3. Pulse-chase experiments with radioactive and isotope-enriched zinc demonstrated that both proteins interacted with ZupT to control the cellular flow-equilibrium of zinc, a central process of zinc homeostasis. Moreover, an antagonistic interplay of CobW2 and CobW3 in the presence of added cobalt caused a growth defect in mutant cells devoid of the cobalt efflux system DmeF. Full cobalt resistance also required a synergistic interaction of ZupT and DmeF. Thus, the two transporters along with CobW2 and CobW3 interact to control cobalt homeostasis in a process that depends on zinc availability. Because ZupT, CobW2, and CobW3 also direct zinc homeostasis, this process links the control of cobalt and zinc homeostasis, which subsequently protects C. metallidurans against cadmium stress and general metal starvation.IMPORTANCEIn bacterial cells, zinc ions need to be allocated to zinc-dependent proteins without disturbance of this process by other transition metal cations. Under zinc-starvation conditions, C. metallidurans floods the cell with cobalt ions, which protect the cell against cadmium toxicity, help withstand metal starvation, and provide cobalt to metal-promiscuous paralogs of essential zinc-dependent proteins. The number of cobalt ions needs to be carefully controlled to avoid a toxic cobalt overload. This is accomplished by an interplay of the zinc importer ZupT with the COG0523-family proteins, CobW3, and CobW2. At high external cobalt concentrations, this trio of proteins additionally interacts with the cobalt efflux system, DmeF, so that these four proteins form an inextricable link between zinc and cobalt homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Galea
- Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Biology/Microbiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin Herzberg
- Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Biology/Microbiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dietrich H. Nies
- Molecular Microbiology, Institute for Biology/Microbiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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7
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Krämer U. Metal Homeostasis in Land Plants: A Perpetual Balancing Act Beyond the Fulfilment of Metalloproteome Cofactor Demands. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 75:27-65. [PMID: 38277698 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-arplant-070623-105324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
One of life's decisive innovations was to harness the catalytic power of metals for cellular chemistry. With life's expansion, global atmospheric and biogeochemical cycles underwent dramatic changes. Although initially harmful, they permitted the evolution of multicellularity and the colonization of land. In land plants as primary producers, metal homeostasis faces heightened demands, in part because soil is a challenging environment for nutrient balancing. To avoid both nutrient metal limitation and metal toxicity, plants must maintain the homeostasis of metals within tighter limits than the homeostasis of other minerals. This review describes the present model of protein metalation and sketches its transfer from unicellular organisms to land plants as complex multicellular organisms. The inseparable connection between metal and redox homeostasis increasingly draws our attention to more general regulatory roles of metals. Mineral co-option, the use of nutrient or other metals for functions other than nutrition, is an emerging concept beyond that of nutritional immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Krämer
- Molecular Genetics and Physiology of Plants, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany;
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8
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Osterberg MK, Smith AK, Campbell C, Deredge DJ, Stemmler TL, Giedroc DP. Coupling of zinc and GTP binding drives G-domain folding in Acinetobacter baumannii ZigA. Biophys J 2024; 123:979-991. [PMID: 38459695 PMCID: PMC11052692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
COG0523 proteins, also known as nucleotide-dependent metallochaperones, are a poorly understood class of small P-loop G3E GTPases. Multiple family members play critical roles in bacterial pathogen survival during an infection as part of the adaptive response to host-mediated "nutritional immunity." Our understanding of the structure, dynamics, and molecular-level function of COG0523 proteins, apart from the eukaryotic homolog, Zng1, remains in its infancy. Here, we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy to establish that Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) ZigA coordinates ZnII using all three cysteines derived from the invariant CXCC motif to form an S3(N/O) coordination complex, a feature inconsistent with the ZnII-bound crystal structure of a distantly related COG0523 protein of unknown function from Escherichia coli, EcYjiA. The binding of ZnII and guanine nucleotides is thermodynamically linked in AbZigA, and this linkage is more favorable for the substrate GTP relative to the product GDP. Part of this coupling originates with nucleotide-induced stabilization of the G-domain tertiary structure as revealed by global thermodynamics measurements and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). HDX-MS also reveals that the HDX behavior of the G2 (switch 1) loop is highly sensitive to nucleotide status and becomes more exchange labile in the GDP (product)-bound state. Significant long-range perturbation of local stability in both the G-domain and the C-terminal domain define a candidate binding pocket for a client protein that appears sensitive to nucleotide status (GDP versus GTP). We place these new insights into the structure, dynamics, and energetics of intermolecular metal transfer into the context of a model for AbZigA metallochaperone function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ally K Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Courtney Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Daniel J Deredge
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Timothy L Stemmler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
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9
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Kim M, Le MT, Fan L, Campbell C, Sen S, Capdevila DA, Stemmler TL, Giedroc DP. Characterization of the Zinc Uptake Repressor (Zur) from Acinetobacter baumannii. Biochemistry 2024; 63:660-670. [PMID: 38385972 PMCID: PMC11019503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial cells tightly regulate the intracellular concentrations of essential transition metal ions by deploying a panel of metal-regulated transcriptional repressors and activators that bind to operator-promoter regions upstream of regulated genes. Like other zinc uptake regulator (Zur) proteins, Acinetobacter baumannii Zur represses transcription of its regulon when ZnII is replete and binds more weakly to DNA when ZnII is limiting. Previous studies established that Zur proteins are homodimeric and harbor at least two metal sites per protomer or four per dimer. CdII X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of the Cd2Zn2 AbZur metalloderivative with CdII bound to the allosteric sites reveals a S(N/O)3 first coordination shell. Site-directed mutagenesis suggests that H89 and C100 from the N-terminal DNA binding domain and H107 and E122 from the C-terminal dimerization domain comprise the regulatory metal site. KZn for this allosteric site is 6.0 (±2.2) × 1012 M-1 with a functional "division of labor" among the four metal ligands. N-terminal domain ligands H89 and C100 contribute far more to KZn than H107 and E122, while C100S AbZur uniquely fails to bind to DNA tightly as measured by an in vitro transcription assay. The heterotropic allosteric coupling free energy, ΔGc, is negative, consistent with a higher KZn for the AbZur-DNA complex and defining a bioavailable ZnII set-point of ≈6 × 10-14 M. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments reveal that only the wild-type Zn homodimer undergoes allosteric switching, while the C100S AbZur fails to switch. These data collectively suggest that switching to a high affinity DNA-binding conformation involves a rotation/translation of one protomer relative to the other in a way that is dependent on the integrity of C100. We place these findings in the context of other Zur proteins and Fur family repressors more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - My Tra Le
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Lixin Fan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, SAXS Core Facility of the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Courtney Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2417, United States
| | - Sambuddha Sen
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
| | - Daiana A Capdevila
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA-CONICET), C1405 BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Timothy L Stemmler
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201-2417, United States
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7102, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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10
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Paterson JR, Wadsworth JM, Hu P, Sharples GJ. A critical role for iron and zinc homeostatic systems in the evolutionary adaptation of Escherichia coli to metal restriction. Microb Genom 2023; 9:001153. [PMID: 38054971 PMCID: PMC10763504 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Host nutritional immunity utilizes metal deprivation to help prevent microbial infection. To investigate bacterial adaptation to such restrictive conditions, we conducted experimental evolution with two metal sequestering agents. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP) were selected as ligands because they differentially affect cellular levels of iron, manganese and zinc in Escherichia coli. Mutants of E. coli strain BW25113 were isolated after cultivation at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) chelant levels and genetic changes potentially responsible for tolerance were identified by whole-genome sequencing. In EDTA-selected strains, mutations in the promoter region of yeiR resulted in elevated gene expression. The yeiR product, a zinc-specific metallochaperone, was confirmed to be primarily responsible for EDTA resistance. Similarly, in two of the DTPMP-selected strains, a promoter mutation increased expression of the fepA-entD operon, which encodes components of the ferric-enterobactin uptake pathway. However, in this case improved DTPMP tolerance was only detectable following overexpression of FepA or EntD in trans. Additional mutations in the cadC gene product, an acid-response regulator, preserved the neutrality of the growth medium by constitutively activating expression of the cadAB regulon. This study uncovers specific resistance mechanisms for zinc and iron starvation that could emerge by selection against host nutritional immunity or competition with heterologous metallophores. It also provides insight into the specific metals affected by these two widely used chelators critical for their antibacterial mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ping Hu
- Procter and Gamble, Mason Business Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45040, USA
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11
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Zhang L, Braynen J, Fahey A, Chopra K, Cifani P, Tadesse D, Regulski M, Hu F, van Dam HJJ, Xie M, Ware D, Blaby-Haas CE. Two related families of metal transferases, ZNG1 and ZNG2, are involved in acclimation to poor Zn nutrition in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1237722. [PMID: 37965006 PMCID: PMC10642216 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1237722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Metal homeostasis has evolved to tightly modulate the availability of metals within the cell, avoiding cytotoxic interactions due to excess and protein inactivity due to deficiency. Even in the presence of homeostatic processes, however, low bioavailability of these essential metal nutrients in soils can negatively impact crop health and yield. While research has largely focused on how plants assimilate metals, acclimation to metal-limited environments requires a suite of strategies that are not necessarily involved in metal transport across membranes. The identification of these mechanisms provides a new opportunity to improve metal-use efficiency and develop plant foodstuffs with increased concentrations of bioavailable metal nutrients. Here, we investigate the function of two distinct subfamilies of the nucleotide-dependent metallochaperones (NMCs), named ZNG1 and ZNG2, that are found in plants, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a reference organism. AtZNG1 (AT1G26520) is an ortholog of human and fungal ZNG1, and like its previously characterized eukaryotic relatives, localizes to the cytosol and physically interacts with methionine aminopeptidase type I (AtMAP1A). Analysis of AtZNG1, AtMAP1A, AtMAP2A, and AtMAP2B transgenic mutants are consistent with the role of Arabidopsis ZNG1 as a Zn transferase for AtMAP1A, as previously described in yeast and zebrafish. Structural modeling reveals a flexible cysteine-rich loop that we hypothesize enables direct transfer of Zn from AtZNG1 to AtMAP1A during GTP hydrolysis. Based on proteomics and transcriptomics, loss of this ancient and conserved mechanism has pleiotropic consequences impacting the expression of hundreds of genes, including those involved in photosynthesis and vesicle transport. Members of the plant-specific family of NMCs, ZNG2A1 (AT1G80480) and ZNG2A2 (AT1G15730), are also required during Zn deficiency, but their target protein(s) remain to be discovered. RNA-seq analyses reveal wide-ranging impacts across the cell when the genes encoding these plastid-localized NMCs are disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Zhang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Janeen Braynen
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Audrey Fahey
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Kriti Chopra
- Computational Science Initiative, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Paolo Cifani
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Dimiru Tadesse
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Michael Regulski
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Fangle Hu
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
| | - Hubertus J. J. van Dam
- Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Meng Xie
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Doreen Ware
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, United States
- USDA ARS NAA Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Crysten E. Blaby-Haas
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
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12
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Mosna K, Jurczak K, Krężel A. Differentiated Zn(II) binding affinities in animal, plant, and bacterial metallothioneins define their zinc buffering capacity at physiological pZn. Metallomics 2023; 15:mfad061. [PMID: 37804185 PMCID: PMC10612145 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, Cys-rich proteins present in various but not all organisms, from bacteria to humans. They participate in zinc and copper metabolism, toxic metals detoxification, and protection against reactive species. Structurally, they contain one or multiple domains, capable of binding a variable number of metal ions. For experimental convenience, biochemical characterization of MTs is mainly performed on Cd(II)-loaded proteins, frequently omitting or limiting Zn(II) binding features and related functions. Here, by choosing 10 MTs with relatively well-characterized structures from animals, plants, and bacteria, we focused on poorly investigated Zn(II)-to-protein affinities, stability-structure relations, and the speciation of individual complexes. For that purpose, MTs were characterized in terms of stoichiometry, pH-dependent Zn(II) binding, and competition with chromogenic and fluorescent probes. To shed more light on protein folding and its relation with Zn(II) affinity, reactivity of variously Zn(II)-loaded MTs was studied by (5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) oxidation in the presence of mild chelators. The results show that animal and plant MTs, despite their architectural differences, demonstrate the same affinities to Zn(II), varying from nano- to low picomolar range. Bacterial MTs bind Zn(II) more tightly but, importantly, with different affinities from low picomolar to low femtomolar range. The presence of weak, moderate, and tight zinc sites is related to the folding mechanisms and internal electrostatic interactions. Differentiated affinities of all MTs define their zinc buffering capacity required for Zn(II) donation and acceptance at various free Zn(II) concentrations (pZn levels). The data demonstrate critical roles of individual Zn(II)-depleted MT species in zinc buffering processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Mosna
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kinga Jurczak
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Artur Krężel
- Department of Chemical Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland
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13
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Kunkle DE, Skaar EP. Moving metals: How microbes deliver metal cofactors to metalloproteins. Mol Microbiol 2023; 120:547-554. [PMID: 37408317 PMCID: PMC10592388 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15117] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
First row d-block metal ions serve as vital cofactors for numerous essential enzymes and are therefore required nutrients for all forms of life. Despite this requirement, excess free transition metals are toxic. Free metal ions participate in the production of noxious reactive oxygen species and mis-metalate metalloproteins, rendering enzymes catalytically inactive. Thus, bacteria require systems to ensure metalloproteins are properly loaded with cognate metal ions to maintain protein function, while avoiding metal-mediated cellular toxicity. In this perspective we summarize the current mechanistic understanding of bacterial metallocenter maturation with specific emphasis on metallochaperones; a group of specialized proteins that both shield metal ions from inadvertent reactions and distribute them to cognate target metalloproteins. We highlight several recent advances in the field that have implicated new classes of proteins in the distribution of metal ions within bacterial proteins, while speculating on the future of the field of bacterial metallobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon E. Kunkle
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Eric P. Skaar
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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14
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Diep P, Kell B, Yakunin A, Hilfinger A, Mahadevan R. Quantifying metal-binding specificity of CcNikZ-II from Clostridium carboxidivorans in the presence of competing metal ions. Anal Biochem 2023; 676:115182. [PMID: 37355028 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Many proteins bind transition metal ions as cofactors to carry out their biological functions. Despite binding affinities for divalent transition metal ions being predominantly dictated by the Irving-Williams series for wild-type proteins, in vivo metal ion binding specificity is ensured by intracellular mechanisms that regulate free metal ion concentrations. However, a growing area of biotechnology research considers the use of metal-binding proteins in vitro to purify specific metal ions from wastewater, where specificity is dictated by the protein's metal binding affinities. A goal of metalloprotein engineering is to modulate these affinities to improve a protein's specificity towards a particular metal; however, the quantitative relationship between the affinities and the equilibrium metal-bound protein fractions depends on the underlying binding mechanisms. Here we demonstrate a high-throughput intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence quenching method to validate binding models in multi-metal solutions for CcNikZ-II, a nickel-binding protein from Clostridium carboxidivorans. Using our validated models, we quantify the relationship between binding affinity and specificity in different classes of metal-binding models for CcNikZ-II. We further illustrate the potential relevance of data-informed models to predicting engineering targets for improved specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Diep
- BioZone Centre for Applied Bioscience and Bioengineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
| | - Brayden Kell
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Yakunin
- BioZone Centre for Applied Bioscience and Bioengineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
| | - Andreas Hilfinger
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada; Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Radhakrishnan Mahadevan
- BioZone Centre for Applied Bioscience and Bioengineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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15
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Qi X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Luo F, Song K, Wang G, Ling F. Vitamin B 12 produced by Cetobacterium somerae improves host resistance against pathogen infection through strengthening the interactions within gut microbiota. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:135. [PMID: 37322528 PMCID: PMC10268390 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01574-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogen infections seriously affect host health, and the use of antibiotics increases the risk of the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and also increases environmental and health safety risks. Probiotics have received much attention for their excellent ability to prevent pathogen infections. Particularly, explaining mechanism of action of probiotics against pathogen infections is important for more efficient and rational use of probiotics and the maintenance of host health. RESULTS Here, we describe the impacts of probiotic on host resistance to pathogen infections. Our findings revealed that (I) the protective effect of oral supplementation with B. velezensis against Aeromonas hydrophila infection was dependent on gut microbiota, specially the anaerobic indigenous gut microbe Cetobacterium; (II) Cetobacterium was a sensor of health, especially for fish infected with pathogenic bacteria; (III) the genome resolved the ability of Cetobacterium somerae CS2105-BJ to synthesize vitamin B12 de novo, while in vivo and in vitro metabolism assays also showed the ability of Cetobacterium somerae CS2105-BJ to produce vitamin B12; (IV) the addition of vitamin B12 significantly altered the gut redox status and the gut microbiome structure and function, and then improved the stability of the gut microbial ecological network, and enhanced the gut barrier tight junctions to prevent the pathogen infection. CONCLUSION Collectively, this study found that the effect of probiotics in enhancing host resistance to pathogen infections depended on function of B12 produced by an anaerobic indigenous gut microbe, Cetobacterium. Furthermore, as a gut microbial regulator, B12 exhibited the ability to strengthen the interactions within gut microbiota and gut barrier tight junctions, thereby improving host resistance against pathogen infection. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhou Qi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fei Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kaige Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gaoxue Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Fei Ling
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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16
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Young TR, Deery E, Foster AW, Martini MA, Osman D, Warren MJ, Robinson NJ. Two Distinct Thermodynamic Gradients for Cellular Metalation of Vitamin B 12. JACS AU 2023; 3:1472-1483. [PMID: 37234125 PMCID: PMC10206600 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of CoII by the corrin component of vitamin B12 follows one of two distinct pathways, referred to as early or late CoII insertion. The late insertion pathway exploits a CoII metallochaperone (CobW) from the COG0523 family of G3E GTPases, while the early insertion pathway does not. This provides an opportunity to contrast the thermodynamics of metalation in a metallochaperone-requiring and a metallochaperone-independent pathway. In the metallochaperone-independent route, sirohydrochlorin (SHC) associates with the CbiK chelatase to form CoII-SHC. CoII-buffered enzymatic assays indicate that SHC binding enhances the thermodynamic gradient for CoII transfer from the cytosol to CbiK. In the metallochaperone-dependent pathway, hydrogenobyrinic acid a,c-diamide (HBAD) associates with the CobNST chelatase to form CoII-HBAD. Here, CoII-buffered enzymatic assays indicate that CoII transfer from the cytosol to HBAD-CobNST must somehow traverse a highly unfavorable thermodynamic gradient for CoII binding. Notably, there is a favorable gradient for CoII transfer from the cytosol to the MgIIGTP-CobW metallochaperone, but further transfer of CoII from the GTP-bound metallochaperone to the HBAD-CobNST chelatase complex is thermodynamically unfavorable. However, after nucleotide hydrolysis, CoII transfer from the chaperone to the chelatase complex is calculated to become favorable. These data reveal that the CobW metallochaperone can overcome an unfavorable thermodynamic gradient for CoII transfer from the cytosol to the chelatase by coupling this process to GTP hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa R. Young
- Department
of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Evelyne Deery
- School
of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K.
| | - Andrew W. Foster
- Department
of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Maria Alessandra Martini
- Department
of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Department
of Inorganic Spectroscopy, Max Planck Institute
for Chemical Energy Conversion, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Deenah Osman
- Department
of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
| | - Martin J. Warren
- School
of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, U.K.
- Quadram
Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, U.K.
| | - Nigel J. Robinson
- Department
of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
- Department
of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, U.K.
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17
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Marcos-Torres FJ, Juniar L, Griese JJ. The molecular mechanisms of the bacterial iron sensor IdeR. Biochem Soc Trans 2023:233013. [PMID: 37140254 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Life came to depend on iron as a cofactor for many essential enzymatic reactions. However, once the atmosphere was oxygenated, iron became both scarce and toxic. Therefore, complex mechanisms have evolved to scavenge iron from an environment in which it is poorly bioavailable, and to tightly regulate intracellular iron contents. In bacteria, this is typically accomplished with the help of one key regulator, an iron-sensing transcription factor. While Gram-negative bacteria and Gram-positive species with low guanine-cytosine (GC) content generally use Fur (ferric uptake regulator) proteins to regulate iron homeostasis, Gram-positive species with high GC content use the functional homolog IdeR (iron-dependent regulator). IdeR controls the expression of iron acquisition and storage genes, repressing the former, and activating the latter in an iron-dependent manner. In bacterial pathogens such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, IdeR is also involved in virulence, whereas in non-pathogenic species such as Streptomyces, it regulates secondary metabolism as well. Although in recent years the focus of research on IdeR has shifted towards drug development, there is much left to learn about the molecular mechanisms of IdeR. Here, we summarize our current understanding of how this important bacterial transcriptional regulator represses and activates transcription, how it is allosterically activated by iron binding, and how it recognizes its DNA target sites, highlighting the open questions that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Marcos-Torres
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-CSIC, 18011 Granada, Spain
| | - Linda Juniar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julia J Griese
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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Osman D, Robinson NJ. Protein metalation in a nutshell. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:141-150. [PMID: 36124565 PMCID: PMC10087151 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Metalation, the acquisition of metals by proteins, must avoid mis-metalation with tighter binding metals. This is illustrated by four selected proteins that require different metals: all show similar ranked orders of affinity for bioavailable metals, as described in a universal affinity series (the Irving-Williams series). Crucially, cellular protein metalation occurs in competition with other metal binding sites. The strength of this competition defines the intracellular availability of each metal: its magnitude has been estimated by calibrating a cells' set of DNA-binding, metal-sensing, transcriptional regulators. This has established that metal availabilities (as free energies for forming metal complexes) are maintained to the inverse of the universal series. The tightest binding metals are least available. With these availabilities, correct metalation is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deenah Osman
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, UK
| | - Nigel J Robinson
- Department of Biosciences, University of Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, UK
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19
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Choi TS, Tezcan FA. Design of a Flexible, Zn-Selective Protein Scaffold that Displays Anti-Irving-Williams Behavior. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:18090-18100. [PMID: 36154053 PMCID: PMC9949983 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c08050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Selective metal binding is a key requirement not only for the functions of natural metalloproteins but also for the potential applications of artificial metalloproteins in heterogeneous environments such as cells and environmental samples. The selection of transition-metal ions through protein design can, in principle, be achieved through the appropriate choice and the precise positioning of amino acids that comprise the primary metal coordination sphere. However, this task is made difficult by the intrinsic flexibility of proteins and the fact that protein design approaches generally lack the sub-Å precision required for the steric selection of metal ions. We recently introduced a flexible/probabilistic protein design strategy (MASCoT) that allows metal ions to search for optimal coordination geometry within a flexible, yet covalently constrained dimer interface. In an earlier proof-of-principle study, we used MASCoT to generate an artificial metalloprotein dimer, (AB)2, which selectively bound CoII and NiII over CuII (as well as other first-row transition-metal ions) through the imposition of a rigid octahedral coordination geometry, thus countering the Irving-Williams trend. In this study, we set out to redesign (AB)2 to examine the applicability of MASCoT to the selective binding of other metal ions. We report here the design and characterization of a new flexible protein dimer, B2, which displays ZnII selectivity over all other tested metal ions including CuII both in vitro and in cellulo. Selective, anti-Irving-Williams ZnII binding by B2 is achieved through the formation of a unique trinuclear Zn coordination motif in which His and Glu residues are rigidly placed in a tetrahedral geometry. These results highlight the utility of protein flexibility in the design and discovery of selective binding motifs.
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20
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Xu J, Cotruvo JA. Reconsidering the czcD (NiCo) Riboswitch as an Iron Riboswitch. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:376-385. [PMID: 35996475 PMCID: PMC9389577 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.1c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Recent work has proposed
a new mechanism of bacterial iron regulation:
riboswitches that undergo a conformational change in response to FeII. The czcD (NiCo) riboswitch was initially
proposed to be specific for NiII and CoII, but
we recently showed via a czcD-based fluorescent sensor
that FeII is also a plausible physiological ligand for
this riboswitch class. Here, we provide direct evidence that this
riboswitch class responds to FeII. Isothermal titration
calorimetry studies of the native czcD riboswitches
from three organisms show no response to MnII, a weak response
to ZnII, and similar dissociation constants (∼1
μM) and conformational responses for FeII, CoII, and NiII. Only the iron response is in the physiological
concentration regime; the riboswitches’ responses to CoII, NiII, and ZnII require 103-, 105-, and 106-fold higher “free”
metal ion concentrations, respectively, than the typical availability
of those metal ions in cells. By contrast, the “Sensei”
RNA, recently claimed to be an iron-specific riboswitch, exhibits
no response to FeII. Our results demonstrate that iron
responsiveness is a conserved property of czcD riboswitches
and clarify that this is the only family of iron-responsive riboswitch
identified to date, setting the stage for characterization of their
physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansong Xu
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Joseph A. Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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21
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Foster AW, Clough SE, Aki Z, Young TR, Clarke AR, Robinson NJ. Metalation calculators for E. coli strain JM109 (DE3): Aerobic, anaerobic and hydrogen peroxide exposed cells cultured in LB media. Metallomics 2022; 14:6657815. [PMID: 35933161 PMCID: PMC9434800 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Three web-based calculators, and three analogous spreadsheets, have been generated that predict in vivo metal occupancies of proteins based on known metal affinities. The calculations exploit estimates of the availabilities of the labile buffered pools of different metals inside a cell. Here, metal availabilities have been estimated for a strain of E. coli that is commonly used in molecular biology and biochemistry research, for example in the production of recombinant proteins. Metal availabilities have been examined for cells grown in LB medium aerobically, anaerobically and in response to H2O2 by monitoring the abundance of a selected set of metal-responsive transcripts by qPCR. The selected genes are regulated by DNA-binding metal sensors that have been thermodynamically characterised in related bacterial cells enabling gene expression to be read-out as a function of intracellular metal availabilities expressed as free energies for forming metal complexes. The calculators compare these values with the free energies for forming complexes with the protein of interest, derived from metal affinities, to estimate how effectively the protein can compete with exchangeable binding sites in the intracellular milieu. The calculators then inter-compete the different metals, limiting total occupancy of the site to a maximum stoichiometry of 1, to output percentage occupancies with each metal. In addition to making these new and conditional calculators available, an original purpose of this article was to provide a tutorial which discusses constraints of this approach and presents ways in which such calculators might be exploited in basic and applied research, and in next-generation manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Foster
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Sophie E Clough
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Zeynep Aki
- Advanced Research Computing, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Tessa R Young
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | | | - Nigel J Robinson
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.,Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, UK
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22
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Andreini C, Rosato A. Structural Bioinformatics and Deep Learning of Metalloproteins: Recent Advances and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7684. [PMID: 35887033 PMCID: PMC9323969 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
All living organisms require metal ions for their energy production and metabolic and biosynthetic processes. Within cells, the metal ions involved in the formation of adducts interact with metabolites and macromolecules (proteins and nucleic acids). The proteins that require binding to one or more metal ions in order to be able to carry out their physiological function are called metalloproteins. About one third of all protein structures in the Protein Data Bank involve metalloproteins. Over the past few years there has been tremendous progress in the number of computational tools and techniques making use of 3D structural information to support the investigation of metalloproteins. This trend has been boosted by the successful applications of neural networks and machine/deep learning approaches in molecular and structural biology at large. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development and availability of resources dealing with metalloproteins from a structure-based perspective. We start by addressing tools for the prediction of metal-binding sites (MBSs) using structural information on apo-proteins. Then, we provide an overview of the methods for and lessons learned from the structural comparison of MBSs in a fold-independent manner. We then move to describing databases of metalloprotein/MBS structures. Finally, we summarizing recent ML/DL applications enhancing the functional interpretation of metalloprotein structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Andreini
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Consorzio Interuniversitario di Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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23
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Bunbury F, Deery E, Sayer AP, Bhardwaj V, Harrison EL, Warren MJ, Smith AG. Exploring the onset of B 12 -based mutualisms using a recently evolved Chlamydomonas auxotroph and B 12 -producing bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:3134-3147. [PMID: 35593514 PMCID: PMC9545926 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cobalamin (vitamin B12 ) is a cofactor for essential metabolic reactions in multiple eukaryotic taxa, including major primary producers such as algae, and yet only prokaryotes can produce it. Many bacteria can colonize the algal phycosphere, forming stable communities that gain preferential access to photosynthate and in return provide compounds such as B12 . Extended coexistence can then drive gene loss, leading to greater algal-bacterial interdependence. In this study, we investigate how a recently evolved B12 -dependent strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, metE7, forms a mutualism with certain bacteria, including the rhizobium Mesorhizobium loti and even a strain of the gut bacterium E. coli engineered to produce cobalamin. Although metE7 was supported by B12 producers, its growth in co-culture was slower than the B12 -independent wild-type, suggesting that high bacterial B12 provision may be necessary to favour B12 auxotrophs and their evolution. Moreover, we found that an E. coli strain that releases more B12 makes a better mutualistic partner, and although this trait may be more costly in isolation, greater B12 release provided an advantage in co-cultures. We hypothesize that, given the right conditions, bacteria that release more B12 may be selected for, particularly if they form close interactions with B12 -dependent algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Bunbury
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Evelyne Deery
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Andrew P Sayer
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Vaibhav Bhardwaj
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Ellen L Harrison
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Martin J Warren
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NH, UK.,Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ, UK
| | - Alison G Smith
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
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24
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Chen YY, O'Halloran TV. A zinc chaperone mediates the flow of an inorganic commodity to an important cellular client. Cell 2022; 185:2013-2015. [PMID: 35688131 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential element in living organisms, yet little is known about how cells ensure that zinc is allocated to the correct metalloproteins. Papers in Cell and Cell Reports demonstrate that the ZNG1 family of GTPases have metallochaperone functions: they directly transfer zinc to, and thereby activate, methionine aminopeptidases that are crucial for protein modification during or after translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thomas V O'Halloran
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Chemistry, and Elemental Health Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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25
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Xu J, Cotruvo JA. Iron-responsive riboswitches. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 68:102135. [PMID: 35427920 PMCID: PMC9133107 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102135] [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: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
All cells must manage deficiency, sufficiency, and excess of essential metal ions. Although iron has been one of most important metals in biology for billions of years, the mechanisms by which bacteria cope with high intracellular iron concentrations are only recently coming into focus. Recent work has suggested that an RNA riboswitch (czcD or "NiCo"), originally thought to respond specifically to CoII and NiII excess, is more likely a selective regulator of FeII levels in important human gut bacteria and pathogens. We discuss the challenges and controversies encountered in the characterization of iron-responsive riboswitches, and we suggest a physiological role in responding to iron overload, perhaps during anaerobiosis. Finally, we place these riboswitches in the context of the better understood mechanisms of protein-based metal ion regulation, proposing that riboswitch-mediated mechanisms may be particularly important in regulating transport of the weakest-binding biological divalent metal ions, MgII, MnII, and FeII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiansong Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Joseph A Cotruvo
- Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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26
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Vaccaro FA, Drennan CL. The role of nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase metallochaperones in making metalloenzymes. Metallomics 2022; 14:6575898. [PMID: 35485745 PMCID: PMC9164220 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Metalloenzymes catalyze a diverse set of challenging chemical reactions that are essential for life. These metalloenzymes rely on a wide range of metallocofactors, from single metal ions to complicated metallic clusters. Incorporation of metal ions and metallocofactors into apo-proteins often requires the assistance of proteins known as metallochaperones. Nucleoside triphosphate hydrolases (NTPases) are one important class of metallochaperones and are found widely distributed throughout the domains of life. These proteins use the binding and hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphates, either adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP), to carry out highly specific and regulated roles in the process of metalloenzyme maturation. Here, we review recent literature on NTPase metallochaperones and describe the current mechanistic proposals and available structural data. By using representative examples from each type of NTPase, we also illustrate the challenges in studying these complicated systems. We highlight open questions in the field and suggest future directions. This minireview is part of a special collection of articles in memory of Professor Deborah Zamble, a leader in the field of nickel biochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca A Vaccaro
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catherine L Drennan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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27
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Kellogg RM, Moosburner MA, Cohen NR, Hawco NJ, McIlvin MR, Moran DM, DiTullio GR, Subhas AV, Allen AE, Saito MA. Adaptive responses of marine diatoms to zinc scarcity and ecological implications. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1995. [PMID: 35422102 PMCID: PMC9010474 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29603-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractScarce dissolved surface ocean concentrations of the essential algal micronutrient zinc suggest that Zn may influence the growth of phytoplankton such as diatoms, which are major contributors to marine primary productivity. However, the specific mechanisms by which diatoms acclimate to Zn deficiency are poorly understood. Using global proteomic analysis, we identified two proteins (ZCRP-A/B, Zn/Co Responsive Protein A/B) among four diatom species that became abundant under Zn/Co limitation. Characterization using reverse genetic techniques and homology data suggests putative Zn/Co chaperone and membrane-bound transport complex component roles for ZCRP-A (a COG0523 domain protein) and ZCRP-B, respectively. Metaproteomic detection of ZCRPs along a Pacific Ocean transect revealed increased abundances at the surface (<200 m) where dZn and dCo were scarcest, implying Zn nutritional stress in marine algae is more prevalent than previously recognized. These results demonstrate multiple adaptive responses to Zn scarcity in marine diatoms that are deployed in low Zn regions of the Pacific Ocean.
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28
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Choi TS, Tezcan FA. Overcoming universal restrictions on metal selectivity by protein design. Nature 2022; 603:522-527. [PMID: 35236987 PMCID: PMC9157509 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04469-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Selective metal coordination is central to the functions of metalloproteins:1,2 each metalloprotein must pair with its cognate metallocofactor to fulfil its biological role3. However, achieving metal selectivity solely through a three-dimensional protein structure is a great challenge, because there is a limited set of metal-coordinating amino acid functionalities and proteins are inherently flexible, which impedes steric selection of metals3,4. Metal-binding affinities of natural proteins are primarily dictated by the electronic properties of metal ions and follow the Irving-Williams series5 (Mn2+ < Fe2+ < Co2+ < Ni2+ < Cu2+ > Zn2+) with few exceptions6,7. Accordingly, metalloproteins overwhelmingly bind Cu2+ and Zn2+ in isolation, regardless of the nature of their active sites and their cognate metal ions1,3,8. This led organisms to evolve complex homeostatic machinery and non-equilibrium strategies to achieve correct metal speciation1,3,8-10. Here we report an artificial dimeric protein, (AB)2, that thermodynamically overcomes the Irving-Williams restrictions in vitro and in cells, favouring the binding of lower-Irving-Williams transition metals over Cu2+, the most dominant ion in the Irving-Williams series. Counter to the convention in molecular design of achieving specificity through structural preorganization, (AB)2 was deliberately designed to be flexible. This flexibility enabled (AB)2 to adopt mutually exclusive, metal-dependent conformational states, which led to the discovery of structurally coupled coordination sites that disfavour Cu2+ ions by enforcing an unfavourable coordination geometry. Aside from highlighting flexibility as a valuable element in protein design, our results illustrate design principles for constructing selective metal sequestration agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Su Choi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - F Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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29
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Morris JA, Lickey BS, Liptak MD. Insertion of cobalt into tetrapyrroles. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2022; 119:1-22. [PMID: 35337616 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin B12 is one of the most complex cofactors known, and this chapter will discuss current understanding with regards to the cobalt insertion step of its syntheses. Two total syntheses of vitamin B12 were reported in the 1970s, which remain two of the most exceptional achievements of natural product synthesis. In subsequent years, two distinct biosynthetic pathways were identified in aerobic and anaerobic organisms. For these biosynthetic pathways, selectivity for Co(II) over other divalent metal ions with similar ionic radii and coordination chemistry remains an open question with three competing hypotheses proposed: metal affinity, tetrapyrrole distortion, and product inhibition. A 20 step biosynthetic route to convert 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to vitamin B12 was elucidated in aerobic organisms in the 1990s, where cobalt is inserted relatively late in the pathway by the CobNST multi-protein complex. This chapter includes a mechanistic proposal for this reaction, but the majority of the proposal is based upon analogy to the ChlDHI magnesium chelatase complex as critical data for the cobalt chelatase is lacking. Later, in the 2010s, a distinct 21 step pathway from ALA to vitamin B12 was reported in anaerobic organisms, where cobalt is inserted early in the pathway by the enzyme CbiK. A recent study strongly suggests that the cobalt affinity of CbiK is the origin of cobalt selectivity for CbiK, but several important mechanistic questions remain unanswered. In general, it is expected that significant insight into the cobalt insertion mechanisms of CobNST and CbiK could be derived from additional structural, spectroscopic, and computational data.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Morris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - B S Lickey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - M D Liptak
- Department of Chemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.
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30
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Bahr G, González LJ, Vila AJ. Metallo-β-lactamases and a tug-of-war for the available zinc at the host-pathogen interface. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2022; 66:102103. [PMID: 34864439 PMCID: PMC8860843 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are zinc-dependent hydrolases that inactivate virtually all β-lactam antibiotics. The expression of MBLs by Gram-negative bacteria severely limits the therapeutic options to treat infections. MBLs bind the essential metal ions in the bacterial periplasm, and their activity is challenged upon the zinc starvation conditions elicited by the native immune response. Metal depletion compromises both the enzyme activity and stability in the periplasm, impacting on the resistance profile in vivo. Thus, novel inhibitory approaches involve the use of chelating agents or metal-based drugs that displace the native metal ion. However, newer MBL variants incorporate mutations that improve their metal binding abilities or stabilize the metal-depleted form, revealing that metal starvation is a driving force acting on MBL evolution. Future challenges require addressing the gap between in cell and in vitro studies, dissecting the mechanism for MBL metalation and determining the metal content in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Bahr
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), S2000EXF Rosario, Argentina; Área Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Lisandro J González
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), S2000EXF Rosario, Argentina; Área Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Alejandro J Vila
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET-UNR), S2000EXF Rosario, Argentina; Área Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina.
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31
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Foster AW, Young TR, Chivers PT, Robinson NJ. Protein metalation in biology. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 66:102095. [PMID: 34763208 PMCID: PMC8867077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.102095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic metals supplement the chemical repertoire of organic molecules, especially proteins. This requires the correct metals to associate with proteins at metalation. Protein mismetalation typically occurs when excesses of unbound metals compete for a binding site ex vivo. However, in biology, excesses of metal-binding sites typically compete for limiting amounts of exchangeable metals. Here, we summarise mechanisms of metal homeostasis that sustain optimal metal availabilities in biology. We describe recent progress to understand metalation by comparing the strength of metal binding to a protein versus the strength of binding to competing sites inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Foster
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Tessa R Young
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Peter T Chivers
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Nigel J Robinson
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.
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32
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Edmonds KA, Jordan MR, Giedroc DP. COG0523 proteins: a functionally diverse family of transition metal-regulated G3E P-loop GTP hydrolases from bacteria to man. Metallomics 2021; 13:6327566. [PMID: 34302342 PMCID: PMC8360895 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transition metal homeostasis ensures that cells and organisms obtain sufficient metal to meet cellular demand while dispensing with any excess so as to avoid toxicity. In bacteria, zinc restriction induces the expression of one or more Zur (zinc-uptake repressor)-regulated Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) COG0523 proteins. COG0523 proteins encompass a poorly understood sub-family of G3E P-loop small GTPases, others of which are known to function as metallochaperones in the maturation of cobalamin (CoII) and NiII cofactor-containing metalloenzymes. Here, we use genomic enzymology tools to functionally analyse over 80 000 sequences that are evolutionarily related to Acinetobacter baumannii ZigA (Zur-inducible GTPase), a COG0523 protein and candidate zinc metallochaperone. These sequences segregate into distinct sequence similarity network (SSN) clusters, exemplified by the ZnII-Zur-regulated and FeIII-nitrile hydratase activator CxCC (C, Cys; X, any amino acid)-containing COG0523 proteins (SSN cluster 1), NiII-UreG (clusters 2, 8), CoII-CobW (cluster 4), and NiII-HypB (cluster 5). A total of five large clusters that comprise ≈ 25% of all sequences, including cluster 3 which harbors the only structurally characterized COG0523 protein, Escherichia coli YjiA, and many uncharacterized eukaryotic COG0523 proteins. We also establish that mycobacterial-specific protein Y (Mpy) recruitment factor (Mrf), which promotes ribosome hibernation in actinomycetes under conditions of ZnII starvation, segregates into a fifth SSN cluster (cluster 17). Mrf is a COG0523 paralog that lacks all GTP-binding determinants as well as the ZnII-coordinating Cys found in CxCC-containing COG0523 proteins. On the basis of this analysis, we discuss new perspectives on the COG0523 proteins as cellular reporters of widespread nutrient stress induced by ZnII limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Edmonds
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - Matthew R Jordan
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - David P Giedroc
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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33
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Grifagni D, Calderone V, Giuntini S, Cantini F, Fragai M, Banci L. SARS-CoV-2 M pro inhibition by a zinc ion: structural features and hints for drug design. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:7910-7913. [PMID: 34278402 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc02956h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Structural data on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with a zinc-containing organic inhibitor are already present in the literature and gave hints on the presence of a zinc binding site involving the catalytically relevant cysteine and histidine residues. In this paper, the structural basis of ionic zinc binding to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography. The zinc binding affinity and its ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease have been investigated. These findings provide solid ground for the design of potent and selective metal-conjugated inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Grifagni
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy.
| | - Vito Calderone
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy.
| | - Francesca Cantini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Lucia Banci
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy. and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy and Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche MetalloProteine (CIRMMP), via Sacconi 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
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34
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Principles and practice of determining metal-protein affinities. Biochem J 2021; 478:1085-1116. [PMID: 33710331 PMCID: PMC7959690 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Metal ions play many critical roles in biology, as structural and catalytic cofactors, and as cell regulatory and signalling elements. The metal–protein affinity, expressed conveniently by the metal dissociation constant, KD, describes the thermodynamic strength of a metal–protein interaction and is a key parameter that can be used, for example, to understand how proteins may acquire metals in a cell and to identify dynamic elements (e.g. cofactor binding, changing metal availabilities) which regulate protein metalation in vivo. Here, we outline the fundamental principles and practical considerations that are key to the reliable quantification of metal–protein affinities. We review a selection of spectroscopic probes which can be used to determine protein affinities for essential biological transition metals (including Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(I), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) and, using selected examples, demonstrate how rational probe selection combined with prudent experimental design can be applied to determine accurate KD values.
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