Functional modulation and directed assembly of an enzyme through designed non-natural post-translation modification

Clicking in harmony: exploring the bio-orthogonal overlap in click chemistry

In the quest to scrutinize and modify biological systems, the global research community has continued to explore bio-orthogonal click reactions, a set of reactions exclusively targeting non-native molecules within biological systems. These methodologies have brought about a paradigm shift, demonstrating the feasibility of artificial chemical reactions occurring on cellular surfaces, in the cell cytosol, or within the body - an accomplishment challenging to achieve with the majority of conventional chemical reactions. This review delves into the principles of bio-orthogonal click chemistry, contrasting metal-catalyzed and metal-free reactions of bio-orthogonal nature. It comprehensively explores mechanistic details and applications, highlighting the versatility and potential of this methodology in diverse scientific contexts, from cell labelling to biosensing and polymer synthesis. Researchers globally continue to advance this powerful tool for precise and selective manipulation of biomolecules in complex biological systems.

Histidine-assisted reduction of arylnitrenes upon photo-activation of phenyl azide chromophores in GFP-like fluorescent proteins

The photochemically active sites of the proteins sfGFP66azF and Venus66azF, members of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family, contain a non-canonical amino acid residue p-azidophenylalanine (azF) instead of Tyr66. The light-induced decomposition of azF at these sites leads to the formation of reactive arylnitrene (nF) intermediates followed by the formation of phenylamine-containing chromophores. We report the first study of the reaction mechanism of the reduction of the arylnitrene intermediates in sfGFP66nF and Venus66nF using molecular modeling methods. The Gibbs energy profiles for the elementary steps of the chemical reaction in sfGFP66nF are computed using molecular dynamics simulations with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) potentials. Structures and energies along the reaction pathway in Venus66nF are evaluated using a QM/MM approach. According to the results of the simulations, arylnitrene reduction is coupled with oxidation of the histidine side chain on the His148 residue located near the chromophore.

A comprehensive tool for accurate identification of methyl-Glutamine sites

Methylation is a biochemical process involved in nearly all of the human body functions. Glutamine is considered an indispensable amino acid that is susceptible to methylation via post-translational modification (PTM). Modern research has proved that methylation plays a momentous role in the progression of most types of cancers. Therefore, there is a need for an effective method to predict glutamine sites vulnerable to methylation accurately and inexpensively. The motive of this study is the formulation of an accurate method that could predict such sites with high accuracy. Various computationally intelligent classifiers were employed for their formulation and evaluation. Rigorous validations prove that deep learning performs best as compared to other classifiers. The accuracy (ACC) and the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) obtained by 10-fold cross-validation was 0.962 and 0.981, while with the jackknife testing, it was 0.968 and 0.980, respectively. From these results, it is concluded that the proposed methodology works sufficiently well for the prediction of methyl-glutamine sites. The webserver's code, developed for the prediction of methyl-glutamine sites, is freely available at https://github.com/s20181080001/WebServer.git. The code can easily be set up by any intermediate-level Python user.

Tuning Electrostatic Gating of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes by Controlling Protein Orientation in Biosensing Devices

The ability to detect proteins through gating conductance by their unique surface electrostatic signature holds great potential for improving biosensing sensitivity and precision. Two challenges are: (1) defining the electrostatic surface of the incoming ligand protein presented to the conductive surface; (2) bridging the Debye gap to generate a measurable response. Herein, we report the construction of nanoscale protein-based sensing devices designed to present proteins in defined orientations; this allowed us to control the local electrostatic surface presented within the Debye length, and thus modulate the conductance gating effect upon binding incoming protein targets. Using a β-lactamase binding protein (BLIP2) as the capture protein attached to carbon nanotube field effect transistors in different defined orientations. Device conductance had influence on binding TEM-1, an important β-lactamase involved in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Conductance increased or decreased depending on TEM-1 presenting either negative or positive local charge patches, demonstrating that local electrostatic properties, as opposed to protein net charge, act as the key driving force for electrostatic gating. This, in turn can, improve our ability to tune the gating of electrical biosensors toward optimized detection, including for AMR as outlined herein.

Tuning Electrostatic Gating of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes by Controlling Protein Orientation in Biosensing Devices

The ability to detect proteins through gating conductance by their unique surface electrostatic signature holds great potential for improving biosensing sensitivity and precision. Two challenges are: (1) defining the electrostatic surface of the incoming ligand protein presented to the conductive surface; (2) bridging the Debye gap to generate a measurable response. Herein, we report the construction of nanoscale protein-based sensing devices designed to present proteins in defined orientations; this allowed us to control the local electrostatic surface presented within the Debye length, and thus modulate the conductance gating effect upon binding incoming protein targets. Using a β-lactamase binding protein (BLIP2) as the capture protein attached to carbon nanotube field effect transistors in different defined orientations. Device conductance had influence on binding TEM-1, an important β-lactamase involved in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Conductance increased or decreased depending on TEM-1 presenting either negative or positive local charge patches, demonstrating that local electrostatic properties, as opposed to protein net charge, act as the key driving force for electrostatic gating. This, in turn can, improve our ability to tune the gating of electrical biosensors toward optimized detection, including for AMR as outlined herein.

Stalling chromophore synthesis of the fluorescent protein Venus reveals the molecular basis of the final oxidation step

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have revolutionised the life sciences, but the mechanism of chromophore maturation is still not fully understood. Here we show that incorporation of a photo-responsive non-canonical amino acid within the chromophore stalls maturation of Venus, a yellow FP, at an intermediate stage; a crystal structure indicates the presence of O2 located above a dehydrated enolate form of the imidazolone ring, close to the strictly conserved Gly67 that occupies a twisted conformation. His148 adopts an "open" conformation so forming a channel that allows O2 access to the immature chromophore. Absorbance spectroscopy supported by QM/MM simulations suggests that the first oxidation step involves formation of a hydroperoxyl intermediate in conjunction with dehydrogenation of the methylene bridge. A fully conjugated mature chromophore is formed through release of H2O2, both in vitro and in vivo. The possibility of interrupting and photochemically restarting chromophore maturation and the mechanistic insights open up new approaches for engineering optically controlled fluorescent proteins.

Effect of Maternal Age on Hippo Pathway Related Gene Expressions and Protein Localization Pattern in Human Embryos

Objective

The Hippo pathway plays an important role in embryo development, and separation of trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cell lines. Therefore, this study investigated effect of maternal age on activity of Hippo pathway in human embryos.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, the developed up embryos to the blastocyst stage and the embryos whose growth stopped at the morula stage were collected from women aged 20-30 years old (young group, 94 embryos) and >37 years (old group, 89 embryos). Expression of OCT4, SOX2, CDX2, GATA3, YAP genes and the relevant proteins, in the both groups were evaluated using respectively quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunofluorescence methods.

Results

There was no significant difference in the expression level of OCT4, SOX2, CDX2, GATA3 and YAP genes in blastocyst and morula stages, between the two groups. However, SOX2 and CDX2 gene expressions in morula stage embryos of the old group was statistically lower than that of the young group (P=0.007 and P=0.008, respectively). Additionally, in the embryos collected from women with >37 years of age, at the blastocyst stage, phospho-YAP (p-YAP) protein was found to be accumulated in the TE, but it was almost disappeared from the ICM. Additionally, in the old group, contrary to the expectation, YAP protein was expressed in the ICM, rather than TE.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that YAP and P-YAP among the Hippo signalling pathway may be altered by increasing age.

Better together: building protein oligomers naturally and by design

Protein oligomers are more common in nature than monomers, with dimers being the most prevalent final structural state observed in known structures. From a biological perspective, this makes sense as it conserves vital molecular resources that may be wasted simply by generating larger single polypeptide units, and allows new features such as cooperativity to emerge. Taking inspiration from nature, protein designers and engineers are now building artificial oligomeric complexes using a variety of approaches to generate new and useful supramolecular protein structures. Oligomerisation is thus offering a new approach to sample structure and function space not accessible through simply tinkering with monomeric proteins.

Site-Specific Protein Photochemical Covalent Attachment to Carbon Nanotube Side Walls and Its Electronic Impact on Single Molecule Function

Functional integration of proteins with carbon-based nanomaterials such as nanotubes holds great promise in emerging electronic and optoelectronic applications. Control over protein attachment poses a major challenge for consistent and useful device fabrication, especially when utilizing single/few molecule properties. Here, we exploit genetically encoded phenyl azide photochemistry to define the direct covalent attachment of four different proteins, including the fluorescent protein GFP and a β-lactamase binding protein (BBP), to carbon nanotube side walls. AFM showed that on attachment BBP could still recognize and bind additional protein components. Single molecule fluorescence revealed that on attachment to SWCNTs function was retained and there was feedback to GFP in terms of fluorescence intensity and improved resistance to photobleaching; GFP is fluorescent for much longer on attachment. The site of attachment proved important in terms of electronic impact on GFP function, with the attachment site furthest from the chromophore having the larger effect on fluorescence. Our approach provides a versatile and general method for generating intimate protein-CNT hybrid bioconjugates. It can be potentially applied to any protein of choice; the attachment position and thus interface characteristics with the CNT can easily be changed by simply placing the phenyl azide chemistry at different residues by gene mutagenesis. Thus, our approach will allow consistent construction and modulate functional coupling through changing the protein attachment position.

Targets Fishing and Identification of Calenduloside E as Hsp90AB1: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Clickable Activity-Based Probe

Calenduloside E (CE), a natural triterpenoid compound isolated from Aralia elata, can protect against ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury in our previous reports. However, the exact targets and mechanisms of CE remain elusive. For the sake of resolving this question, we designed and synthesized a clickable activity-based probe (CE-P), which could be utilized to fish the functional targets in HUVECs using a gel-based strategy. Based on the previous studies of the structure-activity relationship (SAR), we introduced an alkyne moiety at the C-28 carboxylic group of CE, which kept the protective and anti-apoptosis activity. Via proteomic approach, one of the potential proteins bound to CE-P was identified as Hsp90AB1, and further verification was performed by pure recombinant Hsp90AB1 and competitive assay. These results demonstrated that CE could bind to Hsp90AB1. We also found that CE could reverse the Hsp90AB1 decrease after ox-LDL treatment. To make our results more convincing, we performed SPR analysis and the affinity kinetic assay showed that CE/CE-P could bind to Hsp90AB1 in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our research showed CE could probably bind to Hsp90AB1 to protect the cell injury, which might provide the basis for the further exploration of its cardiovascular protective mechanisms. For the sake of resolving this question, we designed and synthesized a clickable activity-based probe (CE-P), which could be utilized to fish the functional targets in HUVECs using a gel-based strategy.

The Locational Impact of Site-Specific PEGylation: Streamlined Screening with Cell-Free Protein Expression and Coarse-Grain Simulation

Although polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly used to improve protein stability and therapeutic efficacy, the optimal location for attaching PEG onto proteins is not well understood. Here, we present a cell-free protein synthesis-based screening platform that facilitates site-specific PEGylation and efficient evaluation of PEG attachment efficiency, thermal stability, and activity for different variants of PEGylated T4 lysozyme, including a di-PEGylated variant. We also report developing a computationally efficient coarse-grain simulation model as a potential tool to narrow experimental screening candidates. We use this simulation method as a novel tool to evaluate the locational impact of PEGylation. Using this screen, we also evaluated the predictive impact of PEGylation site solvent accessibility, conjugation site structure, PEG size, and double PEGylation. Our findings indicate that PEGylation efficiency, protein stability, and protein activity varied considerably with PEGylation site, variations that were not well predicted by common PEGylation guidelines. Overall our results suggest current guidelines are insufficiently predictive, highlighting the need for experimental and simulation screening systems such as the one presented here.

Defined covalent assembly of protein molecules on graphene using a genetically encoded photochemical reaction handle

We have created modified protein variants by introducing a non-canonical amino acid p-azido-l-phenylalanine (azF) into defined positions for photochemically-induced covalent attachment to graphene. Attachment of GFP, TEM and cyt b 562 proteins was verified through a combination of atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopy, resistance measurements, Raman data and fluorescence measurements. This method can in principle be extended to any protein which can be engineered in this way without adversely affecting its structural stability.

Approaches to single-molecule studies of metalloprotein electron transfer using scanning probe-based techniques

The single-molecule properties of metalloproteins have provided an intensely active research area in recent years. This brief review covers some of the techniques used to prepare, measure and analyse the electron transfer properties of metalloproteins, concentrating on scanning tunnelling microscopy-based techniques and advances in attachment of proteins to electrodes.

Site-Specific One-to-One Click Coupling of Single Proteins to Individual Carbon Nanotubes: A Single-Molecule Approach

We report the site-specific coupling of single proteins to individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in solution and with single-molecule control. Using an orthogonal Click reaction, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) was engineered to contain a genetically encoded azide group and then bound to CNT ends in different configurations: in close proximity or at longer distances from the GFP's functional center. Atomic force microscopy and fluorescence analysis in solution and on surfaces at the single-protein level confirmed the importance of bioengineering optimal protein attachment sites to achieve direct protein-nanotube communication and bridging.

Precision Templated Bottom-Up Multiprotein Nanoassembly through Defined Click Chemistry Linkage to DNA

We demonstrate an approach that allows attachment of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to a defined residue in a protein of interest (POI) so as to provide optimal and well-defined multicomponent assemblies. Using an expanded genetic code system, azido-phenylalanine (azF) was incorporated at defined residue positions in each POI; copper-free click chemistry was used to attach exactly one ssDNA at precisely defined residues. By choosing an appropriate residue, ssDNA conjugation had minimal impact on protein function, even when attached close to active sites. The protein-ssDNA conjugates were used to (i) assemble double-stranded DNA systems with optimal communication (energy transfer) between normally separate groups and (ii) generate multicomponent systems on DNA origami tiles, including those with enhanced enzyme activity when bound to the tile. Our approach allows any potential protein to be simply engineered to attach ssDNA or related biomolecules, creating conjugates for designed and highly precise multiprotein nanoscale assembly with tailored functionality.

Molecular basis for functional switching of GFP by two disparate non-native post-translational modifications of a phenyl azide reaction handle

Through the genetic incorporation of a single phenyl azide group into superfolder GFP (sfGFP) at residue 148 we provide a molecular description of how this highly versatile chemical handle can be used to positively switch protein function in vitro and in vivo via either photochemistry or bioconjugation.

Through the genetic incorporation of a single phenyl azide group into superfolder GFP (sfGFP) at residue 148 we provide a molecular description of how this highly versatile chemical handle can be used to positively switch protein function in vitro and in vivo via either photochemistry or bioconjugation. Replacement of H148 with p-azido-l-phenylalanine (azF) blue shifts the major excitation peak ∼90 nm by disrupting the H-bond and proton transfer network that defines the chromophore charged state. Bioorthogonal click modification with a simple dibenzylcyclooctyne or UV irradiation shifts the neutral-anionic chromophore equilibrium, switching fluorescence to the optimal ∼490 nm excitation. Click modification also improved quantum yield over both the unmodified and original protein. Crystal structures of both the click modified and photochemically converted forms show that functional switching is due to local conformational changes that optimise the interaction networks surrounding the chromophore. Crystal structure and mass spectrometry studies of the irradiated protein suggest that the phenyl azide converts to a dehydroazepine and/or an azepinone. Thus, protein embedded phenyl azides can be used beyond simple photocrosslinkers and passive conjugation handles, and mimic many natural post-translational modifications: modulation though changes in interaction networks.

Azidoethoxyphenylalanine as a Vibrational Reporter and Click Chemistry Partner in Proteins

An unnatural amino acid, 4-(2-azidoethoxy)-L-phenylalanine (AePhe, 1), was designed and synthesized in three steps from known compounds in 54% overall yield. The sensitivity of the IR absorption of the azide of AePhe was established by comparison of the frequency of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration in water and dimethyl sulfoxide. AePhe was successfully incorporated into superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) at the 133 and 149 sites by using the amber codon suppression method. The IR spectra of these sfGFP constructs indicated that the azide group at the 149 site was not fully solvated despite the location in sfGFP and the three-atom linker between the azido group and the aromatic ring of AePhe. An X-ray crystal structure of sfGFP-149-AePhe was solved at 1.45 Å resolution and provides an explanation for the IR data as the flexible linker adopts a conformation which partially buries the azide on the protein surface. Both sfGFP-AePhe constructs efficiently undergo a bioorthogonal strain-promoted click cycloaddition with a dibenzocyclooctyne derivative.