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Puertas-Bartolomé M, Venegas-Bustos D, Acosta S, Rodríguez-Cabello JC. Contribution of the ELRs to the development of advanced in vitro models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1363865. [PMID: 38650751 PMCID: PMC11033926 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1363865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing in vitro models that accurately mimic the microenvironment of biological structures or processes holds substantial promise for gaining insights into specific biological functions. In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in vitro models able to capture the precise structural, topographical, and functional complexity of living tissues, prove to be valuable tools for comprehending disease mechanisms, assessing drug responses, and serving as alternatives or complements to animal testing. The choice of the right biomaterial and fabrication technique for the development of these in vitro models plays an important role in their functionality. In this sense, elastin-like recombinamers (ELRs) have emerged as an important tool for the fabrication of in vitro models overcoming the challenges encountered in natural and synthetic materials due to their intrinsic properties, such as phase transition behavior, tunable biological properties, viscoelasticity, and easy processability. In this review article, we will delve into the use of ELRs for molecular models of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), as well as for the development of in vitro 3D models for regenerative medicine. The easy processability of the ELRs and their rational design has allowed their use for the development of spheroids and organoids, or bioinks for 3D bioprinting. Thus, incorporating ELRs into the toolkit of biomaterials used for the fabrication of in vitro models, represents a transformative step forward in improving the accuracy, efficiency, and functionality of these models, and opening up a wide range of possibilities in combination with advanced biofabrication techniques that remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Puertas-Bartolomé
- Technical Proteins Nanobiotechnology, S.L. (TPNBT), Valladolid, Spain
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Desiré Venegas-Bustos
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sergio Acosta
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - José Carlos Rodríguez-Cabello
- Bioforge Lab (Group for Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology), CIBER's Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Edificio LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
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2
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Depenveiller C, Baud S, Belloy N, Bochicchio B, Dandurand J, Dauchez M, Pepe A, Pomès R, Samouillan V, Debelle L. Structural and physical basis for the elasticity of elastin. Q Rev Biophys 2024; 57:e3. [PMID: 38501287 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583524000040] [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] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Elastin function is to endow vertebrate tissues with elasticity so that they can adapt to local mechanical constraints. The hydrophobicity and insolubility of the mature elastin polymer have hampered studies of its molecular organisation and structure-elasticity relationships. Nevertheless, a growing number of studies from a broad range of disciplines have provided invaluable insights, and several structural models of elastin have been proposed. However, many questions remain regarding how the primary sequence of elastin (and the soluble precursor tropoelastin) governs the molecular structure, its organisation into a polymeric network, and the mechanical properties of the resulting material. The elasticity of elastin is known to be largely entropic in origin, a property that is understood to arise from both its disordered molecular structure and its hydrophobic character. Despite a high degree of hydrophobicity, elastin does not form compact, water-excluding domains and remains highly disordered. However, elastin contains both stable and labile secondary structure elements. Current models of elastin structure and function are drawn from data collected on tropoelastin and on elastin-like peptides (ELPs) but at the tissue level, elasticity is only achieved after polymerisation of the mature elastin. In tissues, the reticulation of tropoelastin chains in water defines the polymer elastin that bears elasticity. Similarly, ELPs require polymerisation to become elastic. There is considerable interest in elastin especially in the biomaterials and cosmetic fields where ELPs are widely used. This review aims to provide an up-to-date survey of/perspective on current knowledge about the interplay between elastin structure, solvation, and entropic elasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Depenveiller
- UMR URCA/CNRS 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, SFR CAP Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Unité de Génie Enzymatique et Cellulaire UMR 7025 CNRS, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Stéphanie Baud
- UMR URCA/CNRS 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, SFR CAP Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Nicolas Belloy
- UMR URCA/CNRS 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, SFR CAP Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Brigida Bochicchio
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Materials, Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Jany Dandurand
- CIRIMAT UMR 5085, Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Manuel Dauchez
- UMR URCA/CNRS 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, SFR CAP Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Antonietta Pepe
- Laboratory of Bioinspired Materials, Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Régis Pomès
- Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Valérie Samouillan
- CIRIMAT UMR 5085, Université Paul Sabatier, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Debelle
- UMR URCA/CNRS 7369, Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), UFR Sciences Exactes et Naturelles, SFR CAP Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
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3
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Liu X, Mokarizadeh AH, Narayanan A, Mane P, Pandit A, Tseng YM, Tsige M, Joy A. Multiphasic Coacervates Assembled by Hydrogen Bonding and Hydrophobic Interactions. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:23109-23120. [PMID: 37820374 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06675] [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: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Coacervation has emerged as a prevalent mechanism to compartmentalize biomolecules in living cells. Synthetic coacervates help in understanding the assembly process and mimic the functions of biological coacervates as simplified artificial systems. Though the molecular mechanism and mesoscopic properties of coacervates formed from charged coacervates have been well investigated, the details of the assembly and stabilization of nonionic coacervates remain largely unknown. Here, we describe a library of coacervate-forming polyesteramides and show that the water-tertiary amide bridging hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions stabilize these nonionic, single-component coacervates. Analogous to intracellular biological coacervates, these coacervates exhibit "liquid-like" features with low viscosity and low interfacial energy, and form coacervates with as few as five repeating units. By controlling the temperature and engineering the molar ratio between hydrophobic interaction sites and bridging hydrogen bonding sites, we demonstrate the tuneability of the viscosity and interfacial tension of polyesteramide-based coacervates. Taking advantage of the differences in the mesoscopic properties of these nonionic coacervates, we engineered multiphasic coacervates with core-shell architectures similar to those of intracellular biological coacervates, such as nucleoli and stress granule-p-body complexes. The multiphasic structures produced from these synthetic nonionic polyesteramide coacervates may serve as a valuable tool for investigating physicochemical principles deployed by living cells to spatiotemporally control cargo partitioning, biochemical reaction rates, and interorganellar signal transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhao Liu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Abdol Hadi Mokarizadeh
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Amal Narayanan
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Prathamesh Mane
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Avanti Pandit
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Yen-Ming Tseng
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Mesfin Tsige
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Abraham Joy
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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4
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Depenveiller C, Wong H, Crowet JM, Debelle L, Baud S, Dauchez M, Belloy N. Challenging level of rigid-body approach involving numerical elements (CHLORAINE) applied to repeated elastin peptides. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:107986. [PMID: 37343710 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.107986] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Elastic proteins and derived biomaterials contain numerous tandemly repeated peptides along their sequences, ranging from a few copies to hundreds. These repetitions are responsible for their biochemical, biological and biomechanical properties. These sequences are considered to be intrinsically disordered, and the variations in their behavior are actually mainly due to their high flexibility and lack of stable secondary structures originating from their unique amino acid sequences. Consequently, the simulation of elastic proteins and large elastomeric biomaterials using classical molecular dynamics is an important challenge. Here, we propose a novel approach that allows the application of the DURABIN protocol to repeated elastin-like peptides (r-ELPs) in a simple way. Four large r-ELPs were studied to evaluate our method, which was developed for simulating extracellular matrix proteins at the mesoscopic scale. After structure clustering applied on molecular dynamic trajectories of constitutive peptides (5-mers and 6-mers), the main conformations were used as starting points to define the corresponding primitives, further used as rigid body fragments in our program. Contributions derived from electrostatic and molecular hydrophobicity potentials were tested to evaluate their influence on the interactions during simple mesoscopic simulations. The CHLORAINE approach, despite the thinner granularity due to the size of the patterns used, was included in the DURABIN protocol and emerges as a promising way to simulate elastic macromolecular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Depenveiller
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Picardie Jules Verne, CNRS, GEC UMR 7025, 80039 Amiens, France
| | - H Wong
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Plateau de Modélisation Moléculaire Multi-Echelle (P3M), Maison de la simulation de Champagne Ardenne (MaSCA), 51097 Reims, France
| | - J M Crowet
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Plateau de Modélisation Moléculaire Multi-Echelle (P3M), Maison de la simulation de Champagne Ardenne (MaSCA), 51097 Reims, France
| | - L Debelle
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France
| | - S Baud
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Plateau de Modélisation Moléculaire Multi-Echelle (P3M), Maison de la simulation de Champagne Ardenne (MaSCA), 51097 Reims, France
| | - M Dauchez
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Plateau de Modélisation Moléculaire Multi-Echelle (P3M), Maison de la simulation de Champagne Ardenne (MaSCA), 51097 Reims, France
| | - N Belloy
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France; Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Plateau de Modélisation Moléculaire Multi-Echelle (P3M), Maison de la simulation de Champagne Ardenne (MaSCA), 51097 Reims, France.
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5
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Miserez A, Yu J, Mohammadi P. Protein-Based Biological Materials: Molecular Design and Artificial Production. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2049-2111. [PMID: 36692900 PMCID: PMC9999432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric materials produced from fossil fuels have been intimately linked to the development of industrial activities in the 20th century and, consequently, to the transformation of our way of living. While this has brought many benefits, the fabrication and disposal of these materials is bringing enormous sustainable challenges. Thus, materials that are produced in a more sustainable fashion and whose degradation products are harmless to the environment are urgently needed. Natural biopolymers─which can compete with and sometimes surpass the performance of synthetic polymers─provide a great source of inspiration. They are made of natural chemicals, under benign environmental conditions, and their degradation products are harmless. Before these materials can be synthetically replicated, it is essential to elucidate their chemical design and biofabrication. For protein-based materials, this means obtaining the complete sequences of the proteinaceous building blocks, a task that historically took decades of research. Thus, we start this review with a historical perspective on early efforts to obtain the primary sequences of load-bearing proteins, followed by the latest developments in sequencing and proteomic technologies that have greatly accelerated sequencing of extracellular proteins. Next, four main classes of protein materials are presented, namely fibrous materials, bioelastomers exhibiting high reversible deformability, hard bulk materials, and biological adhesives. In each class, we focus on the design at the primary and secondary structure levels and discuss their interplays with the mechanical response. We finally discuss earlier and the latest research to artificially produce protein-based materials using biotechnology and synthetic biology, including current developments by start-up companies to scale-up the production of proteinaceous materials in an economically viable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Miserez
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore637553.,School of Biological Sciences, NTU, Singapore637551
| | - Jing Yu
- Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore637553.,Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), NTU, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore637553
| | - Pezhman Mohammadi
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, UusimaaFI-02044, Finland
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6
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Lau K, Reichheld S, Sharpe S, Cerruti M. Globule and fiber formation with elastin-like polypeptides: a balance of coacervation and crosslinking. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3257-3266. [PMID: 35404375 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00049k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fiber assembly is a complex process that requires the coacervation and cross-linking of the protein building block tropoelastin. To date, the order, timing, and interplay of coacervation and crosslinking is not completely understood, despite a great number of advances into understanding the molecular structure and functions of the many proteins involved in elastic fiber assembly. With a simple in vitro model using elastin-like polypeptides and the natural chemical crosslinker genipin, we demonstrate the strong influence of the timing and kinetics of crosslinking reaction on the coacervation, crosslinking extent, and resulting morphology of elastin. We also outline a method for analyzing elastin droplet network formation as a heuristic for measuring the propensity for elastic fiber formation. From this we show that adding crosslinker during peak coacervation dramatically increases the propensity for droplet network formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirklann Lau
- Department of Materials Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street Wong Building, 2250 Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada.
| | - Sean Reichheld
- Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St., Room 20.9714, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
| | - Simon Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St., Room 20.9714, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
| | - Marta Cerruti
- Department of Materials Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street Wong Building, 2250 Montreal, QC H3A 2B2, Canada.
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7
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Zhang X, Alanazi YF, Jowitt TA, Roseman AM, Baldock C. Elastic Fibre Proteins in Elastogenesis and Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4087. [PMID: 35456902 PMCID: PMC9027394 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As essential components of our connective tissues, elastic fibres give tissues such as major blood vessels, skin and the lungs their elasticity. Their formation is complex and co-ordinately regulated by multiple factors. In this review, we describe key players in elastogenesis: fibrillin-1, tropoelastin, latent TGFβ binding protein-4, and fibulin-4 and -5. We summarise their roles in elastogenesis, discuss the effect of their mutations on relevant diseases, and describe their interactions involved in forming the elastic fibre network. Moreover, we look into their roles in wound repair for a better understanding of their potential application in tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Zhang
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Yasmene F. Alanazi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Thomas A. Jowitt
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
| | - Alan M. Roseman
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.J.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK;
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8
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Yang C, Weiss AS, Tarakanova A. Changes in elastin structure and extensibility induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia. Acta Biomater 2022; 163:131-145. [PMID: 35364318 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Elastin is a key elastomeric protein responsible for the elasticity of many organs, including heart, skin, and blood vessels. Due to its intrinsic long life and low turnover rate, damage in elastin induced by pathophysiological conditions, such as hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, accumulates during biological aging and in aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Prior studies have shown that calcification induced by hypercalcemia deteriorates the function of aortic tissues. Glycation of elastin is triggered by hyperglycemia and associated with elastic tissue damage and loss of mechanical functions via the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. To evaluate the effects on elastin's structural conformations and elasticity by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, we perform classical atomistic and steered molecular dynamics simulations on tropoelastin, the soluble precursor of elastin, under different conditions. We characterize the interaction sites of glucose and calcium and associated structural conformational changes. Additionally, we find that elevated levels of calcium ions and glucose hinder the extensibility of tropoelastin by rearranging structural domains and altering hydrogen bonding patterns, respectively. Overall, our investigation helps to reveal the behavior of tropoelastin and the biomechanics of elastin biomaterials in these physiological environments. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Elastin is a key component of elastic fibers which endow many important tissues and organs, from arteries and veins, to skin and heart, with strength and elasticity. During aging and aging-associated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, physicochemical stressors, including hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia, induce accumulated irreversible damage in elastin, and consequently alter mechanical function. Yet, molecular mechanisms associated with these processes are still poorly understood. Here, we present the first study on how these changes in elastin structure and extensibility are induced by hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia at the molecular scale, revealing the essential roles that calcium and glucose play in triggering structural alterations and mechanical stiffness. Our findings yield critical insights into the first steps of hypercalcemia- and hyperglycemia-mediated aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengeng Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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9
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Fast and reversible crosslinking of a silk elastin-like polymer. Acta Biomater 2022; 141:14-23. [PMID: 34971785 PMCID: PMC8898266 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Elastin-like polymers (ELPs) and their chimeric subfamily the silk elastin-like polymers (SELPs) exhibit a lower critical solvation temperature (LCST) behavior in water which has been extensively studied from theoretical, computational and experimental perspectives. The inclusion of silk domains in the backbone of the ELPs effects the molecular dynamics of the elastin-like domains in response to increased temperature above its transition temperature and confers gelation ability. This response has been studied in terms of initial and long-term changes in structures, however, intermediate transition states have been less investigated. Moreover, little is known about the effects of reversible hydration on the elastin versus silk domains in the physical crosslinks. We used spectroscopic techniques to analyze initial, intermediate and long-term states of the crosslinks in SELPs. A combination of thermoanalytical and rheological measurements demonstrated that the fast reversible rehydration of the elastin motifs adjacent to the relatively small silk domains was capable of breaking the silk physical crosslinks. This feature can be exploited to tailor the dynamics of these types of crosslinks in SELPs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The combination of silk and elastin in a single molecule results in synergy via their interactions to impact the protein polymer properties. The ability of the silk domains to crosslink affects the thermoresponsive properties of the elastin domains. These interactions have been studied at early and late states of the physical crosslinking, while the intermediate states were the focus of the present study to understand the reversible phase-transitions of the elastin domains over the silk physical crosslinking. The thermoresponsive properties of the elastin domains at the initial, intermediate and late states of silk crosslinking were characterized to demonstrate that reversible hydration of the elastin domains influenced the reversibility of the silk crosslinks.
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10
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Gonzalez-Obeso C, Backlund FG, Kaplan DL. Charge-Modulated Accessibility of Tyrosine Residues for Silk-Elastin Copolymer Cross-Linking. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:760-765. [PMID: 35113522 PMCID: PMC9211056 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The modulation of reaction kinetics with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed cross-linking of proteins remains a useful strategy to modulate hydrogel formation. Here, we demonstrate that the presence of positively charged lysines in silk-elastin-like polymers impacts the thermal transition temperature of these proteins, while the location in the primary sequence modulates the reactivity of the tyrosines. The positively charged lysine side chains decreased π-π interactions among the tyrosines and reduced the rate of formation and number of HRP-mediated dityrosine bonds, dependent on the proximity of the charged group to the tyrosine. The results suggest that the location of repulsive charges can be used to tailor the reaction kinetics for enzymatic cross-linking, providing further control of gelation rates for in situ gel formation and the resulting protein-based gel characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constancio Gonzalez-Obeso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Tufts University, 4, Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Fredrik G Backlund
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Tufts University, 4, Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Tufts University, 4, Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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11
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Wang K, Meng X, Guo Z. Elastin Structure, Synthesis, Regulatory Mechanism and Relationship With Cardiovascular Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:596702. [PMID: 34917605 PMCID: PMC8670233 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.596702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As the primary component of elastic fibers, elastin plays an important role in maintaining the elasticity and tensile ability of cardiovascular, pulmonary and many other tissues and organs. Studies have shown that elastin expression is regulated by a variety of molecules that have positive and negative regulatory effects. However, the specific mechanism is unclear. Moreover, elastin is reportedly involved in the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases through changes in its expression and structural modifications once deposited in the extracellular matrix. This review article summarizes the role of elastin in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation, with emphasis on the potential molecular regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Drug Research, Zhengzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiangguang Meng
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Drug Research, Zhengzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhikun Guo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Drug Research, Zhengzhou No. 7 People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Henan Key Laboratory of Medical Tissue Regeneration, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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12
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Singh M, Becker M, Godwin AR, Baldock C. Structural studies of elastic fibre and microfibrillar proteins. Matrix Biol Plus 2021; 12:100078. [PMID: 34355160 PMCID: PMC8322146 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastic tissues owe their functional properties to the composition of their extracellular matrices, particularly the range of extracellular, multidomain extensible elastic fibre and microfibrillar proteins. These proteins include elastin, fibrillin, latent TGFβ binding proteins (LTBPs) and collagens, where their biophysical and biochemical properties not only give the matrix structural integrity, but also play a vital role in the mechanisms that underlie tissue homeostasis. Thus far structural information regarding the structure and hierarchical assembly of these molecules has been challenging and the resolution has been limited due to post-translational modification and their multidomain nature leading to flexibility, which together result in conformational and structural heterogeneity. In this review, we describe some of the matrix proteins found in elastic fibres and the new emerging techniques that can shed light on their structure and dynamic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukti Singh
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mark Becker
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alan R.F. Godwin
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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13
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Florio G, Pugno NM, Buehler MJ, Puglisi G. A coarse-grained mechanical model for folding and unfolding of tropoelastin with possible mutations. Acta Biomater 2021; 134:477-489. [PMID: 34303013 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
We propose a simple general framework to predict folding, native states, energy barriers, protein unfolding, as well as mutation induced diseases and other protein structural analyses. The model should not be considered as an alternative to classical approaches (Molecular Dynamics or Monte Carlo) because it neglects low scale details and rather focuses on global features of proteins and structural information. We aim at the description of phenomena that are out of the range of classical molecular modeling approaches due to the large computational cost: multimolecular interactions, cyclic behavior under variable external interactions, and similar. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach in a real case, we focus on the folding and unfolding behavior of tropoelastin and its mutations. Specifically, we derive a discrete mechanical model whose structure is deduced based on a coarse graining approach that allows us to group the amino acids sequence in a smaller number of `equivalent' masses. Nearest neighbor energy terms are then introduced to reproduce the interaction of such amino acid groups. Nearest and non-nearest neighbor energy terms, inter and intra functional blocks are phenomenologically added in the form of Morse potentials. As we show, the resulting system reproduces important properties of the folding-unfolding mechanical response, including the monotonic and cyclic force-elongation behavior, representing a physiologically important information for elastin. The comparison with the experimental behavior of mutated tropoelastin confirms the predictivity of the model. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Classical approaches to the study of phenomena at the molecular scale such as Molecular Dynamics (MD) represent an incredible tool to unveil mechanical and conformational properties of macromolecules, in particular for biological and medical applications. On the other hand, due to the computational cost, the time and spatial scales are limited. Focusing of the real case of tropoelastin, we propose a new approach based on a careful coarse graining of the system, able to describe the overall properties of the macromolecule and amenable of extension to larger scale effects (protein bundles, protein-protein interactions, cyclic loading). The comparison with tropoelastin behavior, also for mutations, is very promising.
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14
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López Barreiro D, Minten IJ, Thies JC, Sagt CMJ. Structure-Property Relationships of Elastin-like Polypeptides: A Review of Experimental and Computational Studies. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021. [PMID: 34251181 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Elastin is a structural protein with outstanding mechanical properties (e.g., elasticity and resilience) and biologically relevant functions (e.g., triggering responses like cell adhesion or chemotaxis). It is formed from its precursor tropoelastin, a 60-72 kDa water-soluble and temperature-responsive protein that coacervates at physiological temperature, undergoing a phenomenon termed lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Inspired by this behavior, many scientists and engineers are developing recombinantly produced elastin-inspired biopolymers, usually termed elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs). These ELPs are generally comprised of repetitive motifs with the sequence VPGXG, which corresponds to repeats of a small part of the tropoelastin sequence, X being any amino acid except proline. ELPs display LCST and mechanical properties similar to tropoelastin, which renders them promising candidates for the development of elastic and stimuli-responsive protein-based materials. Unveiling the structure-property relationships of ELPs can aid in the development of these materials by establishing the connections between the ELP amino acid sequence and the macroscopic properties of the materials. Here we present a review of the structure-property relationships of ELPs and ELP-based materials, with a focus on LCST and mechanical properties and how experimental and computational studies have aided in their understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego López Barreiro
- DSM Biotechnology Center, DSM, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Inge J Minten
- DSM Materials Science Center - Applied Science Center, DSM, Urmonderbaan 22, 6160 BB, Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Jens C Thies
- DSM Biomedical, DSM, Koestraat 1, 6167 RA, Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Cees M J Sagt
- DSM Biotechnology Center, DSM, Alexander Fleminglaan 1, 2613 AX Delft, The Netherlands
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15
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Ozsvar J, Wang R, Tarakanova A, Buehler MJ, Weiss AS. Fuzzy binding model of molecular interactions between tropoelastin and integrin alphaVbeta3. Biophys J 2021; 120:3138-3151. [PMID: 34197806 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropoelastin is the highly flexible monomer subunit of elastin, required for the resilience of the extracellular matrix in elastic tissues. To elicit biological signaling, multiple sites on tropoelastin bind to cell surface integrins in a poorly understood multifactorial process. We constructed a full atomistic molecular model of the interactions between tropoelastin and integrin αvβ3 using ensemble-based computational methodologies. Conformational changes of integrin αvβ3 associated with outside-in signaling were more frequently facilitated in an ensemble in which tropoelastin bound the integrin's α1 helix rather than the upstream canonical binding site. Our findings support a model of fuzzy binding, whereby many tropoelastin conformations and defined sites cooperatively interact with multiple αvβ3 regions. This model explains prior experimental binding to distinct tropoelastin regions, domains 17 and 36, and points to the cooperative participation of domain 20. Our study highlights the utility of ensemble-based approaches in helping to understand the interactive mechanisms of functionally significant flexible proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmin Ozsvar
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard Wang
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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16
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Schmelzer CEH, Duca L. Elastic fibers: formation, function, and fate during aging and disease. FEBS J 2021; 289:3704-3730. [PMID: 33896108 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibers are extracellular components of higher vertebrates and confer elasticity and resilience to numerous tissues and organs such as large blood vessels, lungs, and skin. Their formation and maturation take place in a complex multistage process called elastogenesis. It requires interactions between very different proteins but also other molecules and leads to the deposition and crosslinking of elastin's precursor on a scaffold of fibrillin-rich microfibrils. Mature fibers are exceptionally resistant to most influences and, under healthy conditions, retain their biomechanical function over the life of the organism. However, due to their longevity, they accumulate damages during aging. These are caused by proteolytic degradation, formation of advanced glycation end products, calcification, oxidative damage, aspartic acid racemization, lipid accumulation, carbamylation, and mechanical fatigue. The resulting changes can lead to diminution or complete loss of elastic fiber function and ultimately affect morbidity and mortality. Particularly, the production of elastokines has been clearly shown to influence several life-threatening diseases. Moreover, the structure, distribution, and abundance of elastic fibers are directly or indirectly influenced by a variety of inherited pathological conditions, which mainly affect organs and tissues such as skin, lungs, or the cardiovascular system. A distinction can be made between microfibril-related inherited diseases that are the result of mutations in diverse microfibril genes and indirectly affect elastogenesis, and elastinopathies that are linked to changes in the elastin gene. This review gives an overview on the formation, structure, and function of elastic fibers and their fate over the human lifespan in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E H Schmelzer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Natural Sciences I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Laurent Duca
- UMR CNRS 7369 MEDyC, SFR CAP-Sante, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France
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17
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Mu X, Agostinacchio F, Xiang N, Pei Y, Khan Y, Guo C, Cebe P, Motta A, Kaplan DL. Recent Advances in 3D Printing with Protein-Based Inks. Prog Polym Sci 2021; 115:101375. [PMID: 33776158 PMCID: PMC7996313 DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2021.101375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a transformative manufacturing strategy, allowing rapid prototyping, customization, and flexible manipulation of structure-property relationships. Proteins are particularly appealing to formulate inks for 3D printing as they serve as essential structural components of living systems, provide a support presence in and around cells and for tissue functions, and also provide the basis for many essential ex vivo secreted structures in nature. Protein-based inks are beneficial in vivo due to their mechanics, chemical and physical match to the specific tissue, and full degradability, while also to promoting implant-host integration and serving as an interface between technology and biology. Exploiting the biological, chemical, and physical features of protein-based inks can provide key opportunities to meet the needs of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Despite these benefits, protein-based inks impose nontrivial challenges to 3D printing such as concentration and rheological features and reconstitution of the structural hierarchy observed in nature that is a source of the robust mechanics and functions of these materials. This review introduces photo-crosslinking mechanisms and rheological principles that underpins a variety of 3D printing techniques. The review also highlights recent advances in the design, development, and biomedical utility of monolithic and composite inks from a range of proteins, including collagen, silk, fibrinogen, and others. One particular focus throughout the review is to introduce unique material characteristics of proteins, including amino acid sequences, molecular assembly, and secondary conformations, which are useful for designing printing inks and for controlling the printed structures. Future perspectives of 3D printing with protein-based inks are also provided to support the promising spectrum of biomedical research accessible to these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Mu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Francesca Agostinacchio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Ning Xiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Ying Pei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Yousef Khan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Chengchen Guo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Peggy Cebe
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Antonella Motta
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
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18
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Ozsvar J, Yang C, Cain SA, Baldock C, Tarakanova A, Weiss AS. Tropoelastin and Elastin Assembly. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:643110. [PMID: 33718344 PMCID: PMC7947355 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.643110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastic fibers are an important component of the extracellular matrix, providing stretch, resilience, and cell interactivity to a broad range of elastic tissues. Elastin makes up the majority of elastic fibers and is formed by the hierarchical assembly of its monomer, tropoelastin. Our understanding of key aspects of the assembly process have been unclear due to the intrinsic properties of elastin and tropoelastin that render them difficult to study. This review focuses on recent developments that have shaped our current knowledge of elastin assembly through understanding the relationship between tropoelastin’s structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmin Ozsvar
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chengeng Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Stuart A Cain
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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19
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Bochicchio B, Yeo GC, Lee P, Emul D, Pepe A, Laezza A, Ciarfaglia N, Quaglino D, Weiss AS. Domains 12 to 16 of tropoelastin promote cell attachment and spreading through interactions with glycosaminoglycan and integrins alphaV and alpha5beta1. FEBS J 2021; 288:4024-4038. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giselle C. Yeo
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Pearl Lee
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Deniz Emul
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Antonietta Pepe
- Department of Science University of Basilicata Potenza Italy
| | - Antonio Laezza
- Department of Science University of Basilicata Potenza Italy
| | | | - Daniela Quaglino
- Department of Life Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Anthony S. Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney NSW Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney NSW Australia
- Sydney Nano Institute The University of Sydney NSW Australia
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20
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Hu Y, Buehler MJ. Comparative Analysis of Nanomechanical Features of Coronavirus Spike Proteins and Correlation with Lethality and Infection Rate. MATTER 2021; 4:265-275. [PMID: 33163958 PMCID: PMC7605853 DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2020.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world. Its causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), enters human cells through the physical interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of its spike protein and the human cell receptor ACE2. Here, we provide a novel way of understanding coronavirus spike proteins, connecting their nanomechanical features, specifically their vibrational spectrum and quantitative measures of mobility, with virus lethality and infection rate. The key result of our work is that both the overall flexibility of upward RBD and the mobility ratio of RBDs in different conformations represent two significant factors that show a positive scaling with virus lethality and an inverse correlation with the infection rate. Our analysis shows that epidemiological virus properties can be linked directly to pure nanomechanical, vibrational aspects, offering an alternative way of screening new viruses and mutations, and potentially exploring novel ways to prevent infections from occurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Hu
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Computational Science and Engineering, Schwarzman College of Computing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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21
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Reichheld SE, Muiznieks LD, Huynh Q, Wang N, Ing C, Miao M, Sitarz EE, Pomès R, Sharpe S, Keeley FW. The evolutionary background and functional consequences of the rs2071307 polymorphism in human tropoelastin. Biopolymers 2020; 112:e23414. [PMID: 33351193 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Elastin is a major polymeric protein of the extracellular matrix, providing critical properties of extensibility and elastic recoil. The rs2071307 genomic polymorphism, resulting in the substitution of a serine for a glycine residue in a VPG motif in tropoelastin, has an unusually high minor allele frequency in humans. A consequence of such allelic heterozygosity would be the presence of a heterogeneous elastin polymer in up to 50% of the population, a situation which appears to be unique to Homo sapiens. VPG motifs are extremely common in hydrophobic domains of tropoelastins and are the sites of transient β-turns that are essential for maintaining the conformational flexibility required for its function as an entropic elastomer. Earlier data demonstrated that single amino acid substitutions in tropoelastin can have functional consequences for polymeric elastin, particularly when present in mixed polymers. Here, using NMR and molecular dynamics approaches, we show the rs2071307 polymorphism reduces local propensity for β-turn formation, with a consequent increase in polypeptide hydration and an expansion of the conformational ensemble manifested as an increased hydrodynamic radius, radius of gyration and asphericity. Furthermore, this substitution affects functional properties of polymeric elastin, particularly in heterogeneous polymers mimicking allelic heterozygosity. We discuss whether such effects, together with the unusually high minor allele frequency of the polymorphism, could imply some some evolutionary advantage for the heterozygous state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean E Reichheld
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Lisa D Muiznieks
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Elvesys Microfluidics Innovation Center, 172 rue de Charonne, 75011, Paris, France
| | - Quang Huynh
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Nick Wang
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,135 W 52nd St. Apt 20A, 10019-7691, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher Ing
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,ProteinQure, Suite 304, 119 Spadina Avenue, M5V2L1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ming Miao
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Eva E Sitarz
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA
| | - Régis Pomès
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Sharpe
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fred W Keeley
- Molecular Medicine Program, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Lockhart-Cairns MP, Newandee H, Thomson J, Weiss AS, Baldock C, Tarakanova A. Transglutaminase-Mediated Cross-Linking of Tropoelastin to Fibrillin Stabilises the Elastin Precursor Prior to Elastic Fibre Assembly. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:5736-5751. [PMID: 32898582 PMCID: PMC7610145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibres are essential components of all mammalian elastic tissues such as blood vessels, lung and skin, and are critically important for the mechanical properties they endow. The main components of elastic fibres are elastin and fibrillin, where correct formation of elastic fibres requires a fibrillin microfibril scaffold for the deposition of elastin. It has been demonstrated previously that the interaction between fibrillin and tropoelastin, the elastin precursor, increases the rate of assembly of tropoelastin. Furthermore, tropoelastin and fibrillin can be cross-linked by transglutaminase-2, but the function of cross-linking on their elastic properties is yet to be elucidated. Here we show that transglutaminase cross-linking supports formation of a 1:1 stoichiometric fibrillin-tropoelastin complex. SAXS data show that the complex retains features of the individual proteins but is elongated supporting end-to-end assembly. Elastic network models were constructed to compare the dynamics of tropoelastin and fibrillin individually as well as in the cross-linked complex. Normal mode analysis was performed to determine the structures' most energetically favourable, biologically accessible motions which show that within the complex, tropoelastin is less mobile and this molecular stabilisation extends along the length of the tropoelastin molecule to regions remote from the cross-linking site. Together, these data suggest a long-range stabilising effect of cross-linking that occurs due to the covalent linkage of fibrillin to tropoelastin. This work provides insight into the interactions of tropoelastin and fibrillin and how cross-link formation stabilises the elastin precursor so it is primed for elastic fibre assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Lockhart-Cairns
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Helena Newandee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA
| | - Jennifer Thomson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- School of Molecular Bioscience, Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06269-3139, USA.
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23
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Schmelzer CEH, Hedtke T, Heinz A. Unique molecular networks: Formation and role of elastin cross-links. IUBMB Life 2019; 72:842-854. [PMID: 31834666 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Elastic fibers are essential assemblies of vertebrates and confer elasticity and resilience to various organs including blood vessels, lungs, skin, and ligaments. Mature fibers, which comprise a dense and insoluble elastin core and a microfibrillar mantle, are extremely resistant toward intrinsic and extrinsic influences and maintain elastic function over the human lifespan in healthy conditions. The oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysine to peptidyl allysine in elastin's precursor tropoelastin is a crucial posttranslational step in their formation. The modification is catalyzed by members of the family of lysyl oxidases and the starting point for subsequent manifold condensation reactions that eventually lead to the highly cross-linked elastomer. This review summarizes the current understanding of the formation of cross-links within and between the monomer molecules, the molecular sites, and cross-link types involved and the pathological consequences of abnormalities in the cross-linking process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E H Schmelzer
- Department of Biological and Macromolecular Materials, Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Natural Sciences I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Tobias Hedtke
- Department of Biological and Macromolecular Materials, Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Natural Sciences I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andrea Heinz
- Department of Pharmacy, LEO Foundation Center for Cutaneous Drug Delivery, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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24
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Sequence variants of human tropoelastin affecting assembly, structural characteristics and functional properties of polymeric elastin in health and disease. Matrix Biol 2019; 84:68-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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25
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Vindin H, Mithieux SM, Weiss AS. Elastin architecture. Matrix Biol 2019; 84:4-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Tarakanova A, Ozsvar J, Weiss A, Buehler M. Coarse-grained model of tropoelastin self-assembly into nascent fibrils. Mater Today Bio 2019; 3:100016. [PMID: 32159149 PMCID: PMC7061556 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2019.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin is the dominant building block of elastic fibers that impart structural integrity and elasticity to a range of important tissues, including the lungs, blood vessels, and skin. The elastic fiber assembly process begins with a coacervation stage where tropoelastin monomers reversibly self-assemble into coacervate aggregates that consist of multiple molecules. In this paper, an atomistically based coarse-grained model of tropoelastin assembly is developed. Using the previously determined atomistic structure of tropoelastin, the precursor molecule to elastic fibers, as the basis for coarse-graining, the atomistic model is mapped to a MARTINI-based coarse-grained framework to account for chemical details of protein-protein interactions, coupled to an elastic network model to stabilize the structure. We find that self-assembly of monomers generates up to ∼70 nm of dense aggregates that are distinct at different temperatures, displaying high temperature sensitivity. Resulting assembled structures exhibit a combination of fibrillar and globular substructures within the bulk aggregates. The results suggest that the coalescence of tropoelastin assemblies into higher order structures may be reinforced in the initial stages of coacervation by directed assembly, supporting the experimentally observed presence of heterogeneous cross-linking. Self-assembly of tropoelastin is driven by interactions of specific hydrophobic domains and the reordering of water molecules in the system. Domain pair orientation analysis throughout the self-assembly process at different temperatures suggests coacervation is a driving force to orient domains for heterogeneous downstream cross-linking. The model provides a framework to characterize macromolecular self-assembly for elastin, and the formulation could easily be adapted to similar assembly systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - J. Ozsvar
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A.S. Weiss
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M.J. Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Wang AH, Zhang ZC, Li GH. Advances in enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations for biomolecules. CHINESE J CHEM PHYS 2019. [DOI: 10.1063/1674-0068/cjcp1905091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- An-hui Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhi-chao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Guo-hui Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Design, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
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Ozsvar J, Tarakanova A, Wang R, Buehler MJ, Weiss AS. Allysine modifications perturb tropoelastin structure and mobility on a local and global scale. Matrix Biol Plus 2019; 2:100002. [PMID: 33543005 PMCID: PMC7852328 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin provides elastic tissues with resilience through stretch and recoil cycles, and is primarily made of its extensively cross-linked monomer, tropoelastin. Here, we leverage the recently published full atomistic model of tropoelastin to assess how allysine modifications, which are essential to cross-linking, contribute to the dynamics and structural changes that occur in tropoelastin in the context of elastin assembly. We used replica exchange molecular dynamics to generate structural ensembles of allysine containing tropoelastin. We conducted principal component analysis on these ensembles and found that the molecule departs from the canonical structural ensemble. Furthermore, we showed that, while the canonical scissors-twist movement was retained, new movements emerged that deviated from those of the wild type protein, providing evidence for the involvement of a variety of molecular motions in elastin assembly. Additionally, we highlighted secondary structural changes and linked these perturbations to the longevity of specific salt bridges. We propose a model where allysines in tropoelastin contribute to hierarchical elastin assembly through global and local perturbations to molecular structure and dynamics. converting lysine to allysine by lysyl oxidases is needed to generate crosslinks between tropoelastin molecules in order to make elastin structural changes in the intact tropoelastin molecule ensue where modified tropoelastin molecules structurally depart from the canonical ensemble new molecular motions deviate from those of unmodified tropoelastin persistence times of specific salt bridges contribute to these perturbations allysines in tropoelastin contribute to hierarchical elastin assembly through global and local perturbations to molecular structure and dynamics
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Key Words
- 5ALK, tropoelastin containing 5 allysine residues
- ALK353, tropoelastin containing allysine at residue 353
- ALK353, tropoelastin containing allysine at residue 507
- ALL, allysine aldol
- ANM, anisotropic network model
- Assembly
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- Elastin
- LNL, lysinonorleucine
- MD, molecular dynamics
- Molecular dynamics
- NMA, normal mode analysis
- PCA, principal component analysis
- REMD, replica exchange molecular dynamics
- RMSD, root mean square deviation
- Replica exchange molecular dynamics
- SASA, solvent accessible surface area
- WT, wild type tropoelastin
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmin Ozsvar
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia
| | - Anna Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard Wang
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Adelaide, 5000, SA, Australia.,Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Tarakanova A, Yeo GC, Baldock C, Weiss AS, Buehler MJ. Tropoelastin is a Flexible Molecule that Retains its Canonical Shape. Macromol Biosci 2018; 19:e1800250. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201800250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tarakanova
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology 02139 Cambridge MA USA
| | - Giselle C. Yeo
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Clair Baldock
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell‐Matrix Research Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine School of Biological Sciences Manchester Academic Health Science Centre The University of Manchester M13 9PL Manchester UK
| | - Anthony S. Weiss
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia
- Bosch Institute The University of Sydney 2006 Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Markus J. Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology 02139 Cambridge MA USA
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