1
|
Lemke EA, Babu MM, Kriwacki RW, Mittag T, Pappu RV, Wright PE, Forman-Kay JD. Intrinsic disorder: A term to define the specific physicochemical characteristic of protein conformational heterogeneity. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1188-1190. [PMID: 38579677 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
In his commentary in this issue of Molecular Cell,1 Struhl reasons that the term "intrinsically disordered regions" represents a vague and confusing concept for protein function. However, the term "intrinsically disordered" highlights the important physicochemical characteristic of conformational heterogeneity. Thus, "intrinsically disordered" is the counterpart to the term "folded, " with neither term having specific functional implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward A Lemke
- Biocenter, Johannes Gutenberg University, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Institute for Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| | - M Madan Babu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Richard W Kriwacki
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Tanja Mittag
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Rohit V Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Peter E Wright
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology and Skaggs Institute of Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Julie D Forman-Kay
- Molecular Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Csergeová L, Krbušek D, Janoštiak R. CIP/KIP and INK4 families as hostages of oncogenic signaling. Cell Div 2024; 19:11. [PMID: 38561743 PMCID: PMC10985988 DOI: 10.1186/s13008-024-00115-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
CIP/KIP and INK4 families of Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) are well-established cell cycle regulatory proteins whose canonical function is binding to Cyclin-CDK complexes and altering their function. Initial experiments showed that these proteins negatively regulate cell cycle progression and thus are tumor suppressors in the context of molecular oncology. However, expanded research into the functions of these proteins showed that most of them have non-canonical functions, both cell cycle-dependent and independent, and can even act as tumor enhancers depending on their posttranslational modifications, subcellular localization, and cell state context. This review aims to provide an overview of canonical as well as non-canonical functions of CIP/KIP and INK4 families of CKIs, discuss the potential avenues to promote their tumor suppressor functions instead of tumor enhancing ones, and how they could be utilized to design improved treatment regimens for cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Csergeová
- BIOCEV-First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - David Krbušek
- BIOCEV-First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maiti S, Singh A, Maji T, Saibo NV, De S. Experimental methods to study the structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered regions in proteins. Curr Res Struct Biol 2024; 7:100138. [PMID: 38707546 PMCID: PMC11068507 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2024.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic proteins often feature long stretches of amino acids that lack a well-defined three-dimensional structure and are referred to as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or regions (IDRs). Although these proteins challenge conventional structure-function paradigms, they play vital roles in cellular processes. Recent progress in experimental techniques, such as NMR spectroscopy, single molecule FRET, high speed AFM and SAXS, have provided valuable insights into the biophysical basis of IDP function. This review discusses the advancements made in these techniques particularly for the study of disordered regions in proteins. In NMR spectroscopy new strategies such as 13C detection, non-uniform sampling, segmental isotope labeling, and rapid data acquisition methods address the challenges posed by spectral overcrowding and low stability of IDPs. The importance of various NMR parameters, including chemical shifts, hydrogen exchange rates, and relaxation measurements, to reveal transient secondary structures within IDRs and IDPs are presented. Given the high flexibility of IDPs, the review outlines NMR methods for assessing their dynamics at both fast (ps-ns) and slow (μs-ms) timescales. IDPs exert their functions through interactions with other molecules such as proteins, DNA, or RNA. NMR-based titration experiments yield insights into the thermodynamics and kinetics of these interactions. Detailed study of IDPs requires multiple experimental techniques, and thus, several methods are described for studying disordered proteins, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. The potential for integrating these complementary techniques, each offering unique perspectives, is explored to achieve a comprehensive understanding of IDPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Aakanksha Singh
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB, 721302, India
| | - Tanisha Maji
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB, 721302, India
| | - Nikita V. Saibo
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB, 721302, India
| | - Soumya De
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB, 721302, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Czerczak-Kwiatkowska K, Kaminska M, Fraczyk J, Majsterek I, Kolesinska B. Searching for EGF Fragments Recreating the Outer Sphere of the Growth Factor Involved in Receptor Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1470. [PMID: 38338748 PMCID: PMC10855902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine whether it is possible to use peptide microarrays obtained using the SPOT technique (immobilized on cellulose) and specific polyclonal antibodies to select fragments that reconstruct the outer sphere of proteins and to ascertain whether the selected peptide fragments can be useful in the study of their protein-protein and/or peptide-protein interactions. Using this approach, epidermal growth factor (EGF) fragments responsible for the interaction with the EGF receptor were searched. A library of EGF fragments immobilized on cellulose was obtained using triazine condensing reagents. Experiments on the interactions with EGFR confirmed the high affinity of the selected peptide fragments. Biological tests on cells showed the lack of cytotoxicity of the EGF fragments. Selected EGF fragments can be used in various areas of medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Czerczak-Kwiatkowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland; (K.C.-K.); (J.F.)
| | - Marta Kaminska
- Division of Biophysics, Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90-924 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Justyna Fraczyk
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland; (K.C.-K.); (J.F.)
| | - Ireneusz Majsterek
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Beata Kolesinska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland; (K.C.-K.); (J.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Uversky VN. Functional unfoldomics: Roles of intrinsic disorder in protein (multi)functionality. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 138:179-210. [PMID: 38220424 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which are functional proteins without stable tertiary structure, and hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) constitute prominent parts of all proteomes collectively known as unfoldomes. IDPs/IDRs exist as highly dynamic structural ensembles of rapidly interconverting conformations and are characterized by the exceptional structural heterogeneity, where their different parts are (dis)ordered to different degree, and their overall structure represents a complex mosaic of foldons, inducible foldons, inducible morphing foldons, non-foldons, semifoldons, and even unfoldons. Despite their lack of unique 3D structures, IDPs/IDRs play crucial roles in the control of various biological processes and the regulation of different cellular pathways and are commonly involved in recognition and signaling, indicating that the disorder-based functional repertoire is complementary to the functions of ordered proteins. Furthermore, IDPs/IDRs are frequently multifunctional, and this multifunctionality is defined by their structural flexibility and heterogeneity. Intrinsic disorder phenomenon is at the roots of the structure-function continuum model, where the structure continuum is defined by the presence of differently (dis)ordered regions, and the function continuum arises from the ability of all these differently (dis)ordered parts to have different functions. In their everyday life, IDPs/IDRs utilize a broad spectrum of interaction mechanisms thereby acting as interaction specialists. They are crucial for the biogenesis of numerous proteinaceous membrane-less organelles driven by the liquid-liquid phase separation. This review introduces functional unfoldomics by representing some aspects of the intrinsic disorder-based functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guillien M, Mouhand A, Sagar A, Fournet A, Allemand F, Pereira GAN, Thureau A, Bernadó P, Banères JL, Sibille N. Phosphorylation motif dictates GPCR C-terminal domain conformation and arrestin interaction. Structure 2023; 31:1394-1406.e7. [PMID: 37669668 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.08.011] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Arrestin-dependent G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway is regulated by the phosphorylation state of GPCR's C-terminal domain, but the molecular bases of arrestin:receptor interaction are to be further illuminated. Here we investigated the impact of phosphorylation on the conformational features of the C-terminal region from three rhodopsin-like GPCRs, the vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R), the growth hormone secretagogue or ghrelin receptor type 1a (GHSR), and the β2-adernergic receptor (β2AR). Using phosphomimetic variants, we identified pre-formed secondary structure elements, or short linear motifs (SLiMs), that undergo specific conformational transitions upon phosphorylation. Of importance, such conformational transitions appear to favor arrestin-2 binding. Hence, our results suggest a model in which the phosphorylation-dependent structuration of the GPCR C-terminal regions would modulate arrestin binding and therefore signaling outcomes in arrestin-dependent pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Guillien
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Assia Mouhand
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Amin Sagar
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélie Fournet
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Allemand
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Glaécia A N Pereira
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-5247, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélien Thureau
- HélioBio Section, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin BP 48, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pau Bernadó
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Louis Banères
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR-5247, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Nathalie Sibille
- Centre de Biologie Structurale (CBS), CNRS, University Montpellier, Inserm, Montpellier, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Papageorgiou AC, Pospisilova M, Cibulka J, Ashraf R, Waudby CA, Kadeřávek P, Maroz V, Kubicek K, Prokop Z, Krejci L, Tripsianes K. Recognition and coacervation of G-quadruplexes by a multifunctional disordered region in RECQ4 helicase. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6751. [PMID: 37875529 PMCID: PMC10598209 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42503-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular polyelectrolyte complexes can be formed between oppositely charged intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins or between IDRs and nucleic acids. Highly charged IDRs are abundant in the nucleus, yet few have been functionally characterized. Here, we show that a positively charged IDR within the human ATP-dependent DNA helicase Q4 (RECQ4) forms coacervates with G-quadruplexes (G4s). We describe a three-step model of charge-driven coacervation by integrating equilibrium and kinetic binding data in a global numerical model. The oppositely charged IDR and G4 molecules form a complex in the solution that follows a rapid nucleation-growth mechanism leading to a dynamic equilibrium between dilute and condensed phases. We also discover a physical interaction with Replication Protein A (RPA) and demonstrate that the IDR can switch between the two extremes of the structural continuum of complexes. The structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic profile of its interactions revealed a dynamic disordered complex with nucleic acids and a static ordered complex with RPA protein. The two mutually exclusive binding modes suggest a regulatory role for the IDR in RECQ4 function by enabling molecular handoffs. Our study extends the functional repertoire of IDRs and demonstrates a role of polyelectrolyte complexes involved in G4 binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Papageorgiou
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Pospisilova
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Cibulka
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Raghib Ashraf
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Christopher A Waudby
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Pavel Kadeřávek
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Volha Maroz
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Kubicek
- CEITEC-Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Prokop
- Loschmidt Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lumir Krejci
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dyson HJ, Wright PE. From Immunogenic Peptides to Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Isr J Chem 2023; 63:e202300051. [PMID: 38454968 PMCID: PMC10919381 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202300051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
It is hard to evaluate the role of individual mentors in the genesis of important ideas. In the case of our realization that proteins do not have to be stably folded to be functional, the influence of Richard Lerner and our collaborative work in the 1980s on the conformations of immunogenic peptides provided a base level of thinking about the nature of polypeptides in water solutions that led us to formulate and develop our ideas on the importance of intrinsic disorder in proteins. This review describes how the insights gained into the behavior of peptides led directly to the realization that proteins were not only capable of being functional while disordered, but also that disorder provided a distinct functional advantage in many important cellular processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Jane Dyson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Peter E Wright
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Matsui Y, Djekidel MN, Lindsay K, Samir P, Connolly N, Wu G, Yang X, Fan Y, Xu B, Peng JC. SNIP1 and PRC2 coordinate cell fates of neural progenitors during brain development. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4754. [PMID: 37553330 PMCID: PMC10409800 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell survival versus death is a developmentally programmed process essential for morphogenesis, sizing, and quality control of genome integrity and cell fates. Cell death is pervasive during development, but its programming is little known. Here, we report that Smad nuclear interacting protein 1 (SNIP1) promotes neural progenitor cell survival and neurogenesis and is, therefore, integral to brain development. The SNIP1-depleted brain exhibits dysplasia with robust induction of caspase 9-dependent apoptosis. Mechanistically, SNIP1 regulates target genes that promote cell survival and neurogenesis, and its activities are influenced by TGFβ and NFκB signaling pathways. Further, SNIP1 facilitates the genomic occupancy of Polycomb complex PRC2 and instructs H3K27me3 turnover at target genes. Depletion of PRC2 is sufficient to reduce apoptosis and brain dysplasia and to partially restore genetic programs in the SNIP1-depleted brain in vivo. These findings suggest a loci-specific regulation of PRC2 and H3K27 marks to toggle cell survival and death in the developing brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yurika Matsui
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Mohamed Nadhir Djekidel
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Katherine Lindsay
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Parimal Samir
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Medical Research Building, Room 7, 138E, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Nina Connolly
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Yang
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yiping Fan
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Jamy C Peng
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Su X, Pang YT, Li W, Gumbart JC, Kelley J, Torres M. N-terminal intrinsic disorder is an ancestral feature of Gγ subunits that influences the balance between different Gβγ signaling axes in yeast. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104947. [PMID: 37354971 PMCID: PMC10393545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated G protein-coupled receptors promote the dissociation of heterotrimeric G proteins into Gα and Gβγ subunits that bind to effector proteins to drive intracellular signaling responses. In yeast, Gβγ subunits coordinate the simultaneous activation of multiple signaling axes in response to mating pheromones, including MAP kinase (MAPK)-dependent transcription, cell polarization, and cell cycle arrest responses. The Gγ subunit in this complex contains an N-terminal intrinsically disordered region that governs Gβγ-dependent signal transduction in yeast and mammals. Here, we demonstrate that N-terminal intrinsic disorder is likely an ancestral feature that has been conserved across different Gγ subtypes and organisms. To understand the functional contribution of structural disorder in this region, we introduced precise point mutations that produce a stepwise disorder-to-order transition in the N-terminal tail of the canonical yeast Gγ subunit, Ste18. Mutant tail structures were confirmed using circular dichroism and molecular dynamics and then substituted for the wildtype gene in yeast. We find that increasing the number of helix-stabilizing mutations, but not isometric mutation controls, has a negative and proteasome-independent effect on Ste18 protein levels as well as a differential effect on pheromone-induced levels of active MAPK/Fus3, but not MAPK/Kss1. When expressed at wildtype levels, we further show that mutants with an alpha-helical N terminus exhibit a counterintuitive shift in Gβγ signaling that reduces active MAPK/Fus3 levels whilst increasing cell polarization and cell cycle arrest. These data reveal a role for Gγ subunit intrinsically disordered regions in governing the balance between multiple Gβγ signaling axes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinya Su
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yui Tik Pang
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wei Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - J C Gumbart
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joshua Kelley
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Matthew Torres
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Koren G, Meir S, Holschuh L, Mertens HDT, Ehm T, Yahalom N, Golombek A, Schwartz T, Svergun DI, Saleh OA, Dzubiella J, Beck R. Intramolecular structural heterogeneity altered by long-range contacts in an intrinsically disordered protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220180120. [PMID: 37459524 PMCID: PMC10372579 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220180120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Short-range interactions and long-range contacts drive the 3D folding of structured proteins. The proteins' structure has a direct impact on their biological function. However, nearly 40% of the eukaryotes proteome is composed of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein regions that fluctuate between ensembles of numerous conformations. Therefore, to understand their biological function, it is critical to depict how the structural ensemble statistics correlate to the IDPs' amino acid sequence. Here, using small-angle X-ray scattering and time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (trFRET), we study the intramolecular structural heterogeneity of the neurofilament low intrinsically disordered tail domain (NFLt). Using theoretical results of polymer physics, we find that the Flory scaling exponent of NFLt subsegments correlates linearly with their net charge, ranging from statistics of ideal to self-avoiding chains. Surprisingly, measuring the same segments in the context of the whole NFLt protein, we find that regardless of the peptide sequence, the segments' structural statistics are more expanded than when measured independently. Our findings show that while polymer physics can, to some level, relate the IDP's sequence to its ensemble conformations, long-range contacts between distant amino acids play a crucial role in determining intramolecular structures. This emphasizes the necessity of advanced polymer theories to fully describe IDPs ensembles with the hope that it will allow us to model their biological function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gil Koren
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Sagi Meir
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| | - Lennard Holschuh
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
| | | | - Tamara Ehm
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, MünchenD-80539, Germany
| | - Nadav Yahalom
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Adina Golombek
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Tal Schwartz
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences and Tel Aviv University Center for Light–Matter Interaction, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv6997801, Israel
| | - Dmitri I. Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Hamburg Unit, Hamburg22607, Germany
| | - Omar A. Saleh
- BMSE Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93110
- Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93110
| | - Joachim Dzubiella
- Applied Theoretical Physics-Computational Physics, Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence livMatS @ FIT–Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies, Albert-Ludwigs-Universit Freiburg, FreiburgD-79104, Germany
| | - Roy Beck
- The School of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Condensed Matter, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv69978, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang N, Guan W, Cui S, Ai N. Crowded environments tune the fold-switching in metamorphic proteins. Commun Chem 2023; 6:117. [PMID: 37291449 PMCID: PMC10250422 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-023-00909-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Metamorphic proteins such as circadian clock protein KaiB and human chemokine XCL1 play vital roles in regulating biological processes, including gene expression, circadian clock and innate immune responses, and perform distinct functions in living cell by switching different structures in response to cellular environment stimuli. However, it is unclear how complex and crowded intracellular environments affect conformational rearrangement of metamorphic proteins. Here, the kinetics and thermodynamics of two well-characterized metamorphic proteins, circadian clock protein KaiB and human chemokine XCL1, were quantified in physiologically relevant environments by using NMR spectroscopy, indicating that crowded agents shift equilibrium towards the inactive form (ground-state KaiB and Ltn10-like state XCL1) without disturbing the corresponding structures, and crowded agents have predominantly impact on the exchange rate of XCL1 that switches folds on timescales of seconds, but have slightly impact on the exchange rate of KaiB that switches folds on timescales of hours. Our data shed light on how metamorphic proteins can respond immediately to the changed crowded intracellular conditions that induced by environmental cues and then execute different functions in living cell, and it also enhances our understanding of how environments enrich the sequence-structure-function paradigm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China.
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao, 266101, China.
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, 266101, China.
| | - Wenyan Guan
- Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Shouqi Cui
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Shandong Energy Institute, Qingdao, 266101, China
- Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, Qingdao, 266101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Nana Ai
- Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kumar R. Structure and functions of the N-terminal domain of steroid hormone receptors. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 123:399-416. [PMID: 37717992 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The steroid hormone receptors (SHRs) belong to the large superfamily of nuclear receptors that selectively modulate gene expression in response to specific hormone ligands. The SHRs are required in a broad range of normal physiological processes as well as associated with numerous pathological conditions. Over years, the understanding of the SHR biology and mechanisms of their actions on target cells have found many clinical applications and management of various endocrine-related disorders. However, the effectiveness of SHR-based therapies in endocrine-related cancers remain a clinical challenge. This, in part, is due to the lack of in-depth understanding of structural dynamics and functions of SHRs' intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain (NTD). Recent progress in delineating SHR structural information and their correlations with receptor action in a highly dynamic environment is ultimately helping to explain how diverse SHR signaling mechanisms can elicit selective biological effects. Recent developments are providing new insights of how NTD's structural flexibility plays an important role in SHRs' allosteric regulation leading to the fine tuning of target gene expression to more precisely control SHRs' cell/tissue-specific functions. In this review article, we are discussing the up-to-date knowledge about the SHR actions with a particular emphasis on the structure and functions of the NTD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Touro College of Pharmacy, New York, NY, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Multivalent proteins and nucleic acids, collectively referred to as multivalent associative biomacromolecules, provide the driving forces for the formation and compositional regulation of biomolecular condensates. Here, we review the key concepts of phase transitions of aqueous solutions of associative biomacromolecules, specifically proteins that include folded domains and intrinsically disordered regions. The phase transitions of these systems come under the rubric of coupled associative and segregative transitions. The concepts underlying these processes are presented, and their relevance to biomolecular condensates is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohit V Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Samuel R Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Furqan Dar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Mina Farag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomolecular Condensates (CBC), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Mrityunjoy Kar
- Max Planck Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Functional Analyses of Rare Germline Missense BRCA1 Variants Located within and outside Protein Domains with Known Functions. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020262. [PMID: 36833189 PMCID: PMC9957003 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020262] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The BRCA1 protein is implicated in numerous important cellular processes to prevent genomic instability and tumorigenesis, and pathogenic germline variants predispose carriers to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Most functional studies of missense variants in BRCA1 focus on variants located within the Really Interesting New Gene (RING), coiled-coil and BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) domains, and several missense variants in these regions have been shown to be pathogenic. However, the majority of these studies focus on domain specific assays, and have been performed using isolated protein domains and not the full-length BRCA1 protein. Furthermore, it has been suggested that BRCA1 missense variants located outside domains with known function are of no functional importance, and could be classified as (likely) benign. However, very little is known about the role of the regions outside the well-established domains of BRCA1, and only a few functional studies of missense variants located within these regions have been published. In this study, we have, therefore, functionally evaluated the effect of 14 rare BRCA1 missense variants considered to be of uncertain clinical significance, of which 13 are located outside the well-established domains and one within the RING domain. In order to investigate the hypothesis stating that most BRCA1 variants located outside the known protein domains are benign and of no functional importance, multiple protein assays including protein expression and stability, subcellular localisation and protein interactions have been performed, utilising the full-length protein to better mimic the native state of the protein. Two variants located outside the known domains (p.Met297Val and p.Asp1152Asn) and one variant within the RING domain (p.Leu52Phe) were found to make the BRCA1 protein more prone to proteasome-mediated degradation. In addition, two variants (p.Leu1439Phe and p.Gly890Arg) also located outside known domains were found to have reduced protein stability compared to the wild type protein. These findings indicate that variants located outside the RING, BRCT and coiled-coiled domains could also affect the BRCA1 protein function. For the nine remaining variants, no significant effects on BRCA1 protein functions were observed. Based on this, a reclassification of seven variants from VUS to likely benign could be suggested.
Collapse
|
16
|
Anbo H, Ota M, Fukuchi S. Computational Methods to Predict Intrinsically Disordered Regions and Functional Regions in Them. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2627:231-245. [PMID: 36959451 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2974-1_13] [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: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are protein regions that do not adopt fixed tertiary structures. Since these regions lack ordered three-dimensional structures, they should be excluded from the target portions of homology modeling. IDRs can be predicted from the amino acid sequences, because their amino acid compositions are different from that of the structured domains. This chapter provides a review of the prediction methods of IDRs and a case study of IDR prediction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Anbo
- Faculty of Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Motonori Ota
- Graduate School of Information Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi Fukuchi
- Faculty of Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology, Maebashi, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214050. [PMID: 36430530 PMCID: PMC9693201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many proteins and protein segments cannot attain a single stable three-dimensional structure under physiological conditions; instead, they adopt multiple interconverting conformational states. Such intrinsically disordered proteins or protein segments are highly abundant across proteomes, and are involved in various effector functions. This review focuses on different aspects of disordered proteins and disordered protein regions, which form the basis of the so-called "Disorder-function paradigm" of proteins. Additionally, various experimental approaches and computational tools used for characterizing disordered regions in proteins are discussed. Finally, the role of disordered proteins in diseases and their utility as potential drug targets are explored.
Collapse
|
18
|
Biran A, Myers N, Steinberger S, Adler J, Riutin M, Broennimann K, Reuven N, Shaul Y. The C-Terminus of the PSMA3 Proteasome Subunit Preferentially Traps Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Degradation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203231. [PMID: 36291102 PMCID: PMC9600399 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The degradation of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) by a non-26S proteasome process does not require proteasomal targeting by polyubiquitin. However, whether and how IDPs are recognized by the non-26S proteasome, including the 20S complex, remains unknown. Analyses of protein interactome datasets revealed that the 20S proteasome subunit, PSMA3, preferentially interacts with many IDPs. In vivo and cell-free experiments revealed that the C-terminus of PSMA3, a 69-amino-acids-long fragment, is an IDP trapper. A recombinant trapper is sufficient to interact with many IDPs, and blocks IDP degradation in vitro by the 20S proteasome, possibly by competing with the native trapper. In addition, over a third of the PSMA3 trapper-binding proteins have previously been identified as 20S proteasome substrates and, based on published datasets, many of the trapper-binding proteins are associated with the intracellular proteasomes. The PSMA3-trapped IDPs that are proteasome substrates have the unique features previously recognized as characteristic 20S proteasome substrates in vitro. We propose a model whereby the PSMA3 C-terminal region traps a subset of IDPs to facilitate their proteasomal degradation.
Collapse
|
19
|
Corrigan AN, Lemkul JA. Electronic Polarization at the Interface between the p53 Transactivation Domain and Two Binding Partners. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:4814-4827. [PMID: 35749260 PMCID: PMC9267131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c02268] [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: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are an abundant class of highly charged proteins that participate in numerous crucial biological processes, often in regulatory roles. IDPs do not have one major free energy minimum with a dominant structure, instead existing as conformational ensembles of multiple semistable conformations. p53 is a prototypical protein with disordered regions and binds to many structurally diverse partners, making it a useful model for exploring the role of electrostatic interactions at IDP binding interfaces. In this study, we used the Drude-2019 force field to simulate the p53 transactivation domain with two protein partners to probe the role of electrostatic interactions in IDP protein-protein interactions. We found that the Drude-2019 polarizable force field reasonably reproduced experimental chemical shifts of the p53 transactivation domain (TAD) in one complex for which these data are available. We also found that the proteins in these complexes displayed dipole response at specific residues of each protein and that residues primarily involved in binding showed a large percent change in dipole moment between the unbound and complexed states. Probing the role of electrostatic interactions in IDP binding can allow us greater fundamental understanding of these interactions and may help with targeting p53 or its partners for drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin A. Lemkul
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 20461, United States,Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 20461, United States,Corresponding Author: , Address: 111 Engel Hall, 340 West Campus Dr., Blacksburg, VA 24061, Phone: +1 (540) 231-3129
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Choo M, Oh S, Jo S, Jin X, Song Y, Wen H, Park S, Kang S. Highly conserved protein Rv1211 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a natively unfolded protein that binds to a calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 610:182-187. [PMID: 35468422 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Rv1211 is a conserved hypothetical protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is required for the growth and pathogenesis of the bacteria. The protein has been suggested as a calmodulin-like calcium-binding protein with an EF-hand motif and as a target of trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist in eukaryotes that inhibits mycobacterial growth. Here, we expressed the recombinant protein of Rv1211 and performed structural and biochemical studies of Rv1211 and its interaction with Ca2+ or trifluoperazine. Surprisingly, Rv1211 exhibited an elution property typical of a natively unfolded protein. Subsequent circular dichroism experiments with temperature elevation and trifluoroethanol treatment showed that Rv1211 has unfolded structure. Additional NMR experiment confirmed the unfolded state of the protein and further showed that it does not bind to Ca2+. Still, Rv1211 did bind to trifluoperazine, as evidenced by the two-dimensional NMR spectra of 15N-labeled Rv1211. However, there were no peak shifts upon binding, showing that Rv1211 retained its unfolded state even after the trifluoperazine binding. The residues involved in the binding were clustered in the C-terminal region, as identified by the sequence assignment. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that the Kd of trifluoperazine-Rv1211 binding is 41 μM and that the stoichiometry is 1 : 2 (Rv1211: trifluoperazine). Our results argue against the suggestion of Rv1211 as a Ca2+-binding calmodulin-like protein, and show that Rv1211 is a natively unfolded protein that binds to trifluoperazine. In addition, our results suggest the evidence of the "Fuzziness" in the Rv1211-trifluoperazine interaction that differs from the conventional binding-induced folding of natively unfolded proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Munki Choo
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyun Oh
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sihyang Jo
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Xing Jin
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yonghyun Song
- Department of Biochemistry, Inha University Hospital, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - He Wen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Sunghyouk Park
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sunmi Kang
- Natural Product Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-Ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ticli G, Cazzalini O, Stivala LA, Prosperi E. Revisiting the Function of p21CDKN1A in DNA Repair: The Influence of Protein Interactions and Stability. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137058. [PMID: 35806061 PMCID: PMC9267019 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The p21CDKN1A protein is an important player in the maintenance of genome stability through its function as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, leading to cell-cycle arrest after genotoxic damage. In the DNA damage response, p21 interacts with specific proteins to integrate cell-cycle arrest with processes such as transcription, apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell motility. By associating with Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), the master of DNA replication, p21 is able to inhibit DNA synthesis. However, to avoid conflicts with this process, p21 protein levels are finely regulated by pathways of proteasomal degradation during the S phase, and in all the phases of the cell cycle, after DNA damage. Several lines of evidence have indicated that p21 is required for the efficient repair of different types of genotoxic lesions and, more recently, that p21 regulates DNA replication fork speed. Therefore, whether p21 is an inhibitor, or rather a regulator, of DNA replication and repair needs to be re-evaluated in light of these findings. In this review, we will discuss the lines of evidence describing how p21 is involved in DNA repair and will focus on the influence of protein interactions and p21 stability on the efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Ticli
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ornella Cazzalini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (O.C.); (L.A.S.)
| | - Lucia A. Stivala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare, Università di Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (O.C.); (L.A.S.)
| | - Ennio Prosperi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0382-986267
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ghosh C, Jana B. Curious Case of MAD2 Protein: Diverse Folding Intermediates Leading to Alternate Native States. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:1904-1916. [PMID: 35230837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Anfinsen's dogma postulates that for one sequence there will be only one unique structure that is necessary for the functioning of the protein. However, over the years there have been a number of departures from this postulate. As far as function is considered, there are growing examples of proteins that "moonlight", perform multiple unrelated functions. With the discovery of intrinsically disordered proteins, morpheeins, chameleonic sequences, and metamorphic proteins that can switch folds, we have acquired a more nuanced understanding of protein folding and dynamics. Appearing to apparently contradict the classical folding paradigm, metamorphic proteins are considered exotic species. In this work, we have explored the free energy landscape and folding pathways of the metamorphic protein MAD2 which is an important component of the spindle checkpoint. It coexists in two alternate states: the inactive open state and the active closed state. Using a dual-basin structure-based model approach we have shown that a variety of intermediates and multiple pathways are available to MAD2 to fold into its alternate forms. This approach involves performing molecular dynamics simulations of coarse-grained models of MAD2 where the structural information regarding both of its native conformations is explicitly included in terms of their native contacts in the force field used. Detailed analyses have indicated that some of the contacts within the protein play a key role in determining which folding pathway will be selected and point to a probable long-range communication between the N and the C termini of the protein that seems to control its folding. Finally, our work also provides a rationale for the experimentally observed preference of the ΔC10 variant of MAD2 to exist in the open state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Ghosh
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Biman Jana
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bondos SE, Dunker AK, Uversky VN. Intrinsically disordered proteins play diverse roles in cell signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:20. [PMID: 35177069 PMCID: PMC8851865 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Signaling pathways allow cells to detect and respond to a wide variety of chemical (e.g. Ca2+ or chemokine proteins) and physical stimuli (e.g., sheer stress, light). Together, these pathways form an extensive communication network that regulates basic cell activities and coordinates the function of multiple cells or tissues. The process of cell signaling imposes many demands on the proteins that comprise these pathways, including the abilities to form active and inactive states, and to engage in multiple protein interactions. Furthermore, successful signaling often requires amplifying the signal, regulating or tuning the response to the signal, combining information sourced from multiple pathways, all while ensuring fidelity of the process. This sensitivity, adaptability, and tunability are possible, in part, due to the inclusion of intrinsically disordered regions in many proteins involved in cell signaling. The goal of this collection is to highlight the many roles of intrinsic disorder in cell signaling. Following an overview of resources that can be used to study intrinsically disordered proteins, this review highlights the critical role of intrinsically disordered proteins for signaling in widely diverse organisms (animals, plants, bacteria, fungi), in every category of cell signaling pathway (autocrine, juxtacrine, intracrine, paracrine, and endocrine) and at each stage (ligand, receptor, transducer, effector, terminator) in the cell signaling process. Thus, a cell signaling pathway cannot be fully described without understanding how intrinsically disordered protein regions contribute to its function. The ubiquitous presence of intrinsic disorder in different stages of diverse cell signaling pathways suggest that more mechanisms by which disorder modulates intra- and inter-cell signals remain to be discovered. Graphical abstract ![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Bondos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - A Keith Dunker
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.,Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia, 142290
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dogra P, Arya S, Singh AK, Datta A, Mukhopadhyay S. Conformational and Solvation Dynamics of an Amyloidogenic Intrinsically Disordered Domain of a Melanosomal Protein. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:443-452. [PMID: 34986640 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c09304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The conformational plasticity of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) allows them to adopt a range of conformational states that can be important for their biological functions. The driving force for the conformational preference of an IDP emanates from an intricate interplay between chain-chain and chain-solvent interactions. Using ultrafast femtosecond and picosecond time-resolved fluorescence measurements, we characterized the conformational and solvation dynamics around the N- and C-terminal segments of a disordered repeat domain of a melanosomal protein Pmel17 that forms functional amyloid responsible for melanin biosynthesis. Our time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy results revealed slight compaction and slower rotational dynamics around the amyloidogenic C-terminal segment when compared to the proline-rich N-terminal segment of the repeat domain. The compaction of the C-terminal region was also associated with the restrained mobility of hydration water as indicated by our solvation dynamics measurements. Our findings indicate that sequence-dependent chain-solvent interactions govern both the conformational and solvation dynamics that are crucial in directing the conversion of a highly dynamic IDP into an ordered amyloid assembly. Such an interplay of amino acid composition-dependent conformational and solvation dynamics might have important physicochemical consequences in specific water-protein, ion-protein, and protein-protein interactions involved in amyloid formation and phase transitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Avinash K Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
| | - Anindya Datta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Laura Darriba M, Castro CP, Coria LM, Bruno L, Laura Cerutti M, Otero LH, Chemes LB, Rasia RM, Klinke S, Cassataro J, Pasquevich KA. A disordered region retains the full protease inhibitor activity and the capacity to induce CD8+ T cells in vivo of the oral vaccine adjuvant U-Omp19. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5098-5114. [PMID: 36187929 PMCID: PMC9486555 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Laura Darriba
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celeste Pueblas Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena M. Coria
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Bruno
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M. Laura Cerutti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lisandro H. Otero
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, and Plataforma Argentina de Biología Estructural y Metabolómica PLABEM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía B. Chemes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo M. Rasia
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina and Plataforma Argentina de Biología Estructural y Metabolómica PLABEM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Klinke
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, and Plataforma Argentina de Biología Estructural y Metabolómica PLABEM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juliana Cassataro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina A. Pasquevich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (EByN), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Alghamdi M, Alamry SA, Bahlas SM, Uversky VN, Redwan EM. Circulating extracellular vesicles and rheumatoid arthritis: a proteomic analysis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:25. [PMID: 34971426 PMCID: PMC11072894 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles secreted by most cells for intracellular communication and transportation of biomolecules. EVs carry proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and receptors that are involved in human physiology and pathology. EV cargo is variable and highly related to the type and state of the cellular origin. Three subtypes of EVs have been identified: exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Exosomes are the smallest and the most well-studied class of EVs that regulate different biological processes and participate in several diseases, such as cancers and autoimmune diseases. Proteomic analysis of exosomes succeeded in profiling numerous types of proteins involved in disease development and prognosis. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), exosomes revealed a potential function in joint inflammation. These EVs possess a unique function, as they can transfer specific autoantigens and mediators between distant cells. Current proteomic data demonstrated that exosomes could provide beneficial effects against autoimmunity and exert an immunosuppressive action, particularly in RA. Based on these observations, effective therapeutic strategies have been developed for arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alghamdi
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory Department, University Medical Services Center, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Abdulmughni Alamry
- Immunology Diagnostic Laboratory Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, P.O Box 80215, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sami M Bahlas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80215, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- Therapeutic and Protective Proteins Laboratory, Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg EL-Arab, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ameri M, Nezafat N, Eskandari S. The potential of intrinsically disordered regions in vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:1-3. [PMID: 34693831 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.1997600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Ameri
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Al Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Eskandari
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Uversky VN, Kulkarni P. Intrinsically disordered proteins: Chronology of a discovery. Biophys Chem 2021; 279:106694. [PMID: 34607199 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2021.106694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsic disorder is a new reality that appears to penetrate every corner of modern protein science. It is difficult to imagine that only 20 years ago the situation was completely different, and almost nobody had heard about 'structure-less' but functional proteins. As a matter of fact, for many at that time, this idea was completely heretical when viewed in light of the then dominating lock-and-key model describing the protein structure-function relationship, where a unique amino acid sequence defines a unique crystal-like 3D structure that serves as a prerequisite for a unique function of a protein. It seems like the entire field of protein intrinsic disorder has magically emerged at the turn of the century due to a revelation to a small group of researchers. Although this may very well be true, literature shows that the first observations contradicting the lock-and-key view of protein functionality started to appear almost immediately after this model was proposed. The goal of this article is to provide a brief chronology (though admittedly a subjective one) of the events in the field of protein science that eventually culminated in the discovery of the protein intrinsic disorder phenomenon. The entire process represents a good example of the "dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants" (Latin: nanos gigantum humeris insidentes) metaphor, where the truth is discovered by building on previous discoveries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States; Center for Molecular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institutskiy pereulok, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141700 Moscow region, Russia.
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Singh RS. Decoding 'Unnecessary Complexity': A Law of Complexity and a Concept of Hidden Variation Behind "Missing Heritability" in Precision Medicine. J Mol Evol 2021; 89:513-526. [PMID: 34341835 PMCID: PMC8327892 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-10023-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The high hopes for the Human Genome Project and personalized medicine were not met because the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes turned out to be more complex than expected. In a previous study we laid the foundation of a theory of complexity and showed that because of the blind nature of evolution, and molecular and historical contingency, cells have accumulated unnecessary complexity, complexity beyond what is necessary and sufficient to describe an organism. Here we provide empirical evidence and show that unnecessary complexity has become integrated into the genome in the form of redundancy and is relevant to molecular evolution of phenotypic complexity. Unnecessary complexity creates uncertainty between molecular and phenotypic complexity, such that phenotypic complexity (CP) is higher than molecular complexity (CM), which is higher than DNA complexity (CD). The qualitative inequality in complexity is based on the following hierarchy: CP > CM > CD. This law-like relationship holds true for all complex traits, including complex diseases. We present a hypothesis of two types of variation, namely open and closed (hidden) systems, show that hidden variation provides a hitherto undiscovered "third source" of phenotypic variation, beside genotype and environment, and argue that "missing heritability" for some complex diseases is likely to be a case of "diluted heritability". There is a need for radically new ways of thinking about the principles of genotype-phenotype relationship. Understanding how cells use hidden, pathway variation to respond to stress can shed light on why two individuals who share the same risk factors may not develop the same disease, or how cancer cells escape death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rama S Singh
- Department of Biology, and Origins Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S4K1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ruff KM, Pappu RV. AlphaFold and Implications for Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167208. [PMID: 34418423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Accurate predictions of the three-dimensional structures of proteins from their amino acid sequences have come of age. AlphaFold, a deep learning-based approach to protein structure prediction, shows remarkable success in independent assessments of prediction accuracy. A significant epoch in structural bioinformatics was the structural annotation of over 98% of protein sequences in the human proteome. Interestingly, many predictions feature regions of very low confidence, and these regions largely overlap with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). That over 30% of regions within the proteome are disordered is congruent with estimates that have been made over the past two decades, as intense efforts have been undertaken to generalize the structure-function paradigm to include the importance of conformational heterogeneity and dynamics. With structural annotations from AlphaFold in hand, there is the temptation to draw inferences regarding the "structures" of IDRs and their interactomes. Here, we offer a cautionary note regarding the misinterpretations that might ensue and highlight efforts that provide concrete understanding of sequence-ensemble-function relationships of IDRs. This perspective is intended to emphasize the importance of IDRs in sequence-function relationships (SERs) and to highlight how one might go about extracting quantitative SERs to make sense of how IDRs function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiersten M Ruff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Science & Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Box 1097, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Rohit V Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Science & Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Box 1097, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Das M, Chen N, LiWang A, Wang LP. Identification and characterization of metamorphic proteins: Current and future perspectives. Biopolymers 2021; 112:e23473. [PMID: 34528703 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that can reversibly alternate between distinctly different folds under native conditions are described as being metamorphic. The "metamorphome" is the collection of all metamorphic proteins in the proteome, but it remains unknown the extent to which the proteome is populated by this class of proteins. We propose that uncovering the metamorphome will require a synergy of computational screening of protein sequences to identify potential metamorphic behavior and validation through experimental techniques. This perspective discusses computational and experimental approaches that are currently used to predict and characterize metamorphic proteins as well as the need for developing improved methodologies. Since metamorphic proteins act as molecular switches, understanding their properties and behavior could lead to novel applications of these proteins as sensors in biological or environmental contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Das
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, California, USA
| | - Nanhao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Andy LiWang
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, California, USA.,Center for Circadian Biology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Lee-Ping Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Marzullo L, Turco MC, Uversky VN. What's in the BAGs? Intrinsic disorder angle of the multifunctionality of the members of a family of chaperone regulators. J Cell Biochem 2021; 123:22-42. [PMID: 34339540 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In humans, the family of Bcl-2 associated athanogene (BAG) proteins includes six members characterized by exceptional multifunctionality and engagement in the pathogenesis of various diseases. All of them are capable of interacting with a multitude of often unrelated binding partners. Such binding promiscuity and related functional and pathological multifacetedness cannot be explained or understood within the frames of the classical "one protein-one structure-one function" model, which also fails to explain the presence of multiple isoforms generated for BAG proteins by alternative splicing or alternative translation initiation and their extensive posttranslational modifications. However, all these mysteries can be solved by taking into account the intrinsic disorder phenomenon. In fact, high binding promiscuity and potential to participate in a broad spectrum of interactions with multiple binding partners, as well as a capability to be multifunctional and multipathogenic, are some of the characteristic features of intrinsically disordered proteins and intrinsically disordered protein regions. Such functional proteins or protein regions lacking unique tertiary structures constitute a cornerstone of the protein structure-function continuum concept. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the functional roles of human BAG proteins from the perspective of protein intrinsic disorder which will provide a means for understanding their binding promiscuity, multifunctionality, and relation to the pathogenesis of various diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liberato Marzullo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Schola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Research and Development Division, BIOUNIVERSA s.r.l., Baronissi, Italy
| | - Maria C Turco
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry Schola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,Research and Development Division, BIOUNIVERSA s.r.l., Baronissi, Italy
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Telek E, Karádi K, Kardos J, Kengyel A, Fekete Z, Halász H, Nyitrai M, Bugyi B, Lukács A. The C-terminal tail extension of myosin 16 acts as a molten globule, including intrinsically disordered regions, and interacts with the N-terminal ankyrin. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100716. [PMID: 33930467 PMCID: PMC8253979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The lesser-known unconventional myosin 16 protein is essential in proper neuronal functioning and has been implicated in cell cycle regulation. Its longer Myo16b isoform contains a C-terminal tail extension (Myo16Tail), which has been shown to play a role in the neuronal phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. Myo16Tail mediates the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, downregulates the actin dynamics at the postsynaptic site of dendritic spines, and is involved in the organization of the presynaptic axon terminals. However, the functional and structural features of this C-terminal tail extension are not well known. Here, we report the purification and biophysical characterization of the Myo16Tail by bioinformatics, fluorescence spectroscopy, and CD. Our results revealed that the Myo16Tail is functionally active and interacts with the N-terminal ankyrin domain of myosin 16, suggesting an intramolecular binding between the C and N termini of Myo16 as an autoregulatory mechanism involving backfolding of the motor domain. In addition, the Myo16Tail possesses high structural flexibility and a solvent-exposed hydrophobic core, indicating the largely unstructured, intrinsically disordered nature of this protein region. Some secondary structure elements were also observed, indicating that the Myo16Tail likely adopts a molten globule-like structure. These structural features imply that the Myo16Tail may function as a flexible display site particularly relevant in post-translational modifications, regulatory functions such as backfolding, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elek Telek
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Karádi
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Kengyel
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Fekete
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Henriett Halász
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Miklós Nyitrai
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Beáta Bugyi
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - András Lukács
- Department of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; MTA-PTE Nuclear-Mitochondrial Interactions Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Szentágothai Research Center, Pécs, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Hernandez DP, Dittmar G. Peptide array-based interactomics. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:5561-5566. [PMID: 33942139 PMCID: PMC8092715 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is essential for the understanding of cellular signaling. Besides probing PPIs with immunoprecipitation-based techniques, peptide pull-downs are an alternative tool specifically useful to study interactome changes induced by post-translational modifications. Peptides for pull-downs can be chemically synthesized and thus offer the possibility to include amino acid exchanges and post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the pull-down reaction. The combination of peptide pull-down and analysis of the binding partners with mass spectrometry offers the direct measurement of interactome changes induced by PTMs or by amino acid exchanges in the interaction site. The possibility of large-scale peptide synthesis on a membrane surface opened the possibility to systematically analyze interactome changes for mutations of many proteins at the same time. Short linear motifs (SLiMs) are amino acid patterns that can mediate protein binding. A significant number of SLiMs are located in regions of proteins, which are lacking a secondary structure, making the interaction motifs readily available for binding reactions. Peptides are particularly well suited to study protein interactions, which are based on SLiM-mediated binding. New technologies using arrayed peptides for interaction studies are able to identify SLIM-based interaction and identify the interaction motifs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Perez Hernandez
- Proteomics of Cellular Signalling, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1 A Rue Thomas Edison, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Gunnar Dittmar
- Proteomics of Cellular Signalling, Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 1 A Rue Thomas Edison, 1445, Strassen, Luxembourg. .,Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Alderson TR, Kay LE. NMR spectroscopy captures the essential role of dynamics in regulating biomolecular function. Cell 2021; 184:577-595. [PMID: 33545034 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Biomolecules are in constant motion. To understand how they function, and why malfunctions can cause disease, it is necessary to describe their three-dimensional structures in terms of dynamic conformational ensembles. Here, we demonstrate how nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides an essential, dynamic view of structural biology that captures biomolecular motions at atomic resolution. We focus on examples that emphasize the diversity of biomolecules and biochemical applications that are amenable to NMR, such as elucidating functional dynamics in large molecular machines, characterizing transient conformations implicated in the onset of disease, and obtaining atomic-level descriptions of intrinsically disordered regions that make weak interactions involved in liquid-liquid phase separation. Finally, we discuss the pivotal role that NMR has played in driving forward our understanding of the biomolecular dynamics-function paradigm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Reid Alderson
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S A18, Canada.
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S A18, Canada; Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hong S, Choi S, Kim R, Koh J. Mechanisms of Macromolecular Interactions Mediated by Protein Intrinsic Disorder. Mol Cells 2020; 43:899-908. [PMID: 33243935 PMCID: PMC7700844 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2020.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins or regions (IDPs or IDRs) are widespread in the eukaryotic proteome. Although lacking stable three-dimensional structures in the free forms, IDRs perform critical functions in various cellular processes. Accordingly, mutations and altered expression of IDRs are associated with many pathological conditions. Hence, it is of great importance to understand at the molecular level how IDRs interact with their binding partners. In particular, discovering the unique interaction features of IDRs originating from their dynamic nature may reveal uncharted regulatory mechanisms of specific biological processes. Here we discuss the mechanisms of the macromolecular interactions mediated by IDRs and present the relevant cellular processes including transcription, cell cycle progression, signaling, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. Of special interest is the multivalent binding nature of IDRs driving assembly of multicomponent macromolecular complexes. Integrating the previous theoretical and experimental investigations, we suggest that such IDR-driven multiprotein complexes can function as versatile allosteric switches to process diverse cellular signals. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and potential medical applications of the IDR research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunghyun Hong
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sangmin Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Ryeonghyeon Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Junseock Koh
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Uversky VN. Functions of short lifetime biological structures at large: the case of intrinsically disordered proteins. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 19:60-68. [PMID: 29982297 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/ely023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although for more than a century a protein function was intimately associated with the presence of unique structure in a protein molecule, recent years witnessed a skyrocket rise of the appreciation of protein intrinsic disorder concept that emphasizes the importance of the biologically active proteins without ordered structures. In different proteins, the depth and breadth of disorder penetrance are different, generating an amusing spatiotemporal heterogeneity of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered protein region regions (IDPRs), which are typically described as highly dynamic ensembles of rapidly interconverting conformations (or a multitude of short lifetime structures). IDPs/IDPRs constitute a substantial part of protein kingdom and have unique functions complementary to functional repertoires of ordered proteins. They are recognized as interaction specialists and global controllers that play crucial roles in regulation of functions of their binding partners and in controlling large biological networks. IDPs/IDPRs are characterized by immense binding promiscuity and are able to use a broad spectrum of binding modes, often resulting in the formation of short lifetime complexes. In their turn, functions of IDPs and IDPRs are controlled by various means, such as numerous posttranslational modifications and alternative splicing. Some of the functions of IDPs/IDPRs are briefly considered in this review to shed some light on the biological roles of short-lived structures at large.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA and Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Nordyke CT, Ahmed YM, Puterbaugh RZ, Bowman GR, Varga K. Intrinsically Disordered Bacterial Polar Organizing Protein Z, PopZ, Interacts with Protein Binding Partners Through an N-terminal Molecular Recognition Feature. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:6092-6107. [PMID: 33058876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The polar organizing protein Z (PopZ) is necessary for the formation of three-dimensional microdomains at the cell poles in Caulobacter crescentus, where it functions as a hub protein that recruits multiple regulatory proteins from the cytoplasm. Although a large portion of the protein is predicted to be natively unstructured, in reconstituted systems PopZ can self-assemble into a macromolecular scaffold that directly binds to at least ten different proteins. Here we report the solution NMR structure of PopZΔ134-177, a truncated form of PopZ that does not self-assemble but retains the ability to interact with heterologous proteins. We show that the unbound form of PopZΔ134-177 is unstructured in solution, with the exception of a small amphipathic α-helix in residues M10-I17, which is included within a highly conserved region near the N-terminal. In applying NMR techniques to map the interactions between PopZΔ134-177 and one of its binding partners, RcdA, we find evidence that the α-helix and adjoining amino acids extending to position E23 serve as the core of the binding motif. Consistent with this, a point mutation at position I17 severely compromises binding. Our results show that a partially structured Molecular Recognition Feature (MoRF) within an intrinsically disordered domain of PopZ contributes to the assembly of polar microdomains, revealing a structural basis for complex network assembly in Alphaproteobacteria that is analogous to those formed by intrinsically disordered hub proteins in other kingdoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Nordyke
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Yasin M Ahmed
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, United States
| | - Ryan Z Puterbaugh
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States
| | - Grant R Bowman
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, United States.
| | - Krisztina Varga
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Elrashdy F, Redwan EM, Uversky VN. Intrinsic disorder perspective of an interplay between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and SARS-CoV-2. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 85:104510. [PMID: 32853823 PMCID: PMC7444473 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 walks the planet causing the rapid spread of the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has especially deleterious consequences for the patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell involves interaction of the virus (via the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of its spike glycoprotein) with the membrane-bound form of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) followed by the virus-ACE2 complex internalization by the cell. Since ACE2 is expressed in various tissues, such as brain, gut, heart, kidney, and lung, and since these organs represent obvious targets for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, therapeutic approaches were developed to either inhibit ACE2 or reduce its expression as a means of prevention of the virus entry into the corresponding host cells. The problem here is that in addition to be a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells, ACE2 acts as a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) aimed at the generation of a cascade of vasoactive peptides coordinating several physiological processes. In RAAS, ACE2 degrades angiotensin II, which is a multifunctional CVD-promoting peptide hormone and converts it to a heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) acting as the angiotensin II antagonist. As protein multifunctionality is commonly associated with the presence of flexible or disordered regions, we analyze here the intrinsic disorder predisposition of major players related to the SARS-CoV-2 - RAAS axis. We show that all considered proteins contain intrinsically disordered regions that might have specific functions. Since intrinsic disorder might play a role in the functionality of query proteins and be related to the COVID-19 pathogenesis, this work represents an important disorder-based outlook of an interplay between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and SARS-CoV-2. It also suggests that consideration of the intrinsic disorder phenomenon should be added to the modern arsenal of means for drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Elrashdy
- Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Kasr Alainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Biological Science Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Biological Science Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Institute for Biological Instrumentation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", Pushchino, Moscow region 142290, Russia; Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC07, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Van Bibber NW, Haerle C, Khalife R, Dayhoff GW, Uversky VN. Intrinsic Disorder in Human Proteins Encoded by Core Duplicon Gene Families. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:8050-8070. [PMID: 32880174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c07676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Segmental duplications (i.e., highly homologous DNA fragments greater than 1 kb in length that are present within a genome at more than one site) are typically found in genome regions that are prone to rearrangements. A noticeable fraction of the human genome (∼5%) includes segmental duplications (or duplicons) that are assumed to play a number of vital roles in human evolution, human-specific adaptation, and genomic instability. Despite their importance for crucial events such as synaptogenesis, neuronal migration, and neocortical expansion, these segmental duplications continue to be rather poorly characterized. Of particular interest are the core duplicon gene (CDG) families, which are replicates sharing common "core" DNA among the randomly attached pieces and which expand along single chromosomes and might harbor newly acquired protein domains. Another important feature of proteins encoded by CDG families is their multifunctionality. Although it seems that these proteins might possess many characteristic features of intrinsically disordered proteins, to the best of our knowledge, a systematic investigation of the intrinsic disorder predisposition of the proteins encoded by core duplicon gene families has not been conducted yet. To fill this gap and to determine the degree to which these proteins might be affected by intrinsic disorder, we analyzed a set of human proteins encoded by the members of 10 core duplicon gene families, such as NBPF, RGPD, GUSBP, PMS2P, SPATA31, TRIM51, GOLGA8, NPIP, TBC1D3, and LRRC37. Our analysis revealed that the vast majority of these proteins are highly disordered, with their disordered regions often being utilized as means for the protein-protein interactions and/or targeted for numerous posttranslational modifications of different nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan W Van Bibber
- Department of Molecular Medicine Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Cornelia Haerle
- Department of Molecular Medicine Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Roy Khalife
- Department of Molecular Medicine Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States
| | - Guy W Dayhoff
- Department of Chemistry, College of Art and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States.,USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33612, United States.,Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center "Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences", 4 Institutskaya St., Pushchino, 142290, Moscow Region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sequence-Based Prediction of Metamorphic Behavior in Proteins. Biophys J 2020; 119:1380-1390. [PMID: 32937108 PMCID: PMC7567988 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of proteins have been demonstrated in recent years to adopt multiple three-dimensional folds with different functions. These metamorphic proteins are characterized by having two or more folds with significant differences in their secondary structure, in which each fold is stabilized by a distinct local environment. So far, ∼90 metamorphic proteins have been identified in the Protein Databank, but we and others hypothesize that a far greater number of metamorphic proteins remain undiscovered. In this work, we introduce a computational model to predict metamorphic behavior in proteins using only knowledge of the sequence. In this model, secondary structure prediction programs are used to calculate diversity indices, which are measures of uncertainty in predicted secondary structure at each position in the sequence; these are then used to assign protein sequences as likely to be metamorphic versus monomorphic (i.e., having just one fold). We constructed a reference data set to train our classification method, which includes a novel compilation of 136 likely monomorphic proteins and a set of 201 metamorphic protein structures taken from the literature. Our model is able to classify proteins as metamorphic versus monomorphic with a Matthews correlation coefficient of ∼0.36 and true positive/true negative rates of ∼65%/80%, suggesting that it is possible to predict metamorphic behavior in proteins using only sequence information.
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Most cytosolic eukaryotic proteins contain a mixture of ordered and disordered regions. Disordered regions facilitate cell signaling by concentrating sites for posttranslational modifications and protein-protein interactions into arrays of short linear motifs that can be reorganized by RNA splicing. The evolution of disordered regions looks different from their ordered counterparts. In some cases, selection is focused on maintaining protein binding interfaces and PTM sites, but sequence heterogeneity is common. In other cases, simple properties like charge, length, or end-to-end distance are maintained. Many disordered protein binding sites contain some transient secondary structure that may resemble the structure of the bound state. α-Helical secondary structure is common and a wide range of fractional helicity is observed in different disordered regions. Here we provide a simple protocol to identify transient helical segments and design mutants that can change their structure and function.
Collapse
|
43
|
Jafarinia H, van der Giessen E, Onck PR. Phase Separation of Toxic Dipeptide Repeat Proteins Related to C9orf72 ALS/FTD. Biophys J 2020; 119:843-851. [PMID: 32730793 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion mutation in the C9orf72 gene is the most common known genetic cause for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This mutation can produce five dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs), of which three are known to be toxic: poly-PR, poly-GR, and poly-GA. The toxicity of poly-GA is attributed to its aggregation in the cytoplasm, whereas for poly-PR and poly-GR, several toxicity pathways have been proposed. The toxicity of the DPRs has been shown to depend on their length, but the underlying molecular mechanism of this length dependence is not well understood. To address the possible role of phase separation in DPR toxicity, a one-bead-per-amino-acid (1BPA) coarse-grained molecular dynamics model is used to study the single-molecule and phase-separation properties of the DPRs. We find a strong dependence of the phase-separation behavior on both DPR length and concentration, with longer DPRs having a higher propensity to phase separate and form condensed phases with higher concentrations. The critical lengths required for phase separation (25 for poly-PR and 50 for poly-GA) are comparable to the toxicity threshold limit of 30 repeats found for the expansion mutation in patient cells, suggesting that phase separation could play an important role in DPR toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Jafarinia
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Erik van der Giessen
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick R Onck
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Gianni S, Jemth P. Affinity versus specificity in coupled binding and folding reactions. Protein Eng Des Sel 2020; 32:355-357. [PMID: 31397874 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzz020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered protein regions may fold upon binding to an interaction partner. It is often argued that such coupled binding and folding enables the combination of high specificity with low affinity. The basic tenet is that an unfavorable folding equilibrium will make the overall binding weaker while maintaining the interaction interface. While theoretically solid, we argue that this concept may be misleading for intrinsically disordered proteins. In fact, experimental evidence suggests that interactions of disordered regions usually involve extended conformations. In such cases, the disordered region is exceptionally unlikely to fold into a bound conformation in the absence of its binding partner. Instead, these disordered regions can bind to their partners in multiple different conformations and then fold into the native bound complex, thus, if anything, increasing the affinity through folding. We concede that (de)stabilization of native structural elements such as helices will modulate affinity, but this could work both ways, decreasing or increasing the stability of the complex. Moreover, experimental data show that intrinsically disordered binding regions display a range of affinities and specificities dictated by the particular side chains and length of the disordered region and not necessarily by the fact that they are disordered. We find it more likely that intrinsically disordered regions are common in protein-protein interactions because they increase the repertoire of binding partners, providing an accessible route to evolve interactions rather than providing a stability-affinity trade-off.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Gianni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche "A. Rossi Fanelli", Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari del CNR, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Per Jemth
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 582, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Intrinsic Disorder in Tetratricopeptide Repeat Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103709. [PMID: 32466138 PMCID: PMC7279152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the realm of repeat containing proteins that commonly serve as “scaffolds” promoting protein-protein interactions, there is a family of proteins containing between 2 and 20 tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs), which are functional motifs consisting of 34 amino acids. The most distinguishing feature of TPR domains is their ability to stack continuously one upon the other, with these stacked repeats being able to affect interaction with binding partners either sequentially or in combination. It is known that many repeat-containing proteins are characterized by high levels of intrinsic disorder, and that many protein tandem repeats can be intrinsically disordered. Furthermore, it seems that TPR-containing proteins share many characteristics with hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and intrinsically disordered protein regions. However, there has not been a systematic analysis of the intrinsic disorder status of TPR proteins. To fill this gap, we analyzed 166 human TPR proteins to determine the degree to which proteins containing TPR motifs are affected by intrinsic disorder. Our analysis revealed that these proteins are characterized by different levels of intrinsic disorder and contain functional disordered regions that are utilized for protein-protein interactions and often serve as targets of various posttranslational modifications.
Collapse
|
46
|
Surface charge of Merkel cell polyomavirus small T antigen determines cell transformation through allosteric FBW7 WD40 domain targeting. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:53. [PMID: 32427880 PMCID: PMC7237485 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) small T (sT) is the main oncoprotein in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) development. A unique domain of sT, LT stabilization domain (LSD), has been reported to bind and inactivate multiple SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F-box) E3 ligases. These interactions impede the turnover of MCV large T (LT) antigen and cellular oncoproteins such as c-Myc and cyclin E, thereby promoting viral replication and cell transformation. However, it is currently unclear how this LSD region contributes to multiple transforming activities of sT. Structural docking simulation of sT and F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) revealed a novel allosteric interaction between sT and FBW7 WD40 domain. This model is supported by experimental evidence confirming that charge engineering in the LSD alters sT-WD40 binding. Specifically, loss of net positive charge in the LSD prevents sT-FBW7 binding by abrogating the electrostatic interaction, thus impeding inhibition of FBW7 by sT. Furthermore, positively charged mutations in the LSD significantly restored the sT function and its ability to transform rodent fibroblast cells. We infer that the surface charge of sT is a major determinant for targeting E3 ligases, which leads to sT-induced cell transformation, an observation that could be used to develop targeted therapeutics for MCC.
Collapse
|
47
|
Intrinsically disordered proteins of viruses: Involvement in the mechanism of cell regulation and pathogenesis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 174:1-78. [PMID: 32828463 PMCID: PMC7129803 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) possess the property of inherent flexibility and can be distinguished from other proteins in terms of lack of any fixed structure. Such dynamic behavior of IDPs earned the name "Dancing Proteins." The exploration of these dancing proteins in viruses has just started and crucial details such as correlation of rapid evolution, high rate of mutation and accumulation of disordered contents in viral proteome at least understood partially. In order to gain a complete understanding of this correlation, there is a need to decipher the complexity of viral mediated cell hijacking and pathogenesis in the host organism. Further there is necessity to identify the specific patterns within viral and host IDPs such as aggregation; Molecular recognition features (MoRFs) and their association to virulence, host range and rate of evolution of viruses in order to tackle the viral-mediated diseases. The current book chapter summarizes the aforementioned details and suggests the novel opportunities for further research of IDPs senses in viruses.
Collapse
|
48
|
Ansari MZ, Swaminathan R. Structure and dynamics at N- and C-terminal regions of intrinsically disordered human c-Myc PEST degron reveal a pH-induced transition. Proteins 2020; 88:889-909. [PMID: 31999378 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the structure and Brownian rotational motion of the PEST region (201-268) from human c-Myc oncoprotein, whose overexpression/dysregulation is associated with various types of cancer. The 77-residue PEST fragment revealed a large Stokes radius (~3.1 nm) and CD spectrum highlighting abundance of disordered structure. Changes in structure/dynamics at two specific sites in PEST degron were observed using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy by labeling Cys9 near N-terminal with dansyl probe and inserting a Trp70 near C-terminal (PEST M1). Trp in PEST M1 at pH 3 was inaccessible to quencher, showed hindered segmental motion and slow global rotation (~30 ns) in contrast to N-terminal where the dansyl probe was free, exposed with fast global rotation (~5 ns). Remarkably, this large monomeric structure at acidic pH was retained irrespective of ionic strength (0.03-0.25 M) and partially so in presence of 6 M Gdn.HCl. With gradual increase in pH, a structural transition (~pH 4.8) into a more exposed and freely rotating Trp was noticeable. Interestingly, the induced structure at C-terminal also influenced the dynamics of dansyl probe near N-terminal, which otherwise remained unstructured at pH > 5. FRET measurements confirmed a 11 Å decrease in distance between dansyl and indole at pH 4 compared to pH 9, coinciding with enhanced ANS binding and increase in strand/helix population in both PEST fragments. The protonation of glutamate/aspartate residues in C-terminal region of PEST is implicated in this disorder-order transition. This may have a bearing on the role of PEST in endocytic trafficking of eukaryotic proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Ziauddin Ansari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Rajaram Swaminathan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Functions of intrinsically disordered proteins do not require structure. Such structure-independent functionality has melted away the classic rigid "lock and key" representation of structure-function relationships in proteins, opening a new page in protein science, where molten keys operate on melted locks and where conformational flexibility and intrinsic disorder, structural plasticity and extreme malleability, multifunctionality and binding promiscuity represent a new-fangled reality. Analysis and understanding of this new reality require novel tools, and some of the techniques elaborated for the examination of intrinsically disordered protein functions are outlined in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N. Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
- Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Birol M, Melo AM. Untangling the Conformational Polymorphism of Disordered Proteins Associated With Neurodegeneration at the Single-Molecule Level. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 12:309. [PMID: 31998071 PMCID: PMC6965022 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A large fraction of the human genome encodes intrinsically disordered proteins/regions (IDPs/IDRs) that are involved in diverse cellular functions/regulation and dysfunctions. Moreover, several neurodegenerative disorders are associated with the pathological self-assembly of neuronal IDPs, including tau [Alzheimer's disease (AD)], α-synuclein [Parkinson's disease (PD)], and huntingtin exon 1 [Huntington's disease (HD)]. Therefore, there is an urgent and emerging clinical interest in understanding the physical and structural features of their functional and disease states. However, their biophysical characterization is inherently challenging by traditional ensemble techniques. First, unlike globular proteins, IDPs lack stable secondary/tertiary structures under physiological conditions and may interact with multiple and distinct biological partners, subsequently folding differentially, thus contributing to the conformational polymorphism. Second, amyloidogenic IDPs display a high aggregation propensity, undergoing complex heterogeneous self-assembly mechanisms. In this review article, we discuss the advantages of employing cutting-edge single-molecule fluorescence (SMF) techniques to characterize the conformational ensemble of three selected neuronal IDPs (huntingtin exon 1, tau, and α-synuclein). Specifically, we survey the versatility of these powerful approaches to describe their monomeric conformational ensemble under functional and aggregation-prone conditions, and binding to biological partners. Together, the information gained from these studies provides unique insights into the role of gain or loss of function of these disordered proteins in neurodegeneration, which may assist the development of new therapeutic molecules to prevent and treat these devastating human disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Birol
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ana M Melo
- Centro de Química-Física Molecular- IN and iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|