Folding of a single domain protein entering the endoplasmic reticulum precedes disulfide formation

Structural and Stability Analysis of GRP Family Allergens Pru p 7 and Cry j 7, Which Cause Pollen and Food Allergy Syndrome

Cry j 7 is a 7 kDa cysteine-rich gibberellin regulatory protein (GRP) with six disulfide bonds. It was isolated from Japanese cedar as the pollen allergen in this study. It exhibits cross-reactivity with food allergens such as Pru p 7 from peach and causes pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS). In this work, recombinant Cry j 7 and Pru p 7 were successfully overexpressed using Pichia pastoris in a high-cell-density fermentation culture, and pure proteins were purified by reverse-phase HPLC. The characterization of Cry j 7 and Pru p 7 were performed by MS, CD, and 1H-NMR experiments to confirm the correct native conformation of Cry j 7 as well as Pru p 7. When compared, the results showed that Cry j 7 exhibits excellent stability in disulfide linkages and preserves its original structure up to 90 °C in various pH buffers in comparison to Pru p 7. Notably, NMR analyses indicated the greater mobility in the α-helix and loop regions of S38-C47 in Pru p 7 compared to those of Cry j 7. Furthermore, our results showed that the sensitivity of Cry j 7 to enzyme digestion differed from that of Pru p 7: Cry j 7 was more susceptible to proteolysis, while Pru p 7 displayed better resistance in the gastrointestinal tract. These variations in structural stability and sensitivity to proteolysis provide valuable insights into the allergenicity within the GRP family.

Use of genomics & proteomics in studying lipase producing microorganisms & its application

In biotechnological applications, lipases are recognized as the most widely utilized and versatile enzymes, pivotal in biocatalytic processes, predominantly produced by various microbial species. Utilizing omics technology, natural sources can be meticulously screened to find microbial flora which are responsible for oil production. Lipases are versatile biocatalysts. They are used in a variety of bioconversion reactions and are receiving a lot of attention because of the quick development of enzyme technology and its usefulness in industrial operations. This article offers recent insights into microbial lipase sources, including fungi, bacteria, and yeast, alongside traditional and modern methods of purification such as precipitation, immunopurification and chromatographic separation. Additionally, it explores innovative methods like the reversed micellar system, aqueous two-phase system (ATPS), and aqueous two-phase flotation (ATPF). The article deals with the use of microbial lipases in a variety of sectors, including the food, textile, leather, cosmetics, paper, detergent, while also critically analyzing lipase-producing microbes. Moreover, it highlights the role of lipases in biosensors, biodiesel production, tea processing, bioremediation, and racemization. This review provides the concept of the use of omics technique in the mechanism of screening of microbial species those are capable of producing lipase and also find the potential applications.

Correlation of In Vitro Kinetic Stability to Preclinical In Vivo Pharmacokinetics for a Panel of Anti-PD-1 Monoclonal Antibody Interleukin 21 Mutein Immunocytokines

The development of therapeutic fusion protein drugs is often impeded by the unintended consequences that occur from fusing together domains from independent naturally occurring proteins, consequences such as altered biodistribution, tissue uptake, or rapid clearance and potential immunogenicity. For therapeutic fusion proteins containing globular domains, we hypothesized that aberrant in vivo behavior could be related to low kinetic stability of these domains leading to local unfolding and susceptibility to partial proteolysis and/or salvage and uptake. Herein we describe an assay to measure kinetic stability of therapeutic fusion proteins by way of their sensitivity to the protease thermolysin. The results indicate that in vivo pharmacokinetics of a panel of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monocolonal antibody:interleukin 21 immunocytokines in both mice and nonhuman primates are highly correlated with their in vitro susceptibility to thermolysin-mediated proteolysis. This assay can be used as a tool to quickly identify in vivo liabilities of globular domains of therapeutic proteins, thus aiding in the optimization and development of new multispecific drug candidates. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This work describes a novel assay utilizing protein kinetic stability to identify preclinical in vivo pharmacokinetic liabilities of multispecific therapeutic fusion proteins. This provides an efficient, inexpensive method to ascertain inherent protein stability in vitro before conducting in vivo studies, which can rapidly increase the speed of preclinical drug development.

Co-translational formation of disulfides guides folding of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain

Many secreted proteins, including viral proteins, contain multiple disulfide bonds. How disulfide formation is coupled to protein folding in the cell remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we combine experiment and simulation to address this question as it pertains to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). We show that the RBD can only refold reversibly if its native disulfides are present before folding. But in their absence, the RBD spontaneously misfolds into a nonnative, molten-globule-like state that is structurally incompatible with complete disulfide formation and that is highly prone to aggregation. Thus, the RBD native structure represents a metastable state on the protein's energy landscape with reduced disulfides, indicating that nonequilibrium mechanisms are needed to ensure native disulfides form before folding. Our atomistic simulations suggest that this may be achieved via co-translational folding during RBD secretion into the endoplasmic reticulum. Namely, at intermediate translation lengths, native disulfide pairs are predicted to come together with high probability, and thus, under suitable kinetic conditions, this process may lock the protein into its native state and circumvent highly aggregation-prone nonnative intermediates. This detailed molecular picture of the RBD folding landscape may shed light on SARS-CoV-2 pathology and molecular constraints governing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

Distinct role of ERp57 and ERdj5 as a disulfide isomerase and reductase during ER protein folding

Proteins entering the secretory pathway need to attain native disulfide pairings to fold correctly. For proteins with complex disulfides, this process requires the reduction and isomerisation of non-native disulfides. Two key members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family, ERp57 and ERdj5 (also known as PDIA3 and DNAJC10, respectively), are thought to be required for correct disulfide formation but it is unknown whether they act as a reductase, an isomerase or both. In addition, it is unclear how reducing equivalents are channelled through PDI family members to substrate proteins. Here, we show that neither enzyme is required for disulfide formation, but ERp57 is required for isomerisation of non-native disulfides within glycoproteins. In addition, alternative PDIs compensate for the absence of ERp57 to isomerise glycoprotein disulfides, but only in the presence of a robust reductive pathway. ERdj5 is required for this alternative pathway to function efficiently indicating its role as a reductase. Our results define the essential cellular functions of two PDIs, highlighting a distinction between formation, reduction and isomerisation of disulfide bonds.

Cotranslational formation of disulfides guides folding of the SARS COV-2 receptor binding domain

Many secreted proteins contain multiple disulfide bonds. How disulfide formation is coupled to protein folding in the cell remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we combine experiment and simulation to address this question as it pertains to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD). We show that, whereas RBD can refold reversibly when its disulfides are intact, their disruption causes misfolding into a nonnative molten-globule state that is highly prone to aggregation and disulfide scrambling. Thus, non-equilibrium mechanisms are needed to ensure disulfides form prior to folding in vivo. Our simulations suggest that co-translational folding may accomplish this, as native disulfide pairs are predicted to form with high probability at intermediate lengths, ultimately committing the RBD to its metastable native state and circumventing nonnative intermediates. This detailed molecular picture of the RBD folding landscape may shed light on SARS-CoV-2 pathology and molecular constraints governing SARS-CoV-2 evolution.

A Short Tale of the Origin of Proteins and Ribosome Evolution

Proteins are the workhorses of the cell and have been key players throughout the evolution of all organisms, from the origin of life to the present era. How might life have originated from the prebiotic chemistry of early Earth? This is one of the most intriguing unsolved questions in biology. Currently, however, it is generally accepted that amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, were abiotically available on primitive Earth, which would have made the formation of early peptides in a similar fashion possible. Peptides are likely to have coevolved with ancestral forms of RNA. The ribosome is the most evident product of this coevolution process, a sophisticated nanomachine that performs the synthesis of proteins codified in genomes. In this general review, we explore the evolution of proteins from their peptide origins to their folding and regulation based on the example of superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a key enzyme in oxygen metabolism on modern Earth.

Identification and Validation of an Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related lncRNA Signature for Colon Adenocarcinoma Patients

Purpose

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Conclusion

Targeting trafficking as a therapeutic avenue for misfolded GPCRs leading to endocrine diseases

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are plasma membrane proteins associated with an array of functions. Mutations in these receptors lead to a number of genetic diseases, including diseases involving the endocrine system. A particular subset of loss-of-function mutant GPCRs are misfolded receptors unable to traffic to their site of function (i.e. the cell surface plasma membrane). Endocrine disorders in humans caused by GPCR misfolding include, among others, hypo- and hyper-gonadotropic hypogonadism, morbid obesity, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism, X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, congenital hypothyroidism, and familial glucocorticoid resistance. Several in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches have been employed to restore function of some misfolded GPCRs linked to endocrine disfunction. The most promising approach is by employing pharmacological chaperones or pharmacoperones, which assist abnormally and incompletely folded proteins to refold correctly and adopt a more stable configuration to pass the scrutiny of the cell's quality control system, thereby correcting misrouting. This review covers the most important aspects that regulate folding and traffic of newly synthesized proteins, as well as the experimental approaches targeted to overcome protein misfolding, with special focus on GPCRs involved in endocrine diseases.

The novel ER stress inducer Sec C triggers apoptosis by sulfating ER cysteine residues and degrading YAP via ER stress in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most lethal malignancies. Although gemcitabine (GEM) is a standard treatment for PAAD, resistance limits its application and therapy. Secoemestrin C (Sec C) is a natural compound from the endophytic fungus Emericella, and its anticancer activity has not been investigated since it was isolated. Our research is the first to indicate that Sec C is a broad-spectrum anticancer agent and could exhibit potently similar anticancer activity both in GEM-resistant and GEM-sensitive PAAD cells. Interestingly, Sec C exerted a rapid growth-inhibiting effect (80% death at 6 h), which might be beneficial for patients who need rapid tumor shrinkage before surgery. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) reverse assays show that Sec C sulfates cysteines to disrupt disulfide-bonds formation in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins to cause protein misfolding, leading to ER stress and disorder of lipid biosynthesis. Microarray data and subsequent assays show that ER stress-mediated ER-associated degradation (ERAD) ubiquitinates and downregulates YAP to enhance ER stress via destruction complex (YAP-Axin-GSK-βTrCP), which also elucidates a unique degrading style for YAP. Potent anticancer activity in GEM-resistant cells and low toxicity make Sec C a promising anti-PAAD candidate.

Distinct roles and actions of protein disulfide isomerase family enzymes in catalysis of nascent-chain disulfide bond formation

The mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER) harbors more than 20 members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family that act to maintain proteostasis. Herein, we developed an in vitro system for directly monitoring PDI- or ERp46-catalyzed disulfide bond formation in ribosome-associated nascent chains of human serum albumin. The results indicated that ERp46 more efficiently introduced disulfide bonds into nascent chains with a short segment exposed outside the ribosome exit site than PDI. Single-molecule analysis by high-speed atomic force microscopy further revealed that PDI binds nascent chains persistently, forming a stable face-to-face homodimer, whereas ERp46 binds for a shorter time in monomeric form, indicating their different mechanisms for substrate recognition and disulfide bond introduction. Thus, ERp46 serves as a more potent disulfide introducer especially during the early stages of translation, whereas PDI can catalyze disulfide formation when longer nascent chains emerge out from ribosome.

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We developed an in vitro system for monitoring nascent-chain disulfide formation

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High-speed AFM visualized PDI and ERp46 molecules acting on nascent chains

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PDI persistently holds nascent chains via dimerization for disulfide introduction

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ERp46 rapidly introduces disulfide bonds to nascent chains via short-time binding

Revisiting the Formation of a Native Disulfide Bond: Consequences for Protein Regeneration and Beyond

Oxidative protein folding involves the formation of disulfide bonds and the regeneration of native structure (N) from the fully reduced and unfolded protein (R). Oxidative protein folding studies have provided a wealth of information on underlying physico-chemical reactions by which disulfide-bond-containing proteins acquire their catalytically active form. Initially, we review key events underlying oxidative protein folding using bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A), bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) and hen-egg white lysozyme (HEWL) as model disulfide bond-containing folders and discuss consequential outcomes with regard to their folding trajectories. We re-examine the findings from the same studies to underscore the importance of forming native disulfide bonds and generating a “native-like” structure early on in the oxidative folding pathway. The impact of both these features on the regeneration landscape are highlighted by comparing ideal, albeit hypothetical, regeneration scenarios with those wherein a native-like structure is formed relatively “late” in the R→N trajectory. A special case where the desired characteristics of oxidative folding trajectories can, nevertheless, stall folding is also discussed. The importance of these data from oxidative protein folding studies is projected onto outcomes, including their impact on the regeneration rate, yield, misfolding, misfolded-flux trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytoplasm, and the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.

Cysteine oxidation and disulfide formation in the ribosomal exit tunnel

Understanding the conformational sampling of translation-arrested ribosome nascent chain complexes is key to understand co-translational folding. Up to now, coupling of cysteine oxidation, disulfide bond formation and structure formation in nascent chains has remained elusive. Here, we investigate the eye-lens protein γB-crystallin in the ribosomal exit tunnel. Using mass spectrometry, theoretical simulations, dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and cryo-electron microscopy, we show that thiol groups of cysteine residues undergo S-glutathionylation and S-nitrosylation and form non-native disulfide bonds. Thus, covalent modification chemistry occurs already prior to nascent chain release as the ribosome exit tunnel provides sufficient space even for disulfide bond formation which can guide protein folding.

Advances in Recombinant Lipases: Production, Engineering, Immobilization and Application in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Lipases are one of the most used enzymes in the pharmaceutical industry due to their efficiency in organic syntheses, mainly in the production of enantiopure drugs. From an industrial viewpoint, the selection of an efficient expression system and host for recombinant lipase production is highly important. The most used hosts are Escherichia coli and Komagataella phaffii (previously known as Pichia pastoris) and less often reported Bacillus and Aspergillus strains. The use of efficient expression systems to overproduce homologous or heterologous lipases often require the use of strong promoters and the co-expression of chaperones. Protein engineering techniques, including rational design and directed evolution, are the most reported strategies for improving lipase characteristics. Additionally, lipases can be immobilized in different supports that enable improved properties and enzyme reuse. Here, we review approaches for strain and protein engineering, immobilization and the application of lipases in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mechanisms of Disulfide Bond Formation in Nascent Polypeptides Entering the Secretory Pathway

Disulfide bonds are an abundant feature of proteins across all domains of life that are important for structure, stability, and function. In eukaryotic cells, a major site of disulfide bond formation is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). How cysteines correctly pair during polypeptide folding to form the native disulfide bond pattern is a complex problem that is not fully understood. In this paper, the evidence for different folding mechanisms involved in ER-localised disulfide bond formation is reviewed with emphasis on events that occur during ER entry. Disulfide formation in nascent polypeptides is discussed with focus on (i) its mechanistic relationship with conformational folding, (ii) evidence for its occurrence at the co-translational stage during ER entry, and (iii) the role of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members. This review highlights the complex array of cellular processes that influence disulfide bond formation and identifies key questions that need to be addressed to further understand this fundamental process.

Endomembrane Protein Trafficking Regulated by a TvCyP2 Cyclophilin in the Protozoan Parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis

In Trichomonas vaginalis, the TvCyP1-catalyzed conformational switches of two glycinyl-prolyl imide bonds in Myb3 were previously shown to regulate the trafficking of Myb3 from cytoplasmic membrane compartments towards the nucleus. In this study, TvCyP2 was identified as a second cyclophilin that binds to Myb3 at the same dipeptide motifs. The enzymatic proficiency of TvCyP2, but not its binding to Myb3, was aborted by a mutation of Arg⁷⁵ in the catalytic domain. TvCyP2 was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum with a weak signal that extensively extends into the cytoplasm as well as to the plasma membrane according to an immunofluorescence assay. Moreover, TvCyP2 was co-enriched with TvCyP1 and Myb3 in various membrane fractions purified by differential and gradient centrifugation. TvCyP2 was found to proficiently enzymatically regulate the distribution of TvCyP1 and Myb3 among purified membrane fractions, and to localize TvCyP1 in hydrogenosomes and on plasma membranes. Protein complexes immunoprecipitated from lysates of cells overexpressing TvCyP1 and TvCyP2 were found to share some common components, like TvCyP1, TvCyP2, TvBip, Myb3, TvHSP72, and the hydrogenosomal heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Direct interaction between TvCyP1 and TvCyP2 was confirmed by a GST pull-down assay. Fusion of vesicles with hydrogenosomes was observed by transmission electron microscopy, whereas TvCyP1, TvCyP2, and Myb3 were each detected at the fusion junction by immunoelectron microscopy. These observations suggest that T. vaginalis may have evolved a novel protein trafficking pathway to deliver proteins among the endomembrane compartments, hydrogenosomes and plasma membranes.

Protein secondary structure determines the temporal relationship between folding and disulfide formation

How and when disulfide bonds form in proteins relative to the stage of their folding is a fundamental question in cell biology. Two models describe this relationship: the folded precursor model, in which a nascent structure forms before disulfides do, and the quasi-stochastic model, where disulfides form prior to folding. Here we investigated oxidative folding of three structurally diverse substrates, β2-microglobulin, prolactin, and the disintegrin domain of ADAM metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM10), to understand how these mechanisms apply in a cellular context. We used a eukaryotic cell-free translation system in which we could identify disulfide isomers in stalled translation intermediates to characterize the timing of disulfide formation relative to translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum and the presence of non-native disulfides. Our results indicate that in a domain lacking secondary structure, disulfides form before conformational folding through a process prone to nonnative disulfide formation, whereas in proteins with defined secondary structure, native disulfide formation occurs after partial folding. These findings reveal that the nascent protein structure promotes correct disulfide formation during cotranslational folding.

C-mannosylation supports folding and enhances stability of thrombospondin repeats

Previous studies demonstrated importance of C-mannosylation for efficient protein secretion. To study its impact on protein folding and stability, we analyzed both C-mannosylated and non-C-mannosylated thrombospondin type 1 repeats (TSRs) of netrin receptor UNC-5. In absence of C-mannosylation, UNC-5 TSRs could only be obtained at low temperature and a significant proportion displayed incorrect intermolecular disulfide bridging, which was hardly observed when C-mannosylated. Glycosylated TSRs exhibited higher resistance to thermal and reductive denaturation processes, and the presence of C-mannoses promoted the oxidative folding of a reduced and denatured TSR in vitro. Molecular dynamics simulations supported the experimental studies and showed that C-mannoses can be involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding and limit the flexibility of the TSR tryptophan-arginine ladder. We propose that in the endoplasmic reticulum folding process, C-mannoses orient the underlying tryptophan residues and facilitate the formation of the tryptophan-arginine ladder, thereby influencing the positioning of cysteines and disulfide bridging.

The Protein Disulfide Isomerase Family: from proteostasis to pathogenesis

In mammalian cells, nearly one-third of proteins are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where they undergo oxidative folding and chaperoning assisted by approximately 20 members of the protein disulfide isomerase family (PDIs). PDIs consist of multiple thioredoxin-like domains and recognize a wide variety of proteins via highly conserved interdomain flexibility. Although PDIs have been studied intensely for almost 50 years, exactly how they maintain protein homeostasis in the ER remains unknown, and is important not only for fundamental biological understanding but also for protein misfolding- and aggregation-related pathophysiology. Herein, we review recent advances in structural biology and biophysical approaches that explore the underlying mechanism by which PDIs fulfil their distinct functions to promote productive protein folding and scavenge misfolded proteins in the ER, the primary factory for efficient production of the secretome.

Modulation of proteostasis and protein trafficking: a therapeutic avenue for misfolded G protein-coupled receptors causing disease in humans

Proteostasis refers to the process whereby the cell maintains in equilibrium the protein content of different compartments. This system consists of a highly interconnected network intended to efficiently regulate the synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation of newly synthesized proteins. Molecular chaperones are key players of the proteostasis network. These proteins assist in the assembly and folding processes of newly synthesized proteins in a concerted manner to achieve a three-dimensional structure compatible with export from the endoplasmic reticulum to other cell compartments. Pharmacologic interventions intended to modulate the proteostasis network and tackle the devastating effects of conformational diseases caused by protein misfolding are under development. These include small molecules called pharmacoperones, which are highly specific toward the target protein serving as a molecular framework to cause misfolded mutant proteins to fold and adopt a stable conformation suitable for passing the scrutiny of the quality control system and reach its correct location within the cell. Here, we review the main components of the proteostasis network and how pharmacoperones may be employed to correct misfolding of two G protein-coupled receptors, the vasopressin 2 receptor and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, whose mutations lead to X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in humans respectively.

Structure and function of class III pistil-specific extensin-like protein in interspecific reproductive barriers

BACKGROUND

The transmitting tissue of the style is the pathway for pollen tube growth to the ovules and has components that function in recognizing and discriminating appropriate pollen genotypes. In Nicotiana tabacum, the class III pistil extensin-like (PELPIII) arabinogalactan protein is essential for the inhibition of N. obtusifolia pollen tube growth. The transmitting tissue-specific (TTS) arabinogalactan protein amino acid sequence and expression pattern is similar to PELPIII, but it facilitates self-pollinated N. tabacum. The TTS and PELPIII arabinogalactan protein can be divided into the less conserved N-terminal (NTD) and the more conserved C-terminal (CTD) domains. This research tested whether the NTD is the key domain in determining PELPIII function in the inhibition of interspecific pollen tube growth. Three variant PELPIII gene constructs were produced where the PELPIII NTD was exchanged with the TTS NTD and a single amino acid change (cysteine to alanine) was introduced into the PELPIII NTD. The PELPIII variants of N. tabacum were tested for activity by measuring the inhibition N. obtusifolia pollen tube growth by using them to complement a 3'UTR RNAi transgenic line with reduced PELPIII mRNA.

RESULTS

The RNAi N. tabacum line had reduced PELPIII mRNA accumulation and reduced inhibition of N. obtusifolia pollen tube growth, but had no effect on self-pollen tube growth or pollen tube growth of 12 other Nicotiana species. The NTD of PELPIII with either the PELPIII or TTS CTDs complemented the loss PELPIII activity in the RNAi transgenic line as measured by inhibition of N. obtusifolia pollen tube growth. The TTS NTD with the PELPIII CTD and a variant PELPIII with a cysteine to alanine mutation in its NTD failed to complement the loss of PELPIII activity and did not inhibit N. obtusifolia pollen tube growth.

CONCLUSION

The NTD is a key determinant in PELPIII's function in regulating interspecific pollen tube growth and is a first step toward understanding the mechanism of how PELPIII NTD regulates pollen tube growth.

A novel proteotoxic combination therapy for EGFR+ and HER2+ cancers

While HER2 and EGFR are overexpressed in breast cancers and multiple other types of tumors, the use of EGFR and/or HER2 inhibitors have failed to cure many cancer patients, largely because cancers acquire resistance to HER2/EGFR-specific drugs. Cancers that overexpress the HER-family proteins EGFR, HER2, and HER3 are uniquely sensitive to agents that disrupt HER2 and EGFR protein folding. We previously showed that disruption of disulfide bond formation by Disulfide Disrupting Agents (DDAs) kills HER2/EGFR overexpressing cells through multiple mechanisms. Herein, we show that interference with proline isomerization in HER2/EGFR overexpressing cells also induces cancer cell death. The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase inhibitor Cyclosporine A (CsA) selectively kills EGFR+ or HER2+ breast cancer cells in vitro by activating caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways. Further, CsA synergizes with the DDA tcyDTDO to kill HER2/EGFR overexpressing cells in vitro and the two agents cooperate to kill HER2+ tumors in vivo. There is a critical need for novel strategies to target HER2+ and EGFR+ cancers that are resistant to currently available mechanism-based agents. Drugs that target HER2/EGFR protein folding, including DDAs and CsA, have the potential to kill cancers that overexpress EGFR or HER2 through the induction of proteostatic synthetic lethality.

Structure and Synthesis of Antifungal Disulfide β-Strand Proteins from Filamentous Fungi

The discovery and understanding of the mode of action of new antimicrobial agents is extremely urgent, since fungal infections cause 1.5 million deaths annually. Antifungal peptides and proteins represent a significant group of compounds that are able to kill pathogenic fungi. Based on phylogenetic analyses the ascomycetous, cysteine-rich antifungal proteins can be divided into three different groups: Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF), Neosartorya fischeri antifungal protein 2 (NFAP2) and “bubble-proteins” (BP) produced, for example, by P. brevicompactum. They all dominantly have β-strand secondary structures that are stabilized by several disulfide bonds. The PAF group (AFP antifungal protein from Aspergillus giganteus, PAF and PAFB from P. chrysogenum,Neosartorya fischeri antifungal protein (NFAP)) is the best characterized with their common β-barrel tertiary structure. These proteins and variants can efficiently be obtained either from fungi production or by recombinant expression. However, chemical synthesis may be a complementary aid for preparing unusual modifications, e.g., the incorporation of non-coded amino acids, fluorophores, or even unnatural disulfide bonds. Synthetic variants up to ca. 6–7 kDa can also be put to good use for corroborating structure determination. A short overview of the structural peculiarities of antifungal β-strand disulfide bridged proteins will be given. Here, we describe the structural propensities of some known antifungal proteins from filamentous fungi which can also be prepared with modern synthetic chemistry methods.

Chemistry and Enzymology of Disulfide Cross-Linking in Proteins

Cysteine thiols are among the most reactive functional groups in proteins, and their pairing in disulfide linkages is a common post-translational modification in proteins entering the secretory pathway. This modest amino acid alteration, the mere removal of a pair of hydrogen atoms from juxtaposed cysteine residues, contrasts with the substantial changes that characterize most other post-translational reactions. However, the wide variety of proteins that contain disulfides, the profound impact of cross-linking on the behavior of the protein polymer, the numerous and diverse players in intracellular pathways for disulfide formation, and the distinct biological settings in which disulfide bond formation can take place belie the simplicity of the process. Here we lay the groundwork for appreciating the mechanisms and consequences of disulfide bond formation in vivo by reviewing chemical principles underlying cysteine pairing and oxidation. We then show how enzymes tune redox-active cofactors and recruit oxidants to improve the specificity and efficiency of disulfide formation. Finally, we discuss disulfide bond formation in a cellular context and identify important principles that contribute to productive thiol oxidation in complex, crowded, dynamic environments.