Monitoring ligand-mediated nuclear receptor-coregulator interactions by noncovalent mass spectrometry

Mass Spectrometric Characterization of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Interactions with Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) have been developed for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV-1 RT binding to NNRTIs has been characterized by various biophysical techniques. However, these techniques are often hampered by the low water solubility of the inhibitors, such as the current promising diarylpyrimidine-based inhibitors rilpivirine and etravirine. Hence, a conventional and rapid method that requires small sample amounts is desirable for studying NNRTIs with low water solubility. Here we successfully applied a recently developed mass spectrometric technique under non-denaturing conditions to characterize the interactions between the heterodimeric HIV-1 RT enzyme and NNRTIs with different inhibitory activities. Our data demonstrate that mass spectrometry serves as a semi-quantitative indicator of NNRTI binding affinity for HIV-1 RT using low and small amounts of samples, offering a new high-throughput screening tool for identifying novel RT inhibitors as anti-HIV drugs.

Retinoic acid receptors: structural basis for coregulator interaction and exchange

In the form of heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs), retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are master regulators of gene expression in humans and important drug targets. They act as ligand-dependent transcription factors that regulate a large variety of gene networks controlling cell growth, differentiation, survival and death. The biological functions of RARs rely on a dynamic series of coregulator exchanges controlled by ligand binding. Unliganded RARs exert a repressor activity by interacting with transcriptional corepressors which themselves serve as docking platforms for the recruitment of histone deacetylases that impose a higher order structure on chromatin which is not permissive to gene transcription. Upon ligand binding, the receptor undergoes conformational changes inducing corepressor release and the recruitment of coactivators with histone acetylase activities allowing chromatin decompaction and gene transcription. In the following, we review the structural determinants of the interaction between RAR and either type of coregulators both at the level of the individual receptor and in the context of the RAR-RXR heterodimers. We also discuss the molecular details of the fine tuning of these associations by the various pharmacological classes of ligands.

Solution Structures of PPARγ2/RXRα Complexes

PPARγ is a key regulator of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitization. PPARγ must heterodimerize with its dimeric partner, the retinoid X receptor (RXR), to bind DNA and associated coactivators such as p160 family members or PGC-1α to regulate gene networks. To understand how coactivators are recognized by the functional heterodimer PPARγ/RXRα and to determine the topological organization of the complexes, we performed a structural study using small angle X-ray scattering of PPARγ/RXRα in complex with DNA from regulated gene and the TIF2 receptor interacting domain (RID). The solution structures reveal an asymmetry of the overall structure due to the crucial role of the DNA in positioning the heterodimer and indicate asymmetrical binding of TIF2 to the heterodimer.

Native MS: an ’ESI‚ way to support structure- and fragment-based drug discovery

The success of early drug-discovery programs depends on the adequate combination of complementary and orthogonal technologies allowing hit/lead compounds to be optimized and improve therapeutic activity. Among the available biophysical methods, native MS recently emerged as an efficient method for compound-binding screening. Native MS is a highly sensitive and accurate screening technique. This review provides a description of the general approach and an overview of the possible characterization of ligand-binding properties. How native MS supports structure- and fragment-based drug research will also be discussed, with examples from the literature and internal developments. Native MS shows strong potential for in-depth characterization of ligand-binding properties. It is also a reliable screening technique in drug-discovery processes.

Spectroscopic and spectrometric studies of anion recognition with calix[4]pyrroles in different reaction conditions

The binding studies of calix[4]pyrroles (1-6) with fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo and sulphato anions generated from normal-tetrabutylammoniumfluoride, normal-tetrabutylammoniumchloride, normal-tetrabutylammoniumbromide, normal-tetrabutylammoniumiodide, and normal-tetrabutylammoniumsulphate respectively were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in dichloromethane-acetonitrile in negative ion mode. The efficacy of a particular calix[4]pyrrole to bind with anions was found maximum at low cone voltage of the instrument, at high cone voltage the binding was suppressed due to removal of anion from the cavity of the macrocycles. The binding strength was found inversely proportional to the size of anion for a particular calix[4]pyrrole. The fragmentation pattern of calix[4]pyrrole was observed at higher cone voltage of ESI-MS and was interpreted. The association constants of calix[4]pyrroles and anions obtained from electronic transition studies were in good agreement with that observed from (1)H NMR titration studies.

Dynamic and combinatorial control of gene expression by nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs)

Nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are transcriptional regulators controlling the expression of specific subsets of genes in a ligand-dependent manner. The basic mechanism for switching on transcription of cognate target genes involves RAR binding at specific response elements and a network of interactions with coregulatory protein complexes, the assembly of which is directed by the C-terminal ligand-binding domain of RARs. In addition to this scenario, new roles for the N-terminal domain and the ubiquitin-proteasome system recently emerged. Moreover, the functions of RARs are not limited to the regulation of cognate target genes, as they can transrepress other gene pathways. Finally, RARs are also involved in nongenomic biological activities such as the activation of translation and of kinase cascades. Here we will review these mechanisms, focusing on how kinase signaling and the proteasome pathway cooperate to influence the dynamics of RAR transcriptional activity.

Identification by high throughput screening of small compounds inhibiting the nucleic acid destabilization activity of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein

Due to its highly conserved zinc fingers and its nucleic acid chaperone properties which are critical for HIV-1 replication, the nucleocapsid protein (NC) constitutes a major target in AIDS therapy. Different families of molecules targeting NC zinc fingers and/or inhibiting the binding of NC with its target nucleic acids have been developed. However, their limited specificity and their cellular toxicity prompted us to develop a screening assay to target molecules able to inhibit NC chaperone properties, and more specifically the initial NC-promoted destabilization of the nucleic acid secondary structure. Since this destabilization is critically dependent on the properly folded fingers, the developed assay is thought to be highly specific. The assay was based on the use of cTAR DNA, a stem-loop sequence complementary to the transactivation response element, doubly labelled at its 5' and 3' ends by a rhodamine 6G fluorophore and a fluorescence quencher, respectively. Addition of NC(12-55), a peptide corresponding to the zinc finger domain of NC, to this doubly-labelled cTAR, led to a partial melting of the cTAR stem, which increases the distance between the two labels and thus, restores the rhodamine 6G fluorescence. Thus, positive hits were detected through the decrease of rhodamine 6G fluorescence. An "in-house" chemical library of 4800 molecules was screened and five compounds with IC(50) values in the micromolar range have been selected. The hits were shown by mass spectrometry and fluorescence anisotropy titration to prevent binding of NC(12-55) to cTAR through direct interaction with the NC folded fingers, but without promoting zinc ejection. These non-zinc ejecting NC binders are a new series of anti-NC molecules that could be used to rationally design molecules with potential anti-viral activities.

The structural biology and genomics platform in strasbourg: an overview

This chapter describes the modules and facilities of the Structural Biology and Genomics Platform (SBGP), Strasbourg, France. The platform consists of three modules (cloning, mini-expression screening; optimization-large scale protein production; characterization, crystallization) with dedicated scientists, and other facilities for purifying recombinant proteins and solving three-dimensional (3D) structures. Strong collaborations have been established with the Integrative Bioinformatics and Genomics group, located in the same institition, for target selection and domains definition. To handle large numbers of samples, classical and new protocols were adapted to automation, increasing reproducibility and reducing error risks as well. Using the platform and its facilities, over 2,000 expression vectors have been constructed and more than 40 novel structures, of mostly human proteins, have been solved.

Modulation of E-cadherin monomer folding by cooperative binding of calcium ions

Classical cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins involved in calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Calcium ions are coordinated at the interface between successive modules of the cadherin ectodomain and are thought to regulate the adhesive interactions of cadherins when present at millimolar concentrations. It is widely accepted that calcium plays a critical role in cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, but the nature of cadherin-calcium binding remains a matter of debate. We investigated the parameters of noncovalent cadherin-calcium binding, using the two N-terminal modules of E-cadherin (E/EC12) with a native N-terminal end and nondenaturing electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. By directly visualizing the molecular complexes, we demonstrated that E/EC12 binds three calcium ions, with an average KD of 20 +/- 0.7 microM. These calcium ions bound cooperatively to E/EC12 in its monomeric state, and these properties were not modified by an N-terminal extension consisting of a single methionine residue. This binding induced specific structural changes, as shown by assessments of protease sensitivity, circular dichroism, and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the D103A mutation (a residue involved in E-cadherin adhesive function) modified calcium binding and led to a loss of cooperativity and the absence of structural changes, despite calcium binding. As the amino acids involved in calcium binding are found within the cadherin consensus motif, our findings may be relevant to other members of the cadherin family.

Estrogen receptor-ligand complexes measured by chip-based nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry: an approach for the screening of endocrine disruptors

In the present report, a method based on chip-based nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS) is described to detect noncovalent ligand binding to the human estrogen receptor alpha ligand-binding domain (hERalpha LBD). This system represents an important environmental interest, because a wide variety of molecules, known as endocrine disruptors, can bind to the estrogen receptor (ER) and induce adverse health effects in wildlife and humans. Using proper experimental conditions, the nanoESI-MS approach allowed for the detection of specific ligand interactions with hERalpha LBD. The relative gas-phase stability of selected hERalpha LBD-ligand complexes did not mirror the binding affinity in solution, a result that demonstrates the prominent role of hydrophobic contacts for stabilizing ER-ligand complexes in solution. The best approach to evaluate relative solution-binding affinity by nanoESI-MS was to perform competitive binding experiments with 17beta-estradiol (E2) used as a reference ligand. Among the ligands tested, the relative binding affinity for hERalpha LBD measured by nanoESI-MS was 4-hydroxtamoxifen approximately diethylstilbestrol > E2 >> genistein >> bisphenol A, consistent with the order of the binding affinities in solution. The limited reproducibility of the bound to free protein ratio measured by nanoESI-MS for this system only allowed the binding constants (K(d)) to be estimated (low nanomolar range for E2). The specificity of nanoESI-MS combined with its speed (1 min/ligand), low sample consumption (90 pmol protein/ligand), and its sensitivity for ligand (30 ng/mL) demonstrates that this technique is a promising method for screening suspected endocrine disrupting compounds and to qualitatively evaluate their binding affinity.

Novel 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Analogues with the Side Chain at C12

The plethora of actions of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 in various systems suggested wide clinical applications of vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR) ligands in treatments of inflammation, dermatological indication, osteoporosis, cancers, and autoimmune diseases. More than 3000 vitamin D analogues have been synthesized in order to reduce the calcemic side effects while maintaining the transactivation potency of the natural ligand. In light of the crystal structures of the vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR), novel analogues of the hormone 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 with side chains attached to C-12 were synthesized via the convergent Wittig-Horner approach. Among the compounds studied, the analogue 2b showed the highest binding affinity for VDR and was the most potent at inducing VDR transcriptional activity in a transient transfection assay (20% of the transactivation activity of the natural ligand).

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry studies of noncovalent myosin VI complexes reveal a new specific calmodulin binding site

Among the myosin superfamily, myosin VI differs from all others by a reverse directionality and a particular motility. Little structural information is available for myosin VI. It is known that it binds one calmodulin (CaM) by means of a single "IQ motif" and that myosin VI contains a specific insert located at the junction between the motor domain (MD) and the lever arm, likely to play a critical role for the unusual motility previously observed. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MS) was used to determine the CaM and Ca2+ stoichiometries in several myosin VI constructs. In particular, the experimental conditions required for the observation of multiprotein/Ca2+ noncovalent assemblies are detailed for two truncated MD constructs (less than 20 kDa) and for three full MD constructs (more than 90 KDa). The specificity of the detected stoichiometries is discussed for each construct and the resolving power of Time of Flight mass spectrometry is stressed, in particular for the detection of metal ions binding to high molecular weight complexes. MS reveals a new CaM binding site for myosin VI and highlights a different behavior for the five myosin VI constructs versus Ca2+ binding. In addition to these stoichiometry based experiments, gas-phase dissociation analyses on intact complexes are described. They reveal that Ca2+ transfer between protein partners occurs during the dissociation process for one construct with a full MD. Charge-transfer and dissociation behavior has allowed to draw structural assumptions for the interaction of the MD with the CaM N-terminal lobe.