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Thyashan N, Ghimire ML, Lee S, Kim MJ. Exploring single-molecule interactions: heparin and FGF-1 proteins through solid-state nanopores. Nanoscale 2024; 16:8352-8360. [PMID: 38563277 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr00274a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Detection and characterization of protein-protein interactions are essential for many cellular processes, such as cell growth, tissue repair, drug delivery, and other physiological functions. In our research, we have utilized emerging solid-state nanopore sensing technology, which is highly sensitive to better understand heparin and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) protein interactions at a single-molecule level without any modifications. Understanding the structure and behavior of heparin-FGF-1 complexes at the single-molecule level is very important. An abnormality in their formation can lead to life-threatening conditions like tumor growth, fibrosis, and neurological disorders. Using a controlled dielectric breakdown pore fabrication approach, we have characterized individual heparin and FGF-1 (one of the 22 known FGFs in humans) proteins through the fabrication of 17 ± 1 nm nanopores. Compared to heparin, the positively charged heparin-binding domains of some FGF-1 proteins translocationally react with the pore walls, giving rise to a distinguishable second peak with higher current blockade. Additionally, we have confirmed that the dynamic FGF-1 is stabilized upon binding with heparin-FGF-1 at the single-molecule level. The larger current blockades from the complexes relative to individual heparin and the FGF-1 recorded during the translocation ensure the binding of heparin-FGF-1 proteins, forming binding complexes with higher excluded volumes. Taken together, we demonstrate that solid-state nanopores can be employed to investigate the properties of individual proteins and their complex interactions, potentially paving the way for innovative medical therapies and advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navod Thyashan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 75205, USA.
| | - Madhav L Ghimire
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 75205, USA.
| | - Sangyoup Lee
- Bionic Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min Jun Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 75205, USA.
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Ng YK, Konermann L. Mechanism of Protein Aggregation Inhibition by Arginine: Blockage of Anionic Side Chains Favors Unproductive Encounter Complexes. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8394-8406. [PMID: 38477601 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Aggregation refers to the assembly of proteins into nonphysiological higher order structures. While amyloid has been studied extensively, much less is known about amorphous aggregation, a process that interferes with protein expression and storage. Free arginine (Arg+) is a widely used aggregation inhibitor, but its mechanism remains elusive. Focusing on myoglobin (Mb), we recently applied atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for gaining detailed insights into amorphous aggregation (Ng J. Phys. Chem. B 2021, 125, 13099). Building on that approach, the current work for the first time demonstrates that MD simulations can directly elucidate aggregation inhibition mechanisms. Comparative simulations with and without Arg+ reproduced the experimental finding that Arg+ significantly decreased the Mb aggregation propensity. Our data reveal that, without Arg+, protein-protein encounter complexes readily form salt bridges and hydrophobic contacts, culminating in firmly linked dimeric aggregation nuclei. Arg+ promotes the dissociation of encounter complexes. These "unproductive" encounter complexes are favored because Arg+ binding to D- and E- lowers the tendency of these anionic residues to form interprotein salt bridges. Side chain blockage is mediated largely by the guanidinium group of Arg+, which binds carboxylates through H-bond-reinforced ionic contacts. Our MD data revealed Arg+ self-association into a dynamic quasi-infinite network, but we found no evidence that this self-association is important for protein aggregation inhibition. Instead, aggregation inhibition by Arg+ is similar to that mediated by free guanidinium ions. The computational strategy used here should be suitable for the rational design of aggregation inhibitors with enhanced potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Ki Ng
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Lars Konermann
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
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Dadhich R, Kapoor S. Lipidomic and Membrane Mechanical Signatures in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Scope for Membrane-Based Theranostics. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:2507-2528. [PMID: 35595957 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04459-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis, higher grade, and a high rate of metastatic occurrence. Limited therapeutic interventions and the compounding issue of drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer warrants the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic modules. To this view, in addition to proteins, lipids also regulate cellular functions via the formation of membranes that modulate membrane protein function, diffusion, and their localization; thus, orchestrating signaling hot spots enriched in specific lipids/proteins on cell membranes. Lipid deregulation in cancer leads to reprogramming of the membrane dynamics and functions impacting cell proliferation, metabolism, and metastasis, providing exciting starting points for developing lipid-based approaches for treating TNBC. In this review, we provide a detailed account of specific lipidic changes in breast cancer, link the altered lipidome with membrane structure and mechanical properties, and describe how these are linked to subsequent downstream functions implicit in cancer progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. At the fundamental level, we discuss how the lipid-centric findings in TNBC are providing cues for developing lipid-inspired theranostic strategies while bridging existing gaps in our understanding of the functional involvement of lipid membranes in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Dadhich
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Shobhna Kapoor
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India. .,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan.
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Ng YK, Tajoddin NN, Scrosati PM, Konermann L. Mechanism of Thermal Protein Aggregation: Experiments and Molecular Dynamics Simulations on the High-Temperature Behavior of Myoglobin. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:13099-13110. [PMID: 34808050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Proteins that encounter unfavorable solvent conditions are prone to aggregation, a phenomenon that remains poorly understood. This work focuses on myoglobin (Mb) as a model protein. Upon heating, Mb produces amorphous aggregates. Thermal unfolding experiments at low concentration (where aggregation is negligible), along with centrifugation assays, imply that Mb aggregation proceeds via globally unfolded conformers. This contrasts studies on other proteins that emphasized the role of partially folded structures as aggregate precursors. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to gain insights into the mechanism by which heat-unfolded Mb molecules associate with one another. A prerequisite for these simulations was the development of a method for generating monomeric starting structures. Periodic boundary condition artifacts necessitated the implementation of a partially immobilized water layer lining the walls of the simulation box. Aggregation simulations were performed at 370 K to track the assembly of monomeric Mb into pentameric species. Binding events were preceded by multiple unsuccessful encounters. Even after association, protein-protein contacts remained in flux. Binding was mediated by hydrophobic contacts, along with salt bridges that involved hydrophobically embedded Lys residues. Overall, this work illustrates that atomistic MD simulations are well suited for garnering insights into protein aggregation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Ki Ng
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Nastaran N Tajoddin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Pablo M Scrosati
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Lars Konermann
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
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Bujotzek A, Tiefenthaler G, Lariviere L, D'Andrea L, Marquez EA, Rudloff I, Cho SX, Deen NS, Richter W, Regenass-Lechner F, Poehler A, Whisstock JC, Sydow-Andersen J, Reiser X, Schuster S, Neubauer J, Hoepfl S, Richter K, Nold MF, Nold-Petry CA, Schumacher F, Ellisdon AM. Protein engineering of a stable and potent anti-inflammatory IL-37-Fc fusion with enhanced therapeutic potential. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 29:586-596.e4. [PMID: 34699747 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Harnessing the immunomodulatory activity of cytokines is a focus of therapies targeting inflammatory disease. The interleukin (IL)-1 superfamily contains pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory members that help orchestrate the immune response in adaptive and innate immunity. Of these molecules, IL-37 has robust anti-inflammatory activity across a range of disease models through inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling cascades downstream of tumor necrosis factor, IL-1, and toll-like receptor pathways. We find that IL-37 is unstable with a poor pharmacokinetic and manufacturing profile. Here, we present the engineering of IL-37 from an unstable cytokine into an anti-inflammatory molecule with an excellent therapeutic likeness. We overcame these shortcomings through site-directed mutagenesis, the addition of a non-native disulfide bond, and the engineering of IL-37 as an Fc-fusion protein. Our results provide a platform for preclinical testing of IL-37 Fc-fusion proteins. The engineering approaches undertaken herein will apply to the conversion of similar potent yet short-acting cytokines into therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Georg Tiefenthaler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Laurent Lariviere
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Laura D'Andrea
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Elsa A Marquez
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ina Rudloff
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Steven X Cho
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Nadia S Deen
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Richter
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Alexander Poehler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - James C Whisstock
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jasmin Sydow-Andersen
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Xaver Reiser
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Schuster
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jeannette Neubauer
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hoepfl
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, 82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Richter
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel F Nold
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Claudia A Nold-Petry
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Felix Schumacher
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Andrew M Ellisdon
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
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Agrawal S, Govind Kumar V, Gundampati RK, Moradi M, Kumar TKS. Characterization of the structural forces governing the reversibility of the thermal unfolding of the human acidic fibroblast growth factor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15579. [PMID: 34341408 PMCID: PMC8329156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95050-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF1) is an all beta-sheet protein that is involved in the regulation of key cellular processes including cell proliferation and wound healing. hFGF1 is known to aggregate when subjected to thermal unfolding. In this study, we investigate the equilibrium unfolding of hFGF1 using a wide array of biophysical and biochemical techniques. Systematic analyses of the thermal and chemical denaturation data on hFGF1 variants (Q54P, K126N, R136E, K126N/R136E, Q54P/K126N, Q54P/R136E, and Q54P/K126N/R136E) indicate that nullification of charges in the heparin-binding pocket can significantly increase the stability of wtFGF1. Triple variant (Q54P/K126N/R136E) was found to be the most stable of all the hFGF1 variants studied. With the exception of triple variant, thermal unfolding of wtFGF1 and the other variants is irreversible. Thermally unfolded triple variant refolds completely to its biologically native conformation. Microsecond-level molecular dynamic simulations reveal that a network of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges linked to Q54P, K126N, and R136E mutations, are responsible for the high stability and reversibility of thermal unfolding of the triple variant. In our opinion, the findings of the study provide valuable clues for the rational design of a stable hFGF1 variant that exhibits potent wound healing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpi Agrawal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Vivek Govind Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Ravi Kumar Gundampati
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Mahmoud Moradi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
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Blaber M. Conserved buried water molecules enable the β-trefoil architecture. Protein Sci 2020; 29:1794-1802. [PMID: 32542709 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Available high-resolution crystal structures for the family of β-trefoil proteins in the structural databank were queried for buried waters. Such waters were classified as either: (a) unique to a particular domain, family, or superfamily or (b) conserved among all β-trefoil folds. Three buried waters conserved among all β-trefoil folds were identified. These waters are related by the threefold rotational pseudosymmetry characteristic of this protein architecture (representing three instances of an identical structural environment within each repeating trefoil-fold motif). The structural properties of this buried water are remarkable and include: residing in a cavity space no larger than a single water molecule, exhibiting a positional uncertainty (i.e., normalized B-factor) substantially lower than the average Cα atom, providing essentially ideal H-bonding geometry with three solvent-inaccessible main chain groups, simultaneously serving as a bridging H-bond for three different β-strands at a point of secondary structure divergence, and orienting conserved hydrophobic side chains to form a nascent core-packing group. Other published work supports an interpretation that these interactions are key to the formation of an efficient folding nucleus and folded thermostability. The fundamental threefold symmetric structural element of the β-trefoil fold is therefore, surprisingly, a buried water molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Blaber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
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