1
|
Jiang Y, Sui D, Hu J. Cell-based transport assay to study kinetics and substrate specificity of human ZIPs. Methods Enzymol 2023; 687:139-155. [PMID: 37666630 PMCID: PMC10999280 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.05.013] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Kinetic study of human ZIPs is crucial for understanding the transport mechanism and the molecular basis of substrate specificity. In this chapter, we describe the detailed experimental procedures for functional studies of two human ZIPs, including the zinc-preferring ZIP4 and the multi-metal transporter ZIP8, by using the cell-based transport assays. Kinetic study of ZIP4 is elaborated in the first section; in the second section, comparison of ZIP4 and ZIP8 in terms of the zinc/cadmium selectivity is performed by using an internal competition assay adapted from the established cell-based approach. The protocols provided in this chapter will facilitate mechanistic and engineering studies of the ZIPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Dexin Sui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ma C, Gong C. Considerations in production of the prokaryotic ZIP family transporters for structural and functional studies. Methods Enzymol 2023; 687:1-30. [PMID: 37666628 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.04.018] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Zinc ions play essential roles as components of enzymes and many other important biomolecules, and are associated with numerous diseases. The uptake of Zn2+ and other metal ions require a widely distributed transporter protein family called Zrt/Irt-like Proteins (ZIP family), the majority members of which tend to have eight transmembrane helices with both N- and C- termini located on the extracellular or periplasmic side. Their small sizes and dynamic conformations bring many difficulties in their production for structural studies either by crystallography or Cryo-EM. Here, we summarize the problems that may encounter at the various steps of processing the ZIP proteins from gene to structural and functional studies, and provide some solutions and examples from our and other labs for the cloning, expression, purification, stability screening, metal ion transport assays and structural studies of prokaryotic ZIP family transporters using Escherichia coli as a heterologous host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- Protein Facility, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Caixia Gong
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Aging and Physic-chemical Injury Diseases, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang T, Zhang Y, Sui D, Hu J. High-resolution structure of a mercury cross-linked ZIP metal transporter reveals delicate motions and metal relay for regulated zinc transport. bioRxiv 2023:2023.04.20.537755. [PMID: 37131590 PMCID: PMC10153219 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.537755] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Zrt-/Irt-like protein (ZIP) divalent metal transporters play a central role in maintaining trace element homeostasis. The prototypical ZIP from Bordetella bronchiseptica (BbZIP) is an elevator-type transporter, but the dynamic motions and detailed transport mechanism remain to be elucidated. Here, we report a high-resolution crystal structure of a mercury-crosslinked BbZIP variant at 1.95 Å, revealing an upward rotation of the transport domain in the new inward-facing conformation and a water-filled metal release channel that is divided into two parallel pathways by the previously disordered cytoplasmic loop. Mutagenesis and transport assays indicated that the newly identified high-affinity metal binding site in the primary pathway acts as a "metal sink" to reduce the transport rate. The discovery of a hinge motion around an extracellular axis allowed us to propose a sequential hinge-elevator-hinge movement of the transport domain to achieve alternating access. These findings provide key insights into the transport mechanisms and activity regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Zhang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, MI 48824
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, MI 48824
| | - Dexin Sui
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, MI 48824
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, MI 48824
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, MI 48824
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pacheco DDR, Santana BCG, Pirovani CP, de Almeida AAF. Zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like protein gene family in Theobroma cacao L: Characteristics, evolution, function and 3D structure analysis. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1098401. [PMID: 36925749 PMCID: PMC10012423 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1098401] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) gene family first identified in plants is highly distributed in the plant kingdom. This family has previously been reported to transport several essential and non-essential cationic elements, including those toxic to many economically important crops such as cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). In this article, we present a detailed study on physicochemical properties, evolution, duplication, gene structure, promoter region and TcZIP family three-dimensional protein structure. A total of 11 TcZIP genes have been identified to encode proteins from 309 to 435 aa, with localization in the plasma membrane and chloroplast, containing 6-9 putative domains (TM). Interspecies phylogenetic analysis subdivided the ZIP proteins into four groups. Segmental duplication events significantly contributed to the expansion of TcZIP genes. These genes underwent high pressure of purifying selection. The three-dimensional structure of the proteins showed that α helix conformations are predominant with several pocket sites, containing the metal binding site, with the residues leucine (LEU), alanine (ALA), glycine (GLY), serine (SER), lysine (LYS) and histidine (HIS) the most predicted. Regarding the analysis of the protein-protein interaction and enrichment of the gene ontology, four biological processes were assigned, the most important being the cation transport. These new discoveries expand the knowledge about the function, evolution, protein structures and interaction of ZIP family proteins in cacao and contribute to develop cacao genotypes enriched with important mineral nutrients as well as genotypes that bioaccumulate or exclude toxic metals.
Collapse
|
5
|
Pasquadibisceglie A, Leccese A, Polticelli F. A computational study of the structure and function of human Zrt and Irt-like proteins metal transporters: An elevator-type transport mechanism predicted by AlphaFold2. Front Chem 2022; 10:1004815. [PMID: 36204150 PMCID: PMC9530640 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1004815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ZIP (Zrt and Irt-like proteins) protein family includes transporters responsible for the translocation of zinc and other transition metals, such as iron and cadmium, between the extracellular space (or the lumen of organelles) and the cytoplasm. This protein family is present at all the phylogenetic levels, including bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, and mammals. ZIP proteins are responsible for the homeostasis of metals essential for the cell physiology. The human ZIP family consists of fourteen members (hZIP1-hZIP14), divided into four subfamilies: LIV-1, containing nine hZIPs, the subfamily I, with only one member, the subfamily II, which includes three members and the subfamily gufA, which has only one member. Apart from the extracellular domain, typical of the LIV-1 subfamily, the highly conserved transmembrane domain, containing the binuclear metal center (BMC), and the histidine-rich intracellular loop are the common features characterizing the ZIP family. Here is presented a computational study of the structure and function of human ZIP family members. Multiple sequence alignment and structural models were obtained for the 14 hZIP members. Moreover, a full-length three-dimensional model of the hZIP4-homodimer complex was also produced. Different conformations of the representative hZIP transporters were obtained through a modified version of the AlphaFold2 algorithm. The inward and outward-facing conformations obtained suggest that the hZIP proteins function with an “elevator-type” mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Fabio Polticelli,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wiuf A, Steffen JH, Becares ER, Grønberg C, Mahato DR, Rasmussen SGF, Andersson M, Croll T, Gotfryd K, Gourdon P. The two-domain elevator-type mechanism of zinc-transporting ZIP proteins. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabn4331. [PMID: 35857505 PMCID: PMC9278863 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn4331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is essential for all organisms and yet detrimental at elevated levels. Hence, homeostasis of this metal is tightly regulated. The Zrt/Irt-like proteins (ZIPs) represent the only zinc importers in metazoans. Mutations in human ZIPs cause serious disorders, but the mechanism by which ZIPs transfer zinc remains elusive. Hitherto, structural information is only available for a model member, BbZIP, and as a single, ion-bound conformation, precluding mechanistic insights. Here, we elucidate an inward-open metal-free BbZIP structure, differing substantially in the relative positions of the two separate domains of ZIPs. With accompanying coevolutional analyses, mutagenesis, and uptake assays, the data point to an elevator-type transport mechanism, likely shared within the ZIP family, unifying earlier functional data. Moreover, the structure reveals a previously unknown ninth transmembrane segment that is important for activity in vivo. Our findings outline the mechanistic principles governing ZIP-protein transport and enhance the molecular understanding of ZIP-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Wiuf
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Hyld Steffen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva Ramos Becares
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Grønberg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dhani Ram Mahato
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus Väg 10, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Søren G. F. Rasmussen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, Maersk Tower 7-5, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Magnus Andersson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Linnaeus Väg 10, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tristan Croll
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Hills Rd., Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Mærsk Tower 7-9, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
The second abundant micronutrient, zinc, is attracting more and more attention for it performs essential functions in living organisms and bears close relationships with the occurrence of diseases. However, excess zinc is toxic to cells. Ensuring a balanced zinc state for organisms is essential. Zinc transporters, including ZIPs and ZnTs, are pivotal in regulating zinc homeostasis. Benefiting from zinc transporter structures determination and their transporting dynamic revelation, the clarification of detailed mechanisms of zinc trafficking and the maintenance of zinc homeostasis by transporters in the human body are getting more and more evident. The present review gives a detailed description of the structural basis of zinc transport through ZIP and ZnT, through which the molecular mechanism of zinc binding and transport was illustrated. Then the motive force that drives zinc transmembrane transport and finally a generalization for the regulation models of zinc transporters were summarized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhua Yin
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Maoping Duan
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Fang
- Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guanghua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojing Leng
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pujol‐Giménez J, Poirier M, Bühlmann S, Schuppisser C, Bhardwaj R, Awale M, Visini R, Javor S, Hediger MA, Reymond J. Inhibitors of Human Divalent Metal Transporters DMT1 (SLC11A2) and ZIP8 (SLC39A8) from a GDB-17 Fragment Library. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3306-3314. [PMID: 34309203 PMCID: PMC8596699 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100467] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Solute carrier proteins (SLCs) are membrane proteins controlling fluxes across biological membranes and represent an emerging class of drug targets. Here we searched for inhibitors of divalent metal transporters in a library of 1,676 commercially available 3D-shaped fragment-like molecules from the generated database GDB-17, which lists all possible organic molecules up to 17 atoms of C, N, O, S and halogen following simple criteria for chemical stability and synthetic feasibility. While screening against DMT1 (SLC11A2), an iron transporter associated with hemochromatosis and for which only very few inhibitors are known, only yielded two weak inhibitors, our approach led to the discovery of the first inhibitor of ZIP8 (SLC39A8), a zinc transporter associated with manganese homeostasis and osteoarthritis but with no previously reported pharmacology, demonstrating that this target is druggable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonai Pujol‐Giménez
- Department of Biomedical Research and Department of Nephrology and Hypertension Membrane Transport Discovery Lab Inselspital, Bern University HospitalUniversity of BernCH-3010BernSwitzerland
| | - Marion Poirier
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Sven Bühlmann
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Céline Schuppisser
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Rajesh Bhardwaj
- Department of Biomedical Research and Department of Nephrology and Hypertension Membrane Transport Discovery Lab Inselspital, Bern University HospitalUniversity of BernCH-3010BernSwitzerland
| | - Mahendra Awale
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Ricardo Visini
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Sacha Javor
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| | - Matthias A. Hediger
- Department of Biomedical Research and Department of Nephrology and Hypertension Membrane Transport Discovery Lab Inselspital, Bern University HospitalUniversity of BernCH-3010BernSwitzerland
| | - Jean‐Louis Reymond
- Department of Chemistry Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of BernFreiestrasse 33012BernSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kambe T, Taylor KM, Fu D. Zinc transporters and their functional integration in mammalian cells. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100320. [PMID: 33485965 PMCID: PMC7949119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc is a ubiquitous biological metal in all living organisms. The spatiotemporal zinc dynamics in cells provide crucial cellular signaling opportunities, but also challenges for intracellular zinc homeostasis with broad disease implications. Zinc transporters play a central role in regulating cellular zinc balance and subcellular zinc distributions. The discoveries of two complementary families of mammalian zinc transporters (ZnTs and ZIPs) in the mid-1990s spurred much speculation on their metal selectivity and cellular functions. After two decades of research, we have arrived at a biochemical description of zinc transport. However, in vitro functions are fundamentally different from those in living cells, where mammalian zinc transporters are directed to specific subcellular locations, engaged in dedicated macromolecular machineries, and connected with diverse cellular processes. Hence, the molecular functions of individual zinc transporters are reshaped and deeply integrated in cells to promote the utilization of zinc chemistry to perform enzymatic reactions, tune cellular responsiveness to pathophysiologic signals, and safeguard cellular homeostasis. At present, the underlying mechanisms driving the functional integration of mammalian zinc transporters are largely unknown. This knowledge gap has motivated a shift of the research focus from in vitro studies of purified zinc transporters to in cell studies of mammalian zinc transporters in the context of their subcellular locations and protein interactions. In this review, we will outline how knowledge of zinc transporters has been accumulated from in-test-tube to in-cell studies, highlighting new insights and paradigm shifts in our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of mammalian zinc transporter functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taiho Kambe
- Division of Integrated Life Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kathryn M Taylor
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Dax Fu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Nearly sixty years ago Fredrich Timm developed a histochemical technique that revealed a rich reserve of free zinc in distinct regions of the brain. Subsequent electron microscopy studies in Timm- stained brain tissue found that this "labile" pool of cellular zinc was highly concentrated at synaptic boutons, hinting a possible role for the metal in synaptic transmission. Although evidence for activity-dependent synaptic release of zinc would not be reported for another twenty years, these initial findings spurred decades of research into zinc's role in neuronal function and revealed a diverse array of signaling cascades triggered or regulated by the metal. Here, we delve into our current understanding of the many roles zinc plays in the brain, from influencing neurotransmission and sensory processing, to activating both pro-survival and pro-death neuronal signaling pathways. Moreover, we detail the many mechanisms that tightly regulate cellular zinc levels, including metal binding proteins and a large array of zinc transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F Krall
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA
| | - Thanos Tzounopoulos
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Elias Aizenman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA; Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hu J. Toward unzipping the ZIP metal transporters: structure, evolution, and implications on drug discovery against cancer. FEBS J 2020; 288:5805-5825. [PMID: 33296542 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Zrt-/Irt-like protein (ZIP) family consists of divalent metal transporters, ubiquitous in all kingdoms of life. Since the discovery of the first ZIPs in the 1990s, the ZIP family has been expanding to contain tens of thousands of members playing key roles in uptake and homeostasis of life-essential trace elements, primarily zinc, iron and manganese. Some family members are also responsible for toxic metal (particularly cadmium) absorption and distribution. Their central roles in trace element biology, and implications in many human diseases, including cancers, have elicited interest across multiple disciplines for potential applications in biomedicine, agriculture and environmental protection. In this review and perspective, selected areas under rapid progress in the last several years, including structural biology, evolution, and drug discovery against cancers, are summarised and commented. Future research to address the most prominent issues associated with transport and regulation mechanisms are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
Zinc is an essential nutrient for all organisms because this metal serves as a critical structural or catalytic cofactor for many proteins. These zinc-dependent proteins are abundant in the cytosol as well as within organelles of eukaryotic cells such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and storage compartments such as the fungal vacuole. Therefore, cells need zinc transporters so that they can efficiently take up the metal and move it around within cells. In addition, because zinc levels in the environment can vary drastically, the activity of many of these transporters and other components of zinc homeostasis is regulated at the level of transcription by zinc-responsive transcription factors. Mechanisms of post-transcriptional control are also important for zinc homeostasis. In this review, the focus will be on our current knowledge of zinc transporters and their regulation by zinc-responsive transcription factors and other mechanisms in fungi because these organisms have served as useful paradigms of zinc homeostasis in all organisms. With this foundation, extension to other organisms will be made where warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Eide
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang T, Sui D, Zhang C, Cole L, Hu J. Asymmetric functions of a binuclear metal center within the transport pathway of a human zinc transporter ZIP4. FASEB J 2019; 34:237-247. [PMID: 31914589 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902043r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Metal clusters are exploited by numerous metalloenzymes for catalysis, but it is not common to utilize a metal cluster for substrate transport across membrane. The recent crystal structure of a prototypic Zrt-/Irt-like protein (ZIP) metal transporter from Bordetella bronchiseptica (BbZIP) revealed an unprecedented binuclear metal center (BMC) within the transport pathway. Here, through a combination of bioinformatics, biochemical and structural approaches, we concluded that the two physically associated metal-binding sites in the BMC of human ZIP4 (hZIP4) zinc transporter exert different functions: one conserved transition metal-binding site acts as the transport site essential for activity, whereas the variable metal-binding site is required for hZIP4's optimal activity presumably by serving as a secondary transport site and modulating the properties of the primary transport site. Sequential soaking experiments on BbZIP crystals clarified the process of metal release from the BMC to the bulky solvent. This work provides important insights into the transport mechanism of the ZIPs broadly involved in transition metal homeostasis and signaling, and also a paradigm on a novel function of metal cluster in metalloproteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Dexin Sui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Logan Cole
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gupta S, Merriman C, Petzold CJ, Ralston CY, Fu D. Water molecules mediate zinc mobility in the bacterial zinc diffusion channel ZIPB. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:13327-13335. [PMID: 31320477 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulated ion diffusion across biological membranes is vital for cell function. In a nanoscale ion channel, the active role of discrete water molecules in modulating hydrodynamic behaviors of individual ions is poorly understood because of the technical challenge of tracking water molecules through the channel. Here we report the results of a hydroxyl radical footprinting analysis of the zinc-selective channel ZIPB from the Gram-negative bacterium, Bordetella bronchiseptica Irradiating ZIPB by microsecond X-ray pulses activated water molecules to form covalent hydroxyl radical adducts at nearby residues, which were identified by bottom-up proteomics to detect residues that interact either with zinc or water in response to zinc binding. We found a series of residues exhibiting reciprocal changes in water accessibility attributed to alternating zinc and water binding. Mapping these residues to the previously reported crystal structure of ZIPB, we identified a water-reactive pathway that superimposed on a zinc translocation pathway consisting of two binuclear metal centers and an interim zinc-binding site. The cotranslocation of zinc and water suggested that pore-lining residues undergo a mode switch between zinc coordination and water binding to confer zinc mobility. The unprecedented details of water-mediated zinc transport identified here highlight an essential role of solvated waters in driving zinc coordination dynamics and transmembrane crossing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Gupta
- Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Chengfeng Merriman
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Christopher J Petzold
- Biological Systems Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720; Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Corie Y Ralston
- Berkeley Center for Structural Biology, Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
| | - Dax Fu
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
| |
Collapse
|