scholarly journals The Role of Water in the Stability of Wild-type and Mutant Insulin Dimers

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (28) ◽  
pp. 7038-7048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampa Raghunathan ◽  
Krystel El Hage ◽  
Jasmine L. Desmond ◽  
Lixian Zhang ◽  
Markus Meuwly
2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (23) ◽  
pp. 11055-11066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Öhagen ◽  
Dana Gabuzda

ABSTRACT The Vif protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is important for virion infectivity. Previous studies have shown thatvif-defective virions exhibit structural abnormalities in the virus core and are defective in the ability to complete proviral DNA synthesis in acutely infected cells. We developed novel assays to assess the relative stability of the core in HIV-1 virions. Using these assays, we examined the role of Vif in the stability of the HIV-1 core. The integrity of the core was examined following virion permeabilization or removal of the lipid envelope and treatment with various triggers, including S100 cytosol, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, detergents, NaCl, and buffers of different pH to mimic aspects of the uncoating and disassembly process which occurs after virus entry but preceding or during reverse transcription.vif mutant cores were more sensitive to disruption by all triggers tested than wild-type cores, as determined by endogenous reverse transcriptase (RT) assays, biochemical analyses, and electron microscopy. RT and the p7 nucleocapsid protein were released more readily from vif mutant virions than from wild-type virions, suggesting that the internal nucleocapsid is less stably packaged in the absence of Vif. Purified cores could be isolated from wild-type but not vif mutant virions by sedimentation through detergent-treated gradients. These results demonstrate that Vif increases the stability of virion cores. This may permit efficient viral DNA synthesis by preventing premature degradation or disassembly of viral nucleoprotein complexes during early events after virus entry.


2003 ◽  
Vol 372 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris NATHANIEL ◽  
Louise A. WALLACE ◽  
Jonathan BURKE ◽  
Heini W. DIRR

The thioredoxin-like fold has a βαβαββα topology, and most proteins/domains with this fold have a topologically conserved cis-proline residue at the N-terminus of β-strand 3. This residue plays an important role in the catalytic function and stability of thioredoxin-like proteins, but is reported not to contribute towards the stability of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) [Allocati, Casalone, Masulli, Caccarelli, Carletti, Parker and Di Ilio (1999) FEBS Lett. 445, 347–350]. In order to further address the role of the cis-proline in the structure, function and stability of GSTs, cis-Pro-56 in human GST (hGST) A1-1 was replaced with a glycine, and the properties of the P56G mutant were compared with those of the wild-type protein. Not only was the catalytic function of the mutant dramatically reduced, so was its conformational stability, as indicated by equilibrium unfolding and unfolding kinetics experiments with urea as denaturant. These findings are discussed in the context of other thioredoxin-like proteins.


1994 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 1057-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
S C Dahl ◽  
R W Geib ◽  
M T Fox ◽  
M Edidin ◽  
D Branton

A spectrin-based membrane skeleton is important for the stability and organization of the erythrocyte. To study the role of spectrin in cells that possess complex cytoskeletons, we have generated alpha-spectrin-deficient erythroleukemia cell lines from sph/sph mice. These cells contain beta-spectrin, but lack alpha-spectrin as determined by immunoblot and Northern blot analyses. The effects of alpha-spectrin deficiency are apparent in the cells' irregular shape and fragility in culture. Capping of membrane glycoproteins by fluorescent lectin or antibodies occurs more rapidly in sph/sph than in wild-type erythroleukemia cells, and the caps appear more concentrated. The data support the idea that spectrin plays an important role in organizing membrane structure and limiting the lateral mobility of integral membrane glycoproteins in cells other than mature erythrocytes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 3123-3126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Bottoni ◽  
Mariagrazia Perilli ◽  
Francesca Marcoccia ◽  
Alessandra Piccirilli ◽  
Cristina Pellegrini ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSite-directed mutagenesis of CphA indicated that prolines in the P158-P172 loop are essential for the stability and the catalytic activity of subclass B2 metallo-β-lactamases against carbapenems. The sequential substitution of proline led to a decrease of the catalytic efficiency of the variant compared to the wild-type (WT) enzyme but also to a higher affinity for the binding of the second zinc ion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3408
Author(s):  
Laura Maria De Plano ◽  
Domenico Franco ◽  
Maria Giovanna Rizzo ◽  
Vincenzo Zammuto ◽  
Concetta Gugliandolo ◽  
...  

The conformational variation of the viral capsid structure plays an essential role both for the environmental resistance and acid nuclear release during cellular infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate how capsid rearrangement in engineered phages of M13 protects viral DNA and peptide bonds from damage induced by UV-C radiation. From in silico 3D modelling analysis, two M13 engineered phage clones, namely P9b and 12III1, were chosen for (i) chemical features of amino acids sequences, (ii) rearrangements in the secondary structure of their pVIII proteins and (iii) in turn the interactions involved in phage capsid. Then, their resistance to UV-C radiation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was compared to M13 wild-type vector (pC89) without peptide insert. Results showed that both the phage clones acquired an advantage against direct radiation damage, due to a reorganization of interactions in the capsid for an increase of H-bond and steric interactions. However, only P9b had an increase in resistance against H2O2. These results could help to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the stability of new virus variants, also providing quick and necessary information to develop effective protocols in the virus inactivation for human activities, such as safety foods and animal-derived materials.


2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1679-1687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayumi Matsumoto ◽  
Glenn M. Young ◽  
Michele M. Igo

ABSTRACT Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited, gram-negative bacterium that causes Pierce's disease of grapevine. Here, we describe the construction of four vectors that facilitate the insertion of genes into a neutral site (NS1) in the X. fastidiosa chromosome. These vectors carry a colE1-like (pMB1) replicon and DNA sequences from NS1 flanking a multiple-cloning site and a resistance marker for one of the following antibiotics: chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamicin, or kanamycin. In X. fastidiosa, vectors with colE1-like (pMB1) replicons have been found to result primarily in the recovery of double recombinants rather than single recombinants. Thus, the ease of obtaining double recombinants and the stability of the resulting insertions at NS1 in the absence of selective pressure are the major advantages of this system. Based on in vitro and in planta characterizations, strains carrying insertions within NS1 are indistinguishable from wild-type X. fastidiosa in terms of growth rate, biofilm formation, and pathogenicity. To illustrate the usefulness of this system for complementation analysis, we constructed a strain carrying a mutation in the X. fastidiosa cpeB gene, which is predicted to encode a catalase/peroxidase, and showed that the sensitivity of this mutant to hydrogen peroxide could be overcome by the introduction of a wild-type copy of cpeB at NS1. Thus, this chromosome-based complementation system provides a valuable genetic tool for investigating the role of specific genes in X. fastidiosa cell physiology and virulence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 167 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-322
Author(s):  
An-Ning Feng ◽  
Chih-Wei Huang ◽  
Chi-Huei Lin ◽  
Yung-Lung Chang ◽  
Meng-Yuan Ni ◽  
...  

Abstract 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is a key enzyme in tyrosine catabolism, catalysing the oxidation of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to homogentisate. Genetic deficiency of this enzyme causes type III tyrosinaemia. The enzyme comprises two barrel-shaped domains formed by the N- and C-termini, with the active site located in the C-terminus. This study investigated the role of the N-terminus, located at the domain interface, in HPPD activity. We observed that the kcat/Km decreased ∼8-fold compared with wild type upon removal of the 12 N-terminal residues (ΔR13). Interestingly, the wild-type level of activity was retained in a mutant missing the 17 N-terminal residues, with a kcat/Km 11-fold higher than that of the ΔR13 mutant; however, the structural stability of this mutant was lower than that of wild type. A 2-fold decrease in catalytic efficiency was observed for the K10A and E12A mutants, indicating synergism between these residues in the enzyme catalytic function. A molecular dynamics simulation showed large RMS fluctuations in ΔR13 suggesting that conformational flexibility at the domain interface leads to lower activity in this mutant. These results demonstrate that the N-terminus maintains the stability of the domain interface to allow for catalysis at the active site of HPPD.


eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Dorfman Marcette ◽  
Jessica Jie Chen ◽  
Michael L Nonet

Microtubule dynamics facilitate neurite growth and establish morphology, but the role of minus-end binding proteins in these processes is largely unexplored. CAMSAP homologs associate with microtubule minus-ends, and are important for the stability of epithelial cell adhesions. In this study, we report morphological defects in neurons and neuromuscular defects in mutants of the C. elegans CAMSAP, ptrn-1. Mechanosensory neurons initially extend wild-type neurites, and subsequently remodel by overextending neurites and retracting synaptic branches and presynaptic varicosities. This neuronal remodeling can be activated by mutations known to alter microtubules, and depends on a functioning DLK-1 MAP kinase pathway. We found that PTRN-1 localizes to both neurites and synapses, and our results suggest that alterations of microtubule structures caused by loss of PTRN-1 function activates a remodeling program leading to changes in neurite morphology. We propose a model whereby minus-end microtubule stabilization mediated by a functional PTRN-1 is necessary for morphological maintenance of neurons.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 1582-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieun Kim ◽  
Haeryung Lee ◽  
Yujin Kim ◽  
Sooyeon Yoo ◽  
Eunjeong Park ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We recently reported that the phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of Anks family proteins binds to EphA8, thereby positively regulating EphA8-mediated signaling pathways. In the current study, we identified a potential role for the SAM domains of Anks family proteins in EphA signaling. We found that SAM domains of Anks family proteins directly bind to ubiquitin, suggesting that Anks proteins regulate the degradation of ubiquitinated EphA receptors. Consistent with the role of Cbl ubiquitin ligases in the degradation of Eph receptors, our results revealed that the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl induced the ubiquitination and degradation of EphA8 upon ligand binding. Ubiquitinated EphA8 also bound to the SAM domains of Odin, a member of the Anks family proteins. More importantly, the overexpression of wild-type Odin protected EphA8 and EphA2 from undergoing degradation following ligand stimulation and promoted EphA-mediated inhibition of cell migration. In contrast, a SAM domain deletion mutant of Odin strongly impaired the function of endogenous Odin, suggesting that the mutant functions in a dominant-negative manner. An analysis of Odin-deficient primary embryonic fibroblasts indicated that Odin levels play a critical role in regulating the stability of EphA2 in response to ligand stimulation. Taken together, our studies suggest that the SAM domains of Anks family proteins play a pivotal role in enhancing the stability of EphA receptors by modulating the ubiquitination process.


2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (24) ◽  
pp. 9011-9019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Grosskinsky ◽  
Monika Schütz ◽  
Michaela Fritz ◽  
Yvonne Schmid ◽  
Marina C. Lamparter ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) is a trimeric autotransporter adhesin of enteric yersiniae. It consists of three major domains: a head mediating adherence to host cells, a stalk involved in serum resistance, and an anchor that forms a membrane pore and is responsible for the autotransport function. The anchor contains a glycine residue, nearly invariant throughout trimeric autotransporter adhesins, that faces the pore lumen. To address the role of this glycine, we replaced it with polar amino acids of increasing side chain size and expressed wild-type and mutant YadA in Escherichia coli. The mutations did not impair the YadA-mediated adhesion to collagen and to host cells or the host cell cytokine production, but they decreased the expression levels and stability of YadA trimers with increasing side chain size. Likewise, autoagglutination and resistance to serum were decreased in these mutants. We found that the periplasmic protease DegP is involved in the degradation of YadA and that in an E. coli degP deletion strain, mutant versions of YadA were expressed almost to wild-type levels. We conclude that the conserved glycine residue affects both the export and the stability of YadA and consequently some of its putative functions in pathogenesis.


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