scholarly journals Analysis of Nanoconfined Protein Dielectric Signals Using Charged Amino Acid Network Models

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 803
Author(s):  
Lorenza Pacini ◽  
Laetitia Bourgeat ◽  
Anatoli Serghei ◽  
Claire Lesieur
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Treatment ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Dipole Moments ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Local Perturbations ◽  
Slow Motions

Protein slow motions involving collective molecular fluctuations on the timescale of microseconds to seconds are difficult to measure and not well understood despite being essential to sustain protein folding and protein function. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) is one of the most powerful experimental techniques to monitor, over a broad frequency and temperature range, the molecular dynamics of soft matter through the orientational polarisation of permanent dipole moments that are generated by the chemical structure and morphological organisation of matter. Its typical frequency range goes from 107 Hz down to 10−3 Hz, being thus suitable for investigations on slow motions in proteins. Moreover, BDS has the advantage of providing direct experimental access to molecular fluctuations taking place on different length-scales, from local to cooperative dipolar motions. The unfolding of the cholera toxin B pentamer (CtxB5) after thermal treatment for 3h at 80°C is investigated by BDS under nanoconfined and dehydrated conditions. From the X-ray structure of the toxin pentamer, network-based models are used to infer the toxin dipoles present in the native state and to compute their stability and dielectric properties. Network analyses highlight three domains with distinct dielectric and stability properties that support a model where the toxin unfolds into three conformations after the treatment at 80°C. This novel integrative approach offers some perspective into the investigation of the relation between local perturbations (e.g. mutation, thermal treatment) and larger scale protein conformational changes. It might help ranking protein sequence variants according to their respective scale of dynamics perturbations.

scholarly journals Intermolecular correlations are necessary to explain diffuse scattering from protein crystals

IUCrJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana Peck ◽  
Frédéric Poitevin ◽  
Thomas J. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Diffuse Scattering ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Protein Crystals ◽  
Biological Unit ◽  
Long Range Correlations ◽  
Correlated Motions ◽  
Potential Applications

Conformational changes drive protein function, including catalysis, allostery and signaling. X-ray diffuse scattering from protein crystals has frequently been cited as a probe of these correlated motions, with significant potential to advance our understanding of biological dynamics. However, recent work has challenged this prevailing view, suggesting instead that diffuse scattering primarily originates from rigid-body motions and could therefore be applied to improve structure determination. To investigate the nature of the disorder giving rise to diffuse scattering, and thus the potential applications of this signal, a diverse repertoire of disorder models was assessed for its ability to reproduce the diffuse signal reconstructed from three protein crystals. This comparison revealed that multiple models of intramolecular conformational dynamics, including ensemble models inferred from the Bragg data, could not explain the signal. Models of rigid-body or short-range liquid-like motions, in which dynamics are confined to the biological unit, showed modest agreement with the diffuse maps, but were unable to reproduce experimental features indicative of long-range correlations. Extending a model of liquid-like motions to include disorder across neighboring proteins in the crystal significantly improved agreement with all three systems and highlighted the contribution of intermolecular correlations to the observed signal. These findings anticipate a need to account for intermolecular disorder in order to advance the interpretation of diffuse scattering to either extract biological motions or aid structural inference.

scholarly journals Simplified geometric representations of protein structures identify complementary interaction interfaces

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn L. McCafferty ◽  
Edward M. Marcotte ◽  
David W. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Molecular Properties ◽  
3D Structures ◽  
Geometric Representations

ABSTRACTProtein-protein interactions are critical to protein function, but three-dimensional (3D) arrangements of interacting proteins have proven hard to predict, even given the identities and 3D structures of the interacting partners. Specifically, identifying the relevant pairwise interaction surfaces remains difficult, often relying on shape complementarity with molecular docking while accounting for molecular motions to optimize rigid 3D translations and rotations. However, such approaches can be computationally expensive, and faster, less accurate approximations may prove useful for large-scale prediction and assembly of 3D structures of multi-protein complexes. We asked if a reduced representation of protein geometry retains enough information about molecular properties to predict pairwise protein interaction interfaces that are tolerant of limited structural rearrangements. Here, we describe a cuboid transformation of 3D protein accessible surfaces on which molecular properties such as charge, hydrophobicity, and mutation rate can be easily mapped, implemented in the MorphProt package. Pairs of surfaces are compared to rapidly assess partner-specific potential surface complementarity. On two available benchmarks of 85 overall known protein complexes, we observed F1 scores (a weighted combination of precision and recall) of 19-34% at correctly identifying protein interaction surfaces, comparable to more computationally intensive 3D docking methods in the annual Critical Assessment of PRedicted Interactions. Furthermore, we examined the effect of molecular motion through normal mode simulation on a benchmark receptor-ligand pair and observed no marked loss of predictive accuracy for distortions of up to 6 Å RMSD. Thus, a cuboid transformation of protein surfaces retains considerable information about surface complementarity, offers enhanced speed of comparison relative to more complex geometric representations, and exhibits tolerance to conformational changes.

Orthorhombic lysozyme crystallization at acidic pH values driven by phosphate binding

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Plaza-Garrido ◽  
M. Carmen Salinas-Garcia ◽  
Ana Camara-Artigas
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Protein Crystallization ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Acidic Ph ◽  
Phosphate Binding ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Phosphate Ion ◽  
Α Helix

The structure of orthorhombic lysozyme has been obtained at 298 K and pH 4.5 using sodium chloride as the precipitant and in the presence of sodium phosphate at a concentration as low as 5 mM. Crystals belonging to space groupP212121(unit-cell parametersa= 30,b= 56,c= 73 Å, α = β = γ = 90.00°) diffracted to a resolution higher than 1 Å, and the high quality of these crystals permitted the identification of a phosphate ion bound to Arg14 and His15. The binding of this ion produces long-range conformational changes affecting the loop containing Ser60–Asn74. The negatively charged phosphate ion shields the electrostatic repulsion of the positively charged arginine and histidine residues, resulting in higher stability of the phosphate-bound lysozyme. Additionally, a low-humidity orthorhombic variant was obtained at pH 4.5, and comparison with those previously obtained at pH 6.5 and 9.5 shows a 1.5 Å displacement of the fifth α-helix towards the active-site cavity, which might be relevant to protein function. Since lysozyme is broadly used as a model protein in studies related to protein crystallization and amyloid formation, these results indicate that the interaction of some anions must be considered when analysing experiments performed at acidic pH values.

scholarly journals Microsecond and millisecond dynamics in the photosynthetic protein LHCSR1 observed by single-molecule correlation spectroscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (23) ◽  
pp. 11247-11252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toru Kondo ◽  
Jesse B. Gordon ◽  
Alberta Pinnola ◽  
Luca Dall’Osto ◽  
Roberto Bassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Function ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Light Harvesting ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Complex Stress ◽  
Correlation Spectroscopy ◽  
Light Harvesting Complex ◽  
Single Molecule Level

Biological systems are subjected to continuous environmental fluctuations, and therefore, flexibility in the structure and function of their protein building blocks is essential for survival. Protein dynamics are often local conformational changes, which allows multiple dynamical processes to occur simultaneously and rapidly in individual proteins. Experiments often average over these dynamics and their multiplicity, preventing identification of the molecular origin and impact on biological function. Green plants survive under high light by quenching excess energy, and Light-Harvesting Complex Stress Related 1 (LHCSR1) is the protein responsible for quenching in moss. Here, we expand an analysis of the correlation function of the fluorescence lifetime by improving the estimation of the lifetime states and by developing a multicomponent model correlation function, and we apply this analysis at the single-molecule level. Through these advances, we resolve previously hidden rapid dynamics, including multiple parallel processes. By applying this technique to LHCSR1, we identify and quantitate parallel dynamics on hundreds of microseconds and tens of milliseconds timescales, likely at two quenching sites within the protein. These sites are individually controlled in response to fluctuations in sunlight, which provides robust regulation of the light-harvesting machinery. Considering our results in combination with previous structural, spectroscopic, and computational data, we propose specific pigments that serve as the quenching sites. These findings, therefore, provide a mechanistic basis for quenching, illustrating the ability of this method to uncover protein function.

scholarly journals Coarse-Grained Models Reveal Functional Dynamics - I. Elastic Network Models – Theories, Comparisons and Perspectives

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. BBI.S460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Wei Yang ◽  
Choon-Peng Chng
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Elastic Network ◽  
Elastic Network Models ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Functional Dynamics

In this review, we summarize the progress on coarse-grained elastic network models (CG-ENMs) in the past decade. Theories were formulated to allow study of conformational dynamics in time/space frames of biological interest. Several highlighted models and their underlined hypotheses are introduced in physical depth. Important ENM offshoots, motivated to reproduce experimental data as well as to address the slow-mode-encoded configurational transitions, are also introduced. With the theoretical developments, computational cost is significantly reduced due to simplified potentials and coarse-grained schemes. Accumulating wealth of data suggest that ENMs agree equally well with experiment in describing equilibrium dynamics despite their distinct potentials and levels of coarse-graining. They however do differ in the slowest motional components that are essential to address large conformational changes of functional significance. The difference stems from the dissimilar curvatures of the harmonic energy wells described for each model. We also provide our views on the predictability of ‘open to close’ (open→close) transitions of biomolecules on the basis of conformational selection theory. Lastly, we address the limitations of the ENM formalism which are partially alleviated by the complementary CG-MD approach, to be introduced in the second paper of this two-part series.

scholarly journals Chemical Decorations of “MARs” Residents in Orchestrating Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanaya Roychowdhury ◽  
Samit Chattopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
3D Matrix

Genome organization plays a crucial role in gene regulation, orchestrating multiple cellular functions. A meshwork of proteins constituting a three-dimensional (3D) matrix helps in maintaining the genomic architecture. Sequences of DNA that are involved in tethering the chromatin to the matrix are called scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs), and the proteins that bind to these sequences and mediate tethering are termed S/MAR-binding proteins (S/MARBPs). The regulation of S/MARBPs is important for cellular functions and is altered under different conditions. Limited information is available presently to understand the structure–function relationship conclusively. Although all S/MARBPs bind to DNA, their context- and tissue-specific regulatory roles cannot be justified solely based on the available information on their structures. Conformational changes in a protein lead to changes in protein–protein interactions (PPIs) that essentially would regulate functional outcomes. A well-studied form of protein regulation is post-translational modification (PTM). It involves disulfide bond formation, cleavage of precursor proteins, and addition or removal of low-molecular-weight groups, leading to modifications like phosphorylation, methylation, SUMOylation, acetylation, PARylation, and ubiquitination. These chemical modifications lead to varied functional outcomes by mechanisms like modifying DNA–protein interactions and PPIs, altering protein function, stability, and crosstalk with other PTMs regulating subcellular localizations. S/MARBPs are reported to be regulated by PTMs, thereby contributing to gene regulation. In this review, we discuss the current understanding, scope, disease implications, and future perspectives of the diverse PTMs regulating functions of S/MARBPs.

scholarly journals Role of the cysteine residues in Arabidopsis thaliana cyclophilin CYP20-3 in peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase and redox-related functions

2006 ◽  
Vol 401 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Laxa ◽  
Janine König ◽  
Karl-Josef Dietz ◽  
Andrea Kandlbinder
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Redox Regulation ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Structural Rearrangement ◽  
Disulfide Bridge ◽  
Cysteine Residues ◽  
Active Centre ◽  
Independent Functions

Cyps (cyclophilins) are ubiquitous proteins of the immunophilin superfamily with proposed functions in protein folding, protein degradation, stress response and signal transduction. Conserved cysteine residues further suggest a role in redox regulation. In order to get insight into the conformational change mechanism and functional properties of the chloroplast-located CYP20-3, site-directed mutagenized cysteine→serine variants were generated and analysed for enzymatic and conformational properties under reducing and oxidizing conditions. Compared with the wild-type form, elimination of three out of the four cysteine residues decreased the catalytic efficiency of PPI (peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase) activity of the reduced CYP20-3, indicating a regulatory role of dithiol–disulfide transitions in protein function. Oxidation was accompanied by conformational changes with a predominant role in the structural rearrangement of the disulfide bridge formed between Cys54 and Cys171. The rather negative Em (midpoint redox potential) of −319 mV places CYP20-3 into the redox hierarchy of the chloroplast, suggesting the activation of CYP20-3 in the light under conditions of limited acceptor availability for photosynthesis as realized under environmental stress. Chloroplast Prx (peroxiredoxins) were identified as interacting partners of CYP20-3 in a DNA-protection assay. A catalytic role in the reduction of 2-Cys PrxA and 2-Cys PrxB was assigned to Cys129 and Cys171. In addition, it was shown that the isomerization and disulfide-reduction activities are two independent functions of CYP20-3 that both are regulated by the redox state of its active centre.

scholarly journals Converting a Periplasmic Binding Protein into a Synthetic Biosensing Switch through Domain Insertion

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas F. Ribeiro ◽  
Vanesa Amarelle ◽  
Liliane F. C. Ribeiro ◽  
María-Eugenia Guazzaroni
Keyword(s):  
Protein Engineering ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Protein Domain ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Synthetic Protein ◽  
Periplasmic Binding Proteins ◽  
Domain Insertion

All biosensing platforms rest on two pillars: specific biochemical recognition of a particular analyte and transduction of that recognition into a readily detectable signal. Most existing biosensing technologies utilize proteins that passively bind to their analytes and therefore require wasteful washing steps, specialized reagents, and expensive instruments for detection. To overcome these limitations, protein engineering strategies have been applied to develop new classes of protein-based sensor/actuators, known as protein switches, responding to small molecules. Protein switches change their active state (output) in response to a binding event or physical signal (input) and therefore show a tremendous potential to work as a biosensor. Synthetic protein switches can be created by the fusion between two genes, one coding for a sensor protein (input domain) and the other coding for an actuator protein (output domain) by domain insertion. The binding of a signal molecule to the engineered protein will switch the protein function from an “off” to an “on” state (or vice versa) as desired. The molecular switch could, for example, sense the presence of a metabolite, pollutant, or a biomarker and trigger a cellular response. The potential sensing and response capabilities are enormous; however, the recognition repertoire of natural switches is limited. Thereby, bioengineers have been struggling to expand the toolkit of molecular switches recognition repertoire utilizing periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) as protein-sensing components. PBPs are a superfamily of bacterial proteins that provide interesting features to engineer biosensors, for instance, immense ligand-binding diversity and high affinity, and undergo large conformational changes in response to ligand binding. The development of these protein switches has yielded insights into the design of protein-based biosensors, particularly in the area of allosteric domain fusions. Here, recent protein engineering approaches for expanding the versatility of protein switches are reviewed, with an emphasis on studies that used PBPs to generate novel switches through protein domain insertion.

scholarly journals Exploring the potential impact of an expanded genetic code on protein function

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (22) ◽  
pp. 6961-6966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Xiao ◽  
Fariborz Nasertorabi ◽  
Sei-hyun Choi ◽  
Gye Won Han ◽  
Sean A. Reed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Active Site Residues ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Expanded Genetic Code

With few exceptions, all living organisms encode the same 20 canonical amino acids; however, it remains an open question whether organisms with additional amino acids beyond the common 20 might have an evolutionary advantage. Here, we begin to test that notion by making a large library of mutant enzymes in which 10 structurally distinct noncanonical amino acids were substituted at single sites randomly throughout TEM-1 β-lactamase. A screen for growth on the β-lactam antibiotic cephalexin afforded a unique p-acrylamido-phenylalanine (AcrF) mutation at Val-216 that leads to an increase in catalytic efficiency by increasing kcat, but not significantly affecting KM. To understand the structural basis for this enhanced activity, we solved the X-ray crystal structures of the ligand-free mutant enzyme and of the deacylation-defective wild-type and mutant cephalexin acyl-enzyme intermediates. These structures show that the Val-216–AcrF mutation leads to conformational changes in key active site residues—both in the free enzyme and upon formation of the acyl-enzyme intermediate—that lower the free energy of activation of the substrate transacylation reaction. The functional changes induced by this mutation could not be reproduced by substitution of any of the 20 canonical amino acids for Val-216, indicating that an expanded genetic code may offer novel solutions to proteins as they evolve new activities.

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