scholarly journals Structural analysis and modeling reveals new mechanisms governing ESCRT-III spiral filament assembly

2014 ◽  
Vol 206 (6) ◽  
pp. 763-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing-Tao Shen ◽  
Amber L. Schuh ◽  
Yuqing Zheng ◽  
Kyle Quinney ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
...  

The scission of biological membranes is facilitated by a variety of protein complexes that bind and manipulate lipid bilayers. ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport III) filaments mediate membrane scission during the ostensibly disparate processes of multivesicular endosome biogenesis, cytokinesis, and retroviral budding. However, mechanisms by which ESCRT-III subunits assemble into a polymer remain unknown. Using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we found that the full-length ESCRT-III subunit Vps32/CHMP4B spontaneously forms single-stranded spiral filaments. The resolution afforded by two-dimensional cryo-EM combined with molecular dynamics simulations revealed that individual Vps32/CHMP4B monomers within a filament are flexible and able to accommodate a range of bending angles. In contrast, the interface between monomers is stable and refractory to changes in conformation. We additionally found that the carboxyl terminus of Vps32/CHMP4B plays a key role in restricting the lateral association of filaments. Our findings highlight new mechanisms by which ESCRT-III filaments assemble to generate a unique polymer capable of membrane remodeling in multiple cellular contexts.

Author(s):  
H.A. Cohen ◽  
W. Chiu ◽  
J. Hosoda

GP 32 (molecular weight 35000) is a T4 bacteriophage protein that destabilizes the DNA helix. The fragment GP32*I (77% of the total weight), which destabilizes helices better than does the parent molecule, crystallizes as platelets thin enough for electron diffraction and electron imaging. In this paper we discuss the structure of this protein as revealed in images reconstructed from stained and unstained crystals.Crystals were prepared as previously described. Crystals for electron microscopy were pelleted from the buffer suspension, washed in distilled water, and resuspended in 1% glucose. Two lambda droplets were placed on grids over freshly evaporated carbon, allowed to sit for five minutes, and then were drained. Stained crystals were prepared the same way, except that prior to draining the droplet, two lambda of aqueous 1% uranyl acetate solution were applied for 20 seconds. Micrographs were produced using less than 2 e/Å2 for unstained crystals or less than 8 e/Å2 for stained crystals.


Author(s):  
M. Gajdardziska-Josifovska

Parabolas have been observed in the reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) patterns from surfaces of single crystals since the early thirties. In the last decade there has been a revival of attempts to elucidate the origin of these surface parabolas. The renewed interest stems from the need to understand the connection between the parabolas and the surface resonance (channeling) condition, the latter being routinely used to obtain higher intensity in reflection electron microscopy (REM) images of surfaces. Several rather diverging descriptions have been proposed to explain the parabolas in the reflection and transmission Kikuchi patterns. Recently we have developed an unifying general treatment in which the parabolas are shown to be K-lines of two-dimensional lattices. Here we want to review the main features of this description and present an experimental diffraction pattern from a 30° MgO (111) surface which displays parabolas that can be attributed to the surface reconstruction.


Author(s):  
Jeffry A. Reidler ◽  
John P. Robinson

We have prepared two-dimensional (2D) crystals of tetanus toxin using procedures developed by Uzgiris and Kornberg for the directed production of 2D crystals of monoclonal antibodies at an antigen-phospholipid monolayer interface. The tetanus toxin crystals were formed using a small mole fraction of the natural receptor, GT1, incorporated into phosphatidyl choline monolayers. The crystals formed at low concentration overnight. Two dimensional crystals of this type are particularly useful for structure determination using electron microscopy and computer image refinement. Three dimensional (3D) structural information can be derived from these crystals by computer reconstruction of photographs of toxin crystals taken at different tilt angles. Such 3D reconstructions may help elucidate the mechanism of entry of the enzymatic subunit of toxins into cells, particularly since these crystals form directly on a membrane interface at similar concentrations of ganglioside GT1 to the natural cellular receptors.


Author(s):  
E. H. Egelman ◽  
X. Yu

The RecA protein of E. coli has been shown to mediate genetic recombination, regulate its own synthesis, control the expression of other genes, act as a specific protease, form a helical polymer and have an ATPase activity, among other observed properties. The unusual filament formed by the RecA protein on DNA has not previously been shown to exist outside of bacteria. Within this filament, the 36 Å pitch of B-form DNA is extended to about 95 Å, the pitch of the RecA helix. We have now establishedthat similar nucleo-protein complexes are formed by bacteriophage and yeast proteins, and availableevidence suggests that this structure is universal across all of biology, including humans. Thus, understanding the function of the RecA protein will reveal basic mechanisms, in existence inall organisms, that are at the foundation of general genetic recombination and repair.Recombination at this moment is assuming an importance far greater than just pure biology. The association between chromosomal rearrangements and neoplasms has become stronger and stronger, and these rearrangements are most likely products of the recombinatory apparatus of the normal cell. Further, damage to DNA appears to be a major cause of cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (S1) ◽  
pp. 3250-3250
Author(s):  
Viswanath Vittaladevaram ◽  
Kranthi Kuruti

AbstractThe key aspect for development of novel drug molecules is to perform structural determination of target molecule associated with its ligand. One such tool that provides insights towards structure of molecule is Cryo-electron microscopy which covers biological targets that are intractable. Examination of proteins can be carried out in native state, as the samples are frozen at -175 degree Celsius i.e. cryogenic temperatures. In addition to this, there were no limits for molecular and functional structures of proteins that can be imagined in 3-dimensional form. This includes ligands which unravel mechanisms that are biologically relevant. This will enable to better understand the mechanisms that are used for development of new therapeutics. Application of Cryo-electron microscopy is not limited to protein complexes and is considered as non-specific. Intervention of Cryo-EM would allow to analyse the structures and also able to dissect the interaction with therapeutic molecules. The study determines the usage of cryo-EM for providing resolutions that are acceptable for lead discovery. It also provides support for lead optimization and also for discovery of vaccines and therapeutics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 441-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Caillat ◽  
Sourav Maity ◽  
Nolwenn Miguet ◽  
Wouter H. Roos ◽  
Winfried Weissenhorn

Abstract The endosomal sorting complex required for transport-III (ESCRT-III) and VPS4 catalyze a variety of membrane-remodeling processes in eukaryotes and archaea. Common to these processes is the dynamic recruitment of ESCRT-III proteins from the cytosol to the inner face of a membrane neck structure, their activation and filament formation inside or at the membrane neck and the subsequent or concomitant recruitment of the AAA-type ATPase VPS4. The dynamic assembly of ESCRT-III filaments and VPS4 on cellular membranes induces constriction of membrane necks with large diameters such as the cytokinetic midbody and necks with small diameters such as those of intraluminal vesicles or enveloped viruses. The two processes seem to use different sets of ESCRT-III filaments. Constriction is then thought to set the stage for membrane fission. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the structural transitions of ESCRT-III proteins required for filament formation, the functional role of VPS4 in dynamic ESCRT-III assembly and its active role in filament constriction. The recent data will be discussed in the context of different mechanistic models for inside-out membrane fission.


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