scholarly journals CENP-C unwraps the CENP-A nucleosome through the H2A C-terminal tail

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ali-Ahmad ◽  
Silvija Bilokapić ◽  
Ingmar B. Schäfer ◽  
Mario Halić ◽  
Nikolina Sekulić
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
List Type ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
C Complex ◽  
Dna Ends ◽  
Dna Wrapping

AbstractCentromeres are defined epigenetically by nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A, upon which the constitutive centromere-associated network of proteins (CCAN) is built. CENP-C, is considered to be a central organizer of the CCAN. We provide new molecular insights into the structure of CENP-A nucleosomes, in isolation and in complex with the CENP-C central region (CENP-CCR), the main CENP-A binding module of CENP-C. We establish that the short αN-helix of CENP-A promotes DNA flexibility at the nucleosome ends, independently of the sequence it wraps.Furthermore, we show that, in vitro, two regions of CENP-C (CENP-CCR and CENP-Cmotif) both bind exclusively to the CENP-A nucleosome. We find CENP-CCR to bind with high affinity due to an extended hydrophobic area made up of CENP-AV532 and CENP-AV533. Importantly, we identify two key conformational changes within the CENP-A nucleosome upon CENP-C binding. First, the loose DNA wrapping of CENP-A nucleosomes is further exacerbated, through destabilization of the H2A N-terminal tail. Second, CENP-CCR rigidifies the N-terminal tail of H4 in the conformation favoring H4K20 monomethylation, essential for a functional centromere.SynopsisCENP-A nucleosomes have a short αN helix incompatible with complete DNA wrapping, independently of DNA sequence. CENP-C binds exclusively to CENP-A nucleosomes and this binding induces conformational changes that further differentiate CENP-A-containing from canonical nucleosomes.CENP-C binds CENP-A nucleosomes specificallyDNA ends of the CENP-A nucleosome are further unwrapped in the CENP-A/CENP-C complex, due to flexible H2A C-terminal tailsThe N-terminal tail of H4 adopts a conformation favored for centromere specific H4K20 monomethylation when CENP-C is bound

scholarly journals Discovery and Characterization of a Novel CD4-Binding Adnectin with Potent Anti-HIV Activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wensel ◽  
Yongnian Sun ◽  
Zhufang Li ◽  
Sharon Zhang ◽  
Caryn Picarillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Glycosylation Sites ◽  
Spectrum Activity ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Broad Spectrum Activity

ABSTRACT A novel fibronectin-based protein (Adnectin) HIV-1 inhibitor was generated using in vitro selection. This inhibitor binds to human CD4 with a high affinity (3.9 nM) and inhibits viral entry at a step after CD4 engagement and preceding membrane fusion. The progenitor sequence of this novel inhibitor was selected from a library of trillions of Adnectin variants using mRNA display and then further optimized for improved antiviral and physical properties. The final optimized inhibitor exhibited full potency against a panel of 124 envelope (gp160) proteins spanning 11 subtypes, indicating broad-spectrum activity. Resistance profiling studies showed that this inhibitor required 30 passages (151 days) in culture to acquire sufficient resistance to result in viral titer breakthrough. Resistance mapped to the loss of multiple potential N-linked glycosylation sites in gp120, suggesting that inhibition is due to steric hindrance of CD4-binding-induced conformational changes.

scholarly journals SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) Slx5 regulates proteolysis of centromeric histone H3 variant Cse4 and prevents its mislocalization to euchromatin

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1500-1510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Ohkuni ◽  
Yoshimitsu Takahashi ◽  
Alyona Fulp ◽  
Josh Lawrimore ◽  
Wei-Chun Au ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
Maintain Genome Stability

Centromeric histone H3, CENP-ACse4, is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Stringent regulation of cellular levels of CENP-ACse4 restricts its localization to centromeres. Mislocalization of CENP-ACse4 is associated with aneuploidy in yeast and flies and tumorigenesis in human cells; thus defining pathways that regulate CENP-A levels is critical for understanding how mislocalization of CENP-A contributes to aneuploidy in human cancers. Previous work in budding yeast shows that ubiquitination of overexpressed Cse4 by Psh1, an E3 ligase, partially contributes to proteolysis of Cse4. Here we provide the first evidence that Cse4 is sumoylated by E3 ligases Siz1 and Siz2 in vivo and in vitro. Ubiquitination of Cse4 by the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) Slx5 plays a critical role in proteolysis of Cse4 and prevents mislocalization of Cse4 to euchromatin under normal physiological conditions. Accumulation of sumoylated Cse4 species and increased stability of Cse4 in slx5∆ strains suggest that sumoylation precedes ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4. Slx5-mediated Cse4 proteolysis is independent of Psh1, since slx5∆ psh1∆ strains exhibit higher levels of Cse4 stability and mislocalization than either slx5∆ or psh1∆ strains. Our results demonstrate a role for Slx5 in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4 to prevent its mislocalization and maintain genome stability.

scholarly journals Defining binding motifs and dynamics of the multi-pocket FERM domain from ezrin, radixin, moesin and merlin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Alisa Khramushin ◽  
Vikash K Yadav ◽  
Ora Schueler-Furman ◽  
Ylva Ivarsson
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
List Type ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Ferm Domain ◽  
Binding Motifs ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Regions

AbstractThe ERMs (ezrin, radixin and moesin) and the closely related merlin (NF2) participate in signaling events at the cell cortex through interactions mediated by their conserved FERM domain. We systematically investigated the FERM domain mediated interactions with short linear motifs (SLiMs) by screening the FERM domains againsts a phage peptidome representing intrinsically disordered regions of the human proteome. We uncovered a diverse set of interacting partners with similar but distinct binding motifs (FYDF, xYxV, FY(D/E)L and LQE(I/L) that bind to distinct binding pockets. We validated interactions between moesin and merlin FERM domains and full-length FAM83G, HIF1A, LATS1, NOP53, PAK6, RRBP1 and ZNF622 through pull-down experiments. Using biophysical binding assays, we determined affinities of, and uncovered allosteric interdependencies between, different binding partners, suggesting that the FERM domain acts as a switchable interaction hub. Using Rosetta FlexPepDock computational peptide docking protocols, we investigated the energy landscapes of identified interactions, which provide a detailed molecular understanding of the binding of the distinct binding motifs, as well as possible allosteric interconnections. This study demonstrates how experimental and computational approaches together can unravel a complex system of protein-peptide interactions that includes a family of proteins with multiple binding sites that interact with similar but distinct binding motifs.HighlightsWe screened the human disorderome for motif-containing partners of the FERM domainsWe expand the ERM and merlin interactomes of the ERMs and merlinWe identify four distinct motif classes that bind the ERM and merlin FERM domains: FYDF, xYxV, FY(D/E)L and LQE(I/L)In-vitro and in-silico data suggest that the FYDF motif binds to the F3a site and that xYxV motif binds to the F3b siteIn-silico modelling sheds light on the underlying conformational changes responsible for ligand interdependenciesAbstract Figure

scholarly journals Biomolecular condensates amplify mRNA decapping by coupling protein interactions with conformational changes in Dcp1/Dcp2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan W. Tibble ◽  
Anaïs Depaix ◽  
Joanna Kowalska ◽  
Jacek Jemielity ◽  
John D. Gross
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Change ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Mrna Degradation ◽  
Enzyme Activation ◽  
List Type ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Mrna Decapping ◽  
P Bodies

SUMMARYCells organize biochemical processes into biological condensates. P-bodies are cytoplasmic condensates enriched in factors important for mRNA degradation. P-bodies have been identified as sites of both mRNA storage and decay, but how these opposing outcomes may be achieved in condensates is unresolved. A critical step in mRNA degradation is removal of the 5’-7-methylguanosine cap by Dcp1/Dcp2, which is highly enriched in P-bodies. Dcp1/Dcp2 activity is repressed in condensates in vitro and requires the activator Edc3. Activation of decapping is amplified in condensates relative to the surrounding solution due to stabilization of an autoinhibited state in Dcp1/Dcp2. Edc3 couples a conformational change in the Dcp1/Dcp2 active site with alteration of the protein-protein interactions driving phase separation to activate decapping in condensates. The composition-dependent regulation of enzyme activity in condensates occurs over length scales ranging from microns to Ångstroms and may control the functional state of P-bodies and related phase-separated compartments.HIGHLIGHTSmRNA decapping in droplets is repressedCatalytically inert droplets are activated by a change in condensate compositionA switch in enzymatic activity requires a conformational change in condensatesCondensates amplify enzyme activation compared to surrounding solution

scholarly journals Constitutive centromere-associated network contacts confer differential stability on CENP-A nucleosomes in vitro and in the cell

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 751-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengya Cao ◽  
Keda Zhou ◽  
Zhening Zhang ◽  
Karolin Luger ◽  
Aaron F. Straight
Keyword(s):  
Protein A ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Centromere Protein A ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
Differential Stability ◽  
The Stability

Eukaryotic centromeres are defined by the presence of nucleosomes containing the histone H3 variant, centromere protein A (CENP-A). Once incorporated at centromeres, CENP-A nucleosomes are remarkably stable, exhibiting no detectable loss or exchange over many cell cycles. It is currently unclear whether this stability is an intrinsic property of CENP-A containing chromatin or whether it arises from proteins that specifically associate with CENP-A chromatin. Two proteins, CENP-C and CENP-N, are known to bind CENP-A human nucleosomes directly. Here we test the hypothesis that CENP-C or CENP-N stabilize CENP-A nucleosomes in vitro and in living cells. We show that CENP-N stabilizes CENP-A nucleosomes alone and additively with CENP-C in vitro. However, removal of CENP-C and CENP-N from cells, or mutating CENP-A so that it no longer interacts with CENP-C or CENP-N, had no effect on centromeric CENP-A stability in vivo. Thus, the stability of CENP-A nucleosomes in chromatin does not arise solely from its interactions with CENP-C or CENP-N.

scholarly journals CENP-H–containing Complex Facilitates Centromere Deposition of CENP-A in Cooperation with FACT and CHD1

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 3986-3995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Okada ◽  
Katsuya Okawa ◽  
Toshiaki Isobe ◽  
Tatsuo Fukagawa
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Mutant Cell ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Centromeric Chromatin ◽  
Conditional Mutant ◽  
Histone H3 Variant ◽  
A Subunit

Centromere identity is thought to be determined by epigenetic mechanisms. The centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A plays a central role in specifying the locus where the centromere is constructed. However, the precise mechanisms that target CENP-A to centromeric chromatin are poorly understood. Here, we show that facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) localizes to centromeres in a CENP-H–containing complex-dependent manner. In conditional mutant cell lines for SSRP1, a subunit of FACT, centromere targeting of newly synthesized CENP-A is severely inhibited. The chromatin remodeling factor CHD1 binds to SSRP1 both in vivo and in vitro and associates with centromeres. The centromeric localization of CHD1 is lost in SSRP1-depleted cells. RNA interference knockdown of CHD1 leads to a decrease in the amount of centromere localized CENP-A. These findings indicate that the CENP-H–containing complex facilitates deposition of newly synthesized CENP-A into centromeric chromatin in cooperation with FACT and CHD1.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of centromeric histone H3 variant regulates chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Boeckmann ◽  
Yoshimitsu Takahashi ◽  
Wei-Chun Au ◽  
Prashant K. Mishra ◽  
John S. Choy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Histone H3 Variant

The centromeric histone H3 variant (CenH3) is essential for chromosome segregation in eukaryotes. We identify posttranslational modifications of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CenH3, Cse4. Functional characterization of cse4 phosphorylation mutants shows growth and chromosome segregation defects when combined with kinetochore mutants okp1 and ame1. Using a phosphoserine-specific antibody, we show that the association of phosphorylated Cse4 with centromeres increases in response to defective microtubule attachment or reduced cohesion. We determine that evolutionarily conserved Ipl1/Aurora B contributes to phosphorylation of Cse4, as levels of phosphorylated Cse4 are reduced at centromeres in ipl1 strains in vivo, and in vitro assays show phosphorylation of Cse4 by Ipl1. Consistent with these results, we observe that a phosphomimetic cse4-4SD mutant suppresses the temperature-sensitive growth of ipl1-2 and Ipl1 substrate mutants dam1 spc34 and ndc80, which are defective for chromosome biorientation. Furthermore, cell biology approaches using a green fluorescent protein–labeled chromosome show that cse4-4SD suppresses chromosome segregation defects in dam1 spc34 strains. On the basis of these results, we propose that phosphorylation of Cse4 destabilizes defective kinetochores to promote biorientation and ensure faithful chromosome segregation. Taken together, our results provide a detailed analysis, in vivo and in vitro, of Cse4 phosphorylation and its role in promoting faithful chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Histone H3 threonine 11 phosphorylation is catalyzed directly by the meiosis-specific kinase Mek1 and provides a molecular readout of Mek1 activityin vivo

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Kniewel ◽  
Hajime Murakami ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Masaru Ito ◽  
Kunihiro Ohta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Spore Viability ◽  
Meiotic Chromosomes

ABSTRACTSaccharomyces cerevisiaeMek1 is a CHK2/Rad53-family kinase that regulates meiotic recombination and progression upon its activation in response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The full catalog of direct Mek1 phosphorylation targets remains unknown. Here, we show that phosphorylation of histone H3 on threonine 11 (H3 T11ph) is induced by meiotic DSBs inS. cerevisiaeandSchizosaccharomyces pombe. Molecular genetic experiments inS. cerevisiaeconfirmed that Mek1 is required for H3 T11ph and revealed that phosphorylation is rapidly reversed when Mek1 kinase is no longer active. Reconstituting histone phosphorylationin vitrowith recombinant proteins demonstrated that Mek1 directly catalyzes H3 T11 phosphorylation. Mutating H3 T11 to nonphosphorylatable residues conferred no detectable defects in otherwise unperturbed meiosis, although the mutations modestly reduced spore viability in certain strains where Rad51 is used for strand exchange in place of Dmc1. H3 T11ph is therefore mostly dispensable for Mek1 function. However, H3 T11ph provides an excellent marker of ongoing Mek1 kinase activityin vivo. Anti-H3 T11ph chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing demonstrated that H3 T11ph was highly enriched at presumed sites of attachment of chromatin to chromosome axes, gave a more modest signal along chromatin loops, and was present at still lower levels immediately adjacent to DSB hotspots. These localization patterns closely tracked the distribution of Red1 and Hop1, axis proteins required for Mek1 activation. These findings provide insight into the spatial disposition of Mek1 kinase activity and the higher order organization of recombining meiotic chromosomes.bioRxiv version 2 (June 2017)One major experimental change was incorporated into the revised manuscript: We repeated the anti-H3 T11ph ChIP-seq experiment on larger scale, including two meiotic time points from each of two wild type cultures and one time point from a spo11-Y135F mutant culture. To facilitate comparison of different samples, we used meiotic S. pombe cells as a spike-in control for all samples for both anti-H3 and anti-H3 T11ph ChIP-seq. Most conclusions described in the first bioRxiv submission were confirmed, but the improved datasets allowed us to derive more detailed information in particular about H3 T11ph patterns around DSB sites.bioRxiv version 3 (October 2017)The following experimental changes were incorporated, along with more minor changes in response to reviewer comments:We added previously unpublished ChIP-seq data for Red1 protein, generated by Masaru Ito and Kunihiro Ohta, who have been added as coauthors.We repeated key experiments with theH3-T11Vsingle point mutant. No conclusions were changed relative to prior experiments with theH3-S10, T11Vmutant.We repeated the analysis of spore viability in admc1 rad54-T132Abackground using a more appropriate isogenic control, and recapitulated the original conclusion that theH3-T11Vmutation modestly decreases spore viability in this sensitized background.

scholarly journals A nanobody that recognizes a 14-residue peptide epitope in the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBC6e modulates its activity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Ling ◽  
Ross W. Cheloha ◽  
Nicholas McCaul ◽  
Zhen-Yu J. Sun ◽  
Gerhard Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Cell Stress ◽  
Single Domain ◽  
List Type ◽  
Single Domain Antibody ◽  
Catalytic Core ◽  
Peptide Epitope ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
General Utility

ABSTRACTA substantial fraction of eukaryotic proteins is folded and modified in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) prior to export and secretion. Proteins that enter the ER but fail to fold correctly must be degraded, mostly in a process termed ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Both protein folding in the ER and ERAD are essential for proper immune function. Several E2 and E3 enzymes localize to the ER and are essential for various aspects of ERAD, but their functions and regulation are incompletely understood. Here we identify and characterize single domain antibody fragments derived from the variable domain of alpaca heavy chain-only antibodies (VHHs or nanobodies) that bind to the ER-localized E2 UBC6e, an enzyme implicated in ERAD. One such VHH, VHH05 recognizes a 14 residue stretch and enhances the rate of E1-catalyzed ubiquitin E2 loading in vitro and interferes with phosphorylation of UBC6e in response to cell stress. Identification of the peptide epitope recognized by VHH05 places it outside the E2 catalytic core, close to the position of activation-induced phosphorylation on Ser184. Our data thus suggests a site involved in allosteric regulation of UBC6e’s activity. This VHH should be useful not only to dissect the participation of UBC6e in ERAD and in response to cell stress, but also as a high affinity epitope tag-specific reagent of more general utility.Highlights-Identified single domain antibodies (VHHs) that bind to UBC6e with high affinity-VHH binds to a short linear epitope near a phosphorylation site-VHH binding to UBC6e enhances enzymatic activity-VHH binding inhibits UBC6e phosphorylation in cells

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