scholarly journals Cryo-EM structures of undocked innexin-6 hemichannels in phospholipids

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. eaax3157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batuujin Burendei ◽  
Ruriko Shinozaki ◽  
Masakatsu Watanabe ◽  
Tohru Terada ◽  
Kazutoshi Tani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Functional Assays ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Open States ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Junction Proteins

Gap junctions form intercellular conduits with a large pore size whose closed and open states regulate communication between adjacent cells. The structural basis of the mechanism by which gap junctions close, however, remains uncertain. Here, we show the cryo–electron microscopy structures of Caenorhabditis elegans innexin-6 (INX-6) gap junction proteins in an undocked hemichannel form. In the nanodisc-reconstituted structure of the wild-type INX-6 hemichannel, flat double-layer densities obstruct the channel pore. Comparison of the hemichannel structures of a wild-type INX-6 in detergent and nanodisc-reconstituted amino-terminal deletion mutant reveals that lipid-mediated amino-terminal rearrangement and pore obstruction occur upon nanodisc reconstitution. Together with molecular dynamics simulations and electrophysiology functional assays, our results provide insight into the closure of the INX-6 hemichannel in a lipid bilayer before docking of two hemichannels.

scholarly journals Structural basis of the regulation of the normal and oncogenic methylation of nucleosomal histone H3 Lys36 by NSD2

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ko Sato ◽  
Amarjeet Kumar ◽  
Keisuke Hamada ◽  
Chikako Okada ◽  
Asako Oguni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histone H3 ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Nucleosomal Dna ◽  
Oncogenic Mutations ◽  
Binding Cleft ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Nucleosome Binding ◽  
Nucleosomal Histone

AbstractDimethylated histone H3 Lys36 (H3K36me2) regulates gene expression, and aberrant H3K36me2 upregulation, resulting from either the overexpression or point mutation of the dimethyltransferase NSD2, is found in various cancers. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of NSD2 bound to the nucleosome. Nucleosomal DNA is partially unwrapped, facilitating NSD2 access to H3K36. NSD2 interacts with DNA and H2A along with H3. The NSD2 autoinhibitory loop changes its conformation upon nucleosome binding to accommodate H3 in its substrate-binding cleft. Kinetic analysis revealed that two oncogenic mutations, E1099K and T1150A, increase NSD2 catalytic turnover. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that in both mutants, the autoinhibitory loop adopts an open state that can accommodate H3 more often than the wild-type. We propose that E1099K and T1150A destabilize the interactions that keep the autoinhibitory loop closed, thereby enhancing catalytic turnover. Our analyses guide the development of specific inhibitors of NSD2.

scholarly journals Structural basis for the regulation of nucleosome recognition and HDAC activity by histone deacetylase assemblies

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. eabd4413
Author(s):  
Jung-Hoon Lee ◽  
Daniel Bollschweiler ◽  
Tillman Schäfer ◽  
Robert Huber
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Chromatin Modification ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Multiple Contacts ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Nucleosome Binding

The chromatin-modifying histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove acetyl groups from acetyl-lysine residues in histone amino-terminal tails, thereby mediating transcriptional repression. Structural makeup and mechanisms by which multisubunit HDAC complexes recognize nucleosomes remain elusive. Our cryo–electron microscopy structures of the yeast class II HDAC ensembles show that the HDAC protomer comprises a triangle-shaped assembly of stoichiometry Hda12-Hda2-Hda3, in which the active sites of the Hda1 dimer are freely accessible. We also observe a tetramer of protomers, where the nucleosome binding modules are inaccessible. Structural analysis of the nucleosome-bound complexes indicates how positioning of Hda1 adjacent to histone H2B affords HDAC catalysis. Moreover, it reveals how an intricate network of multiple contacts between a dimer of protomers and the nucleosome creates a platform for expansion of the HDAC activities. Our study provides comprehensive insight into the structural plasticity of the HDAC complex and its functional mechanism of chromatin modification.

Discovery of natural product ovalicin sensitive type 1 methionine aminopeptidases: molecular and structural basis

2019 ◽  
Vol 476 (6) ◽  
pp. 991-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijaykumar Pillalamarri ◽  
Tarun Arya ◽  
Neshatul Haque ◽  
Sandeep Chowdary Bala ◽  
Anil Kumar Marapaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Product ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Covalent Modification ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Methionine Aminopeptidases ◽  
Synthetic Derivative ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

Abstract Natural product ovalicin and its synthetic derivative TNP-470 have been extensively studied for their antiangiogenic property, and the later reached phase 3 clinical trials. They covalently modify the conserved histidine in Type 2 methionine aminopeptidases (MetAPs) at nanomolar concentrations. Even though a similar mechanism is possible in Type 1 human MetAP, it is inhibited only at millimolar concentration. In this study, we have discovered two Type 1 wild-type MetAPs (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis) that are inhibited at low micromolar to nanomolar concentrations and established the molecular mechanism. F309 in the active site of Type 1 human MetAP (HsMetAP1b) seems to be the key to the resistance, while newly identified ovalicin sensitive Type 1 MetAPs have a methionine or isoleucine at this position. Type 2 human MetAP (HsMetAP2) also has isoleucine (I338) in the analogous position. Ovalicin inhibited F309M and F309I mutants of human MetAP1b at low micromolar concentration. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that ovalicin is not stably placed in the active site of wild-type MetAP1b before the covalent modification. In the case of F309M mutant and human Type 2 MetAP, molecule spends more time in the active site providing time for covalent modification.

scholarly journals Mechanistic Insights into the Effects of Key Mutations on SARS-CoV-2 RBD-ACE2 Binding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Aggarwal ◽  
Supriyo Naskar ◽  
Nikhil Maroli ◽  
Biswajit Gorai ◽  
Narendra M Dixit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Free Energy Calculations ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Original Strain ◽  
Binding Affinities ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Insight Into

Some recent SARS-CoV-2 variants appear to have increased transmissibility than the original strain. An underlying mechanism could be the improved ability of the variants to bind receptors on target cells and infect them. In this study, we provide atomic-level insight into the binding of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its single (N501Y), double (E484Q, L452R) and triple (N501Y, E484Q, L452R) mutated variants to the human ACE2 receptor. Using extensive all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and advanced free energy calculations, we estimate the associated binding affinities and binding hotspots. We observe significant secondary structural changes in the RBD of the mutants, which lead to different binding affinities. We find higher binding affinities of the double (E484Q, L452R) and triple (N501Y, E484Q, L452R) mutated variants than the wild type and the N501Y variant, which could contribute to the higher transmissibility of recent variants containing these mutations.

scholarly journals Oncogenic G12D mutation alters local conformations and dynamics of K-Ras

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sezen Vatansever ◽  
Burak Erman ◽  
Zeynep H. Gümüş
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Local Dynamic ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Local Conformations ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Direct Inhibitors ◽  
Detailed Picture ◽  
Inactive Protein ◽  
Prevalent Mutation

AbstractK-Ras is the most frequently mutated oncoprotein in human cancers, and G12D is its most prevalent mutation. To understand how G12D mutation impacts K-Ras function, we need to understand how it alters the regulation of its dynamics. Here, we present local changes in K-Ras structure, conformation and dynamics upon G12D mutation, from long-timescale Molecular Dynamics simulations of active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) forms of wild-type and mutant K-Ras, with an integrated investigation of atomistic-level changes, local conformational shifts and correlated residue motions. Our results reveal that the local changes in K-Ras are specific to bound nucleotide (GTP or GDP), and we provide a structural basis for this. Specifically, we show that G12D mutation causes a shift in the population of local conformational states of K-Ras, especially in Switch-II (SII) and α3-helix regions, in favor of a conformation that is associated with a catalytically impaired state through structural changes; it also causes SII motions to anti-correlate with other regions. This detailed picture of G12D mutation effects on the local dynamic characteristics of both active and inactive protein helps enhance our understanding of local K-Ras dynamics, and can inform studies on the development of direct inhibitors towards the treatment of K-RasG12D-driven cancers.

scholarly journals Structural basis for backtracking by the SARS-CoV-2 replication–transcription complex

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (19) ◽  
pp. e2102516118
Author(s):  
Brandon Malone ◽  
James Chen ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Eliza Llewellyn ◽  
Young Joo Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Transcription And Replication

Backtracking, the reverse motion of the transcriptase enzyme on the nucleic acid template, is a universal regulatory feature of transcription in cellular organisms but its role in viruses is not established. Here we present evidence that backtracking extends into the viral realm, where backtracking by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) may aid viral transcription and replication. Structures of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp bound to the essential nsp13 helicase and RNA suggested the helicase facilitates backtracking. We use cryo-electron microscopy, RNA–protein cross-linking, and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations to characterize SARS-CoV-2 RdRp backtracking. The results establish that the single-stranded 3′ segment of the product RNA generated by backtracking extrudes through the RdRp nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) entry tunnel, that a mismatched nucleotide at the product RNA 3′ end frays and enters the NTP entry tunnel to initiate backtracking, and that nsp13 stimulates RdRp backtracking. Backtracking may aid proofreading, a crucial process for SARS-CoV-2 resistance against antivirals.

scholarly journals Structural basis for channel conduction in the pump-like channelrhodopsin ChRmine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koichiro E. Kishi ◽  
Yoon Seok Kim ◽  
Masahiro Fukuda ◽  
Tsukasa Kusakizako ◽  
Elina Thadhani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transmembrane Helix ◽  
Action Spectrum ◽  
Light Sensitivity ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Ion Pump ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Computational Analyses ◽  
Insight Into

ChRmine, a recently-discovered bacteriorhodopsin-like cation-conducting channelrhodopsin, exhibits puzzling properties (unusually-large photocurrents, exceptional red-shift in action spectrum, and extreme light-sensitivity) that have opened up new opportunities in optogenetics. ChRmine and its homologs function as light-gated ion channels, but by primary sequence more closely resemble ion pump rhodopsins; the molecular mechanisms for passive channel conduction in this family of proteins, as well as the unusual properties of ChRmine itself, have remained mysterious. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of ChRmine at 2.0 Å resolution. The structure reveals striking architectural features never seen before in channelrhodopsins including trimeric assembly, a short transmembrane-helix 3 unwound in the middle of the membrane, a prominently-twisting extracellular-loop 1, remarkably-large intracellular cavities and extracellular vestibule, and an unprecedented hydrophilic pore that extends through the center of the trimer, separate from the three individual monomer pores. Electrophysiological, spectroscopic, and computational analyses provide insight into conduction and gating of light-gated channels with these distinct design features, and point the way toward structure-guided creation of novel channelrhodopsins for optogenetic applications in biology.

scholarly journals Structural transitions in the GTP cap visualized by cryo-electron microscopy of catalytically inactive microtubules

2022 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. e2114994119
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. LaFrance ◽  
Johanna Roostalu ◽  
Gil Henkin ◽  
Basil J. Greber ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Total Internal Reflection ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Insight Into

Microtubules (MTs) are polymers of αβ-tubulin heterodimers that stochastically switch between growth and shrinkage phases. This dynamic instability is critically important for MT function. It is believed that GTP hydrolysis within the MT lattice is accompanied by destabilizing conformational changes and that MT stability depends on a transiently existing GTP cap at the growing MT end. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of GTP hydrolysis–deficient MTs assembled from mutant recombinant human tubulin to investigate the structure of a GTP-bound MT lattice. We find that the GTP-MT lattice of two mutants in which the catalytically active glutamate in α-tubulin was substituted by inactive amino acids (E254A and E254N) is remarkably plastic. Undecorated E254A and E254N MTs with 13 protofilaments both have an expanded lattice but display opposite protofilament twists, making these lattices distinct from the compacted lattice of wild-type GDP-MTs. End-binding proteins of the EB family have the ability to compact both mutant GTP lattices and to stabilize a negative twist, suggesting that they promote this transition also in the GTP cap of wild-type MTs, thereby contributing to the maturation of the MT structure. We also find that the MT seam appears to be stabilized in mutant GTP-MTs and destabilized in GDP-MTs, supporting the proposal that the seam plays an important role in MT stability. Together, these structures of catalytically inactive MTs add mechanistic insight into the GTP state of MTs, the stability of the GTP- and GDP-bound lattice, and our overall understanding of MT dynamic instability.

scholarly journals THE STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR BINDING OF COMPLEMENT BY IMMUNOGLOBULIN M

1974 ◽  
Vol 140 (4) ◽  
pp. 1117-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary M. Hurst ◽  
John E. Volanakis ◽  
Raymond B. Hester ◽  
Robert M. Stroud ◽  
J. Claude Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Insight Into

An insight into the structural features of human IgM that are responsible for its capacity to bind the first component of complement (C) has been obtained by examining the ability of IgM subfragments to bind active C1 (C1). The smallest two fragments found to bind C1 were the major CNBr fragment of the Fc portion of IgM and the CH4 fragment of the carboxy-terminal domain. The smallest fragment which fixes C1 has a disaggregated mol wt of 6,800, consists of 60 residues, and contains no carbohydrate. Structural considerations and sequence overlaps suggest that the amino-terminal side of the CH4 domain (24 amino acid residues) might be responsible for fixing C1.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document