Conformational changes of the bacterial type I ATP-binding cassette importer HisQMP2 at distinct steps of the catalytic cycle.

Prokaryotic solute binding protein-dependent ATP-binding cassette import systems are divided into type I and type II and mechanistic differences in the transport process going along with this classification are under intensive investigation. Little is known about the conformational dynamics during the catalytic cycle especially concerning the transmembrane domains. The type I transporter for positively charged amino acids from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (LAO-HisQMP2) was studied by limited proteolysis in detergent solution in the absence and presence of co-factors including ATP, ADP, LAO/arginine, and Mg(2+) ions. Stable peptide fragments could be obtained and differentially susceptible cleavage sites were determined by mass spectrometry as Lys-258 in the nucleotide-binding subunit, HisP, and Arg-217/Arg-218 in the transmembrane subunit, HisQ. In contrast, transmembrane subunit HisM was gradually degraded but no stable fragment could be detected. HisP and HisQ were equally resistant under pre- and post-hydrolysis conditions in the presence of arginine-loaded solute-binding protein LAO and ATP/ADP. Some protection was also observed with LAO/arginine alone, thus reflecting binding to the transporter in the apo-state and transmembrane signaling. Comparable digestion patterns were obtained with the transporter reconstituted into proteoliposomes and nanodiscs. Fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy confirmed the change of HisQ(R218) to a more apolar microenvironment upon ATP binding and hydrolysis. Limited proteolysis was subsequently used as a tool to study the consequences of mutations on the transport cycle. Together, our data suggest similar conformational changes during the transport cycle as described for the maltose ABC transporter of Escherichia coli, despite distinct structural differences between both systems.

αEnv-decorated phosphatidylserine liposomes trigger phagocytosis of HIV-virus-like particles in macrophages.

Macrophages represent an important cellular target of HIV-1. Interestingly, they are also believed to play a potential role counteracting its infection. However, HIV-1 is known to impair macrophage immune functions such as antibody-mediated phagocytosis. Here, we present immunoliposomes that can bind HIV-1 virus-like particles (HIV-VLPs) while being specifically phagocytosed by macrophages, thus allowing the co-internalization of HIV-VLPs. These liposomes are decorated with anti-Env antibodies and contain phosphatidylserine (PS). PS mediates liposome internalization by macrophages via a mechanism not affected by HIV-1. Hence, PS-liposomes mimic apoptotic cells and are internalized into the macrophages due to specific recognition, carrying the previously bound HIV-VLPs. With a combination of flow cytometry, confocal live-cell imaging and electron microscopy we demonstrate that the PS-immunoliposomes presented here are able to elicit efficient HIV-VLPs phagocytosis by macrophages and might represent a new nanotechnological approach to enhance HIV-1 antigen presentation and reduce the ongoing inflammation processes. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This team of authors demonstrate that specific phosphatidylserin immunoliposomes are able to elicit efficient phagocytosis of HIV-virus-like particle by macrophages and might represent a new nanomedicine approach to enhance HIV-1 antigen presentation and reduce ongoing inflammation processes.

DBD dyes as fluorescence lifetime probes to study conformational changes in proteins.

Previously, [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-f][1,3]benzodioxole (DBD)-based fluorophores used as highly sensitive fluorescence lifetime probes reporting on their microenvironmental polarity have been described. Now, a new generation of DBD dyes has been developed. Although they are still sensitive to polarity, in contrast to the former DBD dyes, they have extraordinary spectroscopic properties even in aqueous surroundings. They are characterized by long fluorescence lifetimes (10-20 ns), large Stokes shifts (≈100 nm), high photostabilities, and high quantum yields (>0.56). Here, the spectroscopic properties and synthesis of functionalized derivatives for labeling biological targets are described. Furthermore, thio-reactive maleimido derivatives of both DBD generations show strong intramolecular fluorescence quenching. This mechanism has been investigated and is found to undergo a photoelectron transfer (PET) process. After reaction with a thiol group, this fluorescence quenching is prevented, indicating successful bonding. Being sensitive to their environmental polarity, these compounds have been used as powerful fluorescence lifetime probes for the investigation of conformational changes in the maltose ATP-binding cassette transporter through fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. The differing tendencies of the fluorescence lifetime change for both DBD dye generations promote their combination as a powerful toolkit for studying microenvironments in proteins.

Essential amino acid residues of BioY reveal that dimers are the functional S unit of the Rhodobacter capsulatus biotin transporter.

Energy-coupling factor transporters are a large group of importers for trace nutrients in prokaryotes. The in vivo oligomeric state of their substrate-specific transmembrane proteins (S units) is a matter of debate. Here we focus on the S unit BioY of Rhodobacter capsulatus, which functions as a low-affinity biotin transporter in its solitary state. To analyze whether oligomerization is a requirement for function, a tail-to-head-linked BioY dimer was constructed. Monomeric and dimeric BioY conferred comparable biotin uptake activities on recombinant Escherichia coli. Fluorophore-tagged variants of the dimer were shown by fluorescence anisotropy analysis to oligomerize in vivo. Quantitative mass spectrometry identified biotin in the purified proteins at a stoichiometry of 1:2 for the BioY monomer and 1:4 (referring to single BioY domains) for the dimer. Replacement of the conserved Asp164 (by Asn) and Lys167 (by Arg or Gln) in the monomer and in both halves of the dimer inactivated the proteins. The presence of those mutations in one half of the dimers only slightly affected biotin binding but reduced transport activity to 25% (Asp164Asn and Lys167Arg) or 75% (Lys167Gln). Our data (i) suggest that intermolecular interactions of domains from different dimers provide functionality, (ii) confirm an oligomeric architecture of BioY in living cells, and (iii) demonstrate an essential role of the last transmembrane helix in biotin recognition.

Formation of silica precipitates on membrane surfaces in two and three dimensions.

Ether lipids with alkyl chains of uniform length and varying amine headgroups were synthesized and assembled into bilayer structures in aqueous solution, which served as templates for the formation of silica in two and three dimensions produced under ambient conditions. Dynamic light scattering revealed that unilamellar vesicles of the aminolipids are formed by the extrusion method. The alkylation of the polar amine headgroup was systematically increased from a primary, secondary, and tertiary amine to a quaternary ammonium salt, and the amount of silica was quantified by the beta-silicomolybdate method as a function of the headgroup. A lysinol-connected ether lipid harboring two primary amine groups was also investigated. This variation enabled us to compare the influence of the headgroup on the properties of the precipitated silica in detail. By spreading of unilamellar aminolipid vesicles onto planar silicon substrates, two-dimensional planar bilayers can be produced. By means of ellipsometry in conjunction with atomic force microscopy, we were able to demonstrate that very thin silica layers with a thickness of a few nanometers are formed within minutes on the surface of the aminolipid bilayers. All layers are composed of silica nanospheres, and the thickness turned out to be independent of the amine headgroup.