Length-Dependent Translation Efficiency of ER-Destined Proteins.

Gene expression is a fundamental process that enables cells to produce specific proteins in a timely and spatially dependent manner. In eukaryotic cells, the complex organization of the cell body requires precise control of protein synthesis and localization. Certain mRNAs encode proteins with an N-terminal signal sequences that direct the translation apparatus toward a specific organelle. Here, we focus on the mechanisms governing the translation of mRNAs, which encode proteins with an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signal in human cells. The binding of a signal-recognition particle (SRP) to the translation machinery halts protein synthesis until the mRNA-ribosome complex reaches the ER membrane. The commonly accepted model suggests that mRNA that encodes a protein that contains an ER signal peptide continuously repeats the cycle of SRP binding followed by association and dissociation with the ER. In contrast to the current view, we show that the long mRNAs remain on the ER while being translated. On the other hand, due to low ribosome occupancy, the short mRNAs continue the cycle, always facing a translation pause. Ultimately, this leads to a significant drop in the translation efficiency of small, ER-targeted proteins. The proposed mechanism advances our understanding of selective protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells and provides new avenues to enhance protein production in biotechnological settings.

The interaction of the mitochondrial protein importer TOMM34 with HSP70 is regulated by TOMM34 phosphorylation and binding to 14-3-3 adaptors.

Translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 34 (TOMM34) orchestrates heat shock protein 70 (HSP70)/HSP90-mediated transport of mitochondrial precursor proteins. Here, using in vitro phosphorylation and refolding assays, analytical size-exclusion chromatography, and hydrogen/deuterium exchange MS, we found that TOMM34 associates with 14-3-3 proteins after its phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA). PKA preferentially targeted two serine residues in TOMM34: Ser93 and Ser160, located in the tetratricopeptide repeat 1 (TPR1) domain and the interdomain linker, respectively. Both of these residues were necessary for efficient 14-3-3 protein binding. We determined that phosphorylation-induced structural changes in TOMM34 are further augmented by binding to 14-3-3, leading to destabilization of TOMM34's secondary structure. We also observed that this interaction with 14-3-3 occludes the TOMM34 interaction interface with ATP-bound HSP70 dimers, which leaves them intact and thereby eliminates an inhibitory effect of TOMM34 on HSP70-mediated refolding in vitro In contrast, we noted that TOMM34 in complex with 14-3-3 could bind HSP90. Both TOMM34 and 14-3-3 participated in cytosolic precursor protein transport mediated by the coordinated activities of HSP70 and HSP90. Our results provide important insights into how PKA-mediated phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding regulate the availability of TOMM34 for its interaction with HSP70.

Human Stress-inducible Hsp70 Has a High Propensity to Form ATP-dependent Antiparallel Dimers That Are Differentially Regulated by Cochaperone Binding.

Eukaryotic protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is largely dependent on the action of highly conserved Hsp70 molecular chaperones. Recent evidence indicates that, apart from conserved molecular allostery, Hsp70 proteins have retained and adapted the ability to assemble as functionally relevant ATP-bound dimers throughout evolution. Here, we have compared the ATP-dependent dimerization of DnaK, human stress-inducible Hsp70, Hsc70 and BiP Hsp70 proteins, showing that their dimerization propensities differ, with stress-inducible Hsp70 being predominantly dimeric in the presence of ATP. Structural analyses using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that stress-inducible Hsp70 assembles in solution as an antiparallel dimer with the intermolecular interface closely resembling the ATP-bound dimer interfaces captured in DnaK and BiP crystal structures. ATP-dependent dimerization of stress-inducible Hsp70 is necessary for its efficient interaction with Hsp40, as shown by experiments with dimerization-deficient mutants. Moreover, dimerization of ATP-bound Hsp70 is required for its participation in high molecular weight protein complexes detected ex vivo, supporting its functional role in vivo As human cytosolic Hsp70 can interact with tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain containing cochaperones, we tested the interaction of Hsp70 ATP-dependent dimers with Chip and Tomm34 cochaperones. Although Chip associates with intact Hsp70 dimers to form a larger complex, binding of Tomm34 disrupts the Hsp70 dimer and this event plays an important role in Hsp70 activity regulation. In summary, this study provides structural evidence of robust ATP-dependent antiparallel dimerization of human inducible Hsp70 protein and suggests a novel role of TPR domain cochaperones in multichaperone complexes involving Hsp70 ATP-bound dimers.

Novel Entropically Driven Conformation-specific Interactions with Tomm34 Protein Modulate Hsp70 Protein Folding and ATPase Activities.

Co-chaperones containing tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains enable cooperation between Hsp70 and Hsp90 to maintain cellular proteostasis. Although the details of the molecular interactions between some TPR domains and heat shock proteins are known, we describe a novel mechanism by which Tomm34 interacts with and coordinates Hsp70 activities. In contrast to the previously defined Hsp70/Hsp90-organizing protein (Hop), Tomm34 interaction is dependent on the Hsp70 chaperone cycle. Tomm34 binds Hsp70 in a complex process; anchorage of the Hsp70 C terminus by the TPR1 domain is accompanied by additional contacts formed exclusively in the ATP-bound state of Hsp70 resulting in a high affinity entropically driven interaction. Tomm34 induces structural changes in determinants within the Hsp70-lid subdomain and modulates Hsp70/Hsp40-mediated refolding and Hsp40-stimulated Hsp70 ATPase activity. Because Tomm34 recruits Hsp90 through its TPR2 domain, we propose a model in which Tomm34 enables Hsp70/Hsp90 scaffolding and influences the Hsp70 chaperone cycle, providing an additional role for co-chaperones that contain multiple TPR domains in regulating protein homeostasis.

Tamoxifen-Dependent Induction of AGR2 Is Associated with Increased Aggressiveness of Endometrial Cancer Cells.

Tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer patients is associated with increased risk of endometrial malignancies. Significantly, higher AGR2 expression was found in endometrial cancers that developed in women previously treated with tamoxifen compared to those who had not been exposed to tamoxifen. An association of elevated AGR2 level with myometrial invasion occurrence and invasion depth was also found. In vitro analyses identified a stimulatory effect of AGR2 on cellular proliferation. Although adverse tamoxifen effects on endometrial cells remain elusive, our work identifies elevated AGR2 as a candidate tamoxifen-dependent mechanism of action responsible for increased incidence of endometrial cancer.

The assembly and intermolecular properties of the Hsp70-Tomm34-Hsp90 molecular chaperone complex.

Maintenance of protein homeostasis by molecular chaperones Hsp70 and Hsp90 requires their spatial and functional coordination. The cooperation of Hsp70 and Hsp90 is influenced by their interaction with the network of co-chaperone proteins, some of which contain tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domains. Critical to these interactions are TPR domains that target co-chaperone binding to the EEVD-COOH motif that terminates Hsp70/Hsp90. Recently, the two-TPR domain-containing protein, Tomm34, was reported to bind both Hsp70 and Hsp90. Here we characterize the structural basis of Tomm34-Hsp70/Hsp90 interactions. Using multiple methods, including pull-down assays, fluorescence polarization, hydrogen/deuterium exchange, and site-directed mutagenesis, we defined the binding activities and specificities of Tomm34 TPR domains toward Hsp70 and Hsp90. We found that Tomm34 TPR1 domain specifically binds Hsp70. This interaction is partly mediated by a non-canonical TPR1 two-carboxylate clamp and is strengthened by so far unidentified additional intermolecular contacts. The two-carboxylate clamp of the isolated TPR2 domain has affinity for both chaperones, but as part of the full-length Tomm34 protein, the TPR2 domain binds specifically Hsp90. These binding properties of Tomm34 TPR domains thus enable simultaneous binding of Hsp70 and Hsp90. Importantly, we provide evidence for the existence of an Hsp70-Tomm34-Hsp90 tripartite complex. In addition, we defined the basic conformational demands of the Tomm34-Hsp90 interaction. These results suggest that Tomm34 represents a novel scaffolding co-chaperone of Hsp70 and Hsp90, which may facilitate Hsp70/Hsp90 cooperation during protein folding.

Deubiquitinase OTUD1 Resolves Stalled Translation on polyA and Rare Codon Rich mRNAs.

OTUD1 is a deubiquitinating enzyme involved in many cellular processes including cancer and innate, immune signaling pathways. Here, we perform a proximity labeling-based interactome study that identifies OTUD1 largely present in the translation and RNA metabolism protein complexes. Biochemical analysis validates OTUD1 association with ribosome subunits, elongation factors and the E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNF598 but not with the translation initiation machinery. OTUD1 catalytic activity suppresses polyA triggered ribosome stalling through inhibition of ZNF598-mediated RPS10 ubiquitination and stimulates formation of polysomes. Finally, analysis of gene expression suggests that OTUD1 regulates the stability of rare codon rich mRNAs by antagonizing ZNF598.

The deubiquitinase OTUD1 regulates immunoglobulin production and proteasome inhibitor sensitivity in multiple myeloma.

Serum monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) is the main diagnostic factor for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), however its prognostic potential remains unclear. On a large MM patient cohort (n = 4146), we observe no correlation between serum Ig levels and patient survival, while amount of intracellular Ig has a strong predictive effect. Focused CRISPR screen, transcriptional and proteomic analysis identify deubiquitinase OTUD1 as a critical mediator of Ig synthesis, proteasome inhibitor sensitivity and tumor burden in MM. Mechanistically, OTUD1 deubiquitinates peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), protecting it from endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation. In turn, PRDX4 facilitates Ig production which coincides with the accumulation of unfolded proteins and higher ER stress. The elevated load on proteasome ultimately potentiates myeloma response to proteasome inhibitors providing a window for a rational therapy. Collectively, our findings support the significance of the Ig production machinery as a biomarker and target in the combinatory treatment of MM patients.

HSPA1A conformational mutants reveal a conserved structural unit in Hsp70 proteins.

BACKGROUND: The Hsp70 proteins maintain proteome integrity through the capacity of their nucleotide- and substrate-binding domains (NBD and SBD) to allosterically regulate substrate affinity in a nucleotide-dependent manner. Crystallographic studies showed that Hsp70 allostery relies on formation of contacts between ATP-bound NBD and an interdomain linker, accompanied by SBD subdomains docking onto distinct sites of the NBD leading to substrate release. However, the mechanics of ATP-induced SBD subdomains detachment is largely unknown. METHODS: Here, we investigated the structural and allosteric properties of human HSPA1A using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, ATPase assays, surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence polarization-based substrate binding assays. RESULTS: Analysis of HSPA1A proteins bearing mutations at the interface of SBD subdomains close to the interdomain linker (amino acids L399, L510, I515, and D529) revealed that this region forms a folding unit stabilizing the structure of both SBD subdomains in the nucleotide-free state. The introduced mutations modulate HSPA1A allostery as they localize to the NBD-SBD interfaces in the ATP-bound protein. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that residues forming the hydrophobic structural unit stabilizing the SBD structure are relocated during ATP-activated detachment of the SBD subdomains to different NBD-SBD docking interfaces enabling HSPA1A allostery. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mutation-induced perturbations tuned HSPA1A sensitivity to peptide/protein substrates and to Hsp40 in a way that is common for other Hsp70 proteins. Our results provide an insight into structural rearrangements in the SBD of Hsp70 proteins and highlight HSPA1A-specific allostery features, which is a prerequisite for selective targeting in Hsp-related pathologies.

Extracellular AGR3 regulates breast cancer cells migration via Src signaling.

Human anterior gradient proteins AGR2 and AGR3 are overexpressed in a variety of adenocarcinomas and are often secreted in cancer patients' specimens, which suggests a role for AGR proteins in intra and extracellular compartments. Although these proteins exhibit high sequence homology, AGR2 is predominantly described as a pro-oncogene and a potential prognostic biomarker. However, little is known about the function of AGR3. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of AGR3 in breast cancer. The results demonstrated that breast cancer cells secrete AGR3. Furthermore, it was revealed that extracellular AGR3 (eAGR3) regulates tumor cell adhesion and migration. The current study indicated that the pharmacological and genetic perturbation of Src kinase signaling, through treatment with Dasatinib (protein kinase inhibitor) or investigating cells that express a dominant-negative form of Src, significantly abrogated eAGR3-mediated breast cancer cell migration. Therefore, the results indicated that eAGR3 may control tumor cell migration via activation of Src kinases. The results of the present study indicated that eAGR3 may serve as a microenvironmental signaling molecule in tumor-associated processes.

Immunoassays of chemically modified polysaccharides, glycans in glycoproteins and ribose in nucleic acids.

Glycosylation of proteins plays an important role in health and diseases. At present new simple and inexpensive methods of glycoprotein analysis are sought. We developed a monoclonal antibody Manost 2.1 in mice after immunization with the adduct of mannan with Os(VI)temed complex (temed is N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine). The specificity of this antibody to different biomolecules treated with Os(VI)temed was tested using dot blot immunoassay. Manost 2.1 showed specificity toward Os(VI)temed-modified polysaccharides, glycoproteins and ribonucleotide at the 3'-end in DNA. The antibody recognized neither the unmodified compounds nor the non-glycosylated proteins treated with Os(VI)temed. We also performed western blotting and Coomassie silver blue staining of mixtures of biomacromolecules treated with Os(VI)temed and identified specifically the modified glycoproteins. The immunochemical method using Manost 2.1 was compared with electrochemical analyses based on redox signals of the Os(VI)temed adducts, with similar results in terms of sensitivity. This new antibody-based approach opens the door for rapid and inexpensive analysis of glycans and glycoproteins in various scientific and medical fields, including cancer research and the future application of glycoprotein detection in clinical practice.