RESUMO
The small GTPase Rat sarcoma virus proteins (RAS) are key regulators of cell growth and involved in 20-30% of cancers. RAS switches between its active state and inactive state via exchange of GTP (active) and GDP (inactive). Therefore, to study active protein, it needs to undergo nucleotide exchange to a non-hydrolysable GTP analog. Calf intestine alkaline phosphatase bound to agarose beads (CIP-agarose) is regularly used in a nucleotide exchange protocol to replace GDP with a non-hydrolysable analog. Due to pandemic supply problems and product shortages, we found the need for an alternative to this commercially available product. Here we describe how we generated a bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) with an affinity tag bound to an agarose bead. This BAP completely exchanges the nucleotide in our samples, thereby demonstrating an alternative to the commercially available product using generally available laboratory equipment.
Assuntos
Proteínas Monoméricas de Ligação ao GTP , Proteínas Monoméricas de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Nucleotídeos , Fosfatase Alcalina/genética , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Sefarose , Guanosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Guanosina Difosfato/metabolismoRESUMO
The diversity of chemical and structural attributes of proteins makes it inherently difficult to produce a wide range of proteins in a single recombinant protein production system. The nature of the target proteins themselves, along with cost, ease of use, and speed, are typically cited as major factors to consider in production. Despite a wide variety of alternative expression systems, most recombinant proteins for research and therapeutics are produced in a limited number of systems: Escherichia coli, yeast, insect cells, and the mammalian cell lines HEK293 and CHO. Recent interest in Vibrio natriegens as a new bacterial recombinant protein expression host is due in part to its short doubling time of ≤ 10 min but also stems from the promise of compatibility with techniques and genetic systems developed for E. coli. We successfully incorporated V. natriegens as an additional bacterial expression system for recombinant protein production and report improvements to published protocols as well as new protocols that expand the versatility of the system. While not all proteins benefit from production in V. natriegens, we successfully produced several proteins that were difficult or impossible to produce in E. coli. We also show that in some cases, the increased yield is due to higher levels of properly folded protein. Additionally, we were able to adapt our enhanced isotope incorporation methods for use with V. natriegens. Taken together, these observations and improvements allowed production of proteins for structural biology, biochemistry, assay development, and structure-based drug design in V. natriegens that were impossible and/or unaffordable to produce in E. coli.
Assuntos
Proteínas Recombinantes , Vibrio , Proteínas Recombinantes/biossíntese , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Vibrio/genética , Vibrio/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/genética , HumanosRESUMO
The small GTPase KRAS is localized at the plasma membrane where it functions as a molecular switch, coupling extracellular growth factor stimulation to intracellular signaling networks. In this process, KRAS recruits effectors, such as RAF kinase, to the plasma membrane where they are activated by a series of complex molecular steps. Defining the membrane-bound state of KRAS is fundamental to understanding the activation of RAF kinase and in evaluating novel therapeutic opportunities for the inhibition of oncogenic KRAS-mediated signaling. We combined multiple biophysical measurements and computational methodologies to generate a consensus model for authentically processed, membrane-anchored KRAS. In contrast to the two membrane-proximal conformations previously reported, we identify a third significantly populated state using a combination of neutron reflectivity, fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP), and NMR. In this highly populated state, which we refer to as "membrane-distal" and estimate to comprise â¼90% of the ensemble, the G-domain does not directly contact the membrane but is tethered via its C-terminal hypervariable region and carboxymethylated farnesyl moiety, as shown by FPOP. Subsequent interaction of the RAF1 RAS binding domain with KRAS does not significantly change G-domain configurations on the membrane but affects their relative populations. Overall, our results are consistent with a directional fly-casting mechanism for KRAS, in which the membrane-distal state of the G-domain can effectively recruit RAF kinase from the cytoplasm for activation at the membrane.
Assuntos
Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Quinases raf/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Simulação de Dinâmica MolecularRESUMO
KRAS is the most frequently mutated RAS protein in cancer patients, and it is estimated that about 20% of the cancer patients in the United States carried mutant RAS proteins. To accelerate therapeutic development, structures and dynamics of RAS proteins had been extensively studied by various biophysical techniques for decades. Although 31P NMR studies revealed population equilibrium of the two major states in the active GMPPNP-bound form, more complex conformational dynamics in RAS proteins and oncogenic mutants subtly modulate the interactions with their downstream effectors. We established a set of customized NMR relaxation dispersion techniques to efficiently and systematically examine the ms-µs conformational dynamics of RAS proteins. This method allowed us to observe varying synchronized motions that connect the effector and allosteric lobes in KRAS. We demonstrated the role of conformational dynamics of KRAS in controlling its interaction with the Ras-binding domain of the downstream effector RAF1, the first kinase in the MAPK pathway. This allows one to explain, as well as to predict, the altered binding affinities of various KRAS mutants, which was neither previously reported nor apparent from the structural perspective.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Fenômenos Fisiológicos Celulares , Humanos , Conformação Molecular , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Proteínas ras/químicaRESUMO
Thermal unfolding methods are commonly used as a predictive technique by tracking the protein's physical properties. Inherent protein thermal stability and unfolding profiles of biotherapeutics can help to screen or study potential drugs and to find stabilizing or destabilizing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a 'Gold Standard' for thermal stability assays (TSA), but there are also a multitude of other methodologies, such as differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF). The use of an external probe increases the assay throughput, making it more suitable for screening studies, but the current methodologies suffer from relatively low sensitivity. While DSF is an effective tool for screening, interpretation and comparison of the results is often complicated. To overcome these challenges, we compared three thermal stability probes in small GTPase stability studies: SYPRO Orange, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS), and the Protein-Probe. We studied mainly KRAS, as a proof of principle to obtain biochemical knowledge through TSA profiles. We showed that the Protein-Probe can work at lower concentration than the other dyes, and its sensitivity enables effective studies with non-covalent and covalent drugs at the nanomolar level. Using examples, we describe the parameters, which must be taken into account when characterizing the effect of drug candidates, of both small molecules and Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins.
Assuntos
Proteínas Monoméricas de Ligação ao GTP , Bioensaio , Varredura Diferencial de Calorimetria , Fluorometria/métodos , Estabilidade ProteicaRESUMO
Neurofibromin is a tumor suppressor encoded by the NF1 gene, which is mutated in Rasopathy disease neurofibromatosis type I. Defects in NF1 lead to aberrant signaling through the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway due to disruption of the neurofibromin GTPase-activating function on RAS family small GTPases. Very little is known about the function of most of the neurofibromin protein; to date, biochemical and structural data exist only for its GAP domain and a region containing a Sec-PH motif. To better understand the role of this large protein, here we carried out a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments, including size-exclusion chromatography-multiangle light scattering (SEC-MALS), small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering, and analytical ultracentrifugation, indicating that full-length neurofibromin forms a high-affinity dimer. We observed that neurofibromin dimerization also occurs in human cells and likely has biological and clinical implications. Analysis of purified full-length and truncated neurofibromin variants by negative-stain EM revealed the overall architecture of the dimer and predicted the potential interactions that contribute to the dimer interface. We could reconstitute structures resembling high-affinity full-length dimers by mixing N- and C-terminal protein domains in vitro The reconstituted neurofibromin was capable of GTPase activation in vitro, and co-expression of the two domains in human cells effectively recapitulated the activity of full-length neurofibromin. Taken together, these results suggest how neurofibromin dimers might form and be stabilized within the cell.
Assuntos
Neurofibromina 1/química , Neurofibromina 1/metabolismo , Multimerização Proteica , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Neurofibromina 1/ultraestrutura , Domínios Proteicos , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Proteínas Ativadoras de ras GTPase/metabolismoRESUMO
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is a commonly used antigen for serology assays critical to determining the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the population. Different versions of the RBD protein have been developed and utilized in assays, with higher sensitivity attributed to particular forms of the protein. To improve the yield of these high-sensitivity forms of RBD and support the increased demand for this antigen in serology assays, we investigated several protein expression variables including DNA elements such as promoters and signal peptides, cell culture expression parameters, and purification processes. Through this investigation, we developed a simplified and robust purification strategy that consistently resulted in high levels of the high-sensitivity form of RBD and demonstrated that a carboxyterminal tag is responsible for the increased sensitivity in the ELISA. These improved reagents and processes produce high-quality proteins which are functional in serology assays and can be used to investigate seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Assuntos
COVID-19/sangue , Domínios Proteicos/genética , SARS-CoV-2/isolamento & purificação , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , COVID-19/genética , COVID-19/virologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Ligação Proteica/genética , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/sangue , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genéticaRESUMO
The gene encoding the GTPase KRAS is frequently mutated in pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers. The KRAS fraction in the plasma membrane (PM) correlates with activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and subsequent cellular proliferation. Understanding KRAS's interaction with the PM is challenging given the complexity of the cellular environment. To gain insight into key components necessary for KRAS signal transduction at the PM, we used synthetic membranes such as liposomes and giant unilamellar vesicles. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, we demonstrated that KRAS and Raf-1 proto-oncogene Ser/Thr kinase (RAF1) domains interact with these membranes primarily through electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipids reinforced by additional interactions involving phosphatidyl ethanolamine and cholesterol. We found that the RAF1 region spanning RBD through CRD (RBDCRD) interacts with the membrane significantly more strongly than the isolated RBD or CRD domains and synergizes KRAS partitioning to the membrane. We also found that calmodulin and phosphodiesterase 6 delta (PDE6δ), but not galectin3 previously proposed to directly interact with KRAS, passively sequester KRAS and prevent it from partitioning into the PM. RAF1 RBDCRD interacted with membranes preferentially at nonraft lipid domains. Moreover, a C-terminal O-methylation was crucial for KRAS membrane localization. These results contribute to a better understanding of how the KRAS-membrane interaction is tuned by multiple factors whose identification could inform drug discovery efforts to disrupt this critical interaction in diseases such as cancer.
Assuntos
Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Calmodulina/metabolismo , Nucleotídeo Cíclico Fosfodiesterase do Tipo 6/metabolismo , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Membranas Artificiais , Domínios Proteicos , Proto-Oncogene Mas , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf , Transdução de Sinais , Eletricidade EstáticaRESUMO
We have developed a rapid and sensitive single-well dual-parametric method introduced in linked RAS nucleotide exchange and RAS/RAF-RBD interaction assays. RAS mutations are frequent drivers of multiple different human cancers, but the development of therapeutic strategies has been challenging. Traditionally, efforts to disrupt the RAS function have focused on nucleotide exchange inhibitors, GTP-RAS interaction inhibitors, and activators increasing GTPase activity of mutant RAS proteins. As the amount of biological knowledge grows, targeted biochemical assays enabling high-throughput screening have become increasingly interesting. We have previously introduced a homogeneous quenching resonance energy transfer (QRET) assay for nucleotide binding studies with RAS and heterotrimeric G proteins. Here, we introduce a novel homogeneous signaling technique called QTR-FRET, which combine QRET technology and time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET). The dual-parametric QTR-FRET technique enables the linking of guanine nucleotide exchange factor-induced Eu3+-GTP association to RAS, monitored at 615 nm, and subsequent Eu3+-GTP-loaded RAS interaction with RAF-RBD-Alexa680 monitored at 730 nm. Both reactions were monitored in a single-well assay applicable for inhibitor screening and real-time reaction monitoring. This homogeneous assay enables separable detection of both nucleotide exchange and RAS/RAF interaction inhibitors using low nanomolar protein concentrations. To demonstrate a wider applicability as a screening and real-time reaction monitoring method, the QTR-FRET technique was also applied for G(i)α GTP-loading and pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G(i)α, for which we synthesized a novel γ-GTP-Eu3+ molecule. The study indicates that the QTR-FRET detection technique presented here can be readily applied to dual-parametric assays for various targets.
Assuntos
Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , Transferência Ressonante de Energia de Fluorescência , Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/química , Guanosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-raf/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genéticaRESUMO
The SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer is the primary antigen for several serology assays critical to determining the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the population. Until stable cell lines are developed to increase the titer of this secreted protein in mammalian cell culture, the low yield of spike protein produced from transient transfection of HEK293 cells will be a limiting factor for these assays. To improve the yield of spike protein and support the high demand for antigens in serology assays, we investigated several recombinant protein expression variables by altering the incubation temperature, harvest time, chromatography strategy, and final protein manipulation. Through this investigation, we developed a simplified and robust purification strategy that consistently yields 5 mg of protein per liter of expression culture for two commonly used forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We show that these proteins form well-behaved stable trimers and are consistently functional in serology assays across multiple protein production lots.
Assuntos
Betacoronavirus/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genética , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/isolamento & purificação , Betacoronavirus/genética , COVID-19 , Teste para COVID-19 , Técnicas de Laboratório Clínico , Infecções por Coronavirus/sangue , Infecções por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Infecções por Coronavirus/virologia , Expressão Gênica , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/sangue , Pneumonia Viral/diagnóstico , Pneumonia Viral/virologia , Estabilidade Proteica , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/metabolismo , TransfecçãoRESUMO
Farnesylation and carboxymethylation of KRAS4b (Kirsten rat sarcoma isoform 4b) are essential for its interaction with the plasma membrane where KRAS-mediated signaling events occur. Phosphodiesterase-δ (PDEδ) binds to KRAS4b and plays an important role in targeting it to cellular membranes. We solved structures of human farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b in complex with PDEδ in two different crystal forms. In these structures, the interaction is driven by the C-terminal amino acids together with the farnesylated and methylated C185 of KRAS4b that binds tightly in the central hydrophobic pocket present in PDEδ. In crystal form II, we see the full-length structure of farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b, including the hypervariable region. Crystal form I reveals structural details of farnesylated-methylated KRAS4b binding to PDEδ, and crystal form II suggests the potential binding mode of geranylgeranylated-methylated KRAS4b to PDEδ. We identified a 5-aa-long sequence motif (Lys-Ser-Lys-Thr-Lys) in KRAS4b that may enable PDEδ to bind both forms of prenylated KRAS4b. Structure and sequence analysis of various prenylated proteins that have been previously tested for binding to PDEδ provides a rationale for why some prenylated proteins, such as KRAS4a, RalA, RalB, and Rac1, do not bind to PDEδ. Comparison of all four available structures of PDEδ complexed with various prenylated proteins/peptides shows the presence of additional interactions due to a larger protein-protein interaction interface in KRAS4b-PDEδ complex. This interface might be exploited for designing an inhibitor with minimal off-target effects.
Assuntos
3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/química , 3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/metabolismo , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Prenilação de Proteína/fisiologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismo , 3',5'-GMP Cíclico Fosfodiesterases/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sítios de Ligação , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Cristalografia por Raios X , Genes ras , Humanos , Metilação , Modelos Moleculares , Conformação Molecular , Mutação , Ligação Proteica/fisiologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Análise de Sequência , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Proteínas ral de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
Ras is a membrane-anchored signaling protein that serves as a hub for many signaling pathways and also plays a prominent role in cancer. The intrinsic behavior of Ras on the membrane has captivated the biophysics community in recent years, especially the possibility that it may form dimers. In this article, we describe results from a comprehensive series of experiments using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and single-molecule tracking to probe the possible dimerization of natively expressed and fully processed K-Ras4B in supported lipid bilayer membranes. Key to these studies is the fact that K-Ras4B has its native membrane anchor, including both the farnesylation and methylation of the terminal cysteine, enabling detailed exploration of possible effects of cholesterol and lipid composition on K-Ras4B membrane organization. The results from all conditions studied indicate that full-length K-Ras4B lacks intrinsic dimerization capability. This suggests that any lateral organization of Ras in living cell membranes likely stems from interactions with other factors.
Assuntos
Membrana Celular/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Humanos , Multimerização Proteica , Estrutura Quaternária de Proteína , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
The Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) genome encodes more than 85 open reading frames (ORFs). Serological evaluation of KSHV infection now generally relies on reactivity to just one latent and/or one lytic protein (commonly ORF73 and K8.1). Most of the other polypeptides encoded by the virus have unknown antigenic profiles. We have systematically expressed and purified products from 72 KSHV ORFs in recombinant systems and analyzed seroreactivity in US patients with KSHV-associated malignancies, and US blood donors (low KSHV seroprevalence population). We identified several KSHV proteins (ORF38, ORF61, ORF59 and K5) that elicited significant responses in individuals with KSHV-associated diseases. In these patients, patterns of reactivity were heterogeneous; however, HIV infection appeared to be associated with breadth and intensity of serological responses. Improved antigenic characterization of additional ORFs may increase the sensitivity of serologic assays, lead to more rapid progresses in understanding immune responses to KSHV, and allow for better comprehension of the natural history of KSHV infection. To this end, we have developed a bead-based multiplex assay detecting antibodies to six KSHV antigens.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Antígenos Virais/imunologia , Infecções por Herpesviridae/imunologia , Herpesvirus Humano 8/imunologia , Técnicas Imunológicas , Proteoma/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Coinfecção/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Infecções por Herpesviridae/virologia , Herpesvirus Humano 8/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fases de Leitura Aberta/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo RealRESUMO
Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2 is a member of the SCGB gene superfamily of small secreted proteins, predominantly expressed in lung airways. We hypothesize that human SCGB3A2 may exhibit anti-inflammatory, growth factor, and antifibrotic activities and be of clinical utility. Recombinant human SCGB3A2 was expressed, purified, and biochemically characterized as a first step to its development as a therapeutic agent in clinical settings. Human SCGB3A2, as well as mouse SCGB3A2, readily formed a dimer in solution and exhibited novel phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity. This is the first demonstration of any quantitative biochemical measurement for the evaluation of SCGB3A2 protein. In the mouse as an experimental animal, human SCGB3A2 exhibited growth factor activity by promoting embryonic lung development in both ex vivo and in vivo systems and antifibrotic activity in the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. The results suggested that human SCGB3A2 can function as a growth factor and an antifibrotic agent in humans. When SCGB3A2 was administered to pregnant female mice through the tail vein, the protein was detected in the dam's serum and lung, as well as the placenta, amniotic fluids, and embryonic lungs at 10 min postadministration, suggesting that SCGB3A2 readily crosses the placenta. The results warrant further development of recombinant SCGB3A2 as a therapeutic agent in treating patients suffering from lung diseases or preterm infants with respiratory distress.
Assuntos
Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos , Fibrose Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Secretoglobinas/administração & dosagem , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Bleomicina , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Pulmão/embriologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Inibidores de Fosfolipase A2/administração & dosagem , Inibidores de Fosfolipase A2/química , Inibidores de Fosfolipase A2/farmacocinética , Fosfolipases A2/química , Fibrose Pulmonar/induzido quimicamente , Fibrose Pulmonar/patologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/administração & dosagem , Proteínas Recombinantes/farmacocinética , Secretoglobinas/química , Secretoglobinas/farmacocinética , Técnicas de Cultura de TecidosRESUMO
Isotopically labelled proteins are important reagents in structural biology as well as in targeted drug development. The field continues to advance with complex multi-isotope labeling. We have combined our experience in high-level soluble KRAS4b expression with protocols for isotope incorporation, to achieve reliable and efficient approaches for several labeling strategies. Typical experiments achieve nearly 100% 15N incorporation, with yields in the range of 1.3-24.6 mg/L (median = 6.4 mg/L, n = 53). Improvements in the growth parameters in the presence of deuterium reduce the standard time of fermentation from 5 days to 3 days by modifying the medium used during the weaning process. The methods described are compatible with multi-isotope labeling and site-specific labeling.
Assuntos
Isótopos , Proteínas , Proteínas/química , Marcação por Isótopo/métodos , Isótopos de NitrogênioRESUMO
The KRAS gene plays a pivotal role in numerous cancers by encoding a GTPase that upon association with the plasma membrane activates the MAPK pathway, promoting cellular proliferation. In our study, we investigated small molecules that disrupt KRAS's membrane interaction, hypothesizing that such disruption could in turn inhibit mutant RAS signaling. Native mass spectrometry screening of KRAS-FMe identified compounds with a preference for interacting with the hypervariable region (HVR), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) further refined our selection to graveoline as a compound exhibiting preferential HVR binding. Subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed that graveoline's interaction with KRAS depends on C-terminal O-methylation. Moreover, our findings revealed multiple interaction sites, suggesting weak engagement with the KRAS G domain. Using nanodiscs as a membrane mimetic, further characterization through NMR and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies demonstrated graveoline's ability to perturb KRAS membrane interaction in a biochemical setting. Our biophysical approach sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying KRAS-ligand interactions, providing valuable insights into understanding the KRAS-associated pathophysiology. These findings contribute to the translational aspect of our study, offering potential avenues for further research targeting KRAS membrane association with the potential to lead to a new class of RAS therapeutics.
RESUMO
The oncogene RAS, extensively studied for decades, presents persistent gaps in understanding, hindering the development of effective therapeutic strategies due to a lack of precise details on how RAS initiates MAPK signaling with RAF effector proteins at the plasma membrane. Recent advances in X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy offer structural and spatial insights, yet the molecular mechanisms involving protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions in RAS-mediated signaling require further characterization. This study utilizes single-molecule experimental techniques, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the computational Machine-Learned Modeling Infrastructure (MuMMI) to examine KRAS4b and RAF1 on a biologically relevant lipid bilayer. MuMMI captures long-timescale events while preserving detailed atomic descriptions, providing testable models for experimental validation. Both in vitro and computational studies reveal that RBDCRD binding alters KRAS lateral diffusion on the lipid bilayer, increasing cluster size and decreasing diffusion. RAS and membrane binding cause hydrophobic residues in the CRD region to penetrate the bilayer, stabilizing complexes through ß-strand elongation. These cooperative interactions among lipids, KRAS4b, and RAF1 are proposed as essential for forming nanoclusters, potentially a critical step in MAP kinase signal activation.
Assuntos
Bicamadas Lipídicas , Lipídeos de Membrana , Lipídeos de Membrana/metabolismo , Bicamadas Lipídicas/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Membranas/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
With increasing worldwide rates of morbidity and mortality of pulmonary fibrosis, the development of effective therapeutics for this disease is of great interest. Secretoglobin (SCGB) 3A2, a novel cytokine-like molecule predominantly expressed in pulmonary airways epithelium, exhibits anti-inflammatory and growth factor activities. In the current study SCGB3A2 was found to inhibit TGFß-induced differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, a hallmark of the fibrogenic process, using pulmonary fibroblasts isolated from adult mice. This induction was through increased phosphorylation of STAT1 and expression of SMAD7 and decreased phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3. To demonstrate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the TGFß signaling in vivo, a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was used. Mice were administered bleomycin intratracheally followed by intravenous injection of recombinant SCGB3A2. Histological examination in conjunction with inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids demonstrated that SCGB3A2 suppressed bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Microarray analysis was carried out using RNAs from lungs of bleomycin-treated mice with or without SCGB3A2 and normal mice treated with SCGB3A2. The results demonstrated that SCGB3A2 affects TGFß signaling and reduces the expression of genes involved in fibrosis. This study suggests the potential utility of SCGB3A2 for targeting TGFß signaling in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Assuntos
Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Bleomicina/efeitos adversos , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas/metabolismo , Fibrose Pulmonar/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Animais , Antibióticos Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Bleomicina/farmacologia , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Feminino , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/patologia , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Camundongos , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosforilação/genética , Proteínas/genética , Fibrose Pulmonar/induzido quimicamente , Fibrose Pulmonar/patologia , Fator de Transcrição STAT1/genética , Fator de Transcrição STAT1/metabolismo , Secretoglobinas , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Proteínas Smad/genética , Proteínas Smad/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/genéticaRESUMO
RAS proteins cycling between the active-form (GTP-bound) and inactive-form (GDP-bound) play a key role in cell signaling pathways that control cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Mutations at codon 12, 13, and 61 in RAS are known to attenuate its GTPase activity favoring the RAS active state and constitutively active downstream signaling. This hyperactivation accounts for various malignancies including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers. Active KRAS is found to exist in equilibrium between two rapidly interconverting conformational states (State1-State2) in solution. Due to this dynamic feature of the protein, the 1H-15N correlation cross-peak signals of several amino acid (AA) residues of KRAS belonging to the flexible loop regions are absent from its 2D 1H-15N HSQC spectrum within and near physiological solution pH. A threonine to serine mutation at position 35 (T35S) shifts the interconverting equilibrium to State1 conformation and enables the emergence of such residues in the 2D 1H-15N HSQC spectrum due to gained conformational rigidity. We report here the 1HN, 15N, and 13C backbone resonance assignments for the 19.2 kDa (AA 1-169) protein constructs of KRAS-GppNHp harboring T35S mutation (KRAST35S/C118S-GppNHp) and of its oncogenic counterpart harboring the Q61L mutation (KRAST35S/Q61L/C118S-GppNHp) using heteronuclear, multidimensional NMR spectroscopy at 298 K. High resolution NMR data allowed the unambiguous assignments of 1H-15N correlation cross-peaks for all the residues except for Met1. Furthermore, 2D 1H-15N HSQC overlay of two proteins assisted in determination of Q61L mutation-induced chemical shift perturbations for select residues in the regions of P-loop, Switch-II, and helix α3.
Assuntos
Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Guanosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Humanos , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Conformação Proteica , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genéticaRESUMO
Neutralizing antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have shown a great preventative/therapeutic potential. Here, we report a rapid and efficient strategy for the development and design of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing humanized nanobody constructs with sub-nanomolar affinities and nanomolar potencies. CryoEM-based structural analysis of the nanobodies in complex with spike revealed two distinct binding modes. The most potent nanobody, RBD-1-2G(NCATS-BL8125), tolerates the N501Y RBD mutation and remains capable of neutralizing the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant. Molecular dynamics simulations provide a structural basis for understanding the neutralization process of nanobodies exclusively focused on the spike-ACE2 interface with and without the N501Y mutation on RBD. A primary human airway air-lung interface (ALI) ex vivo model showed that RBD-1-2G-Fc antibody treatment was effective at reducing viral burden following WA1 and B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 infections. Therefore, this presented strategy will serve as a tool to mitigate the threat of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.