The sequence-ensemble relationship in fuzzy protein complexes.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) interact with globular proteins through a variety of mechanisms, resulting in the structurally heterogeneous ensembles known as fuzzy complexes. While there exists a reasonable comprehension on how IDP sequence determines the unbound IDP ensemble, little is known about what shapes the structural characteristics of IDPs bound to their targets. Using a statistical thermodynamic model, we show that the target-bound ensembles are determined by a simple code that combines the IDP sequence and the distribution of IDP-target interaction hotspots. These two parameters define the conformational space of target-bound IDPs and rationalize the observed structural heterogeneity of fuzzy complexes. The presented model successfully reproduces the dynamical signatures of target-bound IDPs from the NMR relaxation experiments as well as the changes of interaction affinity and the IDP helicity induced by mutations. The model explains how the target-bound IDP ensemble adapts to mutations in order to achieve an optimal balance between conformational freedom and interaction energy. Taken together, the presented sequence-ensemble relationship of fuzzy complexes explains the different manifestations of IDP disorder in folding-upon-binding processes.

A nanobody toolbox targeting dimeric coiled-coil modules for functionalization of designed protein origami structures.

Coiled-coil (CC) dimers are widely used in protein design because of their modularity and well-understood sequence-structure relationship. In CC protein origami design, a polypeptide chain is assembled from a defined sequence of CC building segments that determine the self-assembly of protein cages into polyhedral shapes, such as the tetrahedron, triangular prism, or four-sided pyramid. However, a targeted functionalization of the CC modules could significantly expand the versatility of protein origami scaffolds. Here, we describe a panel of single-chain camelid antibodies (nanobodies) directed against different CC modules of a de novo designed protein origami tetrahedron. We show that these nanobodies are able to recognize the same CC modules in different polyhedral contexts, such as isolated CC dimers, tetrahedra, triangular prisms, or trigonal bipyramids, thereby extending the ability to functionalize polyhedra with nanobodies in a desired stoichiometry. Crystal structures of five nanobody-CC complexes in combination with small-angle X-ray scattering show binding interactions between nanobodies and CC dimers forming the edges of a tetrahedron with the nanobody entering the tetrahedral cavity. Furthermore, we identified a pair of allosteric nanobodies in which the binding to the distant epitopes on the antiparallel homodimeric APH CC is coupled via a strong positive cooperativity. A toolbox of well-characterized nanobodies specific for CC modules provides a unique tool to target defined sites in the designed protein structures, thus opening numerous opportunities for the functionalization of CC protein origami polyhedra or CC-based bionanomaterials.

Structural polymorphism of coiled-coils from the stalk domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Spike trimer plays a key role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine development. It consists of a globular head and a flexible stalk domain that anchors the protein into the viral membrane. While the head domain has been extensively studied, the properties of the adjoining stalk are poorly understood. Here, we characterize the coiled-coil formation and thermodynamic stability of the stalk domain and its segments. We find that the N-terminal segment of the stalk does not form coiled-coils and remains disordered in solution. The C-terminal stalk segment forms a trimeric coiled-coil in solution, which becomes significantly stabilized in the context of the full-length stalk. Its crystal structure reveals a novel antiparallel tetramer coiled-coil with an unusual combination of a-d and e-a-d hydrophobic core packing. Structural analysis shows that a subset of hydrophobic residues stabilizes different coiled-coil structures: trimer, tetramer, and heterohexamer, underscoring a highly polymorphic nature of the SARS-CoV-2 stalk sequence.

Conditional Cooperativity in DNA Minor-Groove Recognition by Oligopeptides.

The recognition of specific DNA sequences in processes such as transcription is associated with a cooperative binding of proteins. Some transcription regulation mechanisms involve additional proteins that can influence the binding cooperativity by acting as corepressors or coactivators. In a conditional cooperativity mechanism, the same protein can induce binding cooperativity at one concentration and inhibit it at another. Here, we use calorimetric (ITC) and spectroscopic (UV, CD) experiments to show that such conditional cooperativity can also be achieved by the small DNA-directed oligopeptides distamycin and netropsin. Using a global thermodynamic analysis of the observed binding and (un)folding processes, we calculate the phase diagrams for this system, which show that distamycin binding cooperativity is more pronounced at lower temperatures and can be first induced and then reduced by increasing the netropsin or/and Na+ ion concentration. A molecular interpretation of this phenomenon is suggested.

Thermodynamic Stability of the Transcription Regulator PaaR2 from Escherichia coli O157:H7.

PaaR2 is a putative transcription regulator encoded by a three-component parDE-like toxin-antitoxin module from Escherichia coli O157:H7. Although this module's toxin, antitoxin, and toxin-antitoxin complex have been more thoroughly investigated, little remains known about its transcription regulator PaaR2. Using a wide range of biophysical techniques (circular dichroism spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography-multiangle laser light scattering, dynamic light scattering, small-angle x-ray scattering, and native mass spectrometry), we demonstrate that PaaR2 mainly consists of α-helices and displays a concentration-dependent octameric build-up in solution and that this octamer contains a global shape that is significantly nonspherical. Thermal unfolding of PaaR2 is reversible and displays several transitions, suggesting a complex unfolding mechanism. The unfolding data obtained from spectroscopic and calorimetric methods were combined into a unifying thermodynamic model, which suggests a five-state unfolding trajectory. Furthermore, the model allows the calculation of a stability phase diagram, which shows that, under physiological conditions, PaaR2 mainly exists as a dimer that can swiftly oligomerize into an octamer depending on local protein concentrations. These findings, based on a thorough biophysical and thermodynamic analysis of PaaR2, may provide important insights into biological function such as DNA binding and transcriptional regulation.

Ribosome-dependent Vibrio cholerae mRNAse HigB2 is regulated by a ß-strand sliding mechanism.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are small operons involved in bacterial stress response and persistence. higBA operons form a family of TA modules with an inverted gene organization and a toxin belonging to the RelE/ParE superfamily. Here, we present the crystal structures of chromosomally encoded Vibrio cholerae antitoxin (VcHigA2), toxin (VcHigB2) and their complex, which show significant differences in structure and mechanisms of function compared to the higBA module from plasmid Rts1, the defining member of the family. The VcHigB2 is more closely related to Escherichia coli RelE both in terms of overall structure and the organization of its active site. VcHigB2 is neutralized by VcHigA2, a modular protein with an N-terminal intrinsically disordered toxin-neutralizing segment followed by a C-terminal helix-turn-helix dimerization and DNA binding domain. VcHigA2 binds VcHigB2 with picomolar affinity, which is mainly a consequence of entropically favorable de-solvation of a large hydrophobic binding interface and enthalpically favorable folding of the N-terminal domain into an α-helix followed by a ß-strand. This interaction displaces helix α3 of VcHigB2 and at the same time induces a one-residue shift in the register of ß-strand ß3, thereby flipping the catalytically important Arg64 out of the active site.

Molecular mechanism governing ratio-dependent transcription regulation in the ccdAB operon.

Bacteria can become transiently tolerant to several classes of antibiotics. This phenomenon known as persistence is regulated by small genetic elements called toxin-antitoxin modules with intricate yet often poorly understood self-regulatory features. Here, we describe the structures of molecular complexes and interactions that drive the transcription regulation of the ccdAB toxin-antitoxin module. Low specificity and affinity of the antitoxin CcdA2 for individual binding sites on the operator are enhanced by the toxin CcdB2, which bridges the CcdA2 dimers. This results in a unique extended repressing complex that spirals around the operator and presents equally spaced DNA binding sites. The multivalency of binding sites induces a digital on-off switch for transcription, regulated by the toxin:antitoxin ratio. The ratio at which this switch occurs is modulated by non-specific interactions with the excess chromosomal DNA. Altogether, we present the molecular mechanisms underlying the ratio-dependent transcriptional regulation of the ccdAB operon.

Energetic Basis of AGCGA-Rich DNA Folding into a Tetrahelical Structure.

It was recently discovered that, besides well-known G-quadruplexes and i-motifs, DNA may adopt another type of noncanonical structure called AGCGA-quadruplexes. Here, the folding of the VK2 fragment from the regulatory region of the PLEKHG3 gene is studied and, for the first time, the energetic contributions that stabilize this unique fold are described. Similarly to the B-DNA, it is stabilized by hydrophobic desolvation and, in contrast to G-quadruplexes, also by specific binding of water molecules. Compared to B-DNA, VK2 folding is enthalpically less favorable due to poorer base-stacking interactions, resulting in substantial conformational flexibility. This entropically favorable conformational "breathing" stabilizes the AGCGA-quadruplexes. In conclusion, AGCGA-quadruplexes have a distinguishing thermodynamic fingerprint and the corresponding driving forces enabling their folding are consistent with the observed structural features.

Substrate Recognition and Activity Regulation of the Escherichia coli mRNA Endonuclease MazF.

Escherichia coli MazF (EcMazF) is the archetype of a large family of ribonucleases involved in bacterial stress response. The crystal structure of EcMazF in complex with a 7-nucleotide substrate mimic explains the relaxed substrate specificity of the E. coli enzyme relative to its Bacillus subtilis counterpart and provides a framework for rationalizing specificity in this enzyme family. In contrast to a conserved mode of substrate recognition and a conserved active site, regulation of enzymatic activity by the antitoxin EcMazE diverges from its B. subtilis homolog. Central in this regulation is an EcMazE-induced double conformational change as follows: a rearrangement of a crucial active site loop and a relative rotation of the two monomers in the EcMazF dimer. Both are induced by the C-terminal residues Asp-78-Trp-82 of EcMazE, which are also responsible for strong negative cooperativity in EcMazE-EcMazF binding. This situation shows unexpected parallels to the regulation of the F-plasmid CcdB activity by CcdA and further supports a common ancestor despite the different activities of the MazF and CcdB toxins. In addition, we pinpoint the origin of the lack of activity of the E24A point mutant of EcMazF in its inability to support the substrate binding-competent conformation of EcMazF.

Thermodynamic fingerprints of ligand binding to human telomeric G-quadruplexes.

Thermodynamic studies of ligand binding to human telomere (ht) DNA quadruplexes, as a rule, neglect the involvement of various ht-DNA conformations in the binding process. Therefore, the thermodynamic driving forces and the mechanisms of ht-DNA G-quadruplex-ligand recognition remain poorly understood. In this work we characterize thermodynamically and structurally binding of netropsin (Net), dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene derivatives (DP77, DP78), cationic porphyrin (TMPyP4) and two bisquinolinium ligands (Phen-DC3, 360A-Br) to the ht-DNA fragment (Tel22) AGGG(TTAGGG)3 using isothermal titration calorimetry, CD and fluorescence spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis and molecular modeling. By global thermodynamic analysis of experimental data we show that the driving forces characterized by contributions of specific interactions, changes in solvation and conformation differ significantly for binding of ligands with low quadruplex selectivity over duplexes (Net, DP77, DP78, TMPyP4; KTel22 ≈ KdsDNA). These contributions are in accordance with the observed structural features (changes) and suggest that upon binding Net, DP77, DP78 and TMPyP4 select hybrid-1 and/or hybrid-2 conformation while Phen-DC3 and 360A-Br induce the transition of hybrid-1 and hybrid-2 to the structure with characteristics of antiparallel or hybrid-3 type conformation.

The Thermodynamic Basis of the Fuzzy Interaction of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein.

Many intrinsically disordered proteins (IDP) that fold upon binding retain conformational heterogeneity in IDP-target complexes. The thermodynamics of such fuzzy interactions is poorly understood. Herein we introduce a thermodynamic framework, based on analysis of ITC and CD spectroscopy data, that provides experimental descriptions of IDP association in terms of folding and binding contributions which can be predicted using sequence folding propensities and molecular modeling. We show how IDP can modulate the entropy and enthalpy by adapting their bound-state structural ensemble to achieve optimal binding. This is explained in terms of a free-energy landscape that provides the relationship between free-energy, sequence folding propensity, and disorder. The observed "fuzzy" behavior is possible because of IDP flexibility and also because backbone and side-chain interactions are, to some extent, energetically decoupled allowing IDP to minimize energetically unfavorable folding.

Unraveling the Thermodynamics of the Folding and Interconversion of Human Telomere G-Quadruplexes.

Why human telomere DNA fragments fold into different G-quadruplex structures with parallel, hybrid, and antiparallel strand orientations depending on the temperature and concentration of co-solutes remains poorly understood. Similarly, the formation of intermediate structures along the folding or interconversion pathways is not well understood. Herein, we address these questions by introducing a conceptual framework, based on the global thermodynamic analysis of DSC and CD spectroscopy data, which led to a detailed description of the topological phase space (phase diagram) of the stability of the human telomere fragment 5'-AGGG(TTAGGG)3 -3' (Tel22). This framework clarifies the driving forces of quadruplex folding and interconversion processes over a wide range of temperatures and ion (K(+) , Na(+) ) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations and demonstrates their linkage to the human telomere DNA structural features.

Dominant Driving Forces in Human Telomere Quadruplex Binding-Induced Structural Alterations.

Recently various pathways of human telomere (ht) DNA folding into G-quadruplexes and of ligand binding to these structures have been proposed. However, the key issue as to the nature of forces driving the folding and recognition processes remains unanswered. In this study, structural changes of 22-mer ht-DNA fragment (Tel22), induced by binding of ions (K(+), Na(+)) and specific bisquinolinium ligands, were monitored by calorimetric and spectroscopic methods and by gel electrophoresis. Using the global model analysis of a wide variety of experimental data, we were able to characterize the thermodynamic forces that govern the formation of stable Tel22 G-quadruplexes, folding intermediates, and ligand-quadruplex complexes, and then predict Tel22 behavior in aqueous solutions as a function of temperature, salt concentration, and ligand concentration. On the basis of the above, we believe that our work sets the framework for better understanding the heterogeneity of ht-DNA folding and binding pathways, and its structural polymorphism.

Thermodynamics of micellization from heat-capacity measurements.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the most important technique for studying the thermodynamics of structural transitions of biological macromolecules, is seldom used in quantitative thermodynamic studies of surfactant micellization/demicellization. The reason for this could be ascribed to an insufficient understanding of the temperature dependence of the heat capacity of surfactant solutions (DSC data) in terms of thermodynamics, which leads to problems with the design of experiments and interpretation of the output signals. We address these issues by careful design of DSC experiments performed with solutions of ionic and nonionic surfactants at various surfactant concentrations, and individual and global mass-action model analysis of the obtained DSC data. Our approach leads to reliable thermodynamic parameters of micellization for all types of surfactants, comparable with those obtained by using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In summary, we demonstrate that DSC can be successfully used as an independent method to obtain temperature-dependent thermodynamic parameters for micellization.

A new pathway of DNA G-quadruplex formation.

A new folding intermediate of Oxytricha nova telomeric Oxy-1.5 G-quadruplex was characterized in aqueous solution using NMR spectroscopy, native gel electrophoresis, thermal differential spectra (TDS), CD spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). NMR experiments have revealed that this intermediate (i-Oxy-1.5) exists in two symmetric bimolecular forms in which all guanine bases are involved in GG N1-carbonyl symmetric base pairs. Kinetic analysis of K(+) -induced structural transitions shows that folding of Oxy-1.5 G-quadruplex from i-Oxy-1.5 is much faster and proceeds through less intermediates than folding from single strands. Therefore, a new folding pathway of Oxy-1.5 G-quadruplex is proposed. This study provides evidence that G-rich DNA sequences can self-assemble into specific pre-organized DNA structures that are predisposed to fold into G-quadruplex when interacting with cations such as potassium ions.

Estimation of Peptide Helicity from Circular Dichroism Using the Ensemble Model.

An established method for the quantitation of the helix content in peptides using circular dichroism (CD) relies on the linear spectroscopic model. This model assumes an average value of the helix-length correction for all peptide conformers, irrespective of the length of the helical segment. Here we assess the validity of this approximation and introduce a more physically realistic ensemble-based analysis of the CD signal in which the length correction is assigned specifically to each ensemble conformer. We demonstrate that the linear model underestimates peptide helicity, with the difference depending on the ensemble composition. We developed a computer program that implements the ensemble model to estimate the peptide helicity. Using this model and the CD data set covering a broad range of helicities, we recalibrate CD baseline parameters and redetermine helix-coil parameters for the alanine-rich peptide. We show that the ensemble model leverages small differences in signal between conformers to extract more information from the experimental data, enabling the determination of several poorly defined quantities, such as the nucleation constant and heat capacity change associated with helix folding. Overall, the presented ensemble-based treatment of the CD signal, together with the recalibrated values of the spectroscopic baseline parameters, provides a coherent framework for the analysis of the peptide helix content.

Leucine Motifs Stabilize Residual Helical Structure in Disordered Proteins.

Many examples are known of regions of intrinsically disordered proteins that fold into α-helices upon binding to their targets. These helical binding motifs (HBMs) can be partially helical also in the unbound state, and this so-called residual structure can affect binding affinity and kinetics. To investigate the underlying mechanisms governing the formation of residual helical structure, we assembled a dataset of experimental helix contents of 65 peptides containing HBM that fold-upon-binding. The average residual helicity is 17% and increases to 60% upon target binding. The helix contents of residual and target-bound structures do not correlate, however the relative location of helix elements in both states shows a strong overlap. Compared to the general disordered regions, HBMs are enriched in amino acids with high helix preference and these residues are typically involved in target binding, explaining the overlap in helix positions. In particular, we find that leucine residues and leucine motifs in HBMs are the major contributors to helix stabilization and target-binding. For the two model peptides, we show that substitution of leucine motifs to other hydrophobic residues (valine or isoleucine) leads to reduction of residual helicity, supporting the role of leucine as helix stabilizer. From the three hydrophobic residues only leucine can efficiently stabilize residual helical structure. We suggest that the high occurrence of leucine motifs and a general preference for leucine at binding interfaces in HBMs can be explained by its unique ability to stabilize helical elements.

Fuzzy recognition by the prokaryotic transcription factor HigA2 from Vibrio cholerae.

Disordered protein sequences can exhibit different binding modes, ranging from well-ordered folding-upon-binding to highly dynamic fuzzy binding. The primary function of the intrinsically disordered region of the antitoxin HigA2 from Vibrio cholerae is to neutralize HigB2 toxin through ultra-high-affinity folding-upon-binding interaction. Here, we show that the same intrinsically disordered region can also mediate fuzzy interactions with its operator DNA and, through interplay with the folded helix-turn-helix domain, regulates transcription from the higBA2 operon. NMR, SAXS, ITC and in vivo experiments converge towards a consistent picture where a specific set of residues in the intrinsically disordered region mediate electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions while "hovering" over the DNA operator. Sensitivity of the intrinsically disordered region to scrambling the sequence, position-specific contacts and absence of redundant, multivalent interactions, point towards a more specific type of fuzzy binding. Our work demonstrates how a bacterial regulator achieves dual functionality by utilizing two distinct interaction modes within the same disordered sequence.

Recognition of human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) by therapeutic antibody fragment: energetics and structural features.

Human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) exists in its functional state as a homotrimeric protein and is involved in inflammation processes and immune response of a human organism. Overproduction of TNF-α results in the development of chronic autoimmune diseases that can be successfully treated by inhibitors such as monoclonal antibodies. However, the nature of antibody-TNF-α recognition remains elusive due to insufficient understanding of its molecular driving forces. Therefore, we studied the energetics of binding of a therapeutic antibody fragment (Fab) to the native and non-native forms of TNF-α by employing calorimetric and spectroscopic methods. Global thermodynamic analysis of data obtained from the corresponding binding and urea-induced denaturation experiments has been supported by structural modeling. We demonstrate that the observed high affinity binding of Fab to TNF-α is an enthalpy-driven process due mainly to specific noncovalent interactions taking place at the TNF-α-Fab binding interface. It is coupled to entropically unfavorable conformational changes and accompanied by entropically favorable solvation contributions. Moreover, the three-state model analysis of TNF-α unfolding shows that at physiological concentrations, TNF-α may exist not only as a biologically active trimer but also as an inactive monomer. It further suggests that even small changes of TNF-α concentration could have a considerable effect on the TNF-α activity. We believe that this study sets the energetic basis for understanding of TNF-α inhibition by antibodies and its unfolding linked with the concentration-dependent activity regulation.

Energetic basis of uncoupling folding from binding for an intrinsically disordered protein.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are proteins that lack a unique three-dimensional structure in their native state. Many have, however, been found to fold into a defined structure when interacting with specific binding partners. The energetic implications of such behavior have been widely discussed, yet experimental thermodynamic data is scarce. We present here a thorough thermodynamic and structural study of the binding of an IDP (antitoxin CcdA) to its molecular target (gyrase poison CcdB). We show that the binding-coupled folding of CcdA is driven by a combination of specific intramolecular interactions that favor the final folded structure and a less specific set of intermolecular contacts that provide a desolvation entropy boost. The folded structure of the bound IDP appears to be defined largely by its own amino acid sequence, with the binding partner functioning more as a facilitator than a mold to conform to. On the other hand, specific intermolecular interactions do increase the binding affinity up to the picomolar range. Overall, this study shows how an IDP can achieve very strong and structurally well-defined binding and it provides significant insight into the molecular forces that enable such binding properties.