RESUMEN
Antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the effects of antibodies against other spike protein domains are largely unknown. Here, we screened a series of anti-spike monoclonal antibodies from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and found that some of antibodies against the N-terminal domain (NTD) induced the open conformation of RBD and thus enhanced the binding capacity of the spike protein to ACE2 and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Mutational analysis revealed that all of the infectivity-enhancing antibodies recognized a specific site on the NTD. Structural analysis demonstrated that all infectivity-enhancing antibodies bound to NTD in a similar manner. The antibodies against this infectivity-enhancing site were detected at high levels in severe patients. Moreover, we identified antibodies against the infectivity-enhancing site in uninfected donors, albeit at a lower frequency. These findings demonstrate that not only neutralizing antibodies but also enhancing antibodies are produced during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Monoclonales/inmunología , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Animales , COVID-19/inmunología , Línea Celular , Chlorocebus aethiops , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Unión Proteica/inmunología , Dominios Proteicos/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Células VeroRESUMEN
α-Synuclein accumulates in Lewy bodies, and this accumulation is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have indicated a causal role of α-synuclein in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of α-synuclein toxicity remain elusive. Here, we describe a novel phosphorylation site of α-synuclein at T64 and the detailed characteristics of this post-translational modification. T64 phosphorylation was enhanced in both PD models and human PD brains. T64D phosphomimetic mutation led to distinct oligomer formation, and the structure of the oligomer was similar to that of α-synuclein oligomer with A53T mutation. Such phosphomimetic mutation induced mitochondrial dysfunction, lysosomal disorder, and cell death in cells and neurodegeneration in vivo, indicating a pathogenic role of α-synuclein phosphorylation at T64 in PD.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Parkinson , Humanos , Enfermedad de Parkinson/metabolismo , alfa-Sinucleína/genética , alfa-Sinucleína/metabolismo , Fosforilación , Cuerpos de Lewy/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismoRESUMEN
The 21-residue peptide α3, which is artificially designed and consists of three repeats of 7 residues, is known to rapidly assemble into the α-helix nanofiber. However, its molecular structure within the fiber has not yet been fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted a thorough investigation of the fiber's molecular structure using solid-state NMR and other techniques. The molecules were found to be primarily composed of the α-helix structure, with some regions near the C- and N-terminal adopting a 310-helix structure. Furthermore, it was discovered that ß-sheet hydrogen bonds were formed between the molecules at both ends. These intermolecular interactions caused the molecules to assemble parallelly in the same direction, forming helical fibers. In contrast, we designed two molecules, CaRP2 and ßKE, that can form ß-sheet intermolecular hydrogen bonds using the entire molecule instead of just the ends. Cryo-EM and other measurements confirmed that the nanofibers formed in a cross ß structure, albeit at a slow rate, with the formation times ranging from 1 to 42 days. To create peptide nanofibers that instantaneously respond to changes in the external environment, we designed several molecules (HDM1-3) based on α3 by introducing metal-binding sites. One of these molecules was found to be highly responsive to the addition of metal ions, inducing α-helix formation and simultaneously assembling into nanofibers. The nanofibers lost their structure upon removal of the metal ion. The change occurred promptly and was reversible, demonstrating that the intended level of responsiveness was attained.
Asunto(s)
Nanofibras , Microscopía por Crioelectrón , Conformación Proteica en Hélice alfa , Conformación Proteica en Lámina beta , Péptidos , Espectroscopía de Resonancia MagnéticaRESUMEN
In bifidobacteria, phosphoketolase (PKT) plays a key role in the central hexose fermentation pathway called "bifid shunt." The three-dimensional structure of PKT from Bifidobacterium longum with co-enzyme thiamine diphosphate (ThDpp) was determined at 2.1 Å resolution by cryo-EM single-particle analysis using 196,147 particles to build up the structural model of a PKT octamer related by D4 symmetry. Although the cryo-EM structure of PKT was almost identical to the X-ray crystal structure previously determined at 2.2 Å resolution, several interesting structural features were observed in the cryo-EM structure. Because this structure was solved at relatively high resolution, it was observed that several amino acid residues adopt multiple conformations. Among them, Q546-D547-H548-N549 (the QN-loop) demonstrate the largest structural change, which seems to be related to the enzymatic function of PKT. The QN-loop is at the entrance to the substrate binding pocket. The minor conformer of the QN-loop is similar to the conformation of the QN-loop in the crystal structure. The major conformer is located further from ThDpp than the minor conformer. Interestingly, the major conformer in the cryo-EM structure of PKT resembles the corresponding loop structure of substrate-bound Escherichia coli transketolase. That is, the minor and major conformers may correspond to "closed" and "open" states for substrate access, respectively. Moreover, because of the high-resolution analysis, many water molecules were observed in the cryo-EM structure of PKT. Structural features of the water molecules in the cryo-EM structure are discussed and compared with water molecules observed in the crystal structure.
Asunto(s)
Aldehído-Liasas/química , Bifidobacterium longum/enzimología , Microscopía por Crioelectrón/métodos , Escherichia coli , Modelos Moleculares , Tiamina Pirofosfato , AguaRESUMEN
Many motile bacteria swim and swarm toward favorable environments using the flagellum, which is rotated by a motor embedded in the inner membrane. The motor is composed of the rotor and the stator, and the motor torque is generated by the change of the interaction between the rotor and the stator induced by the ion flow through the stator. A stator unit consists of two types of membrane proteins termed A and B. Recent cryo-EM studies on the stators from mesophiles revealed that the stator consists of five A and two B subunits, whereas the low-resolution EM analysis showed that purified hyperthermophilic MotA forms a tetramer. To clarify the assembly formation and factors enhancing thermostability of the hyperthermophilic stator, we determined the cryo-EM structure of MotA from Aquifex aeolicus (Aa-MotA), a hyperthermophilic bacterium, at 3.42 Å resolution. Aa-MotA forms a pentamer with pseudo C5 symmetry. A simulated model of the Aa-MotA5MotB2 stator complex resembles the structures of mesophilic stator complexes, suggesting that Aa-MotA can assemble into a pentamer equivalent to the stator complex without MotB. The distribution of hydrophobic residues of MotA pentamers suggests that the extremely hydrophobic nature in the subunit boundary and the transmembrane region is a key factor to stabilize hyperthermophilic Aa-MotA.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas , Flagelos , Archaea/metabolismo , Bacterias/metabolismo , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Flagelos/química , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas Motoras Moleculares/metabolismoRESUMEN
Ma'edamines C and D were isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge and exhibited a unique tetrasubstituted pyridinium skeleton. The proposed biosynthetic pathway is similar to that of desmosine and isodesmosine, which are elastin-crosslinking amino acids. In this study, first total synthesis of ma'edamines C and D was achieved via Pr(OTf)3-promoted Chichibabin/isoChichibabin pyridinium synthesis starting from the corresponding aldehydes and amine.
Asunto(s)
Alcaloides/síntesis química , Poríferos/química , Compuestos de Piridinio/química , Alcaloides/química , Alcaloides/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Estructura MolecularRESUMEN
Desmosine and isodesmosine are crosslinking amino acids of elastin, which is an essential component of the dermal extracellular matrix protein. Quantitative analysis of crosslinker desmosines in human skin dermis has not been fully achieved due to the insoluble nature of elastin protein. In the present study, chemical synthesis of isotopically labeled desmosine, desmosine-13C3,15N1, was carried out via isoChichibabin pyridinium synthesis starting from corresponding isotopically labeled amino acids. Isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS analysis of desmosine and isodesmosine utilizing synthetic desmosine-13C3,15N1 enabled the quantitative analysis of desmosines in human skin for the first time. Thus, ca. 1.43 µg of desmosines was detected from analysis of 1 mg of dry human skin.
Asunto(s)
Desmosina/análisis , Isodesmosina/análisis , Piel/química , Isótopos de Carbono , Cromatografía Liquida , Humanos , Estructura Molecular , Isótopos de Nitrógeno , Espectrometría de Masas en TándemRESUMEN
Long-chain fatty acids (FAs) with low water solubility require fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABPs) to transport them from cytoplasm to the mitochondria for energy production. However, the precise mechanism by which these proteins recognize the various lengths of simple alkyl chains of FAs with similar high affinity remains unknown. To address this question, we employed a newly developed calorimetric method for comprehensively evaluating the affinity of FAs, sub-Angstrom X-ray crystallography to accurately determine their 3D structure, and energy calculations of the coexisting water molecules using the computer program WaterMap. Our results clearly showed that the heart-type FABP (FABP3) preferentially incorporates a U-shaped FA of C10-C18 using a lipid-compatible water cluster, and excludes longer FAs using a chain-length-limiting water cluster. These mechanisms could help us gain a general understanding of how proteins recognize diverse lipids with different chain lengths.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos/metabolismo , Miocardio/metabolismo , Agua/metabolismo , Sitios de Unión , Calorimetría , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Proteína 3 de Unión a Ácidos Grasos , Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos/química , Ácidos Grasos/química , Ácidos Grasos/metabolismo , Humanos , Simulación de Dinámica Molecular , Estructura Terciaria de Proteína , Termodinámica , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
The role of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (FABP3) in human physiology as an intracellular carrier of fatty acids (FAs) has been well-documented. In this study, we aimed to develop an analytical method to study real-time interaction kinetics between FABP3 immobilized on the sensor surface and unsaturated C18 FAs using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To establish the conditions for SPR experiments, we used an FABP3-selective inhibitor 4-(2-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-phenoxy)-butyric acid. The affinity index thus obtained was comparable to that reported previously, further supporting the usefulness of the SPR-based approach for evaluating interactions between FABPs and hydrophobic ligands. A pseudo-first-order affinity of FABP3 to K(+) petroselinate (C18:1 Δ6 cis), K(+) elaidate (C18:1 Δ9 trans), and K(+) oleate (C18:1 Δ9 cis) was characterized by the dissociation constant (K(d)) near micromolar ranges, whereas K(+) linoleate (C18:2 Δ9,12 cis/cis) and K(+) α-linolenate (C18:3 Δ9,12,15 cis/cis/cis) showed a higher affinity to FABP3 with Kd around 1 × 10(-6)M. Interactions between FAPB3 and C18 FAs incorporated in large unilamellar vesicles consisting of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and FAs (5:1 molar ratio) were also analysed. Control DMPC liposomes without FA showed only marginal binding to FABP3 immobilized on a sensor chip while liposome-incorporated FA revealed significant responses in sensorgrams, demonstrating that the affinity of FAs to FABP3 could be evaluated by using the liposome-incorporated analytes. Significant affinity to FABP3 was observed for monounsaturated fatty acids (K(d) in the range of 1 × 10(-7)M). These experiments demonstrated that highly hydrophobic compounds in a liposome-incorporated form could be subjected to SPR experiments for kinetic analysis.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos/química , Ácidos Grasos Insaturados/química , Liposomas/química , Resonancia por Plasmón de Superficie , Proteína 3 de Unión a Ácidos Grasos , Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos/genética , Humanos , Cinética , Liposomas/síntesis químicaRESUMEN
The marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus possesses a polar flagellum driven by a sodium ion flow. The main components of the flagellar motor are the stator and rotor. The C-ring and MS-ring, which are composed of FliG and FliF, respectively, are parts of the rotor. Here, we purified an MS-ring composed of FliF-FliG fusion proteins and solved the near-atomic resolution structure of the S-ring-the upper part of the MS-ring-using cryo-electron microscopy. This is the first report of an S-ring structure from Vibrio, whereas, previously, only those from Salmonella have been reported. The Vibrio S-ring structure reveals novel features compared with that of Salmonella, such as tilt angle differences of the RBM3 domain and the ß-collar region, which contribute to the vertical arrangement of the upper part of the ß-collar region despite the diversity in the RBM3 domain angles. Additionally, there is a decrease of the inter-subunit interaction between RBM3 domains, which influences the efficiency of the MS-ring formation in different bacterial species. Furthermore, although the inner-surface electrostatic properties of Vibrio and Salmonella S-rings are altered, the residues potentially interacting with other flagellar components, such as FliE and FlgB, are well structurally conserved in the Vibrio S-ring. These comparisons clarified the conserved and non-conserved structural features of the MS-ring across different species.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding the structure and function of the flagellar motor in bacterial species is essential for uncovering the mechanisms underlying bacterial motility and pathogenesis. Our study revealed the structure of the Vibrio S-ring, a part of its polar flagellar motor, and highlighted its unique features compared with the well-studied Salmonella S-ring. The observed differences in the inter-subunit interactions and in the tilt angles between the Vibrio and Salmonella S-rings highlighted the species-specific variations and the mechanism for the optimization of MS-ring formation in the flagellar assembly. By concentrating on the region where the S-ring and the rod proteins interact, we uncovered conserved residues essential for the interaction. Our research contributes to the advancement of bacterial flagellar biology.
RESUMEN
Adjuvants are effective tools to enhance vaccine efficacy and control the type of immune responses such as antibody and T helper 1 (Th1)- or Th2-type responses. Several studies suggest that interferon (IFN)-γ-producing Th1 cells play a significant role against infections caused by intracellular bacteria and viruses; however, only a few adjuvants can induce a strong Th1-type immune response. Recently, several studies have shown that lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can be used as vaccine adjuvants and that each LNP has a different adjuvant activity. In this study, we screened LNPs to develop an adjuvant that can induce Th1 cells and antibodies using a conventional influenza split vaccine (SV) as an antigen in mice. We observed that LNP with 1,2-di-O-octadecenyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTMA) as a component lipid (DOTMA-LNP) elicited robust SV-specific IgG1 and IgG2 responses compared with SV alone in mice and was as efficient as SV adjuvanted with other adjuvants in mice. Furthermore, DOTMA-LNPs induced robust IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells without inflammatory responses compared to those of other adjuvants, which conferred strong cross-protection in mice. We also demonstrated the high versatility of DOTMA-LNP as a Th1 cell-inducing vaccine adjuvant using vaccine antigens derived from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our findings suggest the potential of DOTMA-LNP as a safe and effective Th1 cell-inducing adjuvant and show that LNP formulations are potentially potent adjuvants to enhance the effectiveness of other subunit vaccines.
Asunto(s)
Nanopartículas , Compuestos de Amonio Cuaternario , Células TH1 , Animales , Células TH1/inmunología , Células TH1/efectos de los fármacos , Nanopartículas/química , Ratones , Compuestos de Amonio Cuaternario/química , Compuestos de Amonio Cuaternario/farmacología , Femenino , Adyuvantes Inmunológicos/farmacología , Adyuvantes Inmunológicos/química , Lípidos/química , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Vacunas contra la Influenza/inmunología , Vacunas contra la Influenza/química , Adyuvantes de Vacunas/química , Adyuvantes de Vacunas/farmacología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/inmunología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/química , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/inmunología , LiposomasRESUMEN
Heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP3), which is a cytosolic protein abundantly found in cardiomyocytes, plays a role in trafficking fatty acids throughout cellular compartments by reversibly binding intracellular fatty acids with relatively high affinity. The fluorescent probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) is extensively utilized for examining the interaction of ligands with fatty-acid-binding proteins. The X-ray structure of FABP3 was determined in the presence of ANS and revealed the detailed ANS-binding mechanism. Furthermore, four water molecules were clearly identified in the binding cavity. Through these water molecules, the bound ANS molecule forms indirect hydrogen-bond interactions with FABP3. The adipocyte-type fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP4) exhibits 67% sequence identity with FABP3 and its crystal structure is almost the same as that of FABP3. However, FABP4 can bind with a higher affinity to ANS than FABP3. To understand the difference in their ligand specificities, a structural comparison was performed between FABP3-ANS and FABP4-ANS complexes. The result revealed that the orientation of ANS binding to FABP3 is completely opposite to that of ANS binding to FABP4, and the substitution of valine in FABP4 to leucine in FABP3 may result in greater steric hindrance between the side-chain of Leu115 and the aniline ring of ANS.
Asunto(s)
Naftalenosulfonatos de Anilina/química , Proteínas de Unión a Ácidos Grasos/química , Colorantes Fluorescentes/química , Proteína 3 de Unión a Ácidos Grasos , Humanos , Conformación ProteicaRESUMEN
FtsA from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was cloned, overexpressed and purified. The protein was crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion technique. A cocrystal with ß-γ-imidoadenosine 5'-phosphate (AMPPNP; a nonhydrolysable ATP analogue) was grown using PEG 3350 as a precipitant at 293 K. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 2.3 Å at 100 K. The crystal belonged to the monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 75.31, b = 102.78, c = 105.90 Å, ß = 96.54°. The calculated Matthews coefficient suggested that the asymmetric unit contained three or four monomers.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/aislamiento & purificación , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente a Meticilina , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Proteínas Bacterianas/química , Cristalización , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Datos de Secuencia MolecularRESUMEN
The spermidine acetyltransferase (SAT) from Escherichia coli catalyses the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to spermidine. SAT has been expressed and purified from E. coli. SAT was crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method to obtain a more detailed insight into the molecular mechanism. Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the crystals diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution and belonged to the cubic space group P23, with unit-cell parameters a = b = c = 148.7 Å. They contained four molecules per asymmetric unit.
Asunto(s)
Acetiltransferasas/biosíntesis , Acetiltransferasas/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/biosíntesis , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Escherichia coli/enzimología , Regulación Bacteriana de la Expresión Génica , Acetiltransferasas/química , Cristalización , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/químicaRESUMEN
The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells is mediated by the interaction between the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Certain human antibodies, which target the spike N-terminal domain (NTD) at a distant epitope from the host cell binding surface, have been found to augment ACE2 binding and enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection. Notably, these antibodies exert their effect independently of the antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) region, distinguishing their mode of action from previously described antibody-dependent infection-enhancing (ADE) mechanisms. Building upon previous hypotheses and experimental evidence, we propose that these NTD-targeting infection-enhancing antibodies (NIEAs) achieve their effect through the crosslinking of neighboring spike proteins. In this study, we present refined structural models of NIEA fragment antigen-binding region (Fab)-NTD complexes, supported by molecular dynamics simulations and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). Furthermore, we provide direct evidence confirming the crosslinking of spike NTDs by NIEAs. Collectively, our findings advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NIEAs and their impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2 , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/metabolismo , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus , Unión Proteica , Anticuerpos AntiviralesRESUMEN
The Omicron variant continuously evolves under the humoral immune pressure exerted by vaccination and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and the resulting Omicron subvariants display further immune evasion and antibody escape. An engineered angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) decoy composed of high-affinity ACE2 and an IgG1 Fc domain could offer an alternative modality to neutralize SARS-CoV-2. We previously reported its broad spectrum and therapeutic potential in rodent models. Here, we demonstrate that the engineered ACE2 decoy retains neutralization activity against Omicron subvariants, including the currently emerging XBB and BQ.1 strains, which completely evade antibodies currently in clinical use. SARS-CoV-2, under the suboptimal concentration of neutralizing drugs, generated SARS-CoV-2 mutants escaping wild-type ACE2 decoy and monoclonal antibodies, whereas no escape mutant emerged against the engineered ACE2 decoy. Furthermore, inhalation of aerosolized decoys improved the outcomes of rodents infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a 20-fold lower dose than that of intravenous administration. Last, the engineered ACE2 decoy exhibited therapeutic efficacy for cynomolgus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2. These results indicate that this engineered ACE2 decoy represents a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome immune-evading SARS-CoV-2 variants and that liquid aerosol inhalation could be considered as a noninvasive approach to enhance the efficacy of COVID-19 treatments.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Animales , SARS-CoV-2 , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Macaca fascicularisRESUMEN
High-throughput protein X-ray crystallography offers a significant opportunity to facilitate drug discovery. The most reliable approach is to determine the three-dimensional structure of the protein-ligand complex by soaking the ligand in apo crystals. However, protein apo crystals produced by conventional crystallization in a solution are fatally damaged by osmotic shock during soaking. To overcome this difficulty, we present a novel technique for growing protein crystals in a high-concentration hydrogel that is completely gellified and exhibits high strength. This technique allowed us essentially to increase the mechanical stability of the crystals, preventing serious damage to the crystals caused by osmotic shock. Thus, this method may accelerate structure-based drug discoveries.
Asunto(s)
Cristalización/métodos , Hidrogeles/química , Muramidasa/química , Fenómenos Biomecánicos , Dureza , Presión Osmótica , Estabilidad ProteicaRESUMEN
Polyamines are known to play important roles in the proliferation and differentiation of many types of cells. Although considerable amounts of polyamines are synthesized and stored in the testes, their roles remain unknown. Ornithine decarboxylase antizymes (OAZs) control the intracellular concentration of polyamines in a feedback manner. OAZ1 and OAZ2 are expressed ubiquitously, whereas OAZ-t/OAZ3 is expressed specifically in germline cells during spermiogenesis. OAZ-t reportedly binds to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and inactivates ODC activity. In a prior study, polyamines were capable of inducing a frameshift at the frameshift sequence of OAZ-t mRNA, resulting in the translation of OAZ-t. To investigate the physiological role of OAZ-t, we generated OAZ-t-disrupted mutant mice. Homozygous OAZ-t mutant males were infertile, although the polyamine concentrations of epididymides and testes were normal in these mice, and females were fertile. Sperm were successfully recovered from the epididymides of the mutant mice, but the heads and tails of the sperm cells were easily separated in culture medium during incubation. Results indicated that OAZ-t is essential for the formation of a rigid junction between the head and tail during spermatogenesis. The detached tails and heads were alive, and most of the headless tails showed straight forward movement. Although the tailless sperm failed to acrosome-react, the heads were capable of fertilizing eggs via intracytoplasmic sperm injection. OAZ-t likely plays a key role in haploid germ cell differentiation via the local concentration of polyamines.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , Cola del Espermatozoide/metabolismo , Espermatozoides/citología , Espermatozoides/metabolismo , Animales , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Diferenciación Celular , Femenino , Infertilidad Masculina , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Microscopía Electrónica , Testículo/citología , Testículo/embriología , Testículo/metabolismoRESUMEN
Signaling by single-pass transmembrane receptors often involves a formation of ligand-induced receptor dimers with particular conformation, and bivalent receptor binders can modulate receptor functions by inducing different receptor dimer conformations, although such agents are difficult to design. Here, we describe the generation of both antagonistic and agonistic receptor dimerizers toward PlexinB1 (PlxnB1), a receptor for semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), by grafting two different PlxnB1-binding peptides onto the human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) Fc protein. The function-modulating activity of a peptide Fc was strongly dependent on the type of the peptide as well as the grafting site, with the best variants showing activity at an nM concentration range. Structural analysis of each peptide-PlxnB1 complex revealed that the agonistic Fc dimerizes PlxnB1 in a face-to-face fashion similar to that induced by Sema4D, whereas antagonistic Fc would induce signaling-incompetent PlxnB1 dimer conformation, enforcing the idea that plexin activation is primarily controlled by the receptor orientation within the dimer.
Asunto(s)
Receptores de Superficie Celular , Semaforinas , Proteínas Activadoras de GTPasa , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G , Ligandos , Péptidos , Receptores de Superficie Celular/metabolismo , Receptores Fc , Semaforinas/genética , Semaforinas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Prostaglandin receptors have been implicated in a wide range of functions, including inflammation, immune response, reproduction, and cancer. Our group has previously determined the crystal structure of the active-like EP3 bound to its endogenous agonist, prostaglandin E2. Here, we present the single-particle cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the human EP3-Gi signaling complex at a resolution of 3.4 Å. The structure reveals the binding mode of Gi to EP3 and the structural changes induced in EP3 by Gi binding. In addition, we compare the structure of the EP3-Gi complex with other subtypes of prostaglandin receptors (EP2 and EP4) bound to Gs that have been previously reported and examine the differences in amino acid composition at the receptor-G protein interface. Mutational analysis reveals that the selectivity of the G protein depends on specific amino acid residues in the second intracellular loop and TM5.