Structural basis of NINJ1-mediated plasma membrane rupture in cell death.

Eukaryotic cells can undergo different forms of programmed cell death, many of which culminate in plasma membrane rupture as the defining terminal event1-7. Plasma membrane rupture was long thought to be driven by osmotic pressure, but it has recently been shown to be in many cases an active process, mediated by the protein ninjurin-18 (NINJ1). Here we resolve the structure of NINJ1 and the mechanism by which it ruptures membranes. Super-resolution microscopy reveals that NINJ1 clusters into structurally diverse assemblies in the membranes of dying cells, in particular large, filamentous assemblies with branched morphology. A cryo-electron microscopy structure of NINJ1 filaments shows a tightly packed fence-like array of transmembrane α-helices. Filament directionality and stability is defined by two amphipathic α-helices that interlink adjacent filament subunits. The NINJ1 filament features a hydrophilic side and a hydrophobic side, and molecular dynamics simulations show that it can stably cap membrane edges. The function of the resulting supramolecular arrangement was validated by site-directed mutagenesis. Our data thus suggest that, during lytic cell death, the extracellular α-helices of NINJ1 insert into the plasma membrane to polymerize NINJ1 monomers into amphipathic filaments that rupture the plasma membrane. The membrane protein NINJ1 is therefore an interactive component of the eukaryotic cell membrane that functions as an in-built breaking point in response to activation of cell death.

RNA-bound PGC-1α controls gene expression in liquid-like nuclear condensates.

Plasticity of cells, tissues, and organs is controlled by the coordinated transcription of biological programs. However, the mechanisms orchestrating such context-specific transcriptional networks mediated by the dynamic interplay of transcription factors and coregulators are poorly understood. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is a prototypical master regulator of adaptive transcription in various cell types. We now uncovered a central function of the C-terminal domain of PGC-1α to bind RNAs and assemble multiprotein complexes including proteins that control gene transcription and RNA processing. These interactions are important for PGC-1α recruitment to chromatin in transcriptionally active liquid-like nuclear condensates. Notably, such a compartmentalization of active transcription mediated by liquid-liquid phase separation was observed in mouse and human skeletal muscle, revealing a mechanism by which PGC-1α regulates complex transcriptional networks. These findings provide a broad conceptual framework for context-dependent transcriptional control of phenotypic adaptations in metabolically active tissues.

Phosphorylation orchestrates the structural ensemble of the intrinsically disordered protein HMGA1a and modulates its DNA binding to the NFκB promoter.

High Mobility Group Protein A1a (HMGA1a) is a highly abundant nuclear protein, which plays a crucial role during embryogenesis, cell differentiation, and neoplasia. Here, we present the first ever NMR-based structural ensemble of full length HMGA1a. Our results show that the protein is not completely random coil but adopts a compact structure consisting of transient long-range contacts, which is regulated by post-translational phosphorylation. The CK2-, cdc2- and cdc2/CK2-phosphorylated forms of HMGA1a each exhibit a different binding affinity towards the PRD2 element of the NFκB promoter. Our study identifies connected regions between phosphorylation sites in the wildtype ensemble that change considerably upon phosphorylation, indicating that these posttranslational modifications sites are part of an electrostatic contact network that alters the structural ensemble by shifting the conformational equilibrium. Moreover, ITC data reveal that the CK2-phosphorylated HMGA1a exhibits a different DNA promoter binding affinity for the PRD2 element. Furthermore, we present the first structural model for AT-hook 1 of HMGA1a that can adopt a transient α-helical structure, which might serve as an additional regulatory mechanism in HMAG1a. Our findings will help to develop new therapeutic strategies against HMGA1a-associated cancers by taking posttranslational modifications into consideration.

Protocol for High-Yield Production of Photo-Leucine-Labeled Proteins in Escherichia coli.

UV-cross-linking mass spectrometry is an emerging technique to obtain structural information of biomacromolecules and their complexes in vivo and in vitro. In particular, certain photo-reactive amino acids (pA) such as photo-leucine (pLeu) and photo-methionine can provide unique short-distance information on the structural core regions of proteins. Here, we present a protocol for high-yield incorporation of pLeu in proteins recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein of interest is expressed at high cell densities, which reduces the required amount of the pA by a factor of 10, as compared to the standard protocols, while maintaining high incorporation rates. For the two chaperones, trigger factor and SecB, up to 3 mg of pLeu-labeled protein were thus obtained from 100 mL of cell culture, with label incorporation rates of up to 34%. For trigger factor, UV-induced cross-linking leads to the identification of 12 cross-links that are in agreement with the published three-dimensional structures. The accessibility of milligram amounts of pLeu-labeled proteins at low costs will be highly useful to address structural biology questions.

Daptomycin inhibits cell envelope synthesis by interfering with fluid membrane microdomains.

Daptomycin is a highly efficient last-resort antibiotic that targets the bacterial cell membrane. Despite its clinical importance, the exact mechanism by which daptomycin kills bacteria is not fully understood. Different experiments have led to different models, including (i) blockage of cell wall synthesis, (ii) membrane pore formation, and (iii) the generation of altered membrane curvature leading to aberrant recruitment of proteins. To determine which model is correct, we carried out a comprehensive mode-of-action study using the model organism Bacillus subtilis and different assays, including proteomics, ionomics, and fluorescence light microscopy. We found that daptomycin causes a gradual decrease in membrane potential but does not form discrete membrane pores. Although we found no evidence for altered membrane curvature, we confirmed that daptomycin inhibits cell wall synthesis. Interestingly, using different fluorescent lipid probes, we showed that binding of daptomycin led to a drastic rearrangement of fluid lipid domains, affecting overall membrane fluidity. Importantly, these changes resulted in the rapid detachment of the membrane-associated lipid II synthase MurG and the phospholipid synthase PlsX. Both proteins preferentially colocalize with fluid membrane microdomains. Delocalization of these proteins presumably is a key reason why daptomycin blocks cell wall synthesis. Finally, clustering of fluid lipids by daptomycin likely causes hydrophobic mismatches between fluid and more rigid membrane areas. This mismatch can facilitate proton leakage and may explain the gradual membrane depolarization observed with daptomycin. Targeting of fluid lipid domains has not been described before for antibiotics and adds another dimension to our understanding of membrane-active antibiotics.

Two-State Folding of the Outer Membrane Protein X into a Lipid Bilayer Membrane.

Folding and insertion of ß-barrel membrane proteins into native membranes is efficiently catalyzed by ß-barrel assembly machineries. Understanding this catalysis requires a detailed description of the corresponding uncatalyzed folding mechanisms, which however have so far remained largely unclear. Herein, the folding and membrane insertion of the E. coli outer membrane protein X (OmpX) into 1,2-didecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PC10:0) membranes is resolved at the atomic level. By combining four different experimental techniques, global folding kinetics were correlated with global and local hydrogen bond-formation kinetics. Under a well-defined reaction condition, these processes follow single-exponential velocity laws, with rate constants identical within experimental error. The data thus establish, at atomic resolution, that OmpX folds and inserts into the lipid bilayer of PC10:0 liposomes by a two-state mechanism.

The lantibiotic NAI-107 binds to bactoprenol-bound cell wall precursors and impairs membrane functions.

The lantibiotic NAI-107 is active against Gram-positive bacteria including vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. To identify the molecular basis of its potency, we studied the mode of action in a series of whole cell and in vitro assays and analyzed structural features by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The lantibiotic efficiently interfered with late stages of cell wall biosynthesis and induced accumulation of the soluble peptidoglycan precursor UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid-pentapeptide (UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide) in the cytoplasm. Using membrane preparations and a complete cascade of purified, recombinant late stage peptidoglycan biosynthetic enzymes (MraY, MurG, FemX, PBP2) and their respective purified substrates, we showed that NAI-107 forms complexes with bactoprenol-pyrophosphate-coupled precursors of the bacterial cell wall. Titration experiments indicate that first a 1:1 stoichiometric complex occurs, which then transforms into a 2:1 (peptide: lipid II) complex, when excess peptide is added. Furthermore, lipid II and related molecules obviously could not serve as anchor molecules for the formation of defined and stable nisin-like pores, however, slow membrane depolarization was observed after NAI-107 treatment, which could contribute to killing of the bacterial cell.

Inositol pyrophosphates activate the vacuolar transport chaperone complex in yeast by disrupting a homotypic SPX domain interaction.

Many proteins involved in eukaryotic phosphate homeostasis are regulated by SPX domains. In yeast, the vacuolar transporter chaperone (VTC) complex contains two such domains, but mechanistic details of its regulation are not well understood. Here, we show at the atomic level how inositol pyrophosphates interact with SPX domains of subunits Vtc2 and Vtc3 to control the activity of the VTC complex. Vtc2 inhibits the catalytically active VTC subunit Vtc4 by homotypic SPX-SPX interactions via the conserved helix α1 and the previously undescribed helix α7. Binding of inositol pyrophosphates to Vtc2 abrogates this interaction, thus activating the VTC complex. Accordingly, VTC activation is also achieved by site-specific point mutations that disrupt the SPX-SPX interface. Structural data suggest that ligand binding induces reorientation of helix α1 and exposes the modifiable helix α7, which might facilitate its post-translational modification in vivo. The variable composition of these regions within the SPX domain family might contribute to the diversified SPX functions in eukaryotic phosphate homeostasis.

Proteomic response of Bacillus subtilis to lantibiotics reflects differences in interaction with the cytoplasmic membrane.

Mersacidin, gallidermin, and nisin are lantibiotics, antimicrobial peptides containing lanthionine. They show potent antibacterial activity. All three interfere with cell wall biosynthesis by binding lipid II, but they display different levels of interaction with the cytoplasmic membrane. On one end of the spectrum, mersacidin interferes with cell wall biosynthesis by binding lipid II without integrating into bacterial membranes. On the other end of the spectrum, nisin readily integrates into membranes, where it forms large pores. It destroys the membrane potential and causes leakage of nutrients and ions. Gallidermin, in an intermediate position, also readily integrates into membranes. However, pore formation occurs only in some bacteria and depends on membrane composition. In this study, we investigated the impact of nisin, gallidermin, and mersacidin on cell wall integrity, membrane pore formation, and membrane depolarization in Bacillus subtilis. The impact of the lantibiotics on the cell envelope was correlated to the proteomic response they elicit in B. subtilis. By drawing on a proteomic response library, including other envelope-targeting antibiotics such as bacitracin, vancomycin, gramicidin S, or valinomycin, YtrE could be identified as the most reliable marker protein for interfering with membrane-bound steps of cell wall biosynthesis. NadE and PspA were identified as markers for antibiotics interacting with the cytoplasmic membrane.

The binding affinity of PTPN13's tandem PDZ2/3 domain is allosterically modulated.

BACKGROUND: Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN13, also known as PTP-BL in mice, is a large multi-domain non-transmembrane scaffolding protein with a molecular mass of 270 kDa. It is involved in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cytokinesis and actin-cytoskeletal rearrangement. The modular structure of PTPN13 consists of an N-terminal KIND domain, a FERM domain, and five PDZ domains, followed by a C-terminal protein tyrosine phosphatase domain. PDZ domains are among the most abundant protein modules and they play a crucial role in signal transduction of protein networks. RESULTS: Here, we have analysed the binding characteristics of the isolated PDZ domains 2 and 3 from PTPN13 and compared them to the tandem domain PDZ2/3, which interacts with 12 C-terminal residues of the tumour suppressor protein of APC, using heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, we could show for the first time that PRK2 is a weak binding partner of PDZ2 and we demonstrate that the presence of PDZ3 alters the binding affinity of PDZ2 for APC, suggesting an allosteric effect and thereby modulating the binding characteristics of PDZ2. A HADDOCK-based molecular model of the PDZ2/3 tandem domain from PTPN13 supports these results. CONCLUSIONS: Our study of tandem PDZ2/3 in complex with APC suggests that the interaction of PDZ3 with PDZ2 induces an allosteric modulation within PDZ2 emanating from the back of the domain to the ligand binding site. Thus, the modified binding preference of PDZ2 for APC could be explained by an allosteric effect and provides further evidence for the pivotal function of PDZ2 in the PDZ123 domain triplet within PTPN13.

Comparison of backbone dynamics of the p50 dimerization domain of NFκB in the homodimeric transcription factor NFκB1 and in its heterodimeric complex with RelA (p65).

The nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells (NFκB) transcription factors play a critical role in human immune response. The family includes homodimers and heterodimers of five component proteins, which mediate different transcriptional responses and bind preferentially to different DNA sequences. Crystal structures of DNA complexes show that the dimers of the Rel-homology regions are structurally very similar. Differing DNA sequence preference together with structural similarity suggests that the dimers may differ in their dynamics. In this study, we present the first near-complete 15 N, 13 Cα/ß , and HN backbone resonance assignments of two dimers of the dimerization domain (DD) of the NFκB1 (p50) protein (residues 241-351): the homodimer of two p50 domains and a heterodimer of the p50 DD with the p65 DD. As expected, the two dimers behave very similarly, with chemical shift differences between them largely concentrated in the dimer interface and attributable to specific differences in the amino acid sequences of p50 and p65. A comparison of the picosecond-nanosecond dynamics of the homo- and heterodimers also shows that the environment of p50 is similar, with an overall slightly reduced correlation time for the homodimer compared to the heterodimer, consistent with its slightly smaller molecular weight. These results demonstrate that NMR spectroscopy can be used to explore subtle changes in structure and dynamics that have the potential to give insights into differences in specificity that can be exploited in the design of new therapeutic agents.

Molecular Basis of Class III Ligand Recognition by PDZ3 in Murine Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PTPN13.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN13, also known as PTP-BL in mice, represents a large multi-domain non-transmembrane scaffolding protein that contains five consecutive PDZ domains. Here, we report the solution structures of the extended murine PTPN13 PDZ3 domain in its apo form and in complex with its physiological ligand, the carboxy-terminus of protein kinase C-related kinase-2 (PRK2), determined by multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Both in its ligand-free state and when complexed to PRK2, PDZ3 of PTPN13 adopts the classical compact, globular D/E fold. PDZ3 of PTPN13 binds five carboxy-terminal amino acids of PRK2 via a groove located between the EB-strand and the DB-helix. The PRK2 peptide resides in the canonical PDZ3 binding cleft in an elongated manner and the amino acid side chains in position P0 and P-2, cysteine and aspartate, of the ligand face the groove between EB-strand and DB-helix, whereas the PRK2 side chains of tryptophan and alanine located in position P-1 and P-3 point away from the binding cleft. These structures are rare examples of selective class III ligand recognition by a PDZ domain and now provide a basis for the detailed structural investigation of the promiscuous interaction between the PDZ domains of PTPN13 and their ligands. They will also lead to a better understanding of the proposed scaffolding function of these domains in multi-protein complexes assembled by PTPN13 and could ultimately contribute to low molecular weight antagonists that might even act on the PRK2 signaling pathway to modulate rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton.

NMR-based Drug Development and Improvement Against Malignant Melanoma - Implications for the MIA Protein Family.

The Melanoma Inhibitory Activity (MIA) protein is strongly expressed and secreted by malignant melanoma cells and was shown to promote melanoma development and invasion. The MIA protein was the first extracellular protein shown to adopt an Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-like fold in solution that can bind to fibronectin type III domains. Together with MIA, the homologous proteins OTOR (or FDP), MIA-2, and TANGO (or MIA-3) constitute a protein family of non-cytosolic and - except for fulllength TANGO and TANGO1-like (TALI) - extracellular SH3-domain containing proteins. Members of this protein family modulate collagen maturation and export, cartilage development, cell attachment in the extracellular matrix, and melanoma metastasis. These proteins may thus serve as promising targets for drug development against malignant melanoma. For the last twenty years, NMR spectroscopy has become a powerful technique in medicinal chemistry. While traditional high throughput screenings only report on the activity or affinity of low molecular weight compounds, NMR spectroscopy does not only relate to the structure of those compounds with their activity, but it can also unravel structural information on the ligand binding site on the protein at atomic resolution. Based on the molecular details of the interaction between the ligand and its target protein, the binding affinities of initial fragment hits can be further improved more efficiently in order to generate lead structures that exhibit significant therapeutic effects. The NMR-based approach promises to greatly contribute to the quest for low molecular weight compounds that ultimately could yield drugs to treat skin-related diseases such as malignant melanoma more effectively.

Solid phase synthesis, NMR structure determination of α-KTx3.8, its in silico docking to Kv1.x potassium channels, and electrophysiological analysis provide insights into toxin-channel selectivity.

Animal venoms, such as those from scorpions, are a potent source for new pharmacological substances. In this study we have determined the structure of the α-KTx3.8 (named as Bs6) scorpion toxin by multidimensional (1)H homonuclear NMR spectroscopy and investigated its function by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and electrophysiological measurements. Bs6 is a potent inhibitor of the Kv1.3 channel which plays an important role during the activation and proliferation of memory T-cells (TEM), which play an important role in autoimmune diseases. Therefore, it could be an interesting target for treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, Bs6 was synthesised by solid phase synthesis and its three-dimensional (3D) structure has been determined. To gain a deeper insight into the interaction of Bs6 with different potassium channels like hKv1.1 and hKv1.3, the protein-protein complex was modelled based on known toxin-channel structures and tested for stability in MD simulations using GROMACS. The toxin-channel interaction was further analysed by electrophysiological measurements of different potassium channels like hKv1.3 and hKv7.1. As potassium channel inhibitors could play an important role to overcome autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and type-1 diabetes mellitus, our data contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of action and will ultimately help to develop new potent inhibitors in future.