RCSB Protein Data Bank (RCSB.org): delivery of experimentally-determined PDB structures alongside one million computed structure models of proteins from artificial intelligence/machine learning.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB), founding member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB), is the US data center for the open-access PDB archive. As wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper, RCSB PDB is also responsible for PDB data security. Annually, RCSB PDB serves >10 000 depositors of three-dimensional (3D) biostructures working on all permanently inhabited continents. RCSB PDB delivers data from its research-focused RCSB.org web portal to many millions of PDB data consumers based in virtually every United Nations-recognized country, territory, etc. This Database Issue contribution describes upgrades to the research-focused RCSB.org web portal that created a one-stop-shop for open access to ∼200 000 experimentally-determined PDB structures of biological macromolecules alongside >1 000 000 incorporated Computed Structure Models (CSMs) predicted using artificial intelligence/machine learning methods. RCSB.org is a 'living data resource.' Every PDB structure and CSM is integrated weekly with related functional annotations from external biodata resources, providing up-to-date information for the entire corpus of 3D biostructure data freely available from RCSB.org with no usage limitations. Within RCSB.org, PDB structures and the CSMs are clearly identified as to their provenance and reliability. Both are fully searchable, and can be analyzed and visualized using the full complement of RCSB.org web portal capabilities.

A structurally conserved site in AUP1 binds the E2 enzyme UBE2G2 and is essential for ER-associated degradation.

Endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) is a protein quality control pathway of fundamental importance to cellular homeostasis. Although multiple ERAD pathways exist for targeting topologically distinct substrates, all pathways require substrate ubiquitination. Here, we characterize a key role for the UBE2G2 Binding Region (G2BR) of the ERAD accessory protein ancient ubiquitous protein 1 (AUP1) in ERAD pathways. This 27-amino acid (aa) region of AUP1 binds with high specificity and low nanomolar affinity to the backside of the ERAD ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) UBE2G2. The structure of the AUP1 G2BR (G2BRAUP1) in complex with UBE2G2 reveals an interface that includes a network of salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions essential for AUP1 function in cells. The G2BRAUP1 shares significant structural conservation with the G2BR found in the E3 ubiquitin ligase gp78 and in vitro can similarly allosterically activate ubiquitination in conjunction with ERAD E3s. In cells, AUP1 is uniquely required to maintain normal levels of UBE2G2; this is due to G2BRAUP1 binding to the E2 and preventing its rapid degradation. In addition, the G2BRAUP1 is required for both ER membrane recruitment of UBE2G2 and for its activation at the ER membrane. Thus, by binding to the backside of a critical ERAD E2, G2BRAUP1 plays multiple critical roles in ERAD.

RCSB Protein Data Bank: powerful new tools for exploring 3D structures of biological macromolecules for basic and applied research and education in fundamental biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering and energy sciences.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB), the US data center for the global PDB archive and a founding member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank partnership, serves tens of thousands of data depositors in the Americas and Oceania and makes 3D macromolecular structure data available at no charge and without restrictions to millions of RCSB.org users around the world, including >660 000 educators, students and members of the curious public using PDB101.RCSB.org. PDB data depositors include structural biologists using macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 3D electron microscopy and micro-electron diffraction. PDB data consumers accessing our web portals include researchers, educators and students studying fundamental biology, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering and energy sciences. During the past 2 years, the research-focused RCSB PDB web portal (RCSB.org) has undergone a complete redesign, enabling improved searching with full Boolean operator logic and more facile access to PDB data integrated with >40 external biodata resources. New features and resources are described in detail using examples that showcase recently released structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins and host cell proteins relevant to understanding and addressing the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Structure of a eukaryotic RNase III postcleavage complex reveals a double-ruler mechanism for substrate selection.

Ribonuclease III (RNase III) enzymes are a family of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-specific endoribonucleases required for RNA maturation and gene regulation. Prokaryotic RNase III enzymes have been well characterized, but how eukaryotic RNase IIIs work is less clear. Here, we describe the structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase III (Rnt1p) postcleavage complex and explain why Rnt1p binds to RNA stems capped with an NGNN tetraloop. The structure shows specific interactions between a structural motif located at the end of the Rnt1p dsRNA-binding domain (dsRBD) and the guanine nucleotide in the second position of the loop. Strikingly, structural and biochemical analyses indicate that the dsRBD and N-terminal domains (NTDs) of Rnt1p function as two rulers that measure the distance between the tetraloop and the cleavage site. These findings provide a framework for understanding eukaryotic RNase IIIs.

RNase III: Genetics and function; structure and mechanism.

RNase III is a global regulator of gene expression in Escherichia coli that is instrumental in the maturation of ribosomal and other structural RNAs. We examine here how RNase III itself is regulated in response to growth and other environmental changes encountered by the cell and how, by binding or processing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates, RNase III controls the expression of genes. Recent insight into the mechanism of dsRNA binding and processing, gained from structural studies of RNase III, is reviewed. Structural studies also reveal new cleavage sites in the enzyme that can generate longer 3' overhangs.

A structurally unique E2-binding domain activates ubiquitination by the ERAD E2, Ubc7p, through multiple mechanisms.

Cue1p is an integral component of yeast endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) ubiquitin ligase (E3) complexes. It tethers the ERAD ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), Ubc7p, to the ER and prevents its degradation, and also activates Ubc7p via unknown mechanisms. We have now determined the crystal structure of the Ubc7p-binding region (U7BR) of Cue1p with Ubc7p. The U7BR is a unique E2-binding domain that includes three α-helices that interact extensively with the "backside" of Ubc7p. Residues essential for E2 binding are also required for activation of Ubc7p and for ERAD. We establish that the U7BR stimulates both RING-independent and RING-dependent ubiquitin transfer from Ubc7p. Moreover, the U7BR enhances ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1)-mediated charging of Ubc7p with ubiquitin. This demonstrates that an essential component of E3 complexes can simultaneously bind to E2 and enhance its loading with ubiquitin. These findings provide mechanistic insights into how ubiquitination can be stimulated.

RCSB Protein Data Bank: biological macromolecular structures enabling research and education in fundamental biology, biomedicine, biotechnology and energy.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, rcsb.org), the US data center for the global PDB archive, serves thousands of Data Depositors in the Americas and Oceania and makes 3D macromolecular structure data available at no charge and without usage restrictions to more than 1 million rcsb.org Users worldwide and 600 000 pdb101.rcsb.org education-focused Users around the globe. PDB Data Depositors include structural biologists using macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 3D electron microscopy. PDB Data Consumers include researchers, educators and students studying Fundamental Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Energy. Recent reorganization of RCSB PDB activities into four integrated, interdependent services is described in detail, together with tools and resources added over the past 2 years to RCSB PDB web portals in support of a 'Structural View of Biology.'

Allosteric regulation of E2:E3 interactions promote a processive ubiquitination machine.

RING finger proteins constitute the large majority of ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and function by interacting with ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) charged with ubiquitin. How low-affinity RING-E2 interactions result in highly processive substrate ubiquitination is largely unknown. The RING E3, gp78, represents an excellent model to study this process. gp78 includes a high-affinity secondary binding region for its cognate E2, Ube2g2, the G2BR. The G2BR allosterically enhances RING:Ube2g2 binding and ubiquitination. Structural analysis of the RING:Ube2g2:G2BR complex reveals that a G2BR-induced conformational effect at the RING:Ube2g2 interface is necessary for enhanced binding of RING to Ube2g2 or Ube2g2 conjugated to Ub. This conformational effect and a key ternary interaction with conjugated ubiquitin are required for ubiquitin transfer. Moreover, RING:Ube2g2 binding induces a second allosteric effect, disrupting Ube2g2:G2BR contacts, decreasing affinity and facilitating E2 exchange. Thus, gp78 is a ubiquitination machine where multiple E2-binding sites coordinately facilitate processive ubiquitination.

Insights into Ubiquitination from the Unique Clamp-like Binding of the RING E3 AO7 to the E2 UbcH5B.

RING proteins constitute the largest class of E3 ubiquitin ligases. Unlike most RINGs, AO7 (RNF25) binds the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UbcH5B (UBE2D2), with strikingly high affinity. We have defined, by co-crystallization, the distinctive means by which AO7 binds UbcH5B. AO7 contains a structurally unique UbcH5B binding region (U5BR) that is connected by an 11-amino acid linker to its RING domain, forming a clamp surrounding the E2. The U5BR interacts extensively with a region of UbcH5B that is distinct from both the active site and the RING-interacting region, referred to as the backside of the E2. An apparent paradox is that the high-affinity binding of the AO7 clamp to UbcH5B, which is dependent on the U5BR, decreases the rate of ubiquitination. We establish that this is a consequence of blocking the stimulatory, non-covalent, binding of ubiquitin to the backside of UbcH5B. Interestingly, when non-covalent backside ubiquitin binding cannot occur, the AO7 clamp now enhances the rate of ubiquitination. The high-affinity binding of the AO7 clamp to UbcH5B has also allowed for the co-crystallization of previously described and functionally important RING mutants at the RING-E2 interface. We show that mutations having marked effects on function only minimally affect the intermolecular interactions between the AO7 RING and UbcH5B, establishing a high degree of complexity in activation through the RING-E2 interface.

Preparation and Effect of Lighting on Structures and Properties of GSH Capped ZnSe QDs.

L-glutathione (GSH) capped ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by microwave-assisted aqueous synthesis. Then, the resulting QDs were illuminated under dark, ultraviolet light and incandescent light, respectively. Thereby effect of lighting on the structures and properties of QDs were studied systematically. It was revealed that particle size and element content of QDs took a sharp change after irradiation, while the crystal structure maintains nearly unaffected. Comparing to the ZnSe QDs under dark condition, counterparts irradiated by UV light possessed outstanding sphericity, size distribution and dispersion. And the content of sulfur (S) in ZnSe QDs irradiated by UV light was much higher relatively. The effect of lighting on vibration peaks of O-H was considerable. However, this effect was observed to be weak on other chemical bonds. The possible explanation ascribes to photo-chemical interactions can occur between S-H and O-H bonds on the surface of GSH ligand. The lighting induced GSH to occur photocatalytic oxidation on the surface of ZnSe QDs, which improved the optical properties of QDs. The effects of lighting rely on irradiation types, the sequence is UV light, incandescent light and dark from high to low.

Restraint Validation of Biomolecular Structures Determined by NMR in the Protein Data Bank.

Biomolecular structure analysis from experimental NMR studies generally relies on restraints derived from a combination of experimental and knowledge-based data. A challenge for the structural biology community has been a lack of standards for representing these restraints, preventing the establishment of uniform methods of model-vs-data structure validation against restraints and limiting interoperability between restraint-based structure modeling programs. The NMR exchange (NEF) and NMR-STAR formats provide a standardized approach for representing commonly used NMR restraints. Using these restraint formats, a standardized validation system for assessing structural models of biopolymers against restraints has been developed and implemented in the wwPDB OneDep data deposition-validation-biocuration system. The resulting wwPDB Restraint Violation Report provides a model vs. data assessment of biomolecule structures determined using distance and dihedral restraints, with extensions to other restraint types currently being implemented. These tools are useful for assessing NMR models, as well as for assessing biomolecular structure predictions based on distance restraints.

Restraint validation of biomolecular structures determined by NMR in the Protein Data Bank.

Biomolecular structure analysis from experimental NMR studies generally relies on restraints derived from a combination of experimental and knowledge-based data. A challenge for the structural biology community has been a lack of standards for representing these restraints, preventing the establishment of uniform methods of model-vs-data structure validation against restraints and limiting interoperability between restraint-based structure modeling programs. The NEF and NMR-STAR formats provide a standardized approach for representing commonly used NMR restraints. Using these restraint formats, a standardized validation system for assessing structural models of biopolymers against restraints has been developed and implemented in the wwPDB OneDep data deposition-validation-biocuration system. The resulting wwPDB restraint violation report provides a model vs. data assessment of biomolecule structures determined using distance and dihedral restraints, with extensions to other restraint types currently being implemented. These tools are useful for assessing NMR models, as well as for assessing biomolecular structure predictions based on distance restraints.

Guide RNA biogenesis involves a novel RNase III family endoribonuclease in Trypanosoma brucei.

The mitochondrial genome of kinetoplastids, including species of Trypanosoma and Leishmania, is an unprecedented DNA structure of catenated maxicircles and minicircles. Maxicircles represent the typical mitochondrial genome encoding components of the respiratory complexes and ribosomes. However, most mRNA sequences are cryptic, and their maturation requires a unique U insertion/deletion RNA editing. Minicircles encode hundreds of small guide RNAs (gRNAs) that partially anneal with unedited mRNAs and direct the extensive editing. Trypanosoma brucei gRNAs and mRNAs are transcribed as polycistronic precursors, which undergo processing preceding editing; however, the relevant nucleases are unknown. We report the identification and functional characterization of a close homolog of editing endonucleases, mRPN1 (mitochondrial RNA precursor-processing endonuclease 1), which is involved in gRNA biogenesis. Recombinant mRPN1 is a dimeric dsRNA-dependent endonuclease that requires Mg(2+), a critical catalytic carboxylate, and generates 2-nucleotide 3' overhangs. The cleavage specificity of mRPN1 is reminiscent of bacterial RNase III and thus is fundamentally distinct from editing endonucleases, which target a single scissile bond just 5' of short duplexes. An inducible knockdown of mRPN1 in T. brucei results in loss of gRNA and accumulation of precursor transcripts (pre-gRNAs), consistent with a role of mRPN1 in processing. mRPN1 stably associates with three proteins previously identified in relatively large complexes that do not contain mRPN1, and have been linked with multiple aspects of mitochondrial RNA metabolism. One protein, TbRGG2, directly binds mRPN1 and is thought to modulate gRNA utilization by editing complexes. The proposed participation of mRPN1 in processing of polycistronic RNA and its specific protein interactions in gRNA expression are discussed.

Structural insights into the broadened substrate profile of the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase OXY-1-1 from Klebsiella oxytoca.

Klebsiella oxytoca is a pathogen that causes serious infections in hospital patients. It shows resistance to many clinically used ß-lactam antibiotics by producing chromosomally encoded OXY-family ß-lactamases. Here, the crystal structure of an OXY-family ß-lactamase, OXY-1-1, determined at 1.93 Šresolution is reported. The structure shows that the OXY-1-1 ß-lactamase has a typical class A ß-lactamase fold and exhibits greater similarity to CTX-M-type ß-lactamases than to TEM-family or SHV-family ß-lactamases. It is also shown that the enzyme provides more space around the active cavity for the R(1) and R(2) substituents of ß-lactam antibiotics. The half-positive/half-negative distribution of surface electrostatic potential in the substrate-binding pocket indicates the preferred properties of substrates or inhibitors of the enzyme. The results reported here provide a structural basis for the broadened substrate profile of the OXY-family ß-lactamases.

Bisubstrate analogue inhibitors of 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase: New design with improved properties.

6-Hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase (HPPK), a key enzyme in the folate biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the pyrophosphoryl transfer from ATP to 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin. The enzyme is essential for microorganisms, is absent from humans, and is not the target for any existing antibiotics. Therefore, HPPK is an attractive target for developing novel antimicrobial agents. Previously, we characterized the reaction trajectory of HPPK-catalyzed pyrophosphoryl transfer and synthesized a series of bisubstrate analog inhibitors of the enzyme by linking 6-hydroxymethylpterin to adenosine through 2, 3, or 4 phosphate groups. Here, we report a new generation of bisubstrate analog inhibitors. To improve protein binding and linker properties of such inhibitors, we have replaced the pterin moiety with 7,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydropterin and the phosphate bridge with a piperidine linked thioether. We have synthesized the new inhibitors, measured their K(d) and IC(50) values, determined their crystal structures in complex with HPPK, and established their structure-activity relationship. 6-Carboxylic acid ethyl ester-7,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydropterin, a novel intermediate that we developed recently for easy derivatization at position 6 of 7,7-dimethyl-7,8-dihydropterin, offers a much high yield for the synthesis of bisubstrate analogs than that of previously established procedure.

Corporate sustainability performance, stock returns, and ESG indicators: fresh insights from EU member states.

It is believed that sustainable practices like environmental, social, and governance mechanisms help in providing a sustainable outlook for both companies and the governments. Such practices have their long-term impact on the stock returns and sustainable performance dynamics. This research aims to investigate the dynamic relationship between ESG indicators, stock returns, and sustainable performance reflected through economic, environmental, and social dimensions during 2010-2018. Panel data has been collected from various listed companies working in EU member states and analyzed through advanced panel estimations. The study findings inferred a significant and positive impact of all three measures of sustainable practices as reflected by targeted firms in the EU region on economic, environmental, and social dimensions of performance. On the other hand, those firms reporting higher ESG disclosure in their annual reports confirm better stock returns. Finally, study findings reveal that ESG dynamics provide a valuable contribution in creating some sustainable edge under the theoretical foundation of different theories. The study findings would greatly support providing a meaningful model for the listed firms to focus on their ESG indicators for higher performance in EES and stock returns. Finally, the current study expects to stimulate more theoretical and empirical work on ESG and EES. Future studies are suggested to consider the relationship between the stated variables regarding pre- and post-pandemic duration.

The influence of digital finance based on the intermediary effect of investor confidence on organizations' financing constraints.

This study examines the impact of digital financing on the degree of financing constraints and discusses the mediating effect of investor confidence. The data are based on companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2019. To investigate the impact of digital financing on the financing constraints of companies in different situations, the heterogeneity of internal control and equity characteristics of different organizations is analyzed. The results using fixed-effects models show that (i) the change in digital finance has a significant negative impact on the level of corporate financing constraints; (ii) investor confidence plays a mediating role between digital finance and financing constraints; and (iii) the level of internal control impacts the relationship between the digital finance and the corporate financing constraints. Specifically, for the organizations with better internal control, there is a significant negative relationship between digital finance and corporate financing constraints while for organizations with poor internal control, digital finance has no significant influence on the extent of financing constraints; and (iv) digital finance of private organizations is significantly negatively correlated with the extent of financing constraints, while for government organizations, a negative relationship is not evident.

RCSB Protein Data Bank: Celebrating 50 years of the PDB with new tools for understanding and visualizing biological macromolecules in 3D.

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB), funded by the US National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Energy, has served structural biologists and Protein Data Bank (PDB) data consumers worldwide since 1999. RCSB PDB, a founding member of the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) partnership, is the US data center for the global PDB archive housing biomolecular structure data. RCSB PDB is also responsible for the security of PDB data, as the wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper. Annually, RCSB PDB serves tens of thousands of three-dimensional (3D) macromolecular structure data depositors (using macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and micro-electron diffraction) from all inhabited continents. RCSB PDB makes PDB data available from its research-focused RCSB.org web portal at no charge and without usage restrictions to millions of PDB data consumers working in every nation and territory worldwide. In addition, RCSB PDB operates an outreach and education PDB101.RCSB.org web portal that was used by more than 800,000 educators, students, and members of the public during calendar year 2020. This invited Tools Issue contribution describes (i) how the archive is growing and evolving as new experimental methods generate ever larger and more complex biomolecular structures; (ii) the importance of data standards and data remediation in effective management of the archive and facile integration with more than 50 external data resources; and (iii) new tools and features for 3D structure analysis and visualization made available during the past year via the RCSB.org web portal.

RCSB Protein Data bank: Tools for visualizing and understanding biological macromolecules in 3D.

Now in its 52nd year of continuous operations, the Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the premiere open-access global archive housing three-dimensional (3D) biomolecular structure data. It is jointly managed by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) partnership. The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB) is funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and US Department of Energy and serves as the US data center for the wwPDB. RCSB PDB is also responsible for the security of PDB data in its role as wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper. Every year, RCSB PDB serves tens of thousands of depositors of 3D macromolecular structure data (coming from macromolecular crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and micro-electron diffraction). The RCSB PDB research-focused web portal (RCSB.org) makes PDB data available at no charge and without usage restrictions to many millions of PDB data consumers around the world. The RCSB PDB training, outreach, and education web portal (PDB101.RCSB.org) serves nearly 700 K educators, students, and members of the public worldwide. This invited Tools Issue contribution describes how RCSB PDB (i) is organized; (ii) works with wwPDB partners to process new depositions; (iii) serves as the wwPDB-designated Archive Keeper; (iv) enables exploration and 3D visualization of PDB data via RCSB.org; and (v) supports training, outreach, and education via PDB101.RCSB.org. New tools and features at RCSB.org are presented using examples drawn from high-resolution structural studies of proteins relevant to treatment of human cancers by targeting immune checkpoints.