Discovery of reactive peptide inhibitors of human papillomavirus oncoprotein E6.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections account for nearly all cervical cancer cases, which is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. High-risk variants, including HPV16, drive tumorigenesis in part by promoting the degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. This degradation is mediated by the HPV early protein 6 (E6), which recruits the E3 ubiquitin ligase E6AP and redirects its activity towards ubiquitinating p53. Targeting the protein interaction interface between HPV E6 and E6AP is a promising modality to mitigate HPV-mediated degradation of p53. In this study, we designed a covalent peptide inhibitor, termed reactide, that mimics the E6AP LXXLL binding motif by selectively targeting cysteine 58 in HPV16 E6 with quantitative conversion. This reactide provides a starting point in the development of covalent peptidomimetic inhibitors for intervention against HPV-driven cancers.

Conditional Fragment Ion Probabilities Improve Database Searching for Nonmonoisotopic Precursors.

Stochastic, intensity-based precursor isolation can result in isotopically enriched fragment ions. This problem is exacerbated for large peptides and stable isotope labeling experiments using deuterium or 15N. For stable isotope labeling experiments, incomplete and ubiquitous labeling strategies result in the isolation of peptide ions composed of many distinct structural isomers. Unfortunately, existing proteomics search algorithms do not account for this variability in isotopic incorporation, and thus often yield poor peptide and protein identification rates. We sought to resolve this shortcoming by deriving the expected isotopic distributions of each fragment ion and incorporating them into the theoretical mass spectra used for peptide-spectrum-matching. We adapted the Comet search platform to integrate a modified spectral prediction algorithm we term Conditional fragment Ion Distribution Search (CIDS). Comet-CIDS uses a traditional database searching strategy, but for each candidate peptide we compute the isotopic distribution of each fragment to better match the observed m/z distributions. Evaluating previously generated D2O and 15N labeled data sets, we found that Comet-CIDS identified more confident peptide spectral matches and higher protein sequence coverage compared to traditional theoretical spectra generation, with the magnitude of improvement largely determined by the amount of labeling in the sample.

Architecture of the outbred brown fat proteome defines regulators of metabolic physiology.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulates metabolic physiology. However, nearly all mechanistic studies of BAT protein function occur in a single inbred mouse strain, which has limited the understanding of generalizable mechanisms of BAT regulation over physiology. Here, we perform deep quantitative proteomics of BAT across a cohort of 163 genetically defined diversity outbred mice, a model that parallels the genetic and phenotypic variation found in humans. We leverage this diversity to define the functional architecture of the outbred BAT proteome, comprising 10,479 proteins. We assign co-operative functions to 2,578 proteins, enabling systematic discovery of regulators of BAT. We also identify 638 proteins that correlate with protection from, or sensitivity to, at least one parameter of metabolic disease. We use these findings to uncover SFXN5, LETMD1, and ATP1A2 as modulators of BAT thermogenesis or adiposity, and provide OPABAT as a resource for understanding the conserved mechanisms of BAT regulation over metabolic physiology.

Automated 16-Plex Plasma Proteomics with Real-Time Search and Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Enables Large-Scale Profiling in Naked Mole-Rats and Mice.

Performing large-scale plasma proteome profiling is challenging due to limitations imposed by lengthy preparation and instrument time. We present a fully automated multiplexed proteome profiling platform (AutoMP3) using the Hamilton Vantage liquid handling robot capable of preparing hundreds to thousands of samples. To maximize protein depth in single-shot runs, we combined 16-plex Tandem Mass Tags (TMTpro) with high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS Pro) and real-time search (RTS). We quantified over 40 proteins/min/sample, doubling the previously published rates. We applied AutoMP3 to investigate the naked mole-rat plasma proteome both as a function of the circadian cycle and in response to ultraviolet (UV) treatment. In keeping with the lack of synchronized circadian rhythms in naked mole-rats, we find few circadian patterns in plasma proteins over the course of 48 h. Furthermore, we quantify many disparate changes between mice and naked mole-rats at both 48 h and one week after UV exposure. These species differences in plasma protein temporal responses could contribute to the pronounced cancer resistance observed in naked mole-rats. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE [1] partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD022891.

Systematic identification of cancer cell vulnerabilities to natural killer cell-mediated immune surveillance.

Only a subset of cancer patients respond to T-cell checkpoint inhibitors, highlighting the need for alternative immunotherapeutics. We performed CRISPR-Cas9 screens in a leukemia cell line to identify perturbations that enhance natural killer effector functions. Our screens defined critical components of the tumor-immune synapse and highlighted the importance of cancer cell interferon-γ signaling in modulating NK activity. Surprisingly, disrupting the ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor DCAF15 strongly sensitized cancer cells to NK-mediated clearance. DCAF15 disruption induced an inflamed state in leukemic cells, including increased expression of lymphocyte costimulatory molecules. Proteomic and biochemical analysis revealed that cohesin complex members were endogenous client substrates of DCAF15. Genetic disruption of DCAF15 was phenocopied by treatment with indisulam, an anticancer drug that functions through DCAF15 engagement. In AML patients, reduced DCAF15 expression was associated with improved survival. These findings suggest that DCAF15 inhibition may have useful immunomodulatory properties in the treatment of myeloid neoplasms.

Effects of MEK inhibitors GSK1120212 and PD0325901 in vivo using 10-plex quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics.

Multiplexed isobaric tag based quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics strategies can comprehensively analyze drug treatments effects on biological systems. Given the role of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) signaling in cancer and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent diseases, we sought to determine if this pathway could be inhibited safely by examining the downstream molecular consequences. We used a series of tandem mass tag 10-plex experiments to analyze the effect of two MEK inhibitors (GSK1120212 and PD0325901) on three tissues (kidney, liver, and pancreas) from nine mice. We quantified ∼ 6000 proteins in each tissue, but significant protein-level alterations were minimal with inhibitor treatment. Of particular interest was kidney tissue, as edema is an adverse effect of these inhibitors. From kidney tissue, we enriched phosphopeptides using titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and quantified 10 562 phosphorylation events. Further analysis by phosphotyrosine peptide immunoprecipitation quantified an additional 592 phosphorylation events. Phosphorylation motif analysis revealed that the inhibitors decreased phosphorylation levels of proline-x-serine-proline (PxSP) and serine-proline (SP) sites, consistent with extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibition. The MEK inhibitors had the greatest decrease on the phosphorylation of two proteins, Barttin and Slc12a3, which have roles in ion transport and fluid balance. Further studies will provide insight into the effect of these MEK inhibitors with respect to edema and other adverse events in mouse models and human patients.

Carboxyl-ester lipase maturity-onset diabetes of the young is associated with development of pancreatic cysts and upregulated MAPK signaling in secretin-stimulated duodenal fluid.

Carboxyl-ester lipase (CEL) maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes and pancreatic exocrine dysfunction due to mutations in the CEL gene encoding CEL. The pathogenic mechanism for diabetes development is unknown. Since CEL is expressed mainly in pancreatic acinar cells, we asked whether we could find structural pancreatic changes in CEL-MODY subjects during the course of diabetes development. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the diseased pancreas releases proteins that are detectable in pancreatic fluid and potentially reflect activation or inactivation of disease-specific pathways. We therefore investigated nondiabetic and diabetic CEL-mutation carriers by pancreatic imaging studies and secretin-stimulated duodenal juice sampling. The secretin-stimulated duodenal juice was studied using cytokine assays, mass spectrometry (MS) proteomics, and multiplexed MS-based measurement of kinase activities. We identified multiple pancreatic cysts in all eight diabetic mutation carriers but not in any of the four nondiabetic mutation carriers or the six healthy controls. Furthermore, we identified upregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) target proteins and MAPK-driven cytokines and increased MAPK activity in the secretin-stimulated duodenal juice. These findings show that subjects with CEL-MODY develop multiple pancreatic cysts by the time they develop diabetes and that upregulated MAPK signaling in the pancreatic secretome may reflect the pathophysiological development of pancreatic cysts and diabetes.

Increasing throughput in targeted proteomics assays: 54-plex quantitation in a single mass spectrometry run.

Targeted proteomics assays such as those measuring end points in activity assays are sensitive and specific but often lack in throughput. In an effort to significantly increase throughput, a comparison was made between the traditional approach which utilizes an internal standard and the multiplexing approach which relies on isobaric tagging. A kinase activity assay was used for proof of concept, and experiments included three biological replicates for every condition. Results from the two approaches were highly similar with the multiplexing showing greater throughput. Two novel 6-plex isobaric tags were added for a total of three 6-plex experiments (18-plex) in a single run. Next, three mass variants of the target peptide were labeled with the three isobaric tags giving nine 6-plex reactions for 54-plex quantitation in a single run. Since the multiplexing approach allows all samples to be combined prior to purification and acquisition, the 54-plex approach resulted in a significant reduction in purification resources (time, reagents, etc.) and a ~50-fold improvement in acquisition throughput. We demonstrate the 54-plex assay in several ways including measuring inhibition of PKA activity in MCF7 cell lysates for a panel of nine compounds.

Correlation profiling for determining kinase-substrate relationships.

Arguably the most important issue in phosphorylation studies is the determination of kinase-substrate relationships. Kinase Activity-Abundance Correlation (KAAC) profiling is a technique that can be used to suggest the kinase responsible for a particular phosphorylation event. The method involves the separation of a lysate at the protein level, after which fractions are analyzed to produce an activity profile for each substrate peptide. This activity profile is correlated with the kinase abundance profiles (obtained using shotgun proteomics) to obtain candidate kinases responsible for phosphorylation of the substrate peptide. We demonstrate this approach by determining potential kinase-substrate pairs for six peptides, selected from the literature, that were shown to be upregulated during mitosis. Finally, for a subset of fractions we evaluated the use of stable isotope labeling to improve quantification.

A high-throughput, multiplexed kinase assay using a benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer to investigate the effect of kinase inhibitors on kinase signaling pathways.

Protein phosphorylation is an important and ubiquitous post-translational modification in eukaryotic biological systems. The KAYAK (Kinase ActivitY Assay for Kinome profiling) assay measures the phosphorylation rates of dozens of peptide substrates simultaneously, directly from cell lysates. Here, we simplified the assay by removing the phosphopeptide enrichment step, increasing throughput while maintaining similar data quality. We term this new method, direct-KAYAK, because kinase activities were measured directly from reaction mixtures after desalting. In addition, new peptides were included to profile additional kinase pathways and redundant substrate peptides were removed. Finally, the method is now performed in 96-well plate format using a benchtop orbitrap mass spectrometer and the Pinpoint software package for improved data analysis. We applied the new high-throughput method to measure IC(50) values for kinases involved in monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation, a process important for inflammation and the immune response.

Chaperone-mediated pathway of proteasome regulatory particle assembly.

The proteasome is a protease that controls diverse processes in eukaryotic cells. Its regulatory particle (RP) initiates the degradation of ubiquitin-protein conjugates by unfolding the substrate and translocating it into the proteasome core particle (CP) to be degraded. The RP has 19 subunits, and their pathway of assembly is not understood. Here we show that in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae three proteins are found associated with RP but not with the RP-CP holoenzyme: Nas6, Rpn14 and Hsm3. Mutations in the corresponding genes confer proteasome loss-of-function phenotypes, despite their virtual absence from the holoenzyme. These effects result from deficient RP assembly. Thus, Nas6, Rpn14 and Hsm3 are RP chaperones. The RP contains six ATPases-the Rpt proteins-and each RP chaperone binds to the carboxy-terminal domain of a specific Rpt. We show in an accompanying study that RP assembly is templated through the Rpt C termini, apparently by their insertion into binding pockets in the CP. Thus, RP chaperones may regulate proteasome assembly by directly restricting the accessibility of Rpt C termini to the CP. In addition, competition between the RP chaperones and the CP for Rpt engagement may explain the release of RP chaperones as proteasomes mature.