Staufen1 reads out structure and sequence features in ARF1 dsRNA for target recognition.

Staufen1 (STAU1) is a dsRNA binding protein mediating mRNA transport and localization, translational control and STAU1-mediated mRNA decay (SMD). The STAU1 binding site (SBS) within human ADP-ribosylation factor1 (ARF1) 3'UTR binds STAU1 and this downregulates ARF1 cytoplasmic mRNA levels by SMD. However, how STAU1 recognizes specific mRNA targets is still under debate. Our structure of the ARF1 SBS-STAU1 complex uncovers target recognition by STAU1. STAU1 dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD) 4 interacts with two pyrimidines and one purine from the minor groove side via helix α1, the ß1-ß2 loop anchors the dsRBD at the end of the dsRNA and lysines in helix α2 bind to the phosphodiester backbone from the major groove side. STAU1 dsRBD3 displays the same binding mode with specific recognition of one guanine base. Mutants disrupting minor groove recognition of ARF1 SBS affect in vitro binding and reduce SMD in vivo. Our data thus reveal how STAU1 recognizes minor groove features in dsRNA relevant for target selection.

Universal two-point interaction of mediator KIX with 9aaTAD activation domains.

The nine-amino-acid activation domain (9aaTAD) is defined by a short amino acid pattern including two hydrophobic regions (positions p3-4 and p6-7). The KIX domain of mediator transcription CBP interacts with the 9aaTAD domains of transcription factors MLL, E2A, NF-kB, and p53. In this study, we analyzed the 9aaTADs-KIX interactions by nuclear magnetic resonance. The positions of three KIX helixes α1-α2-α3 are influenced by sterically-associated hydrophobic I611, L628, and I660 residues that are exposed to solvent. The positions of two rigid KIX helixes α1 and α2 generate conditions for structural folding in the flexible KIX-L12-G2 regions localized between them. The three KIX I611, L628, and I660 residues interact with two 9aaTAD hydrophobic residues in positions p3 and p4 and together build a hydrophobic core of five residues (5R). Numerous residues in 9aaTAD position p3 and p4 could provide this interaction. Following binding of the 9aaTAD to KIX, the hydrophobic I611, L628, and I660 residues are no longer exposed to solvent and their position changes inside the hydrophobic core together with position of KIX α1-α2-α3 helixes. The new positions of the KIX helixes α1 and α2 allow the KIX-L12-G2 enhanced formation. The second hydrophobic region of the 9aaTAD (positions p6 and p7) provides strong binding with the KIX-L12-G2 region. Similarly, multiple residues in 9aaTAD position p6 and p7 could provide this interaction. In conclusion, both 9aaTAD regions p3, p4 and p6, p7 provide co-operative and highly universal binding to mediator KIX. The hydrophobic core 5R formation allows new positions of the rigid KIX α-helixes and enables the enhanced formation of the KIX-L12-G2 region. This contributes to free energy and is the key for the KIX-9aaTAD binding. Therefore, the 9aaTAD-KIX interactions do not operate under the rigid key-and-lock mechanism what explains the 9aaTAD natural variability.

Development of 48-condition buffer screen for protein stability assessment.

The determination of a suitable buffer environment for a protein of interest is not an easy task. The requirements of advanced techniques, the demands on the biological material and the researcher time needed for buffer optimization, as well as personal inflexibility, lead frequently to the use of sub-optimal buffers. Here, we demonstrate the design of a 48-condition buffer screen that can be used to determine an appropriate environment for downstream studies. By the combination of several techniques (differential scanning fluorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and bio-layer interferometry), we are able to assess the protein stability, homogeneity and binding activity across the screen with less than half a milligram of protein in 1 day. The application of this screen helps to avoid unsuitable conditions, to explain problems observed upon protein analysis and to choose the most suitable buffers for further research. The screen can be routinely used as a primary screen for buffer optimization in labs and facilities.

Cooperation between subunits is essential for high-affinity binding of N-acetyl-D-hexosamines to dimeric soluble and dimeric cellular forms of human CD69.

CD69 is an earliest lymphocyte activation antigen and a universal leukocyte triggering molecule expressed at sites of active immune response. The binding of GlcNAc to the dimeric human CD69 was followed by equilibrium dialysis, fluorescence titration, and NMR. Clear cooperation was observed in the high-affinity binding (K(d) = 4.0 x 10(-7) M) of the carbohydrate to two subunits of the dimeric CD69 (Hill coefficient 1.94). A control monosaccharide ManNAc was not bound by human CD69, and both monosaccharides had no effects on the structure of the receptor. However, a monomeric CD69 obtained by mutating Q93 and R134 at the dimer interface exhibited a much lower affinity for GlcNAc (K(d) = 1.3 x 10(-5) M) and no cooperativity (Hill coefficient 1.07). Perturbation of the dimer interface resulted in a severe impairment of the signaling ability of cellular CD69 when cross-linked with an antibody or with a bivalent high-affinity N-acetylhexosamine dimer-based ligand. The availability of stable preparations of soluble CD69 receptor with well-documented ligand binding properties will be beneficial for immunological experiments evaluating the role of this antigen in the complex environment of the immune system. Moreover, such preparations in combination with efficient ligand mimetics able to both activate CD69(+) lymphocytes and to block undesired hyperactivation caused by other cellular ligands will also become indispensable tools in explaining the exact role of the CD69 antigen in the interaction between the tumor cell and the effector natural killer lymphocyte.

Cancer-Associated Substitutions in RNA Recognition Motifs of PUF60 and U2AF65 Reveal Residues Required for Correct Folding and 3' Splice-Site Selection.

U2AF65 (U2AF2) and PUF60 (PUF60) are splicing factors important for recruitment of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein to lariat branch points and selection of 3' splice sites (3'ss). Both proteins preferentially bind uridine-rich sequences upstream of 3'ss via their RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Here, we examined 36 RRM substitutions reported in cancer patients to identify variants that alter 3'ss selection, RNA binding and protein properties. Employing PUF60- and U2AF65-dependent 3'ss previously identified by RNA-seq of depleted cells, we found that 43% (10/23) and 15% (2/13) of independent RRM mutations in U2AF65 and PUF60, respectively, conferred splicing defects. At least three RRM mutations increased skipping of internal U2AF2 (~9%, 2/23) or PUF60 (~8%, 1/13) exons, indicating that cancer-associated RRM mutations can have both cis- and trans-acting effects on splicing. We also report residues required for correct folding/stability of each protein and map functional RRM substitutions on to existing high-resolution structures of U2AF65 and PUF60. These results identify new RRM residues critical for 3'ss selection and provide relatively simple tools to detect clonal RRM mutations that enhance the mRNA isoform diversity.

Synthetic N-acetyl-D-glucosamine based fully branched tetrasaccharide, a mimetic of the endogenous ligand for CD69, activates CD69+ killer lymphocytes upon dimerization via a hydrophilic flexible linker.

On the basis of the highly branched ovomucoid-type undecasaccharide that had been shown previously to be an endogenous ligand for CD69 leukocyte receptor, a systematic investigation of smaller oligosaccharide mimetics was performed based on linear and branched N-acetyl-d-hexosamine homooligomers prepared synthetically using hitherto unexplored reaction schemes. The systematic structure-activity studies revealed the tetrasaccharide GlcNAcbeta1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-4)(GlcNAcbeta1-6)GlcNAc (compound 52) and its alpha-benzyl derivative 49 as the best ligand for CD69 with IC(50) as high as 10(-9) M. This compound thus approaches the affinity of the classical high-affinity neoglycoprotein ligand GlcNAc(23)BSA. Compound 68, GlcNAc tetrasaccharide 52 dimerized through a hydrophilic flexible linker, turned out to be effective in activating CD69(+) lymphocytes. It also proved efficient in enhancing natural killing in vitro, decreasing the growth of tumors in vivo, and activating the CD69(+) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes examined ex vivo. This compound is thus a candidate for carbohydrate-based immunomodulators with promising antitumor potential.

Backbone (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N NMR assignment for the inactive form of the retroviral protease of the murine intracisternal A-type particle, inMIA-14 PR.

Proteases play a crucial role in the retroviral infection but so far the mechanism of their regulation remains unclear. Protease MIA-14 from murine intracisternal A-type particles, containing a C-terminal domain rich in glycines (G-patch), is responsible for binding of single-stranded oligonucleotides (both RNA and DNA) without inhibiting the proteolytic activity. For investigations of untill now poorly characterized protease-oligonucleotide interactions, assignments of the observed NMR frequencies are mandatory. An almost complete assignments of the main chain and (13)C(beta) side chain resonances of the 34 kDa homo-dimeric inMIA-14 PR is presented in this study.