Semi-Synthetic CoA-α-Synuclein Constructs Trap N-Terminal Acetyltransferase NatB for Binding Mechanism Studies.

N-terminal acetylation is a chemical modification carried out by N-terminal acetyltransferases. A major member of this enzyme family, NatB, acts on much of the human proteome, including α-synuclein (αS), a synaptic protein that mediates vesicle trafficking. NatB acetylation of αS modulates its lipid vesicle binding properties and amyloid fibril formation, which underlies its role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Although the molecular details of the interaction between human NatB (hNatB) and the N-terminus of αS have been resolved, whether the remainder of the protein plays a role in interacting with the enzyme is unknown. Here, we execute the first synthesis, by native chemical ligation, of a bisubstrate inhibitor of NatB consisting of coenzyme A and full-length human αS, additionally incorporating two fluorescent probes for studies of conformational dynamics. We use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to characterize the structural features of the hNatB/inhibitor complex and show that, beyond the first few residues, αS remains disordered when in complex with hNatB. We further probe changes in the αS conformation by single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to reveal that the C-terminus expands when bound to hNatB. Computational models based on the cryo-EM and smFRET data help to explain the conformational changes as well as their implications for hNatB substrate recognition and specific inhibition of the interaction with αS. Beyond the study of αS and NatB, these experiments illustrate valuable strategies for the study of challenging structural biology targets through a combination of protein semi-synthesis, cryo-EM, smFRET, and computational modeling.

An Aromatic Cluster in the Active Site of epi-Isozizaene Synthase Is an Electrostatic Toggle for Divergent Terpene Cyclization Pathways.

The sesquiterpene cyclase epi-isozizaene synthase (EIZS) catalyzes the cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate to form the tricyclic precursor of the antibiotic albaflavenone. The hydrophobic active site is largely defined by aromatic residues that direct a multistep reaction sequence through multiple carbocation intermediates. The previous substitution of polar residues for a key aromatic residue, F96, converts EIZS into a high-fidelity sesquisabinene synthase: the F96S, F96M, and F96Q variants generate 78%, 91%, and 97% sesquisabinene A, respectively. Here, we report high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of two of these reprogrammed cyclases. The structures of the F96M EIZS-Mg2+3-risedronate and F96M EIZS-Mg2+3-inorganic pyrophosphate-benzyltriethylammonium cation complexes reveal structural changes in the F96 aromatic cluster that redirect the cyclization pathway leading from the bisabolyl carbocation intermediate in catalysis. The structure of the F96S EIZS-Mg2+3-neridronate complex reveals a partially occupied inhibitor and an enzyme active site caught in transition between open and closed states. Finally, three structures of wild-type EIZS complexed with the bisphosphonate inhibitors neridronate, pamidronate, and risedronate provide a foundation for understanding binding differences between wild-type and variant enzymes. These structures provide new insight regarding active site flexibility, particularly with regard to the potential for subtle expansion and contraction to accommodate ligands of varying sizes as well as bound water molecules. Additionally, these structures highlight the importance of conformational changes in the F96 aromatic cluster that could influence cation-π interactions with carbocation intermediates in catalysis.

Bile Acid Metabolism Mediates Cholesterol Homeostasis and Promotes Tumorigenesis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) incidence has risen steadily over the last decade. Elevated lipid uptake and storage is required for ccRCC cell viability. As stored cholesterol is the most abundant component in ccRCC intracellular lipid droplets, it may also play an important role in ccRCC cellular homeostasis. In support of this hypothesis, ccRCC cells acquire exogenous cholesterol through the high-density lipoprotein receptor SCARB1, inhibition or suppression of which induces apoptosis. Here, we showed that elevated expression of 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase type 7 (HSD3B7), which metabolizes cholesterol-derived oxysterols in the bile acid biosynthetic pathway, is also essential for ccRCC cell survival. Development of an HSD3B7 enzymatic assay and screening for small-molecule inhibitors uncovered the compound celastrol as a potent HSD3B7 inhibitor with low micromolar activity. Repressing HSD3B7 expression genetically or treating ccRCC cells with celastrol resulted in toxic oxysterol accumulation, impaired proliferation, and increased apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These data demonstrate that bile acid synthesis regulates cholesterol homeostasis in ccRCC and identifies HSD3B7 as a plausible therapeutic target. SIGNIFICANCE: The bile acid biosynthetic enzyme HSD3B7 is essential for ccRCC cell survival and can be targeted to induce accumulation of cholesterol-derived oxysterols and apoptotic cell death.

Molecular role of NAA38 in thermostability and catalytic activity of the human NatC N-terminal acetyltransferase.

N-terminal acetylation occurs on over 80% of human proteins and is catalyzed by a family of N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). All NATs contain a small catalytic subunit, while some also contain a large auxiliary subunit that facilitates catalysis and ribosome targeting for co-translational acetylation. NatC is one of the major NATs containing an NAA30 catalytic subunit, but uniquely contains two auxiliary subunits, large NAA35 and small NAA38. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of human NatC (hNatC) complexes with and without NAA38, together with biochemical studies, to reveal that NAA38 increases the thermostability and broadens the substrate-specificity profile of NatC by ordering an N-terminal segment of NAA35 and reorienting an NAA30 N-terminal peptide binding loop for optimal catalysis, respectively. We also note important differences in engagement with a stabilizing inositol hexaphosphate molecule between human and yeast NatC. These studies provide new insights for the function and evolution of the NatC complex.

Novel Bisubstrate Inhibitors for Protein N-Terminal Acetyltransferase D.

Protein N-terminal acetyltransferase D (NatD, NAA40) that specifically acetylates the alpha-N-terminus of histone H4 and H2A has been implicated in various diseases, but no inhibitor has been reported for this important enzyme. Based on the acetyl transfer mechanism of NatD, we designed and prepared a series of highly potent NatD bisubstrate inhibitors by covalently linking coenzyme A to different peptide substrates via an acetyl or propionyl spacer. The most potent bisubstrate inhibitor displayed an apparent Ki value of 1.0 nM. Biochemical studies indicated that bisubstrate inhibitors are competitive to the peptide substrate and noncompetitive to the cofactor, suggesting that NatD undergoes an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism. We also demonstrated that these inhibitors are highly specific toward NatD, displaying about 1000-fold selectivity over other closely related acetyltransferases. High-resolution crystal structures of NatD bound to two of these inhibitors revealed the molecular basis for their selectivity and inhibition mechanism, providing a rational path for future inhibitor development.

Characterisation of the arrestment responses of Trichogramma evanescens.

Contact kairomones and oviposition in a host egg stimulated arrestment behaviour in Trichogramma evanescens, characterised by a reduction in walking speed and increased turning. Previous oviposition experience did not influence a parasitoid's response to contact kairomones, but successive encounters with kairomone patches resulted in parasitoids habituating to the contact chemical. Oviposition on a kairomone patch did not reverse this habituation effect. It was concluded that contact kairomones and host eggs will both contribute independently to the duration of a patch visit. The selection of patches by T. evanescens will depend on its response to kairomones. Results from this study indicate that the application of contact kairomones to field crops will not necessarily increase the probability of parasitoids finding hosts.