An Insulin-Responsive Sensor in the SIRT1 Disordered Region Binds DBC1 and PACS-2 to Control Enzyme Activity.

Current models of SIRT1 enzymatic regulation primarily consider the effects of fluctuating levels of its co-substrate NAD+, which binds to the stably folded catalytic domain. By contrast, the roles of the sizeable disordered N- and C-terminal regions of SIRT1 are largely unexplored. Here we identify an insulin-responsive sensor in the SIRT1 N-terminal region (NTR), comprising an acidic cluster (AC) and a 3-helix bundle (3HB), controlling deacetylase activity. The allosteric assistor DBC1 removes a distal N-terminal shield from the 3-helix bundle, permitting PACS-2 to engage the acidic cluster and the transiently exposed helix 3 of the 3-helix bundle, disrupting its structure and inhibiting catalysis. The SIRT1 activator (STAC) SRT1720 binds and stabilizes the 3-helix bundle, protecting SIRT1 from inhibition by PACS-2. Identification of the SIRT1 insulin-responsive sensor and its engagement by the DBC1 and PACS-2 regulatory hub provides important insight into the roles of disordered regions in enzyme regulation and the mode by which STACs promote metabolic fitness.

Targeting spike glycans to inhibit SARS-CoV2 viral entry.

SARS-CoV-2 spike harbors glycans which function as ligands for lectins. Therefore, it should be possible to exploit lectins to target SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit cellular entry by binding glycans on the spike protein. Burkholderia oklahomensis agglutinin (BOA) is an antiviral lectin that interacts with viral glycoproteins via N-linked high mannose glycans. Here, we show that BOA binds to the spike protein and is a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry at nanomolar concentrations. Using a variety of biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the interaction is avidity driven and that BOA cross-links the spike protein into soluble aggregates. Furthermore, using virus neutralization assays, we demonstrate that BOA effectively inhibits all tested variants of concern as well as SARS-CoV 2003, establishing that multivalent glycan-targeting molecules have the potential to act as pan-coronavirus inhibitors.

Extending the Range of Distances Accessible by 19F Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance in Proteins Using High-Spin Gd(III) Labels.

Fluorine electron-nuclear double resonance (19F ENDOR) has recently emerged as a valuable tool in structural biology for distance determination between F atoms and a paramagnetic center, either intrinsic or conjugated to a biomolecule via spin labeling. Such measurements allow access to distances too short to be measured by double electron-electron resonance (DEER). To further extend the accessible distance range, we exploit the high-spin properties of Gd(III) and focus on transitions other than the central transition (|-1/2⟩ ↔ |+1/2⟩), that become more populated at high magnetic fields and low temperatures. This increases the spectral resolution up to ca. 7 times, thus raising the long-distance limit of 19F ENDOR almost 2-fold. We first demonstrate this on a model fluorine-containing Gd(III) complex with a well-resolved 19F spectrum in conventional central transition measurements and show quantitative agreement between the experimental spectra and theoretical predictions. We then validate our approach on two proteins labeled with 19F and Gd(III), in which the Gd-F distance is too long to produce a well-resolved 19F ENDOR doublet when measured at the central transition. By focusing on the |-5/2⟩ ↔ |-3/2⟩ and |-7/2⟩ ↔ |-5/2⟩ EPR transitions, a resolution enhancement of 4.5- and 7-fold was obtained, respectively. We also present data analysis strategies to handle contributions of different electron spin manifolds to the ENDOR spectrum. Our new extended 19F ENDOR approach may be applicable to Gd-F distances as large as 20 Å, widening the current ENDOR distance window.

Structural convergence between Cryo-EM and NMR reveals intersubunit interactions critical for HIV-1 capsid function.

Mature HIV-1 particles contain conical-shaped capsids that enclose the viral RNA genome and perform essential functions in the virus life cycle. Previous structural analysis of two- and three-dimensional arrays of the capsid protein (CA) hexamer revealed three interfaces. Here, we present a cryoEM study of a tubular assembly of CA and a high-resolution NMR structure of the CA C-terminal domain (CTD) dimer. In the solution dimer structure, the monomers exhibit different relative orientations compared to previous X-ray structures. The solution structure fits well into the EM density map, suggesting that the dimer interface is retained in the assembled CA. We also identified a CTD-CTD interface at the local three-fold axis in the cryoEM map and confirmed its functional importance by mutagenesis. In the tubular assembly, CA intermolecular interfaces vary slightly, accommodating the asymmetry present in tubes. This provides the necessary plasticity to allow for controlled virus capsid dis/assembly.

Ligand-Capped Cobalt(II) Multiplies the Value of the Double-Histidine Motif for PCS NMR Studies.

In structural studies by NMR, pseudocontact shifts (PCSs) provide both angular and distance information. For proteins, incorporation of a di-histidine (diHis) motif, coordinated to Co2+, has emerged as an important tool to measure PCS. Here, we show that using different Co(II)-chelating ligands, such as nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA), resolves the isosurface ambiguity of Co2+-diHis and yields orthogonal PCS data sets with different Δχ-tensors for the same diHis-bearing protein. Importantly, such capping ligands effectively eliminate undesired intermolecular interactions, which can be detrimental to PCS studies. Devising and employing ligand-capping strategies afford versatile and powerful means to obtain multiple orthogonal PCS data sets, significantly extending the use of the diHis motif for structural studies by NMR.

GdIII -19 F Distance Measurements for Proteins in Cells by Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance.

Studies of protein structure and dynamics are usually carried out in dilute buffer solutions, conditions that differ significantly from the crowded environment in the cell. The double electron-electron resonance (DEER) technique can track proteins' conformations in the cell by providing distance distributions between two attached spin labels. This technique, however, cannot access distances below 1.8 nm. Here, we show that GdIII -19 F Mims electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurements can cover part of this short range. Low temperature solution and in-cell ENDOR measurements, complemented with room temperature solution and in-cell GdIII -19 F PRE (paramagnetic relaxation enhancement) NMR measurements, were performed on fluorinated GB1 and ubiquitin (Ub), spin-labeled with rigid GdIII tags. The proteins were delivered into human cells via electroporation. The solution and in-cell derived GdIII -19 F distances were essentially identical and lie in the 1-1.5 nm range revealing that both, GB1 and Ub, retained their overall structure in the GdIII and 19 F regions in the cell.

The Magic of Linking Rings: Discovery of a Unique Photoinduced Fluorescent Protein Crosslink.

Fluorosubstituted tryptophans serve as valuable probes for fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of proteins. Here, we describe an unusual photoreactivity introduced by replacing the single tryptophan in cyclophilin A with 7-fluoro-tryptophan. UV exposure at 282 nm defluorinates 7-fluoro-tryptophan and crosslinks it to a nearby phenylalanine, generating a bright fluorophore. The crosslink-containing fluorescent protein possesses a large quantum yield of ∼0.40 with a fluorescence lifetime of 2.38 ns. The chemical nature of the crosslink and the three-dimensional protein structure were determined by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a Phe-Trp crosslink in a protein. Our finding may break new ground for developing novel fluorescence probes and for devising new strategies to exploit aromatic crosslinks in proteins.

Atomic-Resolution Structure of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein N-Terminal Domain.

The nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of the four structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and plays a crucial role in viral genome organization and, hence, replication and pathogenicity. The N-terminal domain (NNTD) binds to the genomic RNA and thus comprises a potential target for inhibitor and vaccine development. We determined the atomic-resolution structure of crystalline NNTD by integrating solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR and X-ray diffraction. Our combined approach provides atomic details of protein packing interfaces as well as information about flexible regions as the N- and C-termini and the functionally important RNA binding, ß-hairpin loop. In addition, ultrafast (100 kHz) MAS 1H-detected experiments permitted the assignment of side-chain proton chemical shifts not available by other means. The present structure offers guidance for designing therapeutic interventions against the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Development and Validation of Fluorinated, Aromatic Amino Acid Parameters for Use with the AMBER ff15ipq Protein Force Field.

We developed force field parameters for fluorinated, aromatic amino acids enabling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of fluorinated proteins. These parameters are tailored to the AMBER ff15ipq protein force field and enable the modeling of 4, 5, 6, and 7F-tryptophan, 3F- and 3,5F-tyrosine, and 4F- or 4-CF3-phenylalanine. The parameters include 181 unique atomic charges derived using the implicitly polarized charge (IPolQ) scheme in the presence of SPC/Eb explicit water molecules and 9 unique bond, angle, or torsion terms. Our simulations of benchmark peptides and proteins maintain expected conformational propensities on the µs time scale. In addition, we have developed an open-source Python program to calculate fluorine relaxation rates from MD simulations. The extracted relaxation rates from protein simulations are in good agreement with experimental values determined by 19F NMR. Collectively, our results illustrate the power and robustness of the IPolQ lineage of force fields for modeling the structure and dynamics of fluorine-containing proteins at the atomic level.

19F fast MAS (60-111 kHz) dipolar and scalar based correlation spectroscopy of organic molecules and pharmaceutical formulations.

19F magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterization of fluorinated solids. The recent development of 19F MAS NMR probes, operating at spinning frequencies of 60-111 kHz, enabled analysis of systems spanning from organic molecules to pharmaceutical formulations to biological assemblies, with unprecedented resolution. Herein, we systematically evaluate the benefits of high MAS frequencies (60-111 kHz) for 1D and 2D 19F-detected experiments in two pharmaceuticals, the antimalarial drug mefloquine and a formulation of the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin calcium. We demonstrate that 1H decoupling is essential and that scalar-based, heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) correlation experiments become feasible and efficient at the MAS frequency of 100 kHz. This study opens doors for the applications of high frequency 19F MAS NMR to a wide range of problems in chemistry and biology.

Visualizing Proteins in Mammalian Cells by 19 F NMR Spectroscopy.

In-cell NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool to investigate protein behavior in physiologically relevant environments. Although proven valuable for disordered proteins, we show that in commonly used 1 H-15 N HSQC spectra of globular proteins, interactions with cellular components often broaden resonances beyond detection. This contrasts 19 F spectra in mammalian cells, in which signals are readily observed. Using several proteins, we demonstrate that surface charges and interaction with cellular binding partners modulate linewidths and resonance frequencies. Importantly, we establish that 19 F paramagnetic relaxation enhancements using stable, rigid Ln(III) chelate pendants, attached via non-reducible thioether bonds, provide an effective means to obtain accurate distances for assessing protein conformations in the cellular milieu.

A detailed picture of a protein-carbohydrate hydrogen-bonding network revealed by NMR and MD simulations.

Cyanovirin-N (CV-N) is a cyanobacterial lectin with antiviral activity towards HIV and several other viruses. Here, we identify mannoside hydroxyl protons that are hydrogen bonded to the protein backbone of the CV-N domain B binding site, using NMR spectroscopy. For the two carbohydrate ligands Manα(1→2)ManαOMe and Manα(1→2) Manα(1→6)ManαOMe five hydroxyl protons are involved in hydrogen-bonding networks. Comparison with previous crystallographic results revealed that four of these hydroxyl protons donate hydrogen bonds to protein backbone carbonyl oxygens in solution and in the crystal. Hydrogen bonds were not detected between the side chains of Glu41 and Arg76 with sugar hydroxyls, as previously proposed for CV-N binding of mannosides. Molecular dynamics simulations of the CV-N/Manα(1→2)Manα(1→6)ManαOMe complex confirmed the NMR-determined hydrogen-bonding network. Detailed characterization of CV-N/mannoside complexes provides a better understanding of lectin-carbohydrate interactions and opens up to the use of CV-N and similar lectins as antiviral agents.

Fast 19F Magic-Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for the Structural Characterization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Blockbuster Drugs.

Fluorinated drugs occupy a large and growing share of the pharmaceutical market. Here, we explore high-frequency, 60 to 111 kHz, 19F magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the structural characterization of fluorinated active pharmaceutical ingredients in commercial formulations of seven blockbuster drugs: Celebrex, Cipro, Crestor, Levaquin, Lipitor, Prozac, and Zyvox. 19F signals can be observed in a single scan, and spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios can be acquired in minutes. 19F spectral parameters, such as chemical shifts and line widths, are sensitive to both the nature of the fluorine moiety and the formulation. We anticipate that the fast 19F MAS NMR-based approach presented here will be valuable for the rapid analysis of fluorine-containing drugs in a wide variety of formulations.

Fast 19F Magic Angle Spinning NMR Crystallography for Structural Characterization of Fluorine-Containing Pharmaceutical Compounds.

Fluorine-containing compounds comprise 20 to 30 percent of all commercial drugs, and the proportion of fluorinated pharmaceuticals is rapidly growing. While magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy is a popular technique for analysis of solid pharmaceutical compounds, fluorine has been underutilized as a structural probe so far. Here, we report a fast (40-60 kHz) MAS 19F NMR approach for structural characterization of fluorine-containing crystalline pharmaceutical compounds at natural abundance, using the antimalarial fluorine-containing drug mefloquine as an example. We demonstrate the utility of 2D 19F-13C and 19F-19F dipolar-coupling-based correlation experiments for 19F and 13C resonance frequency assignment, which permit identification of crystallographically inequivalent sites. The efficiency of 19F-13C cross-polarization and the effect of 1H and 19F decoupling on spectral resolution and sensitivity were evaluated in a broad range of experimental conditions. We further demonstrate a protocol for measuring accurate interfluorine distances based on 1D DANTE-RFDR experiments combined with multispin numerical simulations.

Dynamic regulation of HIV-1 capsid interaction with the restriction factor TRIM5α identified by magic-angle spinning NMR and molecular dynamics simulations.

The host factor protein TRIM5α plays an important role in restricting the host range of HIV-1, interfering with the integrity of the HIV-1 capsid. TRIM5 triggers an antiviral innate immune response by functioning as a capsid pattern recognition receptor, although the precise mechanism by which the restriction is imposed is not completely understood. Here we used an integrated magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics simulations approach to characterize, at atomic resolution, the dynamics of the capsid's hexameric and pentameric building blocks, and the interactions with TRIM5α in the assembled capsid. Our data indicate that assemblies in the presence of the pentameric subunits are more rigid on the microsecond to millisecond timescales than tubes containing only hexamers. This feature may be of key importance for controlling the capsid's morphology and stability. In addition, we found that TRIM5α binding to capsid induces global rigidification and perturbs key intermolecular interfaces essential for higher-order capsid assembly, with structural and dynamic changes occurring throughout the entire CA polypeptide chain in the assembly, rather than being limited to a specific protein-protein interface. Taken together, our results suggest that TRIM5α uses several mechanisms to destabilize the capsid lattice, ultimately inducing its disassembly. Our findings add to a growing body of work indicating that dynamic allostery plays a pivotal role in capsid assembly and HIV-1 infectivity.

A Quantitative Systems Approach to Define Novel Effects of Tumour p53 Mutations on Binding Oncoprotein MDM2.

Understanding transient protein interactions biochemically at the proteome scale remains a long-standing challenge. Current tools developed to study protein interactions in high-throughput measure stable protein complexes and provide binary readouts; they do not elucidate dynamic and weak protein interactions in a proteome. The majority of protein interactions are transient and cover a wide range of affinities. Nucleic acid programmable protein arrays (NAPPA) are self-assembling protein microarrays produced by freshly translating full-length proteins in situ on the array surface. Herein, we have coupled NAPPA to surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) to produce a novel label-free platform that measures many protein interactions in real-time allowing the determination of the KDs and rate constants. The developed novel NAPPA-SPRi technique showed excellent ability to study protein-protein interactions of clinical mutants of p53 with its regulator MDM2. Furthermore, this method was employed to identify mutant p53 proteins insensitive to the drug nutlin-3, currently in clinical practice, which usually disrupts the p53-MDM2 interactions. Thus, significant differences in the interactions were observed for p53 mutants on the DNA binding domain (Arg-273-Cys, Arg-273-His, Arg-248-Glu, Arg-280-Lys), on the structural domain (His-179-Tyr, Cys-176-Phe), on hydrophobic moieties in the DNA binding domain (Arg-280-Thr, Pro-151-Ser, Cys-176-Phe) and hot spot mutants (Gly-245-Cys, Arg-273-Leu, Arg-248-Glu, Arg-248-Gly), which signifies the importance of point mutations on the MDM2 interaction and nutlin3 effect, even in molecular locations related to other protein activities.

Molecular Architecture of the Retroviral Capsid.

Retroviral capsid cores are proteinaceous containers that self-assemble to encase the viral genome and a handful of proteins that promote infection. Their function is to protect and aid in the delivery of viral genes to the nucleus of the host, and, in many cases, infection pathways are influenced by capsid-cellular interactions. From a mathematical perspective, capsid cores are polyhedral cages and, as such, follow well-defined geometric rules. However, marked morphological differences in shapes exist, depending on virus type. Given the specific roles of capsid in the viral life cycle, the availability of detailed molecular structures, particularly at assembly interfaces, opens novel avenues for targeted drug development against these pathogens. Here, we summarize recent advances in the structure and understanding of retroviral capsid, with particular emphasis on assemblies and the capsid cores.

Integrated multidisciplinarity in the natural sciences.

The integration of multiple perspectives in both the arts and natural sciences is tremendously powerful and arguably necessary for capturing relevant features of complex phenomena. Individual methods and models comprise abstractions from and idealizations of nature, and only the integration of multiple models, methods, and representations provides a means to reach more accurate results than relying on any single approach. In my Mildred Cohn Award Lecture at the 2019 ASBMB meeting, I illustrated the power of such multidisciplinary work by highlighting the successful integration of data and multiple views afforded by NMR spectroscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, X-ray crystallography, computation, and functional assays made possible through collaborative efforts by members of the Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions. This approach permitted us to generate the first all-atom model of a native HIV-1 capsid core.

Isomerization as the secret Achilles' heel of long-lived proteins.

Crystallin proteins, the dominant constituents of the eye lens, are prototypes of long-lived proteins. Such proteins can accumulate harmful modifications over their life span that render them prone to aggregation, which, in the case of lens crystallin, contributes to cataract formation. Lyon et al. now explore the structural and functional consequences of amino acid isomerization in α-crystallins using mass spectrometry, molecular dynamics simulations, and other strategies. Their results highlight the potential deleterious effects of these under-detected modifications on protein structural integrity and function.