Not All Photoactive Yellow Proteins Are Built Alike: Surprises and Insights into Chromophore Photoisomerization, Protonation, and Thermal Reisomerization of the Photoactive Yellow Protein Isolated from Salinibacter ruber.

We demonstrate that the Halorhodospira halophila (Hhal) photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is not representative of the greater PYP family. The photodynamics of the PYP isolated from Salinibacter ruber (Srub) is characterized with a comprehensive range of spectroscopic techniques including ultrafast transient absorption, photostationary light titrations, Fourier transform infrared, and cryokinetics spectroscopies. We demonstrate that the dark-adapted pG state consists of two subpopulations differing in the protonation state of the chromophore and that both are photoactive, with the protonated species undergoing excited-state proton transfer. However, the primary I0 photoproduct observed in the Hhal PYP photocycle is absent in the Srub PYP photodynamics, which indicates that this intermediate, while important in Hhal photodynamics, is not a critical intermediate in initiating all PYP photocycles. The excited-state lifetime of Srub PYP is the longest of any PYP resolved to date (∼30 ps), which we ascribe to the more constrained chromophore binding pocket of Srub PYP and the absence of the critical Arg52 residue found in Hhal PYP. The final stage of the Srub PYP photocycle involves the slowest known thermal dark reversion of a PYP (∼40 min vs 350 ms in Hhal PYP). This property allowed the characterization of a pH-dependent equilibrium between the light-adapted pB state with a protonated cis chromophore and a newly resolved pG' intermediate with a deprotonated cis chromophore and pG-like protein conformation. This result demonstates that protein conformational changes and chromophore deprotonation precede chromophore reisomerization during the thermal recovery of the PYP photocycle.

Structure and mechanistic features of the prokaryotic minimal RNase P.

Endonucleolytic removal of 5'-leader sequences from tRNA precursor transcripts (pre-tRNAs) by ribonuclease P (RNase P) is essential for protein synthesis. Beyond RNA-based RNase P enzymes, protein-only versions of the enzyme exert this function in various eukarya (there termed PRORPs) and in some bacteria (Aquifex aeolicus and close relatives); both enzyme types belong to distinct subgroups of the PIN domain metallonuclease superfamily. Homologs of Aquifex RNase P (HARPs) are also expressed in some other bacteria and many archaea, where they coexist with RNA-based RNase P and do not represent the main RNase P activity. Here, we solved the structure of the bacterial HARP from Halorhodospira halophila by cryo-electron microscopy, revealing a novel screw-like dodecameric assembly. Biochemical experiments demonstrate that oligomerization is required for RNase P activity of HARPs. We propose that the tRNA substrate binds to an extended spike-helix (SH) domain that protrudes from the screw-like assembly to position the 5'-end in close proximity to the active site of the neighboring dimer. The structure suggests that eukaryotic PRORPs and prokaryotic HARPs recognize the same structural elements of pre-tRNAs (tRNA elbow region and cleavage site). Our analysis thus delivers the structural and mechanistic basis for pre-tRNA processing by the prokaryotic HARP system.

Phytoremediation of multiple persistent pollutants co-contaminated soil by HhSSB transformed plant.

The high toxicity of persistent pollutants limits the phytoremediation of pollutants-contaminated soil. In this study, heterologous expressing Halorhodospira halophila single-stranded DNA binding protein gene (HhSSB) improves tolerance to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), and thiocyanate (SCN-) in A. thaliana and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). The HhSSB transformed Arabidopsis, and tall fescue also exhibited enhanced phytoremediation of TNT, 2,4,6-TCP, and SCN- separately contaminated soil and co-contaminated soil compared to control plants. TNT assay was selected to explore the mechanism of how HhSSB enhances the phytoremediation of persistent pollutants. Our result indicates that HhSSB enhances the phytoremediation of TNT by enhancing the transformation of TNT in Arabidopsis. Moreover, transcriptomics and comet analysis revealed that HhSSB improves TNT tolerance through three pathways: strengthening the defense system, enhancing the ROS scavenging system, and reducing DNA damage. These results presented here would be particularly useful for further studies in the remediation of soil contaminated by organic and inorganic pollutants.

A potassium chloride to glycine betaine osmoprotectant switch in the extreme halophile Halorhodospira halophila.

Halophiles utilize two distinct osmoprotection strategies. The accumulation of organic compatible solutes such as glycine betaine does not perturb the functioning of cytoplasmic components, but represents a large investment of energy and carbon. KCl is an energetically attractive alternative osmoprotectant, but requires genome-wide modifications to establish a highly acidic proteome. Most extreme halophiles are optimized for the use of one of these two strategies. Here we examine the extremely halophilic Proteobacterium Halorhodospira halophila and report that medium K+ concentration dramatically alters its osmoprotectant use. When grown in hypersaline media containing substantial K+ concentrations, H. halophila accumulates molar concentrations of KCl. However, at limiting K+ concentrations the organism switches to glycine betaine as its major osmoprotectant. In contrast, the closely related organism Halorhodospira halochloris is limited to using compatible solutes. H. halophila performs both de novo synthesis and uptake of glycine betaine, matching the biosynthesis and transport systems encoded in its genome. The medium K+ concentration (~10 mM) at which the KCl to glycine betaine osmoprotectant switch in H. halophila occurs is near the K+ content of the lake from which it was isolated, supporting an ecological relevance of this osmoprotectant strategy.

Regulation of Photocycle Kinetics of Photoactive Yellow Protein by Modulating Flexibility of the ß-Turn.

The role of the significant flexibility of the ß-turn in photoactive yellow protein (PYP) due to Gly115 was studied. G115A and G115P mutations were observed to accelerate the photocycle and shift the equilibrium between the late photocycle intermediate (pB) and its precursor (pR) toward pR. Thermodynamic analysis of dark-state recovery from pB demonstrated that the transition state (pB⧧) has a negative change in transition heat capacity, suggesting that an exposed hydrophobic surface of pB is buried in pB⧧. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the structural ensemble of pB is populated by the compact structure in G115P. Taken together, the rigid structure induced by mutation of Gly115 facilitates its transition to pB⧧, which adopts a substantially more compact structure as opposed to the ensemble-averaged structure of pB. The photocycle kinetics of PYP may be fine-tuned by modulating the flexibility of the 115 loop to activate an appropriate number of transducer proteins.

Vibrational Lifetime of the SCN Protein Label in H2O and D2O Reports Site-Specific Solvation and Structure Changes During PYP's Photocycle.

The application of vibrational labels such as thiocyanate  (-S-C≡N) for studying protein structure and dynamics is thriving. Absorption spectroscopy is usually employed to obtain wavenumber and line shape of the label. An observable of great significance might be the vibrational lifetime, which can be obtained by pump probe or 2D-IR spectroscopy. Due to the insulating effect of the heavy sulfur atom in the case of the SCN label, the lifetime of the C≡N oscillator is expected to be particularly sensitive to its surrounding as it is not dominated by through-bond relaxation. We therefore investigate the vibrational lifetime of the SCN label at various positions in the blue light sensor protein Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) in the ground state and signaling state of the photoreceptor. We find that the vibrational lifetime of the C≡N stretching mode is strongly affected both by its protein environment and by the degree of exposure to the solvent. Even for label positions where the line shape and wavenumber observed by FTIR are barely changing upon activation of the photoreceptor, we find that the lifetime can change considerably. To obtain an unambiguous measure for the solvent exposure of the labeled site, we show that it is imperative to compare the lifetimes in H2O and D2O. Importantly, the lifetimes shorten in H2O as compared to D2O for water exposed labels, while they stay largely the same for buried labels. We quantify this effect by defining a solvent exclusion coefficient (SEC). The response of the label's vibrational lifetime to its solvent exposure renders it a suitable universal probe for protein investigations. This applies even to systems that are otherwise hard to address, such as transient or short-lived states, which could be created during a protein's working cycle (as here in PYP) or during protein folding. It is also applicable to flexible systems (intrinsically disordered proteins), protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions.

Detection of Incorporation of p-Coumaric Acid into Photoactive Yellow Protein Variants in Vivo.

We report the design and characterization of photoactive yellow protein (PYP)-blue fluorescent protein (mTagBFP) fusion constructs that permit the direct assay of reconstitution and function of the PYP domain. These constructs allow for in vivo testing of co-expression systems for enzymatic production of the p-coumaric acid-based PYP chromophore, via the action of tyrosine ammonia lyase and p-coumaroyl-CoA ligase (pCL or 4CL). We find that different 4CL enzymes can function to reconstitute PYP, including 4CL from Arabidopsis thaliana that can produce ∼100% holo-PYP protein under optimal conditions. mTagBFP fusion constructs additionally enable rapid analysis of effects of mutations on PYP photocycles. We use this mTagBFP fusion strategy to demonstrate in vivo reconstitution of several PYP-based optogenetic tools in Escherichia coli via a biosynthesized chromophore, an important step for the use of these optogenetic tools in vivo in diverse hosts.

Unusual features in the photosynthetic machinery of Halorhodospira halochloris DSM 1059 revealed by complete genome sequencing.

Halorhodospira halochloris is an anaerobic, halophilic, purple photosynthetic bacterium belonging to γ-Proteobacteria. H. halochloris is also characteristic as a thermophilic phototrophic isolate producing bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) b. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of H. halochloris DSM 1059. The genetic arrangement for this bacterium's photosynthetic apparatus is of particular interest; its genome contains two sets of puf operons encoding the reaction center and core light-harvesting 1 (LH1) complexes having almost identical nucleotide sequences (e.g., 98.8-99.9% of nucleotide identities between two sets of pufLM genes, but 100% of deduced amino acid sequence identities). This duplication of photosynthetic genes may provide a glimpse at natural selection in action. The ß-polypeptides of the LH1 complex in purple bacteria usually contain two histidine residues to bind BChl a; however, those of H. halochloris were revealed to have four histidine residues, indicating unusual pigment organization in the LH1 complex of this species. Like in other BChl b-producing phototrophs, the genome of H. halochloris lacks the divinyl reductase genes bciA and bciB. The phylogeny of chlorophyllide a oxidoreductase, which catalyzes committed steps in the synthesis of BChl a and BChl b, indicates that evolution toward BChl b production is convergent. Geranylgeranyl reductase (BchP) of H. halochloris has an insertion region in its primary structure, which could be important for its unusual sequential reduction reactions.

Improved Chemical-Genetic Fluorescent Markers for Live Cell Microscopy.

Inducible chemical-genetic fluorescent markers are promising tools for live cell imaging requiring high spatiotemporal resolution and low background fluorescence. The fluorescence-activating and absorption shifting tag (FAST) was recently developed to form fluorescent molecular complexes with a family of small, synthetic fluorogenic chromophores (so-called fluorogens). Here, we use rational design to modify the binding pocket of the protein and screen for improved fluorescence performances with four different fluorogens. The introduction of a single mutation results in improvements in both quantum yield and dissociation constant with nearly all fluorogens tested. Our improved FAST (iFAST) allowed the generation of a tandem iFAST (td-iFAST) that forms green and red fluorescent reporters 1.6-fold and 2-fold brighter than EGFP and mCherry, respectively, while having a comparable size.

Spectroscopic ruler for measuring active-site distortions based on Raman optical activity of a hydrogen out-of-plane vibration.

Photoactive yellow protein (PYP), from the phototrophic bacterium Halorhodospira halophila, is a small water-soluble photoreceptor protein and contains p-coumaric acid (pCA) as a chromophore. PYP has been an attractive model for studying the physical chemistry of protein active sites. Here, we explore how Raman optical activity (ROA) can be used to extract quantitative information on distortions of the pCA chromophore at the active site in PYP. We use 13C8-pCA to assign an intense signal at 826 cm-1 in the ROA spectrum of PYP to a hydrogen out-of-plane vibration of the ethylenic moiety of the chromophore. Quantum-chemical calculations based on density functional theory demonstrate that the sign of this ROA band reports the direction of the distortion in the dihedral angle about the ethylenic C=C bond, while its amplitude is proportional to the dihedral angle. These results document the ability of ROA to quantify structural deformations of a cofactor molecule embedded in a protein moiety.

Duplication of a Single Strand in a ß-Sheet Can Produce a New Switching Function in a Photosensory Protein.

Duplication of a single ß-strand that forms part of a ß-sheet in photoactive yellow protein (PYP) was found to produce two approximately isoenergetic protein conformations, in which either the first or the second copy of the duplicated ß-strand participates in the ß-sheet. Whereas one conformation (big-loop) is more stable at equilibrium in the dark, the other conformation (long-tail) is populated after recovery from blue light irradiation. By appending a recognition motif (E-helix) to the C-terminus of the protein, we show that ß-strand duplication, and the resulting possibility of ß-strand slippage, can lead to a new switchable protein-protein interaction. We suggest that ß-strand duplication may be a general means of introducing two-state switching activity into protein structures.

Measurements of complex refractive index change of photoactive yellow protein over a wide wavelength range using hyperspectral quantitative phase imaging.

A novel optical holographic technique is presented to simultaneously measure both the real and imaginary components of the complex refractive index (CRI) of a protein solution over a wide visible wavelength range. Quantitative phase imaging was employed to precisely measure the optical field transmitted from a protein solution, from which the CRIs of the protein solution were retrieved using the Fourier light scattering technique. Using this method, we characterized the CRIs of the two dominant structural states of a photoactive yellow protein solution over a broad wavelength range (461-582 nm). The significant CRI deviation between the two structural states was quantified and analysed. The results of both states show the similar overall shape of the expected rRI obtained from the Kramers-Kronig relations.

Excitation-Wavelength-Dependent Photocycle Initiation Dynamics Resolve Heterogeneity in the Photoactive Yellow Protein from Halorhodospira halophila.

Photoactive yellow proteins (PYPs) make up a diverse class of blue-light-absorbing bacterial photoreceptors. Electronic excitation of the p-coumaric acid chromophore covalently bound within PYP results in triphasic quenching kinetics; however, the molecular basis of this behavior remains unresolved. Here we explore this question by examining the excitation-wavelength dependence of the photodynamics of the PYP from Halorhodospira halophila via a combined experimental and computational approach. The fluorescence quantum yield, steady-state fluorescence emission maximum, and cryotrapping spectra are demonstrated to depend on excitation wavelength. We also compare the femtosecond photodynamics in PYP at two excitation wavelengths (435 and 475 nm) with a dual-excitation-wavelength-interleaved pump-probe technique. Multicompartment global analysis of these data demonstrates that the excited-state photochemistry of PYP depends subtly, but convincingly, on excitation wavelength with similar kinetics with distinctly different spectral features, including a shifted ground-state beach and altered stimulated emission oscillator strengths and peak positions. Three models involving multiple excited states, vibrationally enhanced barrier crossing, and inhomogeneity are proposed to interpret the observed excitation-wavelength dependence of the data. Conformational heterogeneity was identified as the most probable model, which was supported with molecular mechanics simulations that identified two levels of inhomogeneity involving the orientation of the R52 residue and different hydrogen bonding networks with the p-coumaric acid chromophore. Quantum calculations were used to confirm that these inhomogeneities track to altered spectral properties consistent with the experimental results.

Active-Site pKa Determination for Photoactive Yellow Protein Rationalizes Slow Ground-State Recovery.

The ability to avoid blue-light radiation is crucial for bacteria to survive. In Halorhodospira halophila, the putative receptor for this response is known as photoactive yellow protein (PYP). Its response to blue light is mediated by changes in the optical properties of the chromophore para-coumaric acid (pCA) in the protein active site. PYP displays photocycle kinetics with a strong pH dependence for ground-state recovery, which has remained enigmatic. To resolve this problem, a comprehensive pKa determination of the active-site residues of PYP is required. Herein, we show that Glu-46 stays protonated from pH 3.4 to pH 11.4 in the ground (pG) state. This conclusion is supported by the observed hydrogen-bonded protons between Glu-46 and pCA and Tyr-42 and pCA, which are persistent over the entire pH range. Our experimental results show that none of the active-site residues of PYP undergo pH-induced changes in the pG state. Ineluctably, the pH dependence of pG recovery is linked to conformational change that is dependent upon the population of the relevant protonation state of Glu-46 and the pCA chromophore in the excited state, collaterally explaining why pG recovery is slow.

Photocycle of Photoactive Yellow Protein in Cell-Mimetic Environments: Molecular Volume Changes and Kinetics.

Using various spectroscopic techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, transient grating, and transient absorption techniques, we investigated how cell-mimetic environments made by crowding influence the photocycle of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) in terms of the molecular volume change and kinetics. Upon addition of molecular crowding agents, the ratio of the diffusion coefficient of the blue-shifted intermediate (pB) to that of the ground species (pG) significantly changes from 0.92 and approaches 1.0. This result indicates that the molecular volume change accompanied by the photocycle of PYP in molecularly crowded environments is much smaller than that which occurs in vitro and that the pB intermediate under crowded environments favors a compact conformation due to the excluded volume effect. The kinetics of the photocycle of PYP in cell-mimetic environments is greatly decelerated by the dehydration, owing to the interaction between the protein and small crowding agents, but is barely affected by the excluded volume effect. The results lead to the inference that the signaling transducer of PYP may not necessarily utilize the conformational change of PYP to sense the signaling state.

Unambiguous Determination of Protein Arginine Ionization States in Solution by NMR Spectroscopy.

Because arginine residues in proteins are expected to be in their protonated form almost without exception, reports demonstrating that a protein arginine residue is charge-neutral are rare and potentially controversial. Herein, we present a 13 C-detected NMR experiment for probing individual arginine residues in proteins notwithstanding the presence of chemical and conformational exchange effects. In the experiment, the 15 Nη and 15 Nϵ chemical shifts of an arginine head group are correlated with that of the directly attached 13 Cζ . In the resulting spectrum, the number of protons in the arginine head group can be obtained directly from the 15 N-1 H scalar coupling splitting pattern. We applied this method to unambiguously determine the ionization state of the R52 side chain in the photoactive yellow protein from Halorhodospira halophila. Although only three Hη atoms were previously identified by neutron crystallography, we show that R52 is predominantly protonated in solution.

Noncanonical Photocycle Initiation Dynamics of the Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) Domain of the PYP-Phytochrome-Related (Ppr) Photoreceptor.

The photoactive yellow protein (PYP) from Halorhodospira halophila (Hhal) is a bacterial photoreceptor and model system for exploring functional protein dynamics. We report ultrafast spectroscopy experiments that probe photocycle initiation dynamics in the PYP domain from the multidomain PYP-phytochrome-related photoreceptor from Rhodospirillum centenum (Rcen). As with Hhal PYP, Rcen PYP exhibits similar excited-state dynamics; in contrast, Rcen PYP exhibits altered photoproduct ground-state dynamics in which the primary I0 intermediate as observed in Hhal PYP is absent. This property is attributed to a tighter, more sterically constrained binding pocket around the p-coumaric acid chromophore due to a change in the Rcen PYP protein structure that places Phe98 instead of Met100 in contact with the chromophore. Hence, the I0 state is not a necessary step for the initiation of productive PYP photocycles and the ubiquitously studied Hhal PYP may not be representative of the broader PYP family of photodynamics.

Bifurcation in the Ultrafast Dynamics of the Photoactive Yellow Proteins from Leptospira biflexa and Halorhodospira halophila.

We explored the photoisomerization mechanisms in novel homologues of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) from Leptospira biflexa (Lbif) to identify conserved features and functional diversity in the primary photochemistry of this family of photoreceptors. In close agreement with the prototypical PYP from Halorhodospira halophila (Hhal), we observe excited-state absorbance near 375 nm and stimulated emission near 500 nm, with triphasic excited-state decay. While the excited-state decay for Lbif PYP is the slowest among those of known PYPs due to the redistribution of the amplitudes of the three decay components, the quantum yield for productive photocycle entry is very similar to that of Hhal PYP. Pro68 is highly conserved in PYPs and is important for the high photochemical quantum yield in Hhal PYP, but this residue is Ile in wild-type Lbif PYP. The level of photoproduct formation is slightly increased in I68P Lbif PYP, indicating that this residue regulates the photochemical quantum yield in the entire PYP family. Lbif PYP also exhibited a blue-shifted photoproduct previously undiscovered in ultrafast studies of PYP, which we have named pUV. We posit that pUV is a detour in the PYP photocycle with a twisted protonated pCAH configuration. Cryokinetic experiments with Hhal PYP confirmed the presence of pUV, but the population of this state in room-temperature ultrafast experiments is very small. These results resolve the long-standing inconsistency in the literature regarding the existence of a bifurcation in the room-temperature photocycle of PYP.

Small Molecule-Photoactive Yellow Protein Labeling Technology in Live Cell Imaging.

Characterization of the chemical environment, movement, trafficking and interactions of proteins in live cells is essential to understanding their functions. Labeling protein with functional molecules is a widely used approach in protein research to elucidate the protein location and functions both in vitro and in live cells or in vivo. A peptide or a protein tag fused to the protein of interest and provides the opportunities for an attachment of small molecule probes or other fluorophore to image the dynamics of protein localization. Here we reviewed the recent development of no-wash small molecular probes for photoactive yellow protein (PYP-tag), by the means of utilizing a quenching mechanism based on the intramolecular interactions, or an environmental-sensitive fluorophore. Several fluorogenic probes have been developed, with fast labeling kinetics and cell permeability. This technology allows quick live-cell imaging of cell-surface and intracellular proteins without a wash-out procedure.

A Dynamic Equilibrium of Three Hydrogen-Bond Conformers Explains the NMR Spectrum of the Active Site of Photoactive Yellow Protein.

A theoretical study on the NMR shifts of the hydrogen bond network around the chromophore, para-coumaric acid (pCA), of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is presented. Previous discrepancies between theoretical and experimental studies are resolved by our findings of a previously unknown rapid conformational exchange near the active site of PYP. This exchange caused by the rotation of Thr50 takes place in the ground state of PYP's active site and results in three effectively energetically equal conformations characterized by the formation of new hydrogen bonds, all of which contribute to the overall NMR signals of the investigated protons. In light of these findings, we are able to successfully explain the experimental results and provide valuable insight into the behavior of PYP in solution. We further investigated related PYP mutants (T50V, E46Q, and Y42F), and found the same conformational exchange in E46Q and Y42F to be responsible for the experimentally observed NMR and UV/vis spectra.