Backbone and methyl side-chain resonance assignments of the Fab fragment of adalimumab.

Adalimumab is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody developed to target human TNF an important mediator of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, amongst others. The 48 kDa Fab fragment of adalimumab was produced in Escherichia coli using a single chain approach to allow complete isotopic incorporation of deuterium, carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 along with the protonated isoleucine-d, valine and leucine methyl groups. Here we report the near complete resonance assignment of the polypeptide backbone and the methyl groups of isoleucine, leucine and valine residues.

Strategies for the production of isotopically labelled Fab fragments of therapeutic antibodies in Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) and Escherichia coli for NMR studies.

The importance and fast growth of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, both innovator and biosimilar products, have triggered the need for the development of characterization methods at high resolution such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. However, the full power of NMR spectroscopy cannot be unleashed without labelling the mAb of interest with NMR-active isotopes. Here, we present strategies using either Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) or Escherichia coli that can be widely applied for the production of the antigen-binding fragment (Fab) of therapeutic antibodies of immunoglobulin G1 kappa isotype. The E. coli approach consists of expressing Fab fragments as a single polypeptide chain with a cleavable linker between the heavy and light chain in inclusion bodies, while K. phaffii secretes a properly folded fragment in the culture media. After optimization, the protocol yielded 10-45 mg of single chain adalimumab-Fab, trastuzumab-Fab, rituximab-Fab, and NISTmAb-Fab per liter of culture. Comparison of the 2D-1H-15N-HSQC spectra of each Fab fragment, without their polyhistidine tag and linker, with the corresponding Fab from the innovator product showed that all four fragments have folded into the correct conformation. Production of 2H-13C-15N-adalimumab-scFab and 2H-13C-15N-trastuzumab-scFab (>98% enrichment for all three isotopes) yielded NMR samples where all amide deuterons have completely exchanged back to proton during the refolding procedure.

The Smc5/6 Core Complex Is a Structure-Specific DNA Binding and Compacting Machine.

The structural organization of chromosomes is a crucial feature that defines the functional state of genes and genomes. The extent of structural changes experienced by genomes of eukaryotic cells can be dramatic and spans several orders of magnitude. At the core of these changes lies a unique group of ATPases-the SMC proteins-that act as major effectors of chromosome behavior in cells. The Smc5/6 proteins play essential roles in the maintenance of genome stability, yet their mode of action is not fully understood. Here we show that the human Smc5/6 complex recognizes unusual DNA configurations and uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to promote their compaction. Structural analyses reveal subunit interfaces responsible for the functionality of the Smc5/6 complex and how mutations in these regions may lead to chromosome breakage syndromes in humans. Collectively, our results suggest that the Smc5/6 complex promotes genome stability as a DNA micro-compaction machine.

Subcellular localization of Rap1 GTPase activator CalDAG-GEFI is orchestrated by interaction of its atypical C1 domain with membrane phosphoinositides.

BACKGROUND: The small GTPase Rap1 and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor, CalDAG-GEFI (CDGI), are critical for platelet function and hemostatic plug formation. CDGI function is regulated by a calcium binding EF hand regulatory domain and an atypical C1 domain with unknown function. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated whether the C1 domain controls CDGI subcellular localization, both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: CDGI interaction with phosphoinositides was studied by lipid co-sedimentation assays and molecular dynamics simulations. Cellular localization of CDGI was studied in heterologous cells by immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation assays. RESULTS: Lipid co-sedimentation studies demonstrated that the CDGI C1 domain associates with membranes through exclusive recognition of phosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-biphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3). Molecular dynamics simulations identified a phospholipid recognition motif consisting of residues exclusive to the CDGI C1 domain. Mutation of those residues abolished co-sedimentation of the C1 domain with lipid vesicles and impaired membrane localization of CDGI in heterologous cells. CONCLUSION: Our studies identify a novel interaction between an atypical C1 domain and phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-biphosphate and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate in cellular membranes, which is critical for Rap1 signaling in health and disease.

Structure, amphipathy, and topology of the membrane-proximal helix 8 influence apelin receptor plasma membrane localization.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) typically have an amphipathic helix ("helix 8") immediately C-terminal to the transmembrane helical bundle. To date, a number of functional roles have been associated with GPCR helix 8 segments, but structure-function analysis for this region remains limited. Here, we examine helix 8 of the apelin receptor (AR or APJ), a class A GPCR with wide physiological and pathophysiological relevance. The 71 residue C-terminal tail of the AR is primarily intrinsically disordered, with a detergent micelle-induced increase in helical character. This helicity was localized to the helix 8 region, in good agreement with the recent AR crystal structure. A series of helix 8 mutants were made to reduce helicity, remove amphipathy, or flip the hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Each mutant AR was tested both biophysically, in the isolated C-terminal tail, and functionally in HEK 293 T cells, for full-length AR. In all instances, micelle interactions were maintained, and steady-state AR expression was efficient. However, removal of amphipathy or helical character led to a significant decrease in cell surface localization. Flipping of helix 8 amphipathic topology restored cell surface localization to some degree, but still was significantly reduced relative to wild-type. Structural integrity, amphipathy to drive membrane association, and correct topology of helix 8 membrane association all thus appear important for cell surface localization of the AR. This behavior correlates well to GPCR C-terminal tail sequence motifs, implying that these serve to specify key topological features of helix 8 and its proximity to the transmembrane domain.

Distinct Binding Modes of Vinculin Isoforms Underlie Their Functional Differences.

Vinculin and its splice isoform metavinculin play key roles in regulating cellular morphology, motility, and force transduction. Vinculin is distinct from metavinculin in its ability to bundle filamentous actin (F-actin). To elucidate the molecular basis for these differences, we employed computational and experimental approaches. Results from these analyses suggest that the C terminus of both vinculin and metavinculin form stable interactions with the F-actin surface. However, the metavinculin tail (MVt) domain contains a 68 amino acid insert, with helix 1 (H1) sequestered into a globular subdomain, which protrudes from the F-actin surface and prevents actin bundling by sterically occluding actin filaments. Consistent with our model, deletion and selective point mutations within the MVt H1 disrupt this protruding structure, and facilitate actin bundling similar to vinculin tail (Vt) domain.

Cardiomyopathy Mutations in Metavinculin Disrupt Regulation of Vinculin-Induced F-Actin Assemblies.

Debilitating heart conditions, notably dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies (CMs), are associated with point mutations in metavinculin, a larger isoform of the essential cytoskeletal protein vinculin. Metavinculin is co-expressed with vinculin at sub-stoichiometric ratios in cardiac tissues. CM mutations in the metavinculin tail domain (MVt) occur within the extra 68-residue insert that differentiates it from the vinculin tail domain (Vt). Vt binds actin filaments (F-actin) and promotes vinculin dimerization to bundle F-actin into thick fibers. While MVt binds to F-actin in a similar manner to Vt, MVt is incapable of F-actin bundling and inhibits Vt-mediated F-actin bundling. We performed F-actin co-sedimentation and negative-stain EM experiments to dissect the coordinated roles of metavinculin and vinculin in actin fiber assembly and the effects of three known metavinculin CM mutations. These CM mutants were found to weakly induce the formation of disordered F-actin assemblies. Notably, they fail to inhibit Vt-mediated F-actin bundling and instead promote formation of large assemblies embedded with linear bundles. Computational models of MVt bound to F-actin suggest that MVt undergoes a conformational change licensing the formation of a protruding sub-domain incorporating the insert, which sterically prevents dimerization and bundling of F-actin by Vt. Sub-domain formation is destabilized by CM mutations, disrupting this inhibitory mechanism. These findings provide new mechanistic insights into the ability of metavinculin to tune actin organization by vinculin and suggest that dysregulation of this process by CM mutants could underlie their malfunction in disease.

Bicelle composition-dependent modulation of phospholipid dynamics by apelin peptides 1.

Apelin peptides are cognate ligands for the apelin receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). The apelinergic system plays critical roles in wide-ranging physiological activities including function and development of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. Apelin is found in 13-55 residue isoforms in vivo, all of which share the C-terminal portion of the preproapelin precursor. Characterization of high-resolution structures and detergent micelle interactions of apelin-17 led to a two-step membrane-catalyzed binding and GPCR activation mechanism hypothesis recapitulated in longer isoforms. Here, we examine interactions of the apelin-13 and -17 isoforms with isotropic zwitterionic and mixed zwitterionic-anionic lipid bicelles to test for hallmarks of membrane catalysis in a more physiological membrane-mimetic environment than a micelle. Specifically, 1H and 31P relaxation and diffusion solution-state NMR techniques demonstrate that both apelin isoforms interact with both types of isotropic bicelles. Bicelle hydrodynamics were observed to be differentially modulated by apelin peptides, although these effects were minimal. Phospholipid headgroup 31P spin relaxation behaviour was, conversely, clearly perturbed. Perturbation of this nature was also observed in magnetically aligned bicelles by 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy and spin relaxation experiments. This behaviour is consistent with an apelin-bicelle binding process allowing significant peptide mobility, facilitating membrane-catalyzed GPCR encounter.

Concentration-dependent changes to diffusion and chemical shift of internal standard molecules in aqueous and micellar solutions.

Sodium 4,4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-sulfonate (DSS) is the most widely accepted internal standard for protein NMR studies in aqueous conditions. Since its introduction as a reference standard, however, concerns have been raised surrounding its propensity to interact with biological molecules through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. While DSS has been shown to interact with certain proteins, membrane protein studies by solution-state NMR require use of membrane mimetics such as detergent micelles and, to date, no study has explicitly examined the potential for interaction between membrane mimetics and DSS. Consistent with its amphipathic character, we show DSS to self-associate at elevated concentrations using pulsed field gradient-based diffusion NMR measurements. More critically, DSS diffusion is significantly attenuated in the presence of either like-charged sodium dodecyl sulfate or zwitterionic dodecylphosphocholine micelles, the two most commonly used detergent-based membrane mimetic systems used in solution-state NMR. Binding to oppositely charged dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles is also highly favourable. DSS-micelle interactions are accompanied by a systematic, concentration- and binding propensity-dependent change in the chemical shift of the DSS reference signal by up to 60 ppb. The alternative reference compound 4,4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-ammonium trifluoroacetate (DSA) exhibits highly similar behaviour, with reversal of the relative magnitude of chemical shift perturbation and proportion bound in comparison to DSS. Both DSS and DSA, thus, interact with micelles, and self-assemble at high concentration. Chemical shift perturbation of and modulation of micellar properties by these molecules has clear implications for their use as reference standards.

Apelin conformational and binding equilibria upon micelle interaction primarily depend on membrane-mimetic headgroup.

Apelin is one of two peptide hormones that activate the apelin receptor (AR or APJ) to regulate the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and adipoinsular axis. Here, we apply circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize the potential membrane binding by the two longest bioactive apelin isoforms, apelin-55 and -36, using membrane-mimetic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (LPPG) micelles. Pulsed field gradient diffusion NMR experiments demonstrated preferential interaction of both apelin-55 and -36 with anionic SDS and LPPG micelles over zwitterionic DPC micelles. Chemical shift perturbations and changes in ps-ns scale dynamics of apelin-55 in all micelles were similarly localized along the polypeptide backbone, demonstrating clear dependence upon detergent headgroup, while comparison of chemical shifts between apelin-55 and apelin-36 showed negligible differences indicative of highly similar modes of micelle interaction. Notably, the observed behaviour was consistent with an ensemble averaged pair of free and bound states in fast exchange on the NMR timescale proportional to the fraction of micelle-bound protein, implying a similar conformational equilibrium regardless of headgroup and tailgroup. Membrane catalysis of apelin-AR binding would thus give rise to analogous behaviour in the essential C-terminal region common to all apelin isoforms.

Preserved Transmembrane Segment Topology, Structure, and Dynamics in Disparate Micellar Environments.

Detergent micelles are frequently employed as membrane mimetics for solution-state membrane protein nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Here we compare topology, structure, ps-ns time-scale dynamics, and hydrodynamics of a model protein with one transmembrane (TM) segment (residues 1-55 of the apelin receptor, APJ, a G-protein-coupled receptor) in three distinct, commonly used micellar environments. In each environment, two solvent-protected helical segments connected by a solvent-exposed kink were observed. The break in helical character at the kink was maintained in a helix-stabilizing fluorinated alcohol environment, implying that this structural feature is inherent. Molecular dynamics simulations also substantiate favorable self-assembly of compact protein-micelle complexes with a more dynamic, solvent-exposed kink. Despite the observed similarity in TM segment behavior, micelle-dependent differences were clear in the structure, dynamics, and compactness of the 30-residue, extramembrane N-terminal tail of the protein. This would affect intermolecular interactions and, correspondingly, the functional state of the membrane protein.

Bioactivity of the putative apelin proprotein expands the repertoire of apelin receptor ligands.

BACKGROUND: Apelin is a peptide ligand for a class A G-protein coupled receptor called the apelin receptor (AR or APJ) that regulates angiogenesis, the adipoinsular axis, and cardiovascular functions. Apelin has been shown to be bioactive as 13, 17, and 36 amino acid isoforms, C-terminal fragments of the putatively inactive 55-residue proprotein (proapelin or apelin-55). Although intracellular proprotein processing has been proposed, isolation of apelin-55 from colostrum and milk demonstrates potential for secretion prior to processing and the possibility of proapelin-AR interaction. METHODS: Apelin isoform activity and potency were compared by an In-Cell Western™ assay for ERK phosphorylation using a stably AR-transfected HEK293A cell line. Conformational comparison of apelin isoforms was carried out by circular dichroism and heteronuclear solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: Apelin-55 is shown to activate the AR, with similar maximum ERK phophorylation response and potency to the shorter isoforms except for apelin-13, which exhibited a greater potency. Correlating to this shared activity, highly similar conformations are exhibited in all apelin isoforms for the shared C-terminal region responsible for receptor binding and activation. CONCLUSIONS: AR activation by all apelin isoforms likely hinges upon shared conformation and dynamics in the C-terminus, with apelin-55 providing an alternative bioactive isoform despite the addition of 19N-terminal residues relative to apelin-36. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Beyond providing novel insight into the physiology of this system, re-annotation of proapelin to the bioactive apelin-55 isoform adds to the molecular toolkit for dissection of apelin-AR interactions and expands the repertoire of therapeutic targets for the apelinergic system.

Apela exhibits isoform- and headgroup-dependent modulation of micelle binding, peptide conformation and dynamics.

Apela (also referred to as ELABELA and toddler) is a peptide hormone that activates the apelin receptor (AR or APJ) to regulate cardiovascular system development and function. Here, we report the first biophysical characterization of three apela isoforms, apela-54, -32, and -11, alongside a monomeric C1S-apela-11 mutant, using circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The behaviour of apela-54 is consistent with a preprotein containing a hydrophobic, N-terminal signal peptide. The potential for apela-membrane binding, leading to membrane catalyzed interactions with AR, was tested comprehensively for apela-32 and -11 in the presence of membrane-mimetic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (LPPG) micelles. According to pulsed-field gradient diffusion NMR experiments, apela-32 interacts with all three micelles. Chemical shift perturbations indicate widespread interactions along apela, with DPC and LPPG micelles inducing short segments with α-helical character at distinct regions. Consistent with these data, ps-ns dynamics along the peptide backbone appear decreased in the presence of micelles. Apela-11 and C1S-apela-11, alternatively, interact preferentially with SDS and LPPG micelles, promoting ß-turn character observable by CD. Distinct differences in membrane-interaction propensity are therefore apparent both as a function of apela isoform and of detergent headgroup. These results imply the potential for cell membrane involvement in apela-AR recognition and binding, with the implication that membrane catalysis has distinct functional and regulatory roles throughout the apelinergic system.

Characterizing Aciniform Silk Repetitive Domain Backbone Dynamics and Hydrodynamic Modularity.

Spider aciniform (wrapping) silk is a remarkable fibrillar biomaterial with outstanding mechanical properties. It is a modular protein consisting, in Argiope trifasciata, of a core repetitive domain of 200 amino acid units (W units). In solution, the W units comprise a globular folded core, with five α-helices, and disordered tails that are linked to form a ~63-residue intrinsically disordered linker in concatemers. Herein, we present nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based (15)N spin relaxation analysis, allowing characterization of backbone dynamics as a function of residue on the ps-ns timescale in the context of the single W unit (W1) and the two unit concatemer (W2). Unambiguous mapping of backbone dynamics throughout W2 was made possible by segmental NMR active isotope-enrichment through split intein-mediated trans-splicing. Spectral density mapping for W1 and W2 reveals a striking disparity in dynamics between the folded core and the disordered linker and tail regions. These data are also consistent with rotational diffusion behaviour where each globular domain tumbles almost independently of its neighbour. At a localized level, helix 5 exhibits elevated high frequency dynamics relative to the proximal helix 4, supporting a model of fibrillogenesis where this helix unfolds as part of the transition to a mixed α-helix/ß-sheet fibre.

Tracking Transitions in Spider Wrapping Silk Conformation and Dynamics by (19)F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Aciniform silk protein (AcSp1) is the primary component of wrapping silk, the toughest of the spider silks because of a combination of high tensile strength and extensibility. Argiope trifasciata AcSp1 contains a core repetitive domain with at least 14 homogeneous 200-amino acid units ("W" units). Upon fibrillogenesis, AcSp1 converts from an α-helix-rich soluble state to a mixed α-helical/ß-sheet conformation. Solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy allowed demonstration of variable local stability within the W unit, but comprehensive characterization was confounded by spectral overlap, which was exacerbated by decreased chemical shift dispersion upon denaturation. Here, (19)F NMR spectroscopy, in the context of a single W unit (W1), is applied to track changes in structure and dynamics. Four strategic positions in the W unit were mutated to tryptophan and biosynthetically labeled with 5-fluorotryptophan (5F-Trp). Simulated annealing-based structure calculations implied that these substitutions should be tolerated, while circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and (1)H-(15)N chemical shift displacements indicated minimal structural perturbation in W1 mutants. Fiber formation by W2 concatemers containing 5F-Trp substitutions in both W units demonstrated retention of functionality, a somewhat surprising finding in light of sequence conservation between species. Each 5F-Trp-labeled W1 exhibited a unique (19)F chemical shift, line width, longitudinal relaxation time constant (T1), and solvent isotope shift. Perturbation to (19)F chemical shift and nuclear spin relaxation parameters reflected changes in the conformation and dynamics at each 5F-Trp site upon addition of urea and dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). (19)F NMR spectroscopy allowed unambiguous localized tracking throughout titration with each perturbant, demonstrating distinct behavior for each perturbant not previously revealed by heteronuclear NMR experiments.

Spider wrapping silk fibre architecture arising from its modular soluble protein precursor.

Spiders store spidroins in their silk glands as high concentration aqueous solutions, spinning these dopes into fibres with outstanding mechanical properties. Aciniform (or wrapping) silk is the toughest spider silk and is devoid of the short amino acid sequence motifs characteristic of the other spidroins. Using solution-state NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the 200 amino acid Argiope trifasciata AcSp1 repeat unit contrasts with previously characterized spidroins, adopting a globular 5-helix bundle flanked by intrinsically disordered N- and C-terminal tails. Split-intein-mediated segmental NMR-active isotope-enrichment allowed unambiguous demonstration of modular and malleable "beads-on-a-string" concatemeric behaviour. Concatemers form fibres upon manual drawing with silk-like morphology and mechanical properties, alongside secondary structuring and orientation consistent with native AcSp1 fibres. AcSp1 structural stability varies locally, with the fifth helix denaturing most readily. The structural transition of aciniform spidroin from a mostly α-helical dope to a mixed α-helix/ß-sheet-containing fibre can be directly related to spidroin architecture and stability.

Reovirus FAST Proteins Drive Pore Formation and Syncytiogenesis Using a Novel Helix-Loop-Helix Fusion-Inducing Lipid Packing Sensor.

Pore formation is the most energy-demanding step during virus-induced membrane fusion, where high curvature of the fusion pore rim increases the spacing between lipid headgroups, exposing the hydrophobic interior of the membrane to water. How protein fusogens breach this thermodynamic barrier to pore formation is unclear. We identified a novel fusion-inducing lipid packing sensor (FLiPS) in the cytosolic endodomain of the baboon reovirus p15 fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein that is essential for pore formation during cell-cell fusion and syncytiogenesis. NMR spectroscopy and mutational studies indicate the dependence of this FLiPS on a hydrophobic helix-loop-helix structure. Biochemical and biophysical assays reveal the p15 FLiPS preferentially partitions into membranes with high positive curvature, and this partitioning is impeded by bis-ANS, a small molecule that inserts into hydrophobic defects in membranes. Most notably, the p15 FLiPS can be functionally replaced by heterologous amphipathic lipid packing sensors (ALPS) but not by other membrane-interactive amphipathic helices. Furthermore, a previously unrecognized amphipathic helix in the cytosolic domain of the reptilian reovirus p14 FAST protein can functionally replace the p15 FLiPS, and is itself replaceable by a heterologous ALPS motif. Anchored near the cytoplasmic leaflet by the FAST protein transmembrane domain, the FLiPS is perfectly positioned to insert into hydrophobic defects that begin to appear in the highly curved rim of nascent fusion pores, thereby lowering the energy barrier to stable pore formation.

The p10 FAST protein fusion peptide functions as a cystine noose to induce cholesterol-dependent liposome fusion without liposome tubulation.

The reovirus p10 fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins are the smallest known membrane fusion proteins, and evolved specifically to mediate cell-cell, rather than virus-cell, membrane fusion. The 36-40-residue ectodomains of avian reovirus (ARV) and Nelson Bay reovirus (NBV) p10 contain an essential intramolecular disulfide bond required for both cell-cell fusion and lipid mixing between liposomes. To more clearly define the functional, biochemical and biophysical features of this novel fusion peptide, synthetic peptides representing the p10 ectodomains of ARV and NBV were analyzed by solution-state NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy-based hydrophobicity analysis, and liposome binding and fusion assays. Results indicate that disulfide bond formation promotes exposure of hydrophobic residues, as indicated by bis-ANS binding and time-dependent peptide aggregation under aqueous conditions, implying the disulfide bond creates a small, geometrically constrained, cystine noose. Noose formation is required for peptide partitioning into liposome membranes and liposome lipid mixing, and electron microscopy revealed that liposome-liposome fusion occurs in the absence of liposome tubulation. In addition, p10 fusion peptide activity, but not membrane partitioning, is dependent on membrane cholesterol.

Small expression tags enhance bacterial expression of the first three transmembrane segments of the apelin receptor.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are inherently dynamic membrane protein modulators of various important cellular signaling cascades. The apelin receptor (AR or APJ) is a class A GPCR involved in numerous physiological processes, implicated in angiogenesis during tumour formation and as a CD4 co-receptor for entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to cells. Due to the lack of efficient methods to produce full-length GPCRs enriched with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) active (15)N, (13)C, and (or) (2)H isotopes, small GPCR fragments typically comprising 1-2 transmembrane segments are frequently studied using NMR spectroscopy. Here, we report successful overexpression of transmembrane segments 1-3 of AR (AR_TM1-3) in the C41(DE3) strain of Escherichia coli using an AT-rich gene tag previously reported to enhance cell-free expression yields. The resulting protein, with 6 additional N-terminal residues due to the expression tag, was purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Far UV circular dichroism spectropolarimetry demonstrates that AR_TM1-3 has the predicted ~40% α-helical character in membrane-mimetic environments. (1)H-(15)N HSQC NMR experiments imply amenability to high-resolution NMR structural characterization and stability in solution for weeks. Notably, this small expression tag approach may also be generally applicable to other membrane proteins that are difficult to express in E. coli.

Role of the N-terminal seven residues of surfactant protein B (SP-B).

Breathing is enabled by lung surfactant, a mixture of proteins and lipids that forms a surface-active layer and reduces surface tension at the air-water interface in lungs. Surfactant protein B (SP-B) is an essential component of lung surfactant. In this study we probe the mechanism underlying the important functional contributions made by the N-terminal 7 residues of SP-B, a region sometimes called the "insertion sequence". These studies employed a construct of SP-B, SP-B (1-25,63-78), also called Super Mini-B, which is a 41-residue peptide with internal disulfide bonds comprising the N-terminal 7-residue insertion sequence and the N- and C-terminal helices of SP-B. Circular dichroism, solution NMR, and solid state (2)H NMR were used to study the structure of SP-B (1-25,63-78) and its interactions with phospholipid bilayers. Comparison of results for SP-B (8-25,63-78) and SP-B (1-25,63-78) demonstrates that the presence of the 7-residue insertion sequence induces substantial disorder near the centre of the lipid bilayer, but without a major disruption of the overall mechanical orientation of the bilayers. This observation suggests the insertion sequence is unlikely to penetrate deeply into the bilayer. The 7-residue insertion sequence substantially increases the solution NMR linewidths, most likely due to an increase in global dynamics.