Community analysis of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations elucidated dynamics-driven allostery in tyrosine kinase 2.

TYK2 is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, member of the Janus kinases (JAK), with a central role in several diseases, including cancer. The JAKs' catalytic domains (KD) are highly conserved, yet the isolated TYK2-KD exhibits unique specificities. In a previous work, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a catalytically impaired TYK2-KD variant (P1104A) we found that this amino acid change of its JAK-characteristic insert (αFG), acts at the dynamics level. Given that structural dynamics is key to the allosteric activation of protein kinases, in this study we applied a long-scale MD simulation and investigated an active TYK2-KD form in the presence of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and one magnesium ion that represents a dynamic and crucial step of the catalytic cycle, in other protein kinases. Community analysis of the MD trajectory shed light, for the first time, on the dynamic profile and dynamics-driven allosteric communications within the TYK2-KD during activation and revealed that αFG and amino acids P1104, P1105, and I1112 in particular, hold a pivotal role and act synergistically with a dynamically coupled communication network of amino acids serving intra-KD signaling for allosteric regulation of TYK2 activity. Corroborating our findings, most of the identified amino acids are associated with cancer-related missense/splice-site mutations of the Tyk2 gene. We propose that the conformational dynamics at this step of the catalytic cycle, coordinated by αFG, underlie TYK2-unique substrate recognition and account for its distinct specificity. In total, this work adds to knowledge towards an in-depth understanding of TYK2 activation and may be valuable towards a rational design of allosteric TYK2-specific inhibitors.

Data on the expression of SRPK1a in mammals.

SRPK1 is an evolutionary conserved protein kinase that specifically phosphorylates its substrates at serine residues located within arginine-serine-rich (RS) domains. We have previously reported the existence of a second less abundant isoform in humans, SRPK1a, which is formed from alternative splicing of the SRPK1 gene and contains an insertion of 171 amino acids at its N-terminal domain (Nikolakaki et al., 2001). In the NCBI database SRPK1a is annotated as a related to SRPK1-mRNA sequence coding for protein CAC39299.1. Here, we present data on the conservation of the extra sequence of SRPK1a in mammals. Furthermore, the retrieved sequences were comparatively analyzed and data on their evolutionary origin and relationships are also presented.

Insights on the alteration of functionality of a tyrosine kinase 2 variant: a molecular dynamics study.

Motivation: The tyrosine kinase 2 protein (Tyk2), encoded by the TYK2 gene, has a crucial role in signal transduction and the pathogenesis of many diseases. A single nucleotide polymorphism of the TYK2 gene, SNP rs34536443, is of major importance, since it has been shown to confer protection against various, mainly, autoimmune diseases. This polymorphism results in a Pro to Ala change at amino acid position 1104 of the encoded Tyk2 protein that affects its enzymatic activity. However, the details of the underlined mechanism are unknown. To address this issue, in this study, we used molecular dynamics simulations on the kinase domains of both wild type and variant Tyk2 protein. Results: Our MD results provided information, at atomic level, on the consequences of the Pro1104 to Ala substitution on the structure and dynamics of the kinase domain of Tyk2 and suggested reduced enzymatic activity of the resulting protein variant due to stabilization of inactive conformations, thus adding to knowledge towards the elucidation of the protection mechanism against autoimmune diseases associated with this point mutation.

Characterization and prevalence of two novel CHEK2 large deletions in Greek breast cancer patients.

Germline CHEK2 mutations confer increased cancer risk, for breast and other types, which is variable depending on the specific mutation. Of these, Large Genomic Rearrangements (LGRs) have been rarely reported; to date only eight LGRs have been published with just the Czech founder mutation, the deletion of exons 9 and 10, being molecularly characterized and studied extensively. The present study aimed to molecularly define and determine the contribution of two rare, apparently novel CHEK2 LGRs, among Greek breast cancer patients. These specifically involve a ~6 kb in-frame deletion of exons 2 & 3 that removes CHEK2's FHA domain and a ~7.5 kb in-frame deletion of exon 6, which removes an α-helix of CHEK2's kinase domain. The latter was identified in 5 out of 2355 (0.22%) patients tested, while haplotype analysis revealed a common disease-associated haplotype, suggesting a single common ancestor and a Greek founder. Although in-frame, this LGR is predicted to be damaging by a yeast-based functional assay and structure-function predictions. The present study highlights the existence of rare, population-specific, genomic events in a known breast cancer predisposing gene, which can explain a proportion of hereditary breast cancer. Identification of such mutation carriers is rather important since appropriate clinical actionability will be inferred.

Mutational analysis of TSC1 and TSC2 genes in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex patients from Greece.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder causing benign tumors in the brain and other vital organs. The genes implicated in disease development are TSC1 and TSC2. Here, we have performed mutational analysis followed by a genotype-phenotype correlation study based on the clinical characteristics of the affected individuals. Twenty unrelated probands or families from Greece have been analyzed, of whom 13 had definite TSC, whereas another 7 had a possible TSC diagnosis. Using direct sequencing, we have identified pathogenic mutations in 13 patients/families (6 in TSC1 and 7 in TSC2), 5 of which were novel. The mutation identification rate for patients with definite TSC was 85%, but only 29% for the ones with a possible TSC diagnosis. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) did not reveal any genomic rearrangements in TSC1 and TSC2 in the samples with no mutations identified. In general, TSC2 disease was more severe than TSC1, with more subependymal giant cell astrocytomas and angiomyolipomas, higher incidence of pharmacoresistant epileptic seizures, and more severe neuropsychiatric disorders. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive TSC1 and TSC2 mutational analysis carried out in TSC patients in Greece.

Ssn6-Tup1 global transcriptional co-repressor: Role of the N-terminal glutamine-rich region of Ssn6.

The Ssn6-Tup1 complex is a general transcriptional co-repressor formed by the interaction of Ssn6, a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) protein, with the Tup1 repressor. We have previously shown that the N-terminal domain of Ssn6 comprising TPRs 1 to 3 is necessary and sufficient for this interaction and that TPR1 plays critical role. In a subsequent study, we provided evidence that in the absence of Tup1, TPR1 is susceptible to proteolysis and that conformational change(s) accompany the Ssn6-Tup1 complex formation. In this study, we address the question whether the N-terminal non-TPR, glutamine-rich tail of Ssn6 (NTpolyQ), plays any role in the Ssn6/Tup1 association. Our biochemical and yeast-two-hybrid data show that truncation/deletion of the NTpolyQ domain of Ssn6 results in its self association and prevents Tup1 interaction. These results combined with in silico modeling data imply a major role of the NTpolyQ tail of Ssn6 in regulating its interaction with Tup1.

Evidence for disulfide bonds in SR Protein Kinase 1 (SRPK1) that are required for activity and nuclear localization.

Serine/arginine protein kinases (SRPKs) phosphorylate Arg/Ser dipeptide-containing proteins that play crucial roles in a broad spectrum of basic cellular processes. The existence of a large internal spacer sequence that separates the bipartite kinase catalytic core is a unique structural feature of SRPKs. Previous structural studies on a catalytically active fragment of SRPK1, which lacks the main part of the spacer domain, revealed that SRPK1 remains in an active state without any post-translational modifications or specific intra-protein interactions, while the spacer domain is depicted as a loop structure, outside the kinase core. Using systematic mutagenesis we now provide evidence that replacement of any individual cysteine residue in the spacer, apart from Cys414, or in its proximal flaking ends of the two kinase catalytic domains has an impact on kinase activity. Furthermore, the cysteine residues are critical for nuclear translocation of SRPK1 in response to genotoxic stress and SRPK1-dependent splicing of a reporter gene. While replacement of Cys207, Cys502 and Cys539 of the catalytic domains is predicted to distort the kinase active structure, our findings suggest that Cys356, Cys386, Cys427 and Cys455 of the spacer domain and Cys188 of the first catalytic domain are engaged in disulfide bridging. We propose that such a network of intramolecular disulfide bonds mediates the bending of the spacer region thus allowing the proximal positioning of the two catalytic subunits which is a prerequisite for SRPK1 activity.

SRPK1 and Akt Protein Kinases Phosphorylate the RS Domain of Lamin B Receptor with Distinct Specificity: A Combined Biochemical and In Silico Approach.

Activated Akt has been previously implicated in acting on RS domain-containing proteins. However, it has been questioned whether its action is direct or it is mediated by co-existing SR kinase activity. To address this issue we studied in detail the phosphorylation of Lamin B Receptor (LBR) by Akt. Using synthetic peptides and a set of recombinant proteins expressing mutants of the LBR RS domain we now demonstrate that while all serines of the RS domain represent more or less equal phosphoacceptor sites for SRPK1, Ser80 and Ser82 are mainly targeted by Akt. 3D-modeling combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that amongst short, overlapping LBR RS-containing peptides complying with the minimum Akt recognition consensus sequence, only those bearing phosphosites either at Ser80 or Ser82 are able to fit into the active site of Akt, at least as effectively as its known substrate, GSK3-ß. Combined our results provide evidence that Akt kinases directly phosphorylate an RS domain-containing protein and that both the residues N-terminal the phosphosite and at position +1 are essential for Akt specificity, with the latter substrate position being compatible with the arginine residue of RS-repeats.

The odyssey of a young gene: structure-function studies in human glutamate dehydrogenases reveal evolutionary-acquired complex allosteric regulation mechanisms.

Mammalian glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) catalyzes the reversible inter-conversion of glutamate to α-ketoglutarate and ammonia, interconnecting carbon skeleton and nitrogen metabolism. In addition, it functions as an energy switch by its ability to fuel the Krebs cycle depending on the energy status of the cell. As GDH lies at the intersection of several metabolic pathways, its activity is tightly regulated by several allosteric compounds that are metabolic intermediates. In contrast to other mammals that have a single GDH-encoding gene, humans and great apes possess two isoforms of GDH (hGDH1 and hGDH2, encoded by the GLUD1 and GLUD2 genes, respectively) with distinct regulation pattern, but remarkable sequence similarity (they differ, in their mature form, in only 15 of their 505 amino-acids). The GLUD2 gene is considered a very young gene, emerging from the GLUD1 gene through retro-position only recently (<23 million years ago). The new hGDH2 iso-enzyme, through random mutations and natural selection, is thought to have conferred an evolutionary advantage that helped its persistence through primate evolution. The properties of the two highly homologous human GDHs have been studied using purified recombinant hGDH1 and hGDH2 proteins obtained by expression of the corresponding cDNAs in Sf21 cells. According to these studies, in contrast to hGDH1 that maintains basal activity at 35-40 % of its maximal, hGDH2 displays low basal activity that is highly responsive to activation by rising levels of ADP and/or L-leucine which can also act synergistically. While hGDH1 is inhibited potently by GTP, hGDH2 shows remarkable GTP resistance. Furthermore, the two iso-enzymes are differentially inhibited by estrogens, polyamines and neuroleptics, and also differ in heat-lability. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie these different regulation patterns of the two iso-enzymes (and consequently the evolutionary adaptation of hGDH2 to a new functional role), we have performed mutagenesis at sites of difference in their amino acid sequence. Results showed that the low basal activity, heat-lability and estrogen sensitivity of hGDH2 could be, at least partially, ascribed to the Arg443Ser evolutionary change, whereas resistance to GTP inhibition has been attributed to the Gly456Ala change. Other amino acid substitutions studied thus far cannot explain all the remaining functional differences between the two iso-enzymes. Also, the Arg443Ser/Gly456Ala double mutation in hGDH1 approached the properties of wild-type hGDH2, without being identical to it. The insights into the structural mechanism of enzymatic regulation and the implications in cell biology provided by these findings are discussed.

Short tandem repeats in the inhibitory domain of the mineralocorticoid receptor: prediction of a ß-solenoid structure.

BACKGROUND: The human mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is one of the main components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), the system that regulates the body exchange of water and sodium. The evolutionary origins of this protein predate those of renin and the RAAS; accordingly it has other roles, which are being characterized. The MR has two trans-activating ligand independent domains and one inhibitory domain (ID), which modulates the activity of the former. The structure of the ID is currently unknown. RESULTS: Here we report that the ID contains at least 15 tandem repeats of around 10 amino acids, which we computationally characterize in the human MR and in selected orthologs. This ensemble of repeats seems to have emerged around 450 million years ago, after the divergence of the MR from its close homolog, the glucocorticoid receptor, which does not possess the repeats. The region would have quickly expanded by successive duplication of the repeats stabilizing at its length in human MR shortly after divergence of tetrapoda from bony fishes 400 million years ago. Structural predictions, in combination with molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the repeat ensemble forms a ß-solenoid, namely a ß-helical fold with a polar core, stabilized by hydrogen-bonded ladders of polar residues. Our 3D-model, in conjunction with previous experimental data, implies a role of the ß-helical fold as a scaffold for multiple intra-and inter-molecular interactions and that these interactions are modulated via phosphorylation-dependent conformational changes. CONCLUSIONS: We, thus, propose that the structure of the repeat ensemble plays an important role in the coordination and sequential interactions of various MR partners and therefore in the functionality and specificity of MR.

Kinetic and in silico analysis of the slow-binding inhibition of human poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) by novel nucleoside analogues.

Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) is a 3'-exoribonuclease that efficiently degrades poly(A) tails and regulates, in part, mRNA turnover rates. We have previously reported that adenosine- and cytosine-based glucopyranosyl nucleoside analogues with adequate tumour-inhibitory effect could effectively inhibit PARN. In the present study we dissect the mechanism of a more drastic inhibition of PARN by novel glucopyranosyl analogues bearing uracil, 5-fluorouracil or thymine as the base moiety. Kinetic analysis showed that three of the compounds are competitive inhibitors of PARN with K(i) values in the low µM concentration and significantly lower (11- to 33-fold) compared to our previous studies. Detailed kinetic analysis of the most effective inhibitor, the uracil-based nucleoside analogue (named U1), revealed slow-binding behaviour. Subsequent molecular docking experiments showed that all the compounds which inhibited PARN can efficiently bind into the active site of the enzyme through specific interactions. The present study dissects the inhibitory mechanism of this novel uracil-based compound, which prolongs its inhibitory effect through a slow-binding and slow-release mode at the active site of PARN, thus contributing to a more efficient inhibition. Such analogues could be used as leading compounds for further rationale design and synthesis of efficient and specific therapeutic agents. Moreover, our data reinforce the notion that human PARN can be established as a novel molecular target of potential anti-cancer agents through lowering mRNA turnover rates.

Phosphorylation of the arginine/serine repeats of lamin B receptor by SRPK1-insights from molecular dynamics simulations.

BACKGROUND: Arginine/serine (RS) repeats are found in several proteins in metazoans with a wide variety of functions, many of which are regulated by SR protein kinase 1 (SRPK1)-mediated phosphorylation. Lamin B receptor (LBR) is such a protein implicated in chromatin anchorage to the nuclear envelope. METHODS: Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the conformation of two LBR peptides containing four (human-) and five (turkey-orthologue) consecutive RS dipeptides, in their unphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms and of a conserved peptide, in isolation and in complex with SRPK1. GST pull-down assays were employed to study LBR interactions. RESULTS: Unphosphorylated RS repeats adopt short, transient helical conformations, whereas serine phosphorylation induces Arginine-claw-like structures. The SRSRSRSPGR peptide, overlapping with the LBR RS repeats, docks into the known, acidic docking groove of SRPK1, in an extended conformation. Phosphorylation by SRPK1 is necessary for the association of LBR with histone H3. CONCLUSIONS: The C-terminal region of the LBR RS domain constitutes a recognition platform for SRPK1, which uses the same recognition mechanism for LBR as for substrates with long RS domains. This docking may promote unfolding of the RS repeats destined to be phosphorylated. Phosphorylation induces Arginine-claw-like conformations, irrespective of the RS-repeat length, that may facilitate interactions with basic partners. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results shed light on the conformational preferences of an important class of repeats before and after their phosphorylation and support the idea that even short RS domains may be constituents of recognition platforms for SRPK1, thus adding to knowledge towards a full understanding of their phosphorylation mechanism.

Competitive inhibition of human poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) by synthetic fluoro-pyranosyl nucleosides.

Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) is a cap-interacting deadenylase that mediates, together with other exonucleases, the eukaryotic mRNA turnover and thus is actively involved in the regulation of gene expression. Aminoglycosides and natural nucleotides are the only reported modulators of human PARN activity, so far. In the present study, we show that synthetic nucleoside analogues bearing a fluoro-glucopyranosyl sugar moiety and benzoyl-modified cytosine or adenine as a base can effectively inhibit human PARN. Such nucleoside analogues exhibited substantial inhibitory effects, when tested against various cancer cell lines, as has been previously reported. Kinetic analysis showed that the inhibition of PARN is competitive and could not be released by altering Mg(II) concentration. Moreover, substitution of the 2', 4', or 6'-OH of the sugar moiety with acetyl and/or trityl groups was crucial for inhibitory efficacy. To understand how the nucleosides fit into the active site of PARN, we performed molecular docking experiments followed by molecular dynamics simulations. The in silico analysis showed that these compounds can efficiently dock into the active site of PARN. Our results support the idea that the sugar moiety mediates the stabilization of the nucleoside into the active site through interactions with catalytic amino acid residues. Taken together, our in vitro and in silico data suggest that human PARN is among the molecular targets of these compounds and could act therapeutically by lowering the mRNA turnover rate, thus explaining their known in vivo inhibitory effect at the molecular level.

The stability of the archaeal HU histone-like DNA-binding protein from Thermoplasma volcanium.

The complete genome analysis of the archaeon Thermoplasma volcanium has revealed a gene assigned to encode the histone-like DNA-binding protein HU. Thermoplasma volcanium is a moderate thermophile growing around 60 degrees C and it is adaptable to aerobic and anaerobic environment and therefore it is unique as a candidate for the origin of eukaryotic nuclei in the endosymbiosis hypothesis. The HU protein is the major component of the bacterial nuclei and therefore it is an important protein to be studied. The gene for HUTvo protein (huptvo) was cloned from the genomic DNA of T. volcanium and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A fast and efficient purification scheme was established to produce an adequate amount of bioactive protein for biochemical and biophysical studies. Highly purified HUTvo was studied for its DNA-binding activity and thermostability. As studied by circular dichroism and high-precision differential scanning microcalorimetry, the thermal unfolding of HUTvo protein is reversible and can be well described by a two-state model with dissociation of the native dimeric state into denatured monomers. The G versus T profile for HUTvo compared to the hyperthermophilic marine eubacterial counterpart from Thermotoga maritima, HUTmar, clearly shows that the archaeal protein has adopted a less efficient molecular mechanism to cope with high temperature. The molecular basis of this phenomenon is discussed.

Gromita: a fully integrated graphical user interface to gromacs 4.

Gromita is a fully integrated and efficient graphical user interface (GUI) to the recently updated molecular dynamics suite Gromacs, version 4. Gromita is a cross-platform, perl/tcl-tk based, interactive front end designed to break the command line barrier and introduce a new user-friendly environment to run molecular dynamics simulations through Gromacs. Our GUI features a novel workflow interface that guides the user through each logical step of the molecular dynamics setup process, making it accessible to both advanced and novice users. This tool provides a seamless interface to the Gromacs package, while providing enhanced functionality by speeding up and simplifying the task of setting up molecular dynamics simulations of biological systems. Gromita can be freely downloaded from http://bio.demokritos.gr/gromita/.

Investigating the structural stability of the Tup1-interaction domain of Ssn6: evidence for a conformational change on the complex.

Ssn6, a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) containing protein, associates with the Tup1 repressor to form a global transcriptional co-repressor complex, which is conserved across species. The three N-terminal TPR repeats of Ssn6, out of a total of 10, are involved in this particular interaction. Our previously reported 3D-modeling and mutagenesis data suggested that the structural integrity of TPR1 and its correct positioning relatively to TPR2 are crucial for Tup1 binding. In this study, we first investigate the structural stability of the Tup1 binding domain of Ssn6, in pure form, through a combination of CD spectroscopy and limited proteolysis mapping. The obtained data were next combined with molecular dynamics simulations and disorder/order predictions. This combined study revealed that, although competent to fold, in the absence of Tup1, TPR1 is partially unfolded with its helix B being highly dynamic exposing an apolar surface to the solvent. Subsequent CD spectroscopy on this domain complexed with a Tup1 fragment comprising its Ssn6 binding region provided strong evidence for a conformational change consisting of acquisition of alpha-helical structure with simultaneous stabilization of a coiled-coil configuration upon complex formation. We propose that this conformational change occurs largely in the TPR1 of Ssn6 and is in accord with the concept of folding coupled to binding, proposed for other TPR domains. A possible implication of the structural flexibility of Ssn6 TPR1 in Tup1 recognition is discussed and a novel mode of interaction is proposed for this particular TPR-mediated complex.

Thermal unfolding of human BRCA1 BRCT-domain variants.

Missense mutations at the BRCT domain of human BRCA1 protein have been associated with an elevated risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. They have been shown to affect the binding site and they have also been proposed to affect domain stability, severely hampering the protein's tumor suppressor function. In order to assess the impact of various such mutations upon the stability and the function of the BRCT domain, heat-induced denaturation has been employed to study the thermal unfolding of variants M1775R and R1699W, which have been linked with the disease, as well as of V1833M, which has been reported for patients with a family history. Calorimetric and circular dichroism results reveal that in pH 9.0, 5 mM borate buffer, 200 mM NaCl, analogously to wild type BRCT, all three variants undergo partial thermal unfolding to a denatured state, which retains most of the native's structural characteristics. With respect to wild-type BRCT, the mutation M1775R induces the most severe effects especially upon the thermostability, while R1699W also has a strong impact. On the other hand, the thermal unfolding of variant V1833M is only moderately affected relative to wild-type BRCT. Moreover, isothermal titration calorimetric measurements reveal that contrary to M1775R and R1699W variants, V1833M binds to BACH1 and CtIP phosphopeptides.

Loopless Rop: structure and dynamics of an engineered homotetrameric variant of the repressor of primer protein.

The repressor of primer (Rop) protein has become a steady source of surprises concerning the relationship between the sequences and the structures of several of its mutants and variants. Here we add another piece to the puzzle of Rop by showing that an engineered deletion mutant of the protein (corresponding to a deletion of residues 30-34 of the wild-type protein and designed to restore the heptad periodicity at the turn region) results in a complete reorganization of the bundle which is converted from a homodimer to a homotetramer. In contrast (and as previously shown), a two-residue insertion, which also restores the heptad periodicity, is essentially identical with wild-type Rop. The new deletion mutant structure is a canonical, left-handed, all-antiparallel bundle with a completely different hydrophobic core and distinct surface properties. The structure agrees and qualitatively explains the results from functional, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies which indicated that this deletion mutant is a biologically inactive hyperstable homotetramer. Additional insight into the stability and dynamics of the mutant structure has been obtained from extensive molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water and with full treatment of electrostatics.

Solution structure of Ser14Gly-humanin, a potent rescue factor against neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease.

The NMR solution study of Ser14Gly-humanin (S14G-HN), a 1000-fold more potent derivative of humanin (HN), is reported. HN is 24-residue peptide that selectively suppresses neuronal cell death caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD)-specific insults and offers hope for the development of a cure against AD. In aqueous solution the NMR data show that S14G-HN is a flexible peptide with turn-like structures in its conformational ensemble distributed over an extensive part of its sequence from Pro3 to Glu15. In the more lipophilic environment of 30% TFE, an alpha-helical structure spanning residues Phe6 to Thr13 is identified. Comparison of these findings to the NMR structure of the parent HN and to existing structure-function relationship literature data outlines the important for activity structural features for this class of neuroprotective peptides, and brings forth flexibility as an important characteristic that may facilitate interactions with functional counterparts of the neuroprotection pathway.