Effect of SiO2 Particles on the Relaxation Dynamics of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) in the Melt State by Time-Resolved Mechanical Spectroscopy.

The rheological behavior of an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) nanocomposite containing 10 wt.% of silica particles was examined by time-resolved mechanical spectroscopy (TRMS), exploiting the unique capability of this technique for monitoring the time-dependent characteristics of unstable polymer melts. The resulting storage modulus curve has revealed a progressive evolution of the elastic component of the composite, associated with slower relaxations of the ENR macromolecular chains. Two major events were identified and quantified: one is associated with the absorption of the epoxidized rubber macromolecules onto the silica surface, which imposes further restrictions on the motions of the chains within the polymer phase; the second is related to gelation and the subsequent changes in rheological behavior resulting from the simultaneous occurrence cross-linking and chain scission reactions within the ENR matrix. These were quantified using two parameters related to changes in the storage and loss modulus components.

Selective Affimers Recognise the BCL-2 Family Proteins BCL-xL and MCL-1 through Noncanonical Structural Motifs*.

The BCL-2 family is a challenging group of proteins to target selectively due to sequence and structural homologies across the family. Selective ligands for the BCL-2 family regulators of apoptosis are useful as probes to understand cell biology and apoptotic signalling pathways, and as starting points for inhibitor design. We have used phage display to isolate Affimer reagents (non-antibody-binding proteins based on a conserved scaffold) to identify ligands for MCL-1, BCL-xL , BCL-2, BAK and BAX, then used multiple biophysical characterisation methods to probe the interactions. We established that purified Affimers elicit selective recognition of their target BCL-2 protein. For anti-apoptotic targets BCL-xL and MCL-1, competitive inhibition of their canonical protein-protein interactions is demonstrated. Co-crystal structures reveal an unprecedented mode of molecular recognition; where a BH3 helix is normally bound, flexible loops from the Affimer dock into the BH3 binding cleft. Moreover, the Affimers induce a change in the target proteins towards a desirable drug-bound-like conformation. These proof-of-concept studies indicate that Affimers could be used as alternative templates to inspire the design of selective BCL-2 family modulators and more generally other protein-protein interaction inhibitors.

Disorder in a two-domain neuronal Ca2+-binding protein regulates domain stability and dynamics using ligand mimicry.

Understanding the interplay between sequence, structure and function of proteins has been complicated in recent years by the discovery of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which perform biological functions in the absence of a well-defined three-dimensional fold. Disordered protein sequences account for roughly 30% of the human proteome and in many proteins, disordered and ordered domains coexist. However, few studies have assessed how either feature affects the properties of the other. In this study, we examine the role of a disordered tail in the overall properties of the two-domain, calcium-sensing protein neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS-1). We show that loss of just six of the 190 residues at the flexible C-terminus is sufficient to severely affect stability, dynamics, and folding behavior of both ordered domains. We identify specific hydrophobic contacts mediated by the disordered tail that may be responsible for stabilizing the distal N-terminal domain. Moreover, sequence analyses indicate the presence of an LSL-motif in the tail that acts as a mimic of native ligands critical to the observed order-disorder communication. Removing the disordered tail leads to a shorter life-time of the ligand-bound complex likely originating from the observed destabilization. This close relationship between order and disorder may have important implications for how investigations into mixed systems are designed and opens up a novel avenue of drug targeting exploiting this type of behavior.

The folding and unfolding behavior of ribonuclease H on the ribosome.

The health of a cell depends on accurate translation and proper protein folding, whereas misfolding can lead to aggregation and disease. The first opportunity for a protein to fold occurs during translation, when the ribosome and surrounding environment can affect the nascent chain energy landscape. However, quantifying these environmental effects is challenging because ribosomal proteins and rRNA preclude most spectroscopic measurements of protein energetics. Here, we have applied two gel-based approaches, pulse proteolysis and force-profile analysis, to probe the folding and unfolding pathways of RNase H (RNH) nascent chains stalled on the prokaryotic ribosome in vitro We found that ribosome-stalled RNH has an increased unfolding rate compared with free RNH. Because protein stability is related to the ratio of the unfolding and folding rates, this increase completely accounts for the observed change in protein stability and indicates that the folding rate is unchanged. Using arrest peptide-based force-profile analysis, we assayed the force generated during the folding of RNH on the ribosome. Surprisingly, we found that population of the RNH folding intermediate is required to generate sufficient force to release a stall induced by the SecM stalling sequence and that readthrough of SecM directly correlates with the stability of the RNH folding intermediate. Together, these results imply that the folding pathway of RNH is unchanged on the ribosome. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the ribosome promotes RNH unfolding while the nascent chain is proximal to the ribosome, which may limit the deleterious effects of RNH misfolding and assist in folding fidelity.

Structure Evolution of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) in the Melt State by Time-Resolved Mechanical Spectroscopy.

In this work, time-resolved mechanical spectroscopy (TRMS) was used to accurately characterize the rheological behavior of an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) containing 25 mol% of epoxy groups. Conventional rheological tests are not suitable to characterize with accuracy the frequency-dependent linear viscoelastic behavior of materials, such as ENR, in a transient configurational state. For this reason, TRMS was used to determine the true rheological behavior of ENR, as well as to gain some insights into the changes of its macromolecular architecture under the dynamic conditions experienced during the measurements. The constructed master curves for the moduli revealed a gradual transition of the ENR rheological state from liquid-like to solid-like through the formation of an "elastic gel" throughout the bulk of the polymer. Furthermore, the evolution of the stress relaxation modulus revealed a slow relaxation mechanism, resulting from thermally activated reactions in the molten state attributed to the formation of crosslinks. Finally, the crosslink density evolution was estimated from the TRMS data and compared with results derived from equilibrium solvent-swelling measurements. These demonstrated the accuracy of the TRMS data in the prediction of the structural changes that can take place in polymers during processing.

Extrinsic conditions influence the self-association and structure of IF1, the regulatory protein of mitochondrial ATP synthase.

The endogenous inhibitor of ATP synthase in mitochondria, called IF1, conserves cellular energy when the proton-motive force collapses by inhibiting ATP hydrolysis. Around neutrality, the 84-amino-acid bovine IF1 is thought to self-assemble into active dimers and, under alkaline conditions, into inactive tetramers and higher oligomers. Dimerization is mediated by formation of an antiparallel α-helical coiled-coil involving residues 44-84. The inhibitory region of each monomer from residues 1-46 is largely α-helical in crystals, but disordered in solution. The formation of the inhibited enzyme complex requires the hydrolysis of two ATP molecules, and in the complex the disordered region from residues 8-13 is extended and is followed by an α-helix from residues 14-18 and a longer α-helix from residue 21, which continues unbroken into the coiled-coil region. From residues 21-46, the long α-helix binds to other α-helices in the C-terminal region of predominantly one of the ß-subunits in the most closed of the three catalytic interfaces. The definition of the factors that influence the self-association of IF1 is a key to understanding the regulation of its inhibitory properties. Therefore, we investigated the influence of pH and salt-types on the self-association of bovine IF1 and the folding of its unfolded region. We identified the equilibrium between dimers and tetramers as a potential central factor in the in vivo modulation of the inhibitory activity and suggest that the intrinsically disordered region makes its inhibitory potency exquisitely sensitive and responsive to physiological changes that influence the capability of mitochondria to make ATP.

Implementing a 6-day physiotherapy service in rehabilitation: exploring staff perceptions.

Objective Australian weekend rehabilitation therapy provision is increasing. Staff engagement optimises service delivery. The present mixed-methods process evaluation explored staff perceptions regarding implementation of a 6-day physiotherapy service in a private rehabilitation unit. Methods All multidisciplinary staff working in the rehabilitation unit were surveyed regarding barriers, facilitators and perceptions of the effect of a 6-day physiotherapy service on length of stay (LOS) and patient goal attainment at three time points: before and after implementation, as well as after modification of a 6-day physiotherapy service. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Fifty-one staff (50%) responded. Before implementation, all staff identified barriers, the most common being staffing (62%) and patient selection (29%). After implementation, only 30% of staff identified barriers, which differed to those identified before implementation, and included staff rostering and experience (20%), timing of therapy (10%) and increasing the allocation of patients (5%). Over time, staff perceptions changed from being unsure to being positive about the effect of the 6-day service on LOS and patient goal attainment. Conclusion Staff perceived a large number of barriers before implementation of a 6-day rehabilitation service, but these did not eventuate following implementation. Staff perceived improved LOS and patient goal attainment after implementation of a 6-day rehabilitation service incorporating staff feedback. What is known about this topic? Rehabilitation weekend services improve patient quality of life and functional independence while reducing LOS. What does this study add? Staff feedback during implementation and modification of new services is important to address potential barriers and ensure staff satisfaction and support. What are the implications for practitioners? Staff engagement and open communication are important to successfully implement a new service in rehabilitation.

Adaptation of Proteins to the Cold in Antarctic Fish: A Role for Methionine?

The evolution of antifreeze glycoproteins has enabled notothenioid fish to flourish in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean. Whereas successful at the biodiversity level to life in the cold, paradoxically at the cellular level these stenothermal animals have problems producing, folding, and degrading proteins at their ambient temperatures of -1.86 °C. In this first multi-species transcriptome comparison of the amino acid composition of notothenioid proteins with temperate teleost proteins, we show that, unlike psychrophilic bacteria, Antarctic fish provide little evidence for the mass alteration of protein amino acid composition to enhance protein folding and reduce protein denaturation in the cold. The exception was the significant overrepresentation of positions where leucine in temperate fish proteins was replaced by methionine in the notothenioid orthologues. We hypothesize that these extra methionines have been preferentially assimilated into the genome to act as redox sensors in the highly oxygenated waters of the Southern Ocean. This redox hypothesis is supported by analyses of notothenioids showing enrichment of genes associated with responses to environmental stress, particularly reactive oxygen species. So overall, although notothenioid fish show cold-associated problems with protein homeostasis, they may have modified only a selected number of biochemical pathways to work efficiently below 0 °C. Even a slight warming of the Southern Ocean might disrupt the critical functions of this handful of key pathways with considerable impacts for the functioning of this ecosystem in the future.

Folding pathway of an Ig domain is conserved on and off the ribosome.

Proteins that fold cotranslationally may do so in a restricted configurational space, due to the volume occupied by the ribosome. How does this environment, coupled with the close proximity of the ribosome, affect the folding pathway of a protein? Previous studies have shown that the cotranslational folding process for many proteins, including small, single domains, is directly affected by the ribosome. Here, we investigate the cotranslational folding of an all-ß Ig domain, titin I27. Using an arrest peptide-based assay and structural studies by cryo-EM, we show that I27 folds in the mouth of the ribosome exit tunnel. Simulations that use a kinetic model for the force dependence of escape from arrest accurately predict the fraction of folded protein as a function of length. We used these simulations to probe the folding pathway on and off the ribosome. Our simulations-which also reproduce experiments on mutant forms of I27-show that I27 folds, while still sequestered in the mouth of the ribosome exit tunnel, by essentially the same pathway as free I27, with only subtle shifts of critical contacts from the C to the N terminus.

Non-Native Cooperative Interactions Modulate Protein Folding Rates.

The energy landscape theory and the funnel description have had remarkable success in describing protein folding mechanisms and function. However, there are experimental results that are not understood using this approach. Among the puzzling examples are the α-spectrin results, in which the R15 domain folds 3 orders of magnitude more rapidly than the homologous R16 and R17, even though they are structurally very similar to each other. Such anomalous observations are usually attributed to the influence of internal friction on protein folding rates, but this is not a satisfactory explanation. In this study, this phenomenon is addressed by focusing on non-native interactions that could account for this effect. We carried out molecular dynamics simulations with structure-based C α models, in which the folding process of α-spectrin domains was investigated. The simulations take into account the hydrophobic and electrostatic contributions separately. The folding time results have shown qualitative agreement with the experimental data. We have also investigated mutations in R16 and R17, and the simulation folding time results correlate with the observed experimental ones. We suggest that the origin of the internal friction, at least in this case, might emerge from a cooperativity effect of these non-native interactions.

Investigating the Effect of Chain Connectivity on the Folding of a Beta-Sheet Protein On and Off the Ribosome.

Determining the relationship between protein folding pathways on and off the ribosome remains an important area of investigation in biology. Studies on isolated domains have shown that alteration of the separation of residues in a polypeptide chain, while maintaining their spatial contacts, may affect protein stability and folding pathway. Due to the vectorial emergence of the polypeptide chain from the ribosome, chain connectivity may have an important influence upon cotranslational folding. Using MATH, an all ß-sandwich domain, we investigate whether the connectivity of residues and secondary structure elements is a key determinant of when cotranslational folding can occur on the ribosome. From Φ-value analysis, we show that the most structured region of the transition state for folding in MATH includes the N and C terminal strands, which are located adjacent to each other in the structure. However, arrest peptide force-profile assays show that wild-type MATH is able to fold cotranslationally, while some C-terminal residues remain sequestered in the ribosome, even when destabilized by 2-3 kcal mol-1. We show that, while this pattern of Φ-values is retained in two circular permutants in our studies of the isolated domains, one of these permutants can fold only when fully emerged from the ribosome. We propose that in the case of MATH, onset of cotranslational folding is determined by the ability to form a sufficiently stable folding nucleus involving both ß-sheets, rather than by the location of the terminal strands in the ribosome tunnel.

Folding and binding pathways of BH3-only proteins are encoded within their intrinsically disordered sequence, not templated by partner proteins.

Intrinsically disordered regions are present in one-third of eukaryotic proteins and are overrepresented in cellular processes such as signaling, suggesting that intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) may have a functional advantage over folded proteins. Upon interacting with a partner macromolecule, a subset of IDPs can fold and bind to form a well-defined three-dimensional conformation. For example, disordered BH3-only proteins bind promiscuously to a large number of homologous BCL-2 family proteins, where they fold to a helical structure in a groove on the BCL-2-like protein surface. As two protein chains are involved in the folding reaction, and the structure is only formed in the presence of the partner macromolecule, this raises the question of where the folding information is encoded. Here, we examine these coupled folding and binding reactions to determine which component determines the folding and binding pathway. Using Φ value analysis to compare transition state interactions between the disordered BH3-only proteins PUMA and BID and the folded BCL-2-like proteins A1 and MCL-1, we found that, even though the BH3-only protein is disordered in isolation and requires a stabilizing partner to fold, its folding and binding pathway is encoded in the IDP itself; the reaction is not templated by the folded partner. We suggest that, by encoding both its transition state and level of residual structure, an IDP can evolve a specific kinetic profile, which could be a crucial functional advantage of disorder.

Promiscuous and Selective: How Intrinsically Disordered BH3 Proteins Interact with Their Pro-survival Partner MCL-1.

The BCL-2 family of proteins plays a central role in regulating cell survival and apoptosis. Disordered BH3-only proteins bind promiscuously to a number of different BCL-2 proteins, with binding affinities that vary by orders of magnitude. Here we investigate the basis for these differences in affinity. We show that eight different disordered BH3 proteins all bind to their BCL-2 partner (MCL-1) very rapidly, and that the differences in sequences result in different dissociation rates. Similarly, mutation of the binding surface of MCL-1 generally affects association kinetics in the same way for all BH3 peptides but has significantly different effects on the dissociation rates. Importantly, we infer that the evolution of homologous, competing interacting partners has resulted in complexes with significantly different lifetimes.

Author Correction: Protein-peptide association kinetics beyond the seconds timescale from atomistic simulations.

In the original version of this Article, the Acknowledgement section omitted financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grant SFB 958/A4. This error has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Phosphorylation of the IDP KID Modulates Affinity for KIX by Increasing the Lifetime of the Complex.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are known to undergo a range of posttranslational modifications, but by what mechanism do such modifications affect the binding of an IDP to its partner protein? We investigate this question using one such IDP, the kinase inducible domain (KID) of the transcription factor CREB, which interacts with the KIX domain of CREB-binding protein upon phosphorylation. As with many other IDPs, KID undergoes coupled folding and binding to form α-helical structure upon interacting with KIX. This single site phosphorylation plays an important role in the control of transcriptional activation in vivo. Here we show that, contrary to expectation, phosphorylation has no effect on association rates-unphosphorylated KID binds just as rapidly as pKID, the phosphorylated form-but rather, acts by increasing the lifetime of the complex. We propose that by controlling the lifetime of the bound complex of pKID:KIX via altering the dissociation rate, phosphorylation can facilitate effective control of transcription regulation.

pKID Binds to KIX via an Unstructured Transition State with Nonnative Interactions.

Understanding the detailed mechanism of interaction of intrinsically disordered proteins with their partners is crucial to comprehend their functions in signaling and transcription. Through its interaction with KIX, the disordered pKID region of CREB protein is central in the transcription of cAMP responsive genes, including those involved in long-term memory. Numerous simulation studies have investigated these interactions. Combined with experimental results, these can provide valuable and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved. Here, we probe the transition state of this interaction experimentally through analyzing the kinetic effect of mutating both interface and solvent exposed residues in pKID. We show that very few specific interactions between pKID and KIX are required in the initial binding process. Only a small number of weak interactions are formed at the transition state, including nonnative interactions, and most of the folding occurs after the initial binding event. These properties are consistent with computational results and also the majority of experimental studies of intrinsically disordered protein coupled folding and binding in other protein systems, suggesting that these may be common features.

Protein-peptide association kinetics beyond the seconds timescale from atomistic simulations.

Understanding and control of structures and rates involved in protein ligand binding are essential for drug design. Unfortunately, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations cannot directly sample the excessively long residence and rearrangement times of tightly binding complexes. Here we exploit the recently developed multi-ensemble Markov model framework to compute full protein-peptide kinetics of the oncoprotein fragment 25-109Mdm2 and the nano-molar inhibitor peptide PMI. Using this system, we report, for the first time, direct estimates of kinetics beyond the seconds timescale using simulations of an all-atom MD model, with high accuracy and precision. These results only require explicit simulations on the sub-milliseconds timescale and are tested against existing mutagenesis data and our own experimental measurements of the dissociation and association rates. The full kinetic model reveals an overall downhill but rugged binding funnel with multiple pathways. The overall strong binding arises from a variety of conformations with different hydrophobic contact surfaces that interconvert on the milliseconds timescale.

Affinity of IDPs to their targets is modulated by ion-specific changes in kinetics and residual structure.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are characterized by a lack of defined structure. Instead, they populate ensembles of rapidly interconverting conformations with marginal structural stabilities. Changes in solution conditions such as temperature and crowding agents consequently affect IDPs more than their folded counterparts. Here we reveal that the residual structure content of IDPs is modulated both by ionic strength and by the type of ions present in solution. We show that these ion-specific structural changes result in binding affinity shifts of up to sixfold, which happen through alteration of both association and dissociation rates. These effects follow the Hofmeister series, but unlike the well-established effects on the stability of folded proteins, they already occur at low, hypotonic concentrations of salt. We attribute this sensitivity to the marginal stability of IDPs, which could have physiological implications given the role of IDPs in signaling, the asymmetric ion profiles of different cellular compartments, and the role of ions in biology.

Role of non-native electrostatic interactions in the coupled folding and binding of PUMA with Mcl-1.

PUMA, which belongs to the BH3-only protein family, is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP). It binds to its cellular partner Mcl-1 through its BH3 motif, which folds upon binding into an α helix. We have applied a structure-based coarse-grained model, with an explicit Debye-Hückel charge model, to probe the importance of electrostatic interactions both in the early and the later stages of this model coupled folding and binding process. This model was carefully calibrated with the experimental data on helical content and affinity, and shown to be consistent with previously published experimental data on binding rate changes with respect to ionic strength. We find that intramolecular electrostatic interactions influence the unbound states of PUMA only marginally. Our results further suggest that intermolecular electrostatic interactions, and in particular non-native electrostatic interactions, are involved in formation of the initial encounter complex. We are able to reveal the binding mechanism in more detail than is possible using experimental data alone however, and in particular we uncover the role of non-native electrostatic interactions. We highlight the potential importance of such electrostatic interactions for describing the binding reactions of IDPs. Such approaches could be used to provide predictions for the results of mutational studies.

Conserved Helix-Flanking Prolines Modulate Intrinsically Disordered Protein:Target Affinity by Altering the Lifetime of the Bound Complex.

Appropriate integration of cellular signals requires a delicate balance of ligand-target binding affinities. Increasing the level of residual structure in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which are overrepresented in these cellular processes, has been shown previously to enhance binding affinities and alter cellular function. Conserved proline residues are commonly found flanking regions of IDPs that become helical upon interacting with a partner protein. Here, we mutate these helix-flanking prolines in p53 and MLL and find opposite effects on binding affinity upon an increase in free IDP helicity. In both cases, changes in affinity were due to alterations in dissociation, not association, rate constants, which is inconsistent with conformational selection mechanisms. We conclude that, contrary to previous suggestions, helix-flanking prolines do not regulate affinity by modulating the rate of complex formation. Instead, they influence binding affinities by controlling the lifetime of the bound complex.