Identification of an inhibitory pocket in falcilysin provides a new avenue for malaria drug development.

Identification of new druggable protein targets remains the key challenge in the current antimalarial development efforts. Here we used mass-spectrometry-based cellular thermal shift assay (MS-CETSA) to identify potential targets of several antimalarials and drug candidates. We found that falcilysin (FLN) is a common binding partner for several drug candidates such as MK-4815, MMV000848, and MMV665806 but also interacts with quinoline drugs such as chloroquine and mefloquine. Enzymatic assays showed that these compounds can inhibit FLN proteolytic activity. Their interaction with FLN was explored systematically by isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography, revealing a shared hydrophobic pocket in the catalytic chamber of the enzyme. Characterization of transgenic cell lines with lowered FLN expression demonstrated statistically significant increases in susceptibility toward MK-4815, MMV000848, and several quinolines. Importantly, the hydrophobic pocket of FLN appears amenable to inhibition and the structures reported here can guide the development of novel drugs against malaria.

Functional and immunological mapping of domains of the reticulocyte binding protein, Plasmodium vivax PvRBP2a.

We previously described a novel Plasmodium vivax invasion mechanism into human reticulocytes via the PvRBP2a-CD98 receptor-ligand pair. We assessed the PvRBP2a epitopes involved in CD98 binding and recognised by antibodies from infected patients using linear epitope mapping. We identified two epitope clusters mediating PvRBP2a-CD98 interaction. One cluster named cluster B (PvRBP2a431-448, TAALKEKGKLLANLYNKL) was the target of antibody responses in P. vivax-infected humans. Peptides from each cluster were able to prevent live parasite invasion of human reticulocytes. These results provide new insights for development of a malaria blood stage vaccine against P. vivax.

A highly conserved ligand-binding site for AccA transporters of antibiotic and quorum-sensing regulator in Agrobacterium leads to a different specificity.

Plants genetically modified by the pathogenic Agrobacterium strain C58 synthesize agrocinopines A and B, whereas those modified by the pathogenic strain Bo542 produce agrocinopines C and D. The four agrocinopines (A, B, C and D) serve as nutrients by agrobacteria and signaling molecule for the dissemination of virulence genes. They share the uncommon pyranose-2-phosphate motif, represented by the l-arabinopyranose moiety in agrocinopines A/B and the d-glucopyranose moiety in agrocinopines C/D, also found in the antibiotic agrocin 84. They are imported into agrobacterial cytoplasm via the Acc transport system, including the solute-binding protein AccA coupled to an ABC transporter. We have previously shown that unexpectedly, AccA from strain C58 (AccAC58) recognizes the pyranose-2-phosphate motif present in all four agrocinopines and agrocin 84, meaning that strain C58 is able to import agrocinopines C/D, originating from the competitor strain Bo542. Here, using agrocinopine derivatives and combining crystallography, affinity and stability measurements, modeling, molecular dynamics, in vitro and vivo assays, we show that AccABo542 and AccAC58 behave differently despite 75% sequence identity and a nearly identical ligand binding site. Indeed, strain Bo542 imports only compounds containing the d-glucopyranose-2-phosphate moiety, and with a lower affinity compared with strain C58. This difference in import efficiency makes C58 more competitive than Bo542 in culture media. We can now explain why Agrobacterium/Allorhizobium vitis strain S4 is insensitive to agrocin 84, although its genome contains a conserved Acc transport system. Overall, our work highlights AccA proteins as a case study, for which stability and dynamics drive specificity.

Identification and structural validation of purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Plasmodium falciparum as a target of MMV000848.

About 247 million cases of malaria occurred in 2021 with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the majority of 619,000 deaths. In the absence of a widely available vaccine, chemotherapy remains crucial to prevent, treat, and contain the disease. The efficacy of several drugs currently used in the clinic is likely to suffer from the emergence of resistant parasites. A global effort to identify lead compounds led to several initiatives such as the Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV), a repository of compounds showing promising efficacy in killing the parasite in cell-based assays. Here, we used mass spectrometry coupled with cellular thermal shift assay to identify putative protein targets of MMV000848, a compound with an in vitro EC50 of 0.5 µM against the parasite. Thermal shift assays showed a strong increase of P. falciparum purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PfPNP) melting temperature by up to 15 °C upon incubation with MMV000848. Binding and enzymatic assays returned a KD of 1.52 ± 0.495 µM and an IC50 value of 21.5 ± 2.36 µM. The inhibition is competitive with respect to the substrate, as confirmed by a cocrystal structure of PfPNP bound with MMV000848 at the active site, determined at 1.85 Å resolution. In contrast to transition states inhibitors, MMV000848 specifically inhibits the parasite enzyme but not the human ortholog. An isobologram analysis shows subadditivity with immucillin H and with quinine respectively, suggesting overlapping modes of action between these compounds. These results point to PfPNP as a promising antimalarial target and suggest avenues to improve inhibitor potency.

On the design of a constitutively active peptide asparaginyl ligase for facile protein conjugation.

Peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs) are precision tools for peptide cyclization, cell-surface labelling, protein semisynthesis and protein conjugation. PALs are expressed as inactive proenzymes requiring low pH activation. During activation, a large portion of the cap domain of the proenzyme that covers the substrate binding site is proteolytically removed, exposing the active site to solvent and releasing a population of heterogenous active enzymes. The availability of a readily active ligase not requiring acid activation and subsequent purification of active forms would facilitate manufacturing and streamline applications. Here, we engineered the OaAEP1b-C247A hyperactive ligase via serial truncations along the linker connecting the cap and core domain of the proenzyme. The recombinant expression of the truncated constructs was carried out in Escherichia coli. Following a solubilization/refolding protocol, one truncated construct termed 'OaAEP1b-C247A-∆351' could be overexpressed in the insoluble fraction, purified, and displayed a level of ligase activity comparable to the acid-activated OaAEP1b-C247A enzyme. This constitutively active protein can be stored for up to 2 years at -80 °C and readily used for peptide cyclization and protein conjugation. We were able to express and purify a stable constitutively active asparaginyl ligase that can be stored for months without significant activity loss. The removal of the low pH proenzyme activation step eliminates the heterogeneity introduced by this procedure. The yield of purified recombinant active ligase that can be routinely obtained per 100 mL of E. coli cell culture is about 0.9 mg. This recombinant active ligase can be used to carry out protein conjugation.

Engineering SARS-CoV-2 specific cocktail antibodies into a bispecific format improves neutralizing potency and breadth.

One major limitation of neutralizing antibody-based COVID-19 therapy is the requirement of costly cocktails to reduce emergence of antibody resistance. Here we engineer two bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) using distinct designs and compared them with parental antibodies and their cocktail. Single molecules of both bsAbs block the two epitopes targeted by parental antibodies on the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, bsAb with the IgG-(scFv)2 design (14-H-06) but not the CrossMAb design (14-crs-06) shows increased antigen-binding and virus-neutralizing activities against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as increased breadth of neutralizing activity compared to the cocktail. X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM reveal distinct binding models for individual cocktail antibodies, and computational simulations suggest higher inter-spike crosslinking potentials by 14-H-06 than 14-crs-06. In mouse models of infections by SARS-CoV-2 and multiple variants, 14-H-06 exhibits higher or equivalent therapeutic efficacy than the cocktail. Rationally engineered bsAbs represent a cost-effective alternative to antibody cocktails and a promising strategy to improve potency and breadth.

Structural basis for proenzyme maturation, substrate recognition, and ligation by a hyperactive peptide asparaginyl ligase.

Peptide ligases are versatile enzymes that can be utilized for precise protein conjugation for bioengineering applications. Hyperactive peptide asparaginyl ligases (PALs), such as butelase-1, belong to a small class of enzymes from cyclotide-producing plants that can perform site-specific, rapid ligation reactions after a target peptide asparagine/aspartic acid (Asx) residue binds to the active site of the ligase. How PALs specifically recognize their polypeptide substrates has remained elusive, especially at the prime binding side of the enzyme. Here we report crystal structures that capture VyPAL2, a catalytically efficient PAL from Viola yedoensis, in an activated state, with and without a bound substrate. The bound structure shows one ligase with the N-terminal polypeptide tail from another ligase molecule trapped at its active site, revealing how Asx inserts in the enzyme's S1 pocket and why a hydrophobic residue is required at the P2' position. Besides illustrating the anchoring role played by P1 and P2' residues, these results uncover a role for the Gatekeeper residue at the surface of the S2 pocket in shifting the nonprime portion of the substrate and, as a result, the activity toward ligation or hydrolysis. These results suggest a picture for proenzyme maturation in the vacuole and will inform the rational design of peptide ligases with tailored specificities.

Engineering SARS-CoV-2 cocktail antibodies into a bispecific format improves neutralizing potency and breadth.

One major limitation of neutralizing antibody-based COVID-19 therapy is the requirement of costly cocktails to reduce antibody resistance. We engineered two bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) using distinct designs and compared them with parental antibodies and their cocktail. Single molecules of both bsAbs block the two epitopes targeted by parental antibodies on the receptor-binding domain (RBD). However, bsAb with the IgG-(scFv) 2 design (14-H-06) but not the CrossMAb design (14-crs-06) increases antigen-binding and virus-neutralizing activities and spectrum against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants including the Omicron, than the cocktail. X-ray crystallography and computational simulations reveal distinct neutralizing mechanisms for individual cocktail antibodies and suggest higher inter-spike crosslinking potentials by 14-H-06 than 14-crs-06. In mouse models of infections by SARS-CoV-2 and the Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants, 14-H-06 exhibits higher or equivalent therapeutic efficacy than the cocktail. Rationally engineered bsAbs represent a cost-effective alternative to antibody cocktails and a promising strategy to improve potency and breadth.

Purification of Dengue and Zika Virus Non-structural Protein 5 for Crystallization and Screening of Antivirals.

Dengue Virus (DENV) and ZIKA Virus (ZIKV) are two important human pathogens that belong to the Flavivirus genus of positive strand RNA viruses. Symptoms of DENV infections range from asymptomatic or mild fever to life-threatening forms, while ZIKV can lead to teratogenic effects such as microcephaly in newborns and neurological disease like the Guillain-Barré syndrome.Non-Structural Protein 5 (NS5) is the largest and most conserved enzyme across flaviviruses and hence constitutes a prime target for developing pan-flavivirus antiviral inhibitors. NS5 results from the gene fusion between a methyltransferase at the N-terminus of the protein and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) at the C-terminal end. The NS5 protein plays key roles in replication and modification of viral RNA and its inhibition by potent antiviral drugs could prevent severe symptoms associated with infections.We have optimized purification and crystallization protocols to obtain active recombinant proteins suitable for structure-based drug discovery for both the full-length NS5 protein and the polymerase domain of NS5 from DENV and ZIKV .

Plasmodium vivax binds host CD98hc (SLC3A2) to enter immature red blood cells.

More than one-third of the world's population is exposed to Plasmodium vivax malaria, mainly in Asia1. P. vivax preferentially invades reticulocytes (immature red blood cells)2-4. Previous work has identified 11 parasite proteins involved in reticulocyte invasion, including erythrocyte binding protein 2 (ref. 5) and the reticulocyte-binding proteins (PvRBPs)6-10. PvRBP2b binds to the transferrin receptor CD71 (ref. 11), which is selectively expressed on immature reticulocytes12. Here, we identified CD98 heavy chain (CD98), a heteromeric amino acid transporter from the SLC3 family (also known as SLCA2), as a reticulocyte-specific receptor for the PvRBP2a parasite ligand using mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, biochemical and parasite invasion assays. We characterized the expression level of CD98 at the surface of immature reticulocytes (CD71+) and identified an interaction between CD98 and PvRBP2a expressed at the merozoite surface. Our results identify CD98 as an additional host membrane protein, besides CD71, that is directly associated with P. vivax reticulocyte tropism. These findings highlight the potential of using PvRBP2a as a vaccine target against P. vivax malaria.

The SiaABC threonine phosphorylation pathway controls biofilm formation in response to carbon availability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The critical role of bacterial biofilms in chronic human infections calls for novel anti-biofilm strategies targeting the regulation of biofilm development. However, the regulation of biofilm development is very complex and can include multiple, highly interconnected signal transduction/response pathways, which are incompletely understood. We demonstrated previously that in the opportunistic, human pathogen P. aeruginosa, the PP2C-like protein phosphatase SiaA and the di-guanylate cyclase SiaD control the formation of macroscopic cellular aggregates, a type of suspended biofilms, in response to surfactant stress. In this study, we demonstrate that the SiaABC proteins represent a signal response pathway that functions through a partner switch mechanism to control biofilm formation. We also demonstrate that SiaABCD functionality is dependent on carbon substrate availability for a variety of substrates, and that upon carbon starvation, SiaB mutants show impaired dispersal, in particular with the primary fermentation product ethanol. This suggests that carbon availability is at least one of the key environmental cues integrated by the SiaABCD system. Further, our biochemical, physiological and crystallographic data reveals that the phosphatase SiaA and its kinase counterpart SiaB balance the phosphorylation status of their target protein SiaC at threonine 68 (T68). Crystallographic analysis of the SiaA-PP2C domain shows that SiaA is present as a dimer. Dynamic modelling of SiaA with SiaC suggested that SiaA interacts strongly with phosphorylated SiaC and dissociates rapidly upon dephosphorylation of SiaC. Further, we show that the known phosphatase inhibitor fumonisin inhibits SiaA mediated phosphatase activity in vitro. In conclusion, the present work improves our understanding of how P. aeuruginosa integrates specific environmental conditions, such as carbon availability and surfactant stress, to regulate cellular aggregation and biofilm formation. With the biochemical and structural characterization of SiaA, initial data on the catalytic inhibition of SiaA, and the interaction between SiaA and SiaC, our study identifies promising targets for the development of biofilm-interference drugs to combat infections of this aggressive opportunistic pathogen.

Modulation of Lymphocyte Potassium Channel KV1.3 by Membrane-Penetrating, Joint-Targeting Immunomodulatory Plant Defensin.

We describe a cysteine-rich, membrane-penetrating, joint-targeting, and remarkably stable peptide, EgK5, that modulates voltage-gated KV1.3 potassium channels in T lymphocytes by a distinctive mechanism. EgK5 enters plasma membranes and binds to KV1.3, causing current run-down by a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-dependent mechanism. EgK5 exhibits selectivity for KV1.3 over other channels, receptors, transporters, and enzymes. EgK5 suppresses antigen-triggered proliferation of effector memory T cells, a subset enriched among pathogenic autoreactive T cells in autoimmune disease. PET-CT imaging with 18F-labeled EgK5 shows accumulation of the peptide in large and small joints of rodents. In keeping with its arthrotropism, EgK5 treats disease in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. It was also effective in treating disease in a rat model of atopic dermatitis. No signs of toxicity are observed at 10-100 times the in vivo dose. EgK5 shows promise for clinical development as a therapeutic for autoimmune diseases.

Crystal structures of full length DENV4 NS2B-NS3 reveal the dynamic interaction between NS2B and NS3.

Flavivirus is a genus of the Flaviviridae family which includes significant emerging and re-emerging human disease-causing arboviruses such as dengue and Zika viruses. Flaviviral non-structural protein 3 (NS3) protease-helicase plays essential roles in viral replication and is an attractive antiviral target. A construct which connects the cytoplasmic cofactor region of NS2B and NS3 protease with an artificial glycine-rich flexible linker has been widely used for structural, biochemical and drug-screening studies. The effect of this linker on the dynamics and enzymatic activity of the protease has been studied by several biochemical and NMR methods but the findings remained inconclusive. Here, we designed and carried out a comparative study of constructs of NS2B cofactor joined to the full length DENV4 NS3 in three different ways, namely bNS2B47NS3 (bivalent), eNS2B47NS3(enzymatically cleavable) and gNS2B47NS3 (glycine-rich linker). We report the crystal structures of linked and unlinked NS2B47-NS3 constructs in their free state and in complex with bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These structures demonstrate that the NS2B cofactor predominantly adopts a closed conformation in complex with full-length NS3. The glycine-rich linker between NS2B and NS3 may promote the open conformation which interferes with protease activity. This negative impact on the enzyme structure and function is restricted to the protease activity as the ATPase activity is not affected in vitro.

Non-nucleoside Inhibitors of Zika Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase.

Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a potentially significant public health concern because it can cause teratogenic effects, such as microcephaly in newborns and neurological disease, like Guillain-Barré syndrome. Together with efforts to develop a vaccine, the discovery of antiviral molecules is important to control ZIKV infections and to prevent its most severe symptoms. Here, we report the development of small nonnucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) of ZIKV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity. These NNIs target an allosteric pocket (N pocket) located next to a putative hinge region between the thumb and the palm subdomains that was originally described for dengue virus (DENV) RdRp. We first tested the activity of DENV RdRp N-pocket inhibitors against ZIKV RdRp, introduced chemical modifications into these molecules, and assessed their potency using both enzymatic and cell-based assays. The most potent compound had a 50% inhibitory concentration value of 7.3 µM and inhibited ZIKV replication in a cell-based assay with a 50% effective concentration value of 24.3 µM. Importantly, we report four high-resolution crystal structures detailing how these NNIs insert into the N pocket of ZIKV RdRp. Our observations point to subtle differences in the size, shape, chemical environment, and hydration of the N pocket from ZIKV RdRp from those of the N pocket from DENV RdRp that are crucial for the design of improved antiviral inhibitors with activity against ZIKV.IMPORTANCE Zika virus belongs to the Flavivirus genus, which comprises several important human pathogens. There is currently neither an approved vaccine nor antiviral drugs available to prevent infection by ZIKV. The nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) polymerase, which is responsible for replicating the viral RNA genome, represents one of the most promising targets for antiviral drug development. Starting from compounds recently developed against dengue virus NS5, we designed and synthesized inhibitors targeting Zika virus NS5. We show that these novel compounds inhibit viral replication by targeting the polymerase activity. High-resolution X-ray crystallographic structures of protein-inhibitor complexes demonstrated specific binding to an allosteric site within the polymerase, called the N pocket. This work paves the way for the future structure-based design of potent compounds specifically targeting ZIKV RNA polymerase activity.

Structure of the human metapneumovirus polymerase phosphoprotein complex.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cause severe respiratory diseases in infants and elderly adults1. No vaccine or effective antiviral therapy currently exists to control RSV or HMPV infections. During viral genome replication and transcription, the tetrameric phosphoprotein P serves as a crucial adaptor between the ribonucleoprotein template and the L protein, which has RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), GDP polyribonucleotidyltransferase and cap-specific methyltransferase activities2,3. How P interacts with L and mediates the association with the free form of N and with the ribonucleoprotein is not clear for HMPV or other major human pathogens, including the viruses that cause measles, Ebola and rabies. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction that shows the ring-shaped structure of the polymerase and capping domains of HMPV-L bound to a tetramer of P. The connector and methyltransferase domains of L are mobile with respect to the core. The putative priming loop that is important for the initiation of RNA synthesis is fully retracted, which leaves space in the active-site cavity for RNA elongation. P interacts extensively with the N-terminal region of L, burying more than 4,016 Å2 of the molecular surface area in the interface. Two of the four helices that form the coiled-coil tetramerization domain of P, and long C-terminal extensions projecting from these two helices, wrap around the L protein in a manner similar to tentacles. The structural versatility of the four P protomers-which are largely disordered in their free state-demonstrates an example of a 'folding-upon-partner-binding' mechanism for carrying out P adaptor functions. The structure shows that P has the potential to modulate multiple functions of L and these results should accelerate the design of specific antiviral drugs.

NS5 from Dengue Virus Serotype 2 Can Adopt a Conformation Analogous to That of Its Zika Virus and Japanese Encephalitis Virus Homologues.

Flavivirus nonstructural protein 5 (NS5) contains an N-terminal methyltransferase (MTase) domain and a C-terminal polymerase (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [RdRp]) domain fused through a 9-amino-acid linker. While the individual NS5 domains are structurally conserved, in the full-length protein, their relative orientations fall into two classes: the NS5 proteins from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) adopt one conformation, while the NS5 protein from dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV3) adopts another. Here, we report a crystallographic structure of NS5 from DENV2 in a conformation similar to the extended one seen in JEV and ZIKV NS5 crystal structures. Replacement of the DENV2 NS5 linker with DENV1, DENV3, DENV4, JEV, and ZIKV NS5 linkers had modest or minimal effects on in vitro DENV2 MTase and RdRp activities. Heterotypic DENV NS5 linkers attenuated DENV2 replicon growth in cells, while the JEV and ZIKV NS5 linkers abolished replication. Thus, the JEV and ZIKV linkers likely hindered essential DENV2 NS5 interactions with other viral or host proteins within the virus replicative complex. Overall, this work sheds light on the dynamics of the multifunctional flavivirus NS5 protein and its interdomain linker. Targeting the NS5 linker is a possible strategy for producing attenuated flavivirus strains for vaccine design.IMPORTANCE Flaviviruses include important human pathogens, such as dengue virus and Zika virus. NS5 is a nonstructural protein essential for flavivirus RNA replication with dual MTase and RdRp enzyme activities and thus constitutes a major drug target. Insights into NS5 structure, dynamics, and evolution should inform the development of antiviral inhibitors and vaccine design. We found that NS5 from DENV2 can adopt a conformation resembling that of NS5 from JEV and ZIKV. Replacement of the DENV2 NS5 linker with the JEV and ZIKV NS5 linkers abolished DENV2 replication in cells, without significantly impacting in vitro DENV2 NS5 enzymatic activities. We propose that heterotypic flavivirus NS5 linkers impede DENV2 NS5 protein-protein interactions that are essential for virus replication.

Pyruvate Kinase Regulates the Pentose-Phosphate Pathway in Response to Hypoxia in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In response to the stress of infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) reprograms its metabolism to accommodate nutrient and energetic demands in a changing environment. Pyruvate kinase (PYK) is an essential glycolytic enzyme in the phosphoenolpyruvate-pyruvate-oxaloacetate node that is a central switch point for carbon flux distribution. Here we show that the competitive binding of pentose monophosphate inhibitors or the activator glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) to MtbPYK tightly regulates the metabolic flux. Intriguingly, pentose monophosphates were found to share the same binding site with G6P. The determination of a crystal structure of MtbPYK with bound ribose 5-phosphate (R5P), combined with biochemical analyses and molecular dynamic simulations, revealed that the allosteric inhibitor pentose monophosphate increases PYK structural dynamics, weakens the structural network communication, and impairs substrate binding. G6P, on the other hand, primes and activates the tetramer by decreasing protein flexibility and strengthening allosteric coupling. Therefore, we propose that MtbPYK uses these differences in conformational dynamics to up- and down-regulate enzymic activity. Importantly, metabolome profiling in mycobacteria reveals a significant increase in the levels of pentose monophosphate during hypoxia, which provides insights into how PYK uses dynamics of the tetramer as a competitive allosteric mechanism to retard glycolysis and facilitate metabolic reprogramming toward the pentose-phosphate pathway for achieving redox balance and an anticipatory metabolic response in Mtb.

Structural determinants for peptide-bond formation by asparaginyl ligases.

Asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) are cysteine proteases which break Asx (Asn/Asp)-Xaa bonds in acidic conditions. Despite sharing a conserved overall structure with AEPs, certain plant enzymes such as butelase 1 act as a peptide asparaginyl ligase (PAL) and catalyze Asx-Xaa bond formation in near-neutral conditions. PALs also serve as macrocyclases in the biosynthesis of cyclic peptides. Here, we address the question of how a PAL can function as a ligase rather than a protease. Based on sequence homology of butelase 1, we identified AEPs and PALs from the cyclic peptide-producing plants Viola yedoensis (Vy) and Viola canadensis (Vc) of the Violaceae family. Using a crystal structure of a PAL obtained at 2.4-Å resolution coupled to mutagenesis studies, we discovered ligase-activity determinants flanking the S1 site, namely LAD1 and LAD2 located around the S2 and S1' sites, respectively, which modulate ligase activity by controlling the accessibility of water or amine nucleophile to the S-ester intermediate. Recombinantly expressed VyPAL1-3, predicted to be PALs, were confirmed to be ligases by functional studies. In addition, mutagenesis studies on VyPAL1-3, VyAEP1, and VcAEP supported our prediction that LAD1 and LAD2 are important for ligase activity. In particular, mutagenesis targeting LAD2 selectively enhanced the ligase activity of VyPAL3 and converted the protease VcAEP into a ligase. The definition of structural determinants required for ligation activity of the asparaginyl ligases presented here will facilitate genomic identification of PALs and engineering of AEPs into PALs.

Defining the structural basis for human alloantibody binding to human leukocyte antigen allele HLA-A*11:01.

Our understanding of the conformational and electrostatic determinants that underlie targeting of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) by anti-HLA alloantibodies is principally based upon in silico modelling. Here we provide a biochemical/biophysical and functional characterization of a human monoclonal alloantibody specific for a common HLA type, HLA-A*11:01. We present a 2.4 Å resolution map of the binding interface of this antibody on HLA-A*11:01 and compare the structural determinants with those utilized by T-cell receptor (TCR), killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and CD8 on the same molecule. These data provide a mechanistic insight into the paratope-epitope relationship between an alloantibody and its target HLA molecule in a biological context where other immune receptors are concomitantly engaged. This has important implications for our interpretation of serologic binding patterns of anti-HLA antibodies in sensitized individuals and thus, for the biology of human alloresponses.

Synthesis of a non-natural glucose-2-phosphate ester able to dupe the acc system of Agrobacterium fabrum.

The first non-natural derivative of the rare d-glucose-2-phosphate (G2P), namely glucose-2-(O-lactic acid phosphate) (G2LP), has been synthesized. When used as sole carbon source, G2LP enables bacterial growth of the plant pathogenic strain Agrobacterium fabrum C58 (formerly referred to as Agrobacterium tumefaciens). X-ray crystallography and affinity measurements investigations reveal that G2LP binds the periplasmic binding protein (PBP) AccA similarly to the natural compounds and with the same affinity. Moreover, enzymatic assays show that it is able to serve as substrate of the phosphodiesterase AccF. The properties found for G2LP demonstrate that the very unusual glucose-2-phosphoryl residue, present in G2LP, can be used as structural feature for designing non-natural systems fully compatible with the Acc cascade of A. fabrum.