The C-terminal region of the human p23 chaperone modulates its structure and function.

The p23 protein is a chaperone widely involved in protein homeostasis, well known as an Hsp90 co-chaperone since it also controls the Hsp90 chaperone cycle. Human p23 includes a ß-sheet domain, responsible for interacting with Hsp90; and a charged C-terminal region whose function is not clear, but seems to be natively unfolded. p23 can undergo caspase-dependent proteolytic cleavage to form p19 (p231-142), which is involved in apoptosis, while p23 has anti-apoptotic activity. To better elucidate the function of the human p23 C-terminal region, we studied comparatively the full-length human p23 and three C-terminal truncation mutants: p231₋117; p231₋131 and p231₋142. Our data indicate that p23 and p19 have distinct characteristics, whereas the other two truncations behave similarly, with some differences to p23 and p19. We found that part of the C-terminal region can fold in an α-helix conformation and slightly contributes to p23 thermal-stability, suggesting that the C-terminal interacts with the ß-sheet domain. As a whole, our results suggest that the C-terminal region of p23 is critical for its structure-function relationship. A mechanism where the human p23 C-terminal region behaves as an activation/inhibition module for different p23 activities is proposed.

Mutant p53 aggregates into prion-like amyloid oligomers and fibrils: implications for cancer.

Over 50% of all human cancers lose p53 function. To evaluate the role of aggregation in cancer, we asked whether wild-type (WT) p53 and the hot-spot mutant R248Q could aggregate as amyloids under physiological conditions and whether the mutant could seed aggregation of the wild-type form. The central domains (p53C) of both constructs aggregated into a mixture of oligomers and fibrils. R248Q had a greater tendency to aggregate than WT p53. Full-length p53 aggregated into amyloid-like species that bound thioflavin T. The amyloid nature of the aggregates was demonstrated using x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, FTIR, dynamic light scattering, cell viabilility assay, and anti-amyloid immunoassay. The x-ray diffraction pattern of the fibrillar aggregates was consistent with the typical conformation of cross ß-sheet amyloid fibers with reflexions of 4.7 Å and 10 Å. A seed of R248Q p53C amyloid oligomers and fibrils accelerated the aggregation of WT p53C, a behavior typical of a prion. The R248Q mutant co-localized with amyloid-like species in a breast cancer sample, which further supported its prion-like effect. A tumor cell line containing mutant p53 also revealed massive aggregation of p53 in the nucleus. We conclude that aggregation of p53 into a mixture of oligomers and fibrils sequestrates the native protein into an inactive conformation that is typical of a prionoid. This prion-like behavior of oncogenic p53 mutants provides an explanation for the negative dominance effect and may serve as a potential target for cancer therapy.

Assembly principles of the human R2TP chaperone complex reveal the presence of R2T and R2P complexes.

R2TP is a highly conserved chaperone complex formed by two AAA+ ATPases, RUVBL1 and RUVBL2, that associate with PIH1D1 and RPAP3 proteins. R2TP acts in promoting macromolecular complex formation. Here, we establish the principles of R2TP assembly. Three distinct RUVBL1/2-based complexes are identified: R2TP, RUVBL1/2-RPAP3 (R2T), and RUVBL1/2-PIH1D1 (R2P). Interestingly, we find that PIH1D1 does not bind to RUVBL1/RUVBL2 in R2TP and does not function as a nucleotide exchange factor; instead, RPAP3 is found to be the central subunit coordinating R2TP architecture and linking PIH1D1 and RUVBL1/2. We also report that RPAP3 contains an intrinsically disordered N-terminal domain mediating interactions with substrates whose sequences are primarily enriched for Armadillo repeat domains and other helical-type domains. Our work provides a clear and consistent model of R2TP complex structure and gives important insights into how a chaperone machine concerned with assembly of folded proteins into multisubunit complexes might work.

Stoichiometry and thermodynamics of the interaction between the C-terminus of human 90kDa heat shock protein Hsp90 and the mitochondrial translocase of outer membrane Tom70.

A large majority of the 1000-1500 proteins in the mitochondria are encoded by the nuclear genome, and therefore, they are translated in the cytosol in the form and contain signals to enable the import of proteins into the organelle. The TOM complex is the major translocase of the outer membrane responsible for preprotein translocation. It consists of a general import pore complex and two membrane import receptors, Tom20 and Tom70. Tom70 contains a characteristic TPR domain, which is a docking site for the Hsp70 and Hsp90 chaperones. These chaperones are involved in protecting cytosolic preproteins from aggregation and then in delivering them to the TOM complex. Although highly significant, many aspects of the interaction between Tom70 and Hsp90 are still uncertain. Thus, we used biophysical tools to study the interaction between the C-terminal domain of Hsp90 (C-Hsp90), which contains the EEVD motif that binds to TPR domains, and the cytosolic fragment of Tom70. The results indicate a stoichiometry of binding of one monomer of Tom70 per dimer of C-Hsp90 with a K(D) of 360±30nM, and the stoichiometry and thermodynamic parameters obtained suggested that Tom70 presents a different mechanism of interaction with Hsp90 when compared with other TPR proteins investigated.

Human mitochondrial import receptor Tom70 functions as a monomer.

The mitochondrial import receptor Tom70 (translocase of the mitochondrial outer membrane 70) interacts with chaperone-preprotein complexes through two domains: one that binds Hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70)/Hsc70 (heat-shock cognate 70) and Hsp90, and a second that binds preproteins. The oligomeric state of Tom70 has been controversial, with evidence for both monomeric and homodimeric forms. In the present paper, we report that the functional state of human Tom70 appears to be a monomer with mechanistic implications for its function in mitochondrial protein import. Based on analytical ultracentrifugation, cross-linking, size-exclusion chromatography and multi-angle light scattering, we found that the soluble cytosolic fragment of human Tom70 exists in equilibrium between monomer and dimer. A point mutation introduced at the predicted dimer interface increased the percentage of monomeric Tom70. Although chaperone docking to the mutant was the same as to the wild-type, the mutant was significantly more active in preprotein targeting. Cross-linking also demonstrated that the mutant formed stronger contacts with preprotein. However, cross-linking of full-length wild-type Tom70 on the mitochondrial membrane showed little evidence of homodimers. These results indicate that the Tom70 monomers are the functional form of the receptor, whereas the homodimers appear to be a minor population, and may represent an inactive state.

Immunization with recombinant enolase of Sporothrix spp. (rSsEno) confers effective protection against sporotrichosis in mice.

In recent years, research has focused on the immunoreactive components of the Sporothrix schenckii cell wall that can be relevant targets for preventive and therapeutic vaccines against sporotrichosis, an emergent worldwide mycosis. In a previous study, we identified a 47-kDa enolase as an immunodominant antigen in mice vaccinated with an adjuvanted mixture of S. schenckii cell wall proteins. Here, we sought to assess the protective potential of a Sporothrix spp. recombinant enolase (rSsEno) formulated with or without the adjuvant Montanide Pet-GelA (PGA) against the S. brasiliensis infection in mice. Mice that were immunized with rSsEno plus PGA showed increased antibody titters against rSsEno and increased median survival time when challenged with S. brasiliensis as compared with mice that had not been immunized or that were immunized with rSsEno alone. Immunization with rSsEno plus PGA induced a predominantly T-helper 1 cytokine pattern after in vitro stimulation of splenic cells with rSsEno: elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-2, as well as of other cytokines involved in host defense against sporotrichosis, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-4. Furthermore, we show for the first time the presence of enolase in the cell wall of both S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis. As a whole, our results suggest that enolase could be used as a potential antigenic target for vaccinal purposes against sporotrichosis.

Structural and functional studies of the Leishmania braziliensis SGT co-chaperone indicate that it shares structural features with HIP and can interact with both Hsp90 and Hsp70 with similar affinities.

Molecular chaperones and co-chaperones play an essential role in the life cycles of protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. The small glutamine-rich TPR-containing protein (SGT) is a co-chaperone that can be divided into three domains: N-terminal, tetratricopeptide (TPR) and C-terminal. The TPR domain is responsible for interactions with both Hsp70 and Hsp90; however, the mechanism of interaction and the functionality of SGT are unclear. In this context, we present the structural and functional characterization of Leishmania braziliensis SGT (LbSGT), aiming to elucidate how this co-chaperone interacts with the Hsp90/Hsp70 chaperone machinery. Structurally, the recombinant LbSGT behaves as an α-helical, multidomain and elongated dimer in solution. Despite their low amino acid sequence identity and similarity, LbSGT shares structural properties and domain organization with the Hsp70-interacting protein (HIP) co-chaperone. Functionally, LbSGT is a cognate protein in L. braziliensis promastigote cells and interacts indiscriminately, with similar affinities, with both Hsp90 and Hsp70 chaperones, capable of working as an adaptor protein. Sequence analysis indicates that LbSGT interacts via a dicarboxylate clamp, the same mechanism used by the Hsp90-Hsp70-organizing protein (HOP) co-chaperone. These results suggest that SGT can develop the same function as HOP but using the HIP structural scaffold.

Crystallization of the Lys49 PLA2 homologue, myotoxin II, from the venom of Atropoides nummifer.

Myotoxin II, a Lys49 catalytically inactive phospholipase A(2) homologue from Atropoides nummifer venom, was purified, characterized and crystallized. The crystals belongs to the tetragonal system, space group P4(3)2(1)2, with unit cell parameters (a=b=68.66 and c=63.87 angstroms). Diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 2.32 angstroms. The crystal structure is currently being determined using molecular replacement techniques.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of suramin, a highly charged polysulfonated napthylurea, complexed with a myotoxic PLA2 from Bothrops asper venom.

Suramin is a highly charged polysulfonated napthylurea that interferes in a number of physiologically relevant processes such as myotoxicity, blood coagulation and several kinds of cancers. This synthetic compound was complexed with a myotoxic Lys49 PLA(2) from Bothrops asper venom and crystallized by the hanging-drop vapor diffusion method at 18 degrees C. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit cell parameters a=49.05, b=63.84 and c=85.67 angstroms. Diffraction data was collected to 1.78 angstroms.

From Conformation to Interaction: Techniques to Explore the Hsp70/Hsp90 Network.

Proteins participate in almost every cell physiological function, and to do so, they need to reach a state that allows its function by folding and/or exposing surfaces of interactions. Spontaneous folding in the cell is in general hindered by its crowded and viscous environment, which favors misfolding and nonspecific and deleterious self-interactions. To overcome this, cells have a system, in which Hsp70 and Hsp90 play a central role to aid protein folding and avoid misfolding. The topics of this review include the biophysical tools used for monitoring protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions and also some important results related to the study of molecular chaperones and heat shock proteins (Hsp), with a focus on the Hsp70/Hsp90 network. The biophysical tools and their use to probe the conformation and interaction of Hsp70 and Hsp90 are briefly reviewed.

The stability of wild-type and deletion mutants of human C-terminus Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP).

Carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) is a dimeric co-chaperone involved in providing an appropriate balance between the synthesis and degradation of proteins, which is essential for normal cellular growth and function. Previous work has shown that CHIP, but not its isolated domains, has chaperone activity that is enhanced by heat. In this work, we investigate how heat and urea affect the stability of its domains. We found that the deletion mutant containing the TPR domain, which binds to chaperones Hsp70 or Hsp90, was monomeric and showed similar folding and stability to WT, while the mutant containing the U-box ubiquitin ligase domain was dimeric but had very low stability. The deletion mutants appeared to maintain most of their structure compared to the WT protein, but the regions around the tryptophan residues, which are at the interface of the domains in the WT structure, appeared to be more unfolded, which indicated that the region of contact between domains is likely important for the chaperone function.

Structural studies of the Trypanosoma cruzi Old Yellow Enzyme: insights into enzyme dynamics and specificity.

The flavoprotein old yellow enzyme of Trypanosoma cruzi (TcOYE) is an oxidoreductase that uses NAD(P)H as cofactor. This enzyme is clinically relevant due to its role in the action mechanism of some trypanocidal drugs used in the treatment of Chagas' disease by producing reactive oxygen species. In this work, the recombinant enzyme TcOYE was produced and collectively, X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation and molecular dynamics provided a detailed description of its structure, specificity and hydrodynamic behavior. The crystallographic structure at 1.27Å showed a classical (α/ß)8 fold with the FMN prosthetic group buried at the positively-charged active-site cleft. In solution, TcOYE behaved as a globular monomer, but it exhibited a molecular envelope larger than that observed in the crystal structure, suggesting intrinsic protein flexibility. Moreover, the binding mode of ß-lapachone, a trypanocidal agent, and other naphthoquinones was investigated by molecular docking and dynamics suggesting that their binding to TcOYE are stabilized mainly by interactions with the isoalloxazine ring from FMN and residues from the active-site pocket.

Human Hsp70/Hsp90 organizing protein (Hop) D456G is a mixture of monomeric and dimeric species.

Hop is a tetratricopeptide repeat domain (TPR)-containing co-chaperone that is able to directly associate with both Hsp70 and Hsp90. Previous data showed that the TPR2A-domain is the primary site for dimerization and that the TPR2B-domain may also play a role in dimerization. We present Hop-D456G, a mutant within the TPR2B-domain, that is a mixture of monomeric and dimeric species.