Structure of UBE2K-Ub/E3/polyUb reveals mechanisms of K48-linked Ub chain extension.

Ubiquitin (Ub) chain types govern distinct biological processes. K48-linked polyUb chains target substrates for proteasomal degradation, but the mechanism of Ub chain synthesis remains elusive due to the transient nature of Ub handover. Here, we present the structure of a chemically trapped complex of the E2 UBE2K covalently linked to donor Ub and acceptor K48-linked di-Ub, primed for K48-linked Ub chain synthesis by a RING E3. The structure reveals the basis for acceptor Ub recognition by UBE2K active site residues and the C-terminal Ub-associated (UBA) domain, to impart K48-linked Ub specificity and catalysis. Furthermore, the structure unveils multiple Ub-binding surfaces on the UBA domain that allow distinct binding modes for K48- and K63-linked Ub chains. This multivalent Ub-binding feature serves to recruit UBE2K to ubiquitinated substrates to overcome weak acceptor Ub affinity and thereby promote chain elongation. These findings elucidate the mechanism of processive K48-linked polyUb chain formation by UBE2K.

A Gcn5-Related N-Acetyltransferase (GNAT) Capable of Acetylating Polymyxin B and Colistin Antibiotics in Vitro.

Deeper exploration of uncharacterized Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases has the potential to expand our knowledge of the types of molecules that can be acylated by this important superfamily of enzymes and may offer new opportunities for biotechnological applications. While determining native or biologically relevant in vivo functions of uncharacterized proteins is ideal, their alternative or promiscuous in vitro capabilities provide insight into key active site interactions. Additionally, this knowledge can be exploited to selectively modify complex molecules and reduce byproducts when synthetic routes become challenging. During our exploration of uncharacterized Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we identified such an example. We found that the PA3944 enzyme acetylates both polymyxin B and colistin on a single diaminobutyric acid residue closest to the macrocyclic ring of the antimicrobial peptide and determined the PA3944 crystal structure. This finding is important for several reasons. (1) To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of enzymatic acylation of polymyxins and thus reveals a new type of substrate that this enzyme family can use. (2) The enzymatic acetylation offers a controlled method for antibiotic modification compared to classical promiscuous chemical methods. (3) The site of acetylation would reduce the overall positive charge of the molecule, which is important for reducing nephrotoxic effects and may be a salvage strategy for this important class of antibiotics. While the physiological substrate for this enzyme remains unknown, our structural and functional characterization of PA3944 offers insight into its unique noncanonical substrate specificity.

4-Hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate reductase from Neisseria gonorrhoeae - structure and interactions with coenzymes and substrate analog.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, an obligate human pathogen, is a leading cause of communicable diseases globally. Due to rapid development of drug resistance, the rate of successfully curing gonococcal infections is rapidly decreasing. Hence, research is being directed toward finding alternative drugs or drug targets to help eradicate these infections. 4-Hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate reductase (DapB), an important enzyme in the meso-diaminopimelate pathway, is a promising target for the development of new antibiotics. This manuscript describes the first structure of DapB from N. gonorrhoeae determined at 1.85 Å. This enzyme uses NAD(P)H as cofactor. Details of the interactions of the enzyme with its cofactors and a substrate analog/inhibitor are discussed. A large scale bioinformatics analysis of DapBs' sequences is also described.

Structural, Functional, and Immunological Characterization of Profilin Panallergens Amb a 8, Art v 4, and Bet v 2.

Ragweed allergens affect several million people in the United States and Canada. To date, only two ragweed allergens, Amb t 5 and Amb a 11, have their structures determined and deposited to the Protein Data Bank. Here, we present structures of methylated ragweed allergen Amb a 8, Amb a 8 in the presence of poly(l-proline), and Art v 4 (mugwort allergen). Amb a 8 and Art v 4 are panallergens belonging to the profilin family of proteins. They share significant sequence and structural similarities, which results in cross-recognition by IgE antibodies. Molecular and immunological properties of Amb a 8 and Art v 4 are compared with those of Bet v 2 (birch pollen allergen) as well as with other allergenic profilins. We purified recombinant allergens that are recognized by patient IgE and are highly cross-reactive. It was determined that the analyzed allergens are relatively unstable. Structures of Amb a 8 in complex with poly(l-proline)10 or poly(l-proline)14 are the first structures of the plant profilin in complex with proline-rich peptides. Amb a 8 binds the poly(l-proline) in a mode similar to that observed in human, mouse, and P. falciparum profilin·peptide complexes. However, only some of the residues that form the peptide binding site are conserved.

Insight into the 3D structure and substrate specificity of previously uncharacterized GNAT superfamily acetyltransferases from pathogenic bacteria.

Members of the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily catalyze the acetylation of a wide range of small molecule and protein substrates. Due to their abundance in all kingdoms of life and diversity of their functions, they are implicated in many aspects of eukaryotic and prokaryotic physiology. Although numerous GNATs have been identified thus far, many remain structurally and functionally uncharacterized. The elucidation of their structures and functions is critical for broadening our knowledge of this diverse and important superfamily. In this work, we present the structural and kinetic analyses of two previously uncharacterized bacterial acetyltransferases - SACOL1063 from Staphylococcus aureus strain COL and CD1211 from Clostridium difficile strain 630. Our structures of SACOL1063 show substantial flexibility of a loop that is likely responsible for substrate recognition and binding compared to structures of other homologs. In the CoA complex structure, we found two CoA molecules bound in both the canonical AcCoA/CoA-binding site and the acceptor-substrate-binding site. Our work also provides initial clues regarding the substrate specificity of these two enzymes; however, their native function(s) remain unknown. We found both proteins act as N- rather than O-acetyltransferases and preferentially acetylate l-threonine. The combination of structural and kinetic analyses of these two previously uncharacterized GNATs provides fundamental knowledge and a framework on which future studies can be built to elucidate their native functions.

Structural Analysis of Der p 1-Antibody Complexes and Comparison with Complexes of Proteins or Peptides with Monoclonal Antibodies.

Der p 1 is a major allergen from the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, that belongs to the papain-like cysteine protease family. To investigate the antigenic determinants of Der p 1, we determined two crystal structures of Der p 1 in complex with the Fab fragments of mAbs 5H8 or 10B9. Epitopes for these two Der p 1-specific Abs are located in different, nonoverlapping parts of the Der p 1 molecule. Nevertheless, surface area and identity of the amino acid residues involved in hydrogen bonds between allergen and Ab are similar. The epitope for mAb 10B9 only showed a partial overlap with the previously reported epitope for mAb 4C1, a cross-reactive mAb that binds Der p 1 and its homolog Der f 1 from Dermatophagoides farinae. Upon binding to Der p 1, the Fab fragment of mAb 10B9 was found to form a very rare α helix in its third CDR of the H chain. To provide an overview of the surface properties of the interfaces formed by the complexes of Der p 1-10B9 and Der p 1-5H8, along with the complexes of 4C1 with Der p 1 and Der f 1, a broad analysis of the surfaces and hydrogen bonds of all complexes of Fab-protein or Fab-peptide was performed. This work provides detailed insight into the cross-reactive and specific allergen-Ab interactions in group 1 mite allergens. The surface data of Fab-protein and Fab-peptide interfaces can be used in the design of conformational epitopes with reduced Ab binding for immunotherapy.

The RNase H-like superfamily: new members, comparative structural analysis and evolutionary classification.

Ribonuclease H-like (RNHL) superfamily, also called the retroviral integrase superfamily, groups together numerous enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism and implicated in many biological processes, including replication, homologous recombination, DNA repair, transposition and RNA interference. The RNHL superfamily proteins show extensive divergence of sequences and structures. We conducted database searches to identify members of the RNHL superfamily (including those previously unknown), yielding >60 000 unique domain sequences. Our analysis led to the identification of new RNHL superfamily members, such as RRXRR (PF14239), DUF460 (PF04312, COG2433), DUF3010 (PF11215), DUF429 (PF04250 and COG2410, COG4328, COG4923), DUF1092 (PF06485), COG5558, OrfB_IS605 (PF01385, COG0675) and Peptidase_A17 (PF05380). Based on the clustering analysis we grouped all identified RNHL domain sequences into 152 families. Phylogenetic studies revealed relationships between these families, and suggested a possible history of the evolution of RNHL fold and its active site. Our results revealed clear division of the RNHL superfamily into exonucleases and endonucleases. Structural analyses of features characteristic for particular groups revealed a correlation between the orientation of the C-terminal helix with the exonuclease/endonuclease function and the architecture of the active site. Our analysis provides a comprehensive picture of sequence-structure-function relationships in the RNHL superfamily that may guide functional studies of the previously uncharacterized protein families.

Structural, functional, and inhibition studies of a Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily protein PA4794: a new C-terminal lysine protein acetyltransferase from pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily is a large group of evolutionarily related acetyltransferases, with multiple paralogs in organisms from all kingdoms of life. The functionally characterized GNATs have been shown to catalyze the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) to the amine of a wide range of substrates, including small molecules and proteins. GNATs are prevalent and implicated in a myriad of aspects of eukaryotic and prokaryotic physiology, but functions of many GNATs remain unknown. In this work, we used a multi-pronged approach of x-ray crystallography and biochemical characterization to elucidate the sequence-structure-function relationship of the GNAT superfamily member PA4794 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We determined that PA4794 acetylates the Nε amine of a C-terminal lysine residue of a peptide, suggesting it is a protein acetyltransferase specific for a C-terminal lysine of a substrate protein or proteins. Furthermore, we identified a number of molecules, including cephalosporin antibiotics, which are inhibitors of PA4794 and bind in its substrate-binding site. Often, these molecules mimic the conformation of the acetylated peptide product. We have determined structures of PA4794 in the apo-form, in complexes with Ac-CoA, CoA, several antibiotics and other small molecules, and a ternary complex with the products of the reaction: CoA and acetylated peptide. Also, we analyzed PA4794 mutants to identify residues important for substrate binding and catalysis.

Structure and function of the peanut panallergen Ara h 8.

The incidence of peanut allergy continues to rise in the United States and Europe. Whereas exposure to the major allergens Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 6 can cause fatal anaphylaxis, exposure to the minor allergens usually does not. Ara h 8 is a minor allergen. Importantly, it is the minor food allergens that are thought to be responsible for oral allergy syndrome (OAS), in which sensitization to airborne allergens causes a Type 2 allergic reaction to ingested foods. Furthermore, it is believed that similar protein structure rather than a similar linear sequence is the cause of OAS. Bet v 1 from birch pollen is a common sensitizing agent, and OAS results when patients consume certain fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and peanuts. Here, we report the three-dimensional structure of Ara h 8, a Bet v 1 homolog. The overall fold is very similar to that of Bet v 1, Api g 1 (celery), Gly m 4 (soy), and Pru av 1 (cherry). Ara h 8 binds the isoflavones quercetin and apigenin as well as resveratrol avidly.

Serum albumins-unusual allergens.

BACKGROUND: Albumins are multifunctional proteins present in the blood serum of animals. They can bind and transport a wide variety of ligands which they accommodate due to their conformational flexibility. Serum albumins are highly conserved both in amino acid sequence and three-dimensional structure. Several mammalian and avian serum albumins (SAs) are also allergens. Sensitization to one of the SAs coupled with the high degree of conservation between SAs may result in cross-reactive antibodies in allergic individuals. Sensitivity to SA generally begins with exposure to an aeroallergen, which can then lead to cross-sensitization to serum albumins present in food. SCOPE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on the allergenicity of SAs presented in a structural context. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: SA allergenicity is unusual taking into account the high sequence identity and similarity between SA from different species and human serum albumin. Cross-reactivity of human antibodies towards different SAs is one of the most important characteristics of these allergens. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing a relationship between sequence and structure of different SAs and their interactions with antibodies is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of cross-sensitization of atopic individuals. Structural information can also lead to better design and production of recombinant SAs to replace natural proteins in allergy testing and desensitization. Therefore, structural analyses are important for diagnostic and treatment purposes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin.

Molecular determinants for antibody binding on group 1 house dust mite allergens.

House dust mites produce potent allergens, Der p 1 and Der f 1, that cause allergic sensitization and asthma. Der p 1 and Der f 1 are cysteine proteases that elicit IgE responses in 80% of mite-allergic subjects and have proinflammatory properties. Their antigenic structure is unknown. Here, we present crystal structures of natural Der p 1 and Der f 1 in complex with a monoclonal antibody, 4C1, which binds to a unique cross-reactive epitope on both allergens associated with IgE recognition. The 4C1 epitope is formed by almost identical amino acid sequences and contact residues. Mutations of the contact residues abrogate mAb 4C1 binding and reduce IgE antibody binding. These surface-exposed residues are molecular targets that can be exploited for development of recombinant allergen vaccines.

Alternaria alternata allergen Alt a 1: a unique ß-barrel protein dimer found exclusively in fungi.

BACKGROUND: Alternaria species is one of the most common molds associated with allergic diseases, and 80% of Alternaria species-sensitive patients produce IgE antibodies to a major protein allergen, Alt a 1. The structure and function of Alt a 1 is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to obtain a high-resolution structure of Alt a 1 using x-ray crystallography and to investigate structural relationships between Alt a 1 and other allergens and proteins reported in the Protein Data Bank. METHODS: X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structure of Alt a 1 by using a custom-designed set of crystallization conditions. An initial Alt a 1 model was determined by the application of a Ta(6)Br(12)(2+) cluster and single-wavelength anomalous diffraction. Bioinformatic analyses were used to compare the Alt a 1 sequence and structure with that of other proteins. RESULTS: Alt a 1 is a unique ß-barrel comprising 11 ß-strands and forms a "butterfly-like" dimer linked by a single disulfide bond with a large (1345 Å(2)) dimer interface. Intramolecular disulfide bonds are conserved among Alt a 1 homologs. Currently, the Alt a 1 structure has no equivalent in the Protein Data Bank. Bioinformatics analyses suggest that the structure is found exclusively in fungi. Four previously reported putative IgE-binding peptides have been located on the Alt a 1 structure. CONCLUSIONS: Alt a 1 has a unique, dimeric ß-barrel structure that appears to define a new protein family with unknown function found exclusively in fungi. The location of IgE antibody-binding epitopes is in agreement with the structural analysis of Alt a 1. The Alt a 1 structure will allow mechanistic structure/function studies and immunologic studies directed toward new forms of immunotherapy for Alternaria species-sensitive allergic patients.

Structural and immunologic characterization of Ara h 1, a major peanut allergen.

Allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts are major causes of anaphylaxis in the United States. We compare different properties of natural and recombinant versions of Ara h 1, a major peanut allergen, through structural, immunologic, and bioinformatics analyses. Small angle x-ray scattering studies show that natural Ara h 1 forms higher molecular weight aggregates in solution. In contrast, the full-length recombinant protein is partially unfolded and exists as a monomer. The crystal structure of the Ara h 1 core (residues 170-586) shows that the central part of the allergen has a bicupin fold, which is in agreement with our bioinformatics analysis. In its crystalline state, the core region of Ara h 1 forms trimeric assemblies, while in solution the protein exists as higher molecular weight assemblies. This finding reveals that the residues forming the core region of the protein are sufficient for formation of Ara h 1 trimers and higher order oligomers. Natural and recombinant variants of proteins tested in in vitro gastric and duodenal digestion assays show that the natural protein is the most stable form, followed by the recombinant Ara h 1 core fragment and the full-length recombinant protein. Additionally, IgE binding studies reveal that the natural and recombinant allergens have different patterns of interaction with IgE antibodies. The molecular basis of cross-reactivity between vicilin allergens is also elucidated.

A multi-faceted analysis of RutD reveals a novel family of α/ß hydrolases.

The rut pathway of pyrimidine catabolism is a novel pathway that allows pyrimidine bases to serve as the sole nitrogen source in suboptimal temperatures. The rut operon in E. coli evaded detection until 2006, yet consists of seven proteins named RutA, RutB, etc. through RutG. The operon is comprised of a pyrimidine transporter and six enzymes that cleave and further process the uracil ring. Herein, we report the structure of RutD, a member of the α/ß hydrolase superfamily, which is proposed to enhance the rate of hydrolysis of aminoacrylate, a toxic side product of uracil degradation, to malonic semialdehyde. Although this reaction will occur spontaneously in water, the toxicity of aminoacrylate necessitates catalysis by RutD for efficient growth with uracil as a nitrogen source. RutD has a novel and conserved arrangement of residues corresponding to the α/ß hydrolase active site, where the nucleophile's spatial position occupied by Ser, Cys, or Asp of the canonical catalytic triad is replaced by histidine. We have used a combination of crystallographic structure determination, modeling and bioinformatics, to propose a novel mechanism for this enzyme. This approach also revealed that RutD represents a previously undescribed family within the α/ß hydrolases. We compare and contrast RutD with PcaD, which is the closest structural homolog to RutD. PcaD is a 3-oxoadipate-enol-lactonase with a classic arrangement of residues in the active site. We have modeled a substrate in the PcaD active site and proposed a reaction mechanism.

Gcn5-Related N-Acetyltransferases (GNATs) With a Catalytic Serine Residue Can Play Ping-Pong Too.

Enzymes in the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily are widespread and critically involved in multiple cellular processes ranging from antibiotic resistance to histone modification. While acetyl transfer is the most widely catalyzed reaction, recent studies have revealed that these enzymes are also capable of performing succinylation, condensation, decarboxylation, and methylcarbamoylation reactions. The canonical chemical mechanism attributed to GNATs is a general acid/base mechanism; however, mounting evidence has cast doubt on the applicability of this mechanism to all GNATs. This study shows that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA3944 enzyme uses a nucleophilic serine residue and a hybrid ping-pong mechanism for catalysis instead of a general acid/base mechanism. To simplify this enzyme's kinetic characterization, we synthesized a polymyxin B substrate analog and performed molecular docking experiments. We performed site-directed mutagenesis of key active site residues (S148 and E102) and determined the structure of the E102A mutant. We found that the serine residue is essential for catalysis toward the synthetic substrate analog and polymyxin B, but the glutamate residue is more likely important for substrate recognition or stabilization. Our results challenge the current paradigm of GNAT mechanisms and show that this common enzyme scaffold utilizes different active site residues to accomplish a diversity of catalytic reactions.

Molecular determinants of vascular transport of dexamethasone in COVID-19 therapy.

Dexamethasone, a widely used corticosteroid, has recently been reported as the first drug to increase the survival chances of patients with severe COVID-19. Therapeutic agents, including dexamethasone, are mostly transported through the body by binding to serum albumin. Herein, we report the first structure of serum albumin in complex with dexamethasone. We show that it binds to Drug Site 7, which is also the binding site for commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and testosterone, suggesting potentially problematic binding competition. This study bridges structural findings with our analysis of publicly available clinical data from Wuhan and suggests that an adjustment of dexamethasone regimen should be considered for patients affected by two major COVID-19 risk-factors: low albumin levels and diabetes.

Molecular determinants of vascular transport of dexamethasone in COVID-19 therapy.

Dexamethasone, a widely used corticosteroid, has recently been reported as the first drug to increase the survival chances of patients with severe COVID-19. Therapeutic agents, including dexamethasone, are mostly transported through the body by binding to serum albumin. Here, the first structure of serum albumin in complex with dexamethasone is reported. Dexamethasone binds to drug site 7, which is also the binding site for commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and testosterone, suggesting potentially problematic binding competition. This study bridges structural findings with an analysis of publicly available clinical data from Wuhan and suggests that an adjustment of the dexamethasone regimen should be further investigated as a strategy for patients affected by two major COVID-19 risk factors: low albumin levels and diabetes.

Testosterone meets albumin - the molecular mechanism of sex hormone transport by serum albumins.

Serum albumin is the most abundant protein in mammalian blood plasma and is responsible for the transport of metals, drugs, and various metabolites, including hormones. We report the first albumin structure in complex with testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. Testosterone is bound in two sites, neither of which overlaps with the previously suggested Sudlow site I. We determined the binding constant of testosterone to equine and human albumins by two different methods: tryptophan fluorescence quenching and ultrafast affinity extraction. The binding studies and similarities between residues comprising the binding sites on serum albumins suggest that testosterone binds to the same sites on both proteins. Our comparative analysis of albumin complexes with hormones, drugs, and other biologically relevant compounds strongly suggests interference between a number of compounds present in blood and testosterone transport by serum albumin. We discuss a possible link between our findings and some phenomena observed in human patients, such as low testosterone levels in diabetic patients.

Generating enzyme and radical-mediated bisubstrates as tools for investigating Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases.

Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNATs) are found in all kingdoms of life and catalyze important acyl transfer reactions in diverse cellular processes. While many 3D structures of GNATs have been determined, most do not contain acceptor substrates in their active sites. To expand upon existing crystallographic strategies for improving acceptor-bound GNAT structures, we synthesized peptide substrate analogs and reacted them with CoA in PA4794 protein crystals. We found two separate mechanisms for bisubstrate formation: (a) a novel X-ray induced radical-mediated alkylation of CoA with an alkene peptide and (b) direct alkylation of CoA with a halogenated peptide. Our approach is widely applicable across the GNAT superfamily and can be used to improve the success rate of obtaining liganded structures of other acyltransferases.

Streptococcus pyogenes quinolinate-salvage pathway-structural and functional studies of quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase and NH3 -dependent NAD+ synthetase.

Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A Strep (GAS), is an obligate human pathogen that is responsible for millions of infections and numerous deaths per year. Infection manifestations can range from simple, acute pharyngitis to more complex, necrotizing fasciitis. To date, most treatments for GAS infections involve the use of common antibiotics including tetracycline and clindamycin. Unfortunately, new strains have been identified that are resistant to these drugs, therefore, new targets must be identified to treat drug-resistant strains. This work is focused on the structural and functional characterization of three proteins: spNadC, spNadD, and spNadE. These enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ ). The structures of spNadC and spNadE were determined. SpNadC is suggested to play a role in GAS virulence, while spNadE, functions as an NAD synthetase and is considered to be a new drug target. Determination of the spNadE structure uncovered a putative, NH3 channel, which may provide insight into the mechanistic details of NH3 -dependent NAD+ synthetases in prokaryotes. ENZYMES: Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase: EC2.4.2.19 and NAD synthetase: EC6.3.1.5. DATABASE: Protein structures for spNadC, spNadCΔ69A , and spNadE are deposited into Protein Data Bank under the accession codes 5HUL, 5HUO & 5HUP, and 5HUH & 5HUJ, respectively.