Characterization of Light-Regulated Protein–Protein Interactions by In Vivo Coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) Assays in Plants

The ubiquitin–proteasome system targets selected proteins for degradation by the 26S proteasome. Rpn12 is an essential component of the 19S regulatory particle and plays a role in recruiting the extrinsic ubiquitin receptor Rpn10. In the present paper we report the crystal structure of Rpn12, a proteasomal PCI-domain-containing protein. The structure helps to define a core structural motif for the PCI domain and identifies potential sites through which Rpn12 might form protein–protein interactions. We demonstrate that mutating residues at one of these sites impairs Rpn12 binding to Rpn10 in vitro and reduces Rpn10 incorporation into proteasomes in vivo.

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In Vivo Methods to Study Protein–Protein Interactions as Key Players in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Virulence

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens8040173 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 173 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Veyron-Churlet ◽

Locht

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Unknown Protein ◽

Protein Functions ◽

Transient Interactions ◽

Protein Complementation

Studies on protein–protein interactions (PPI) can be helpful for the annotation of unknown protein functions and for the understanding of cellular processes, such as specific virulence mechanisms developed by bacterial pathogens. In that context, several methods have been extensively used in recent years for the characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PPI to further decipher tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis. This review aims at compiling the most striking results based on in vivo methods (yeast and bacterial two-hybrid systems, protein complementation assays) for the specific study of PPI in mycobacteria. Moreover, newly developed methods, such as in-cell native mass resonance and proximity-dependent biotinylation identification, will have a deep impact on future mycobacterial research, as they are able to perform dynamic (transient interactions) and integrative (multiprotein complexes) analyses.

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In Vivo Methods to Study Protein-Protein Interactions as Key Players in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence

10.20944/preprints201908.0309.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Romain Veyron-Churlet ◽

Camille Locht

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Protein Function ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Unknown Protein ◽

Transient Interactions ◽

Protein Complementation

Studies on Protein-Protein interactions (PPI) can be helpful for the annotation of unknown protein function and for the understanding of cellular processes, such as specific virulence mechanisms developed by bacterial pathogens. In that context, several methods have been extensively used in recent years for the characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PPI to further decipher TB pathogenesis. This review aims at compiling the most striking results based on in vivo methods (yeast and bacterial two-hybrid systems, protein complementation assays) for the specific study of PPI in mycobacteria. Moreover, newly developed methods, such as in-cell native mass resonance and proximity-dependent biotinylation identification, will have a deep impact on future mycobacterial research, as they are able to perform dynamic (transient interactions) and integrative (multiprotein complexes) analyses.

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A Novel Family of Escherichia coli Toxin-Antitoxin Gene Pairs

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.185.22.6600-6608.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 185 (22) ◽

pp. 6600-6608 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Jason M. Brown ◽

Karen Joy Shaw

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Ectopic Expression ◽

Bacterial Toxin ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Toxin Protein ◽

Essential Enzyme ◽

K 12

ABSTRACT Bacterial toxin-antitoxin protein pairs (TA pairs) encode a toxin protein, which poisons cells by binding and inhibiting an essential enzyme, and an antitoxin protein, which binds the toxin and restores viability. We took an approach that did not rely on sequence homology to search for unidentified TA pairs in the genome of Escherichia coli K-12. Of 32 candidate genes tested, ectopic expression of 6 caused growth inhibition. In this report, we focus on the initial characterization of yeeV, ykfI, and ypjF, a novel family of toxin proteins. Coexpression of the gene upstream of each toxin restored the growth rate to that of the uninduced strain. Unexpectedly, we could not detect in vivo protein-protein interactions between the new toxin and antitoxin pairs. Instead, the antitoxins appeared to function by causing a large reduction in the level of cellular toxin protein.

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Probing the 14-3-3 Isoform-Specificity Profile of Interactions Stabilized by Fusicoccin A

10.26434/chemrxiv.12052869.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

James Frederich ◽

Ananya Sengupta ◽

Josue Liriano ◽

Ewa A. Bienkiewicz ◽

Brian G. Miller

Keyword(s):

Protein Interactions ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Adapter Proteins ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Individual Client ◽

Isoform Specificity ◽

Fusicoccin A

Fusicoccin A (FC) is a fungal phytotoxin that stabilizes protein–protein interactions (PPIs) between 14-3-3 adapter proteins and their phosphoprotein interaction partners. In recent years, FC has emerged as an important chemical probe of human 14-3-3 PPIs implicated in cancer and neurological diseases. These previous studies have established the structural requirements for FC-induced stabilization of 14-3-3·client phosphoprotein complexes; however, the effect of different 14-3-3 isoforms on FC activity has not been systematically explored. This is a relevant question for the continued development of FC variants because there are seven distinct isoforms of 14-3-3 in humans. Despite their remarkable sequence and structural similarities, a growing body of experimental evidence supports both tissue-specific expression of 14-3-3 isoforms and isoform-specific functions <i>in vivo</i>. Herein, we report the isoform-specificity profile of FC <i>in vitro</i>using recombinant human 14-3-3 isoforms and a focused library of fluorescein-labeled hexaphosphopeptides mimicking the C-terminal 14-3-3 recognition domains of client phosphoproteins targeted by FC in cell culture. Our results reveal modest isoform preferences for individual client phospholigands and demonstrate that FC differentially stabilizes PPIs involving 14-3-3s. Together, these data provide strong motivation for the development of non-natural FC variants with enhanced selectivity for individual 14-3-3 isoforms.

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Ways into Understanding HIF Inhibition

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13010159 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 159

Author(s):

Tina Schönberger ◽

Joachim Fandrey ◽

Katrin Prost-Fingerle

Keyword(s):

Protein Interactions ◽

Target Genes ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Low Oxygen ◽

Drug Candidates ◽

Open Questions ◽

Wide Range ◽

Hif Pathway

Hypoxia is a key characteristic of tumor tissue. Cancer cells adapt to low oxygen by activating hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), ensuring their survival and continued growth despite this hostile environment. Therefore, the inhibition of HIFs and their target genes is a promising and emerging field of cancer research. Several drug candidates target protein–protein interactions or transcription mechanisms of the HIF pathway in order to interfere with activation of this pathway, which is deregulated in a wide range of solid and liquid cancers. Although some inhibitors are already in clinical trials, open questions remain with respect to their modes of action. New imaging technologies using luminescent and fluorescent methods or nanobodies to complement widely used approaches such as chromatin immunoprecipitation may help to answer some of these questions. In this review, we aim to summarize current inhibitor classes targeting the HIF pathway and to provide an overview of in vitro and in vivo techniques that could improve the understanding of inhibitor mechanisms. Unravelling the distinct principles regarding how inhibitors work is an indispensable step for efficient clinical applications and safety of anticancer compounds.

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Size-based characterization of adalimumab and TNF-α interactions using flow induced dispersion analysis: assessment of avidity-stabilized multiple bound species

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84113-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Morten E. Pedersen ◽

Ragna M. S. Haegebaert ◽

Jesper Østergaard ◽

Henrik Jensen

Keyword(s):

Protein Interactions ◽

Free Ligand ◽

Local Environment ◽

Dispersion Analysis ◽

Surface Immobilization ◽

Covalent Bonds ◽

Essential Information ◽

Tnf Α

AbstractThe understanding and characterization of protein interactions is crucial for elucidation of complicated biomolecular processes as well as for the development of new biopharmaceutical therapies. Often, protein interactions involve multiple binding, avidity, oligomerization, and are dependent on the local environment. Current analytical methodologies are unable to provide a detailed mechanistic characterization considering all these parameters, since they often rely on surface immobilization, cannot measure under biorelevant conditions, or do not feature a structurally-related readout for indicating formation of multiple bound species. In this work, we report the use of flow induced dispersion analysis (FIDA) for in-solution characterization of complex protein interactions under in vivo like conditions. FIDA is an immobilization-free ligand binding methodology employing Taylor dispersion analysis for measuring the hydrodynamic radius (size) of biomolecular complexes. Here, the FIDA technology is utilized for a size-based characterization of the interaction between TNF-α and adalimumab. We report concentration-dependent complex sizes, binding affinities (Kd), kinetics, and higher order stoichiometries, thus providing essential information on the TNF-α–adalimumab binding mechanism. Furthermore, it is shown that the avidity stabilized complexes involving formation of multiple non-covalent bonds are formed on a longer timescale than the primary complexes formed in a simple 1 to 1 binding event.

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EEF1A2 interacts with HSP90AB1 to promote lung adenocarcinoma metastasis via enhancing TGF-β/SMAD signalling

British Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1038/s41416-020-01250-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Liqing Jia ◽

Xiaolu Ge ◽

Chao Du ◽

Linna Chen ◽

Yanhong Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Elongation Factor ◽

Protein Translation ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Promising Target ◽

Tgfβ Receptor ◽

Mesenchymal Transformation

Abstract Background Eukaryotic protein translation elongation factor 1α2 (EEF1A2) is an oncogene that promotes the progression of breast and pancreatic cancer. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the oncogenic function of EEF1A2 in the metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to study EEF1A2 expression levels in LUAD tissues and cells, respectively. The role of EEF1A2 in LUAD progression were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We identified potential EEF1A2-binding proteins by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. Protein–protein interactions were determined by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results In this study, we report that EEF1A2 mediates the epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT), to promote the metastasis of LUAD cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, EEF1A2 interacts with HSP90AB1 to increase TGFβ Receptor (TβR)-I, and TβRII expression, followed by enhanced SMAD3 and pSMAD3 expression and nuclear localisation, which promotes the EMT of LUAD cells. Overexpression of EEF1A2 in cancer tissues is associated with poor prognosis and short survival of patients with LUAD. Conclusions These findings underscore the molecular functions of EEF1A2 in LUAD metastasis and indicate that EEF1A2 represents a promising target in the treatment of aggressive LUAD.

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Genetic and Molecular Characterization of the Caenorhabditis elegans Gene, mel-26, a Postmeiotic Negative Regulator of MEI-1, a Meiotic-Specific Spindle Component

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/150.1.119 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 150 (1) ◽

pp. 119-128

Author(s):

M Rhys Dow ◽

Paul E Mains

Keyword(s):

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Negative Regulator ◽

Meiotic Spindle ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Protein Protein Interactions ◽

Gain Of Function ◽

Recessive Mutations ◽

Female Germline

Abstract We have previously described the gene mei-1, which encodes an essential component of the Caenorhabditis elegans meiotic spindle. When ectopically expressed after the completion of meiosis, mei-1 protein disrupts the function of the mitotic cleavage spindles. In this article, we describe the cloning and the further genetic characterization of mel-26, a postmeiotic negative regulator of mei-1. mel-26 was originally identified by a gain-of-function mutation. We have reverted this mutation to a loss-of-function allele, which has recessive phenotypes identical to the dominant defects of its gain-of-function parent. Both the dominant and recessive mutations of mel-26 result in mei-1 protein ectopically localized in mitotic spindles and centrosomes, leading to small and misoriented cleavage spindles. The loss-of-function mutation was used to clone mel-26 by transformation rescue. As suggested by genetic results indicating that mel-26 is required only maternally, mel-26 mRNA was expressed predominantly in the female germline. The gene encodes a protein that includes the BTB motif, which is thought to play a role in protein-protein interactions.

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Measuring ligand-dependent and ligand-independent interactions between nuclear receptors and associated proteins using Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET2)

Nuclear Receptor Signaling ◽

10.1621/nrs.04021 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. nrs.04021 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Kristen L. Koterba ◽

Brian G. Rowan

Keyword(s):

Energy Transfer ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Fusion Proteins ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Resonance Energy Transfer ◽

Resonance Energy ◽

Renilla Luciferase ◽

Receptor Protein ◽

Protein Protein Interactions

Bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET2) is a recently developed technology for the measurement of protein-protein interactions in a live, cell-based system. BRET2 is characterized by the efficient transfer of excited energy between a bioluminescent donor molecule (Renilla luciferase) and a fluorescent acceptor molecule (a mutant of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP2)). The BRET2 assay offers advantages over fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) because it does not require an external light source thereby eliminating problems of photobleaching and autoflourescence. The absence of contamination by light results in low background that permits detection of very small changes in the BRET2 signal. BRET2 is dependent on the orientation and distance between two fusion proteins and therefore requires extensive preliminary standardization experiments to conclude a positive BRET2 signal independent of variations in protein titrations and arrangement in tertiary structures. Estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is modulated by steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1). To establish BRET2 in a ligand inducible system we used SRC-1 as the donor moiety and ER as the acceptor moiety. Expression and functionality of the fusion proteins were assessed by transient transfection in HEK-293 cells followed by Western blot analysis and measurement of ER-dependent reporter gene activity. These preliminary determinations are required prior to measuring nuclear receptor protein-protein interactions by BRET2. This article describes in detail the BRET2 methodology for measuring interaction between full-length ER and coregulator proteins in real-time, in an in vivo environment.

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