scholarly journals Probing topology and dynamics of the second transmembrane domain (M2δ) of the acetyl choline receptor using magnetically aligned lipid bilayers (bicelles) and EPR spectroscopy

2017 ◽  
Vol 206 ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indra D. Sahu ◽  
Daniel J. Mayo ◽  
Nidhi Subbaraman ◽  
Johnson J. Inbaraj ◽  
Robert M. McCarrick ◽  
...  
2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. F150-F163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Leal-Pinto ◽  
B. Eleazar Cohen ◽  
Michael S. Lipkowitz ◽  
Ruth G. Abramson

Recombinant protein, designated hUAT, the human homologue of the rat urate transporter/channel (UAT), functions as a highly selective urate channel in lipid bilayers. Functional analysis indicates that hUAT activity, like UAT, is selectively blocked by oxonate from its cytosolic side, whereas pyrazinoate and adenosine selectively block from the channel's extracellular face. Importantly, hUAT is a galectin, a protein with two β-galactoside binding domains that bind lactose. Lactose significantly increased hUAT open probability but only when added to the channel's extracellular side. This effect on open probability was mimicked by glucose, but not ribose, suggesting a role for extracellular glucose in regulating hUAT channel activity. These functional observations support a four-transmembrane-domain structural model of hUAT, as previously predicted from the primary structure of UAT. hUAT and UAT, however, are not functionally identical: hUAT has a significantly lower single-channel conductance and open probability is voltage independent. These differences suggest that evolutionary changes in specific amino acids in these highly homologous proteins are functionally relevant in defining these biophysical properties.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (45) ◽  
pp. 22556-22566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Wang ◽  
Pavanjeet Kaur ◽  
Zhen-Yu J. Sun ◽  
Mostafa A. Elbahnasawy ◽  
Zahra Hayati ◽  
...  

The membrane proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp) 41 is an attractive vaccine target for elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) by vaccination. However, current details regarding the quaternary structural organization of the MPER within the native prefusion trimer [(gp120/41)3] are elusive and even contradictory, hindering rational MPER immunogen design. To better understand the structural topology of the MPER on the lipid bilayer, the adjacent transmembrane domain (TMD) was appended (MPER-TMD) and studied. Membrane insertion of the MPER-TMD was sensitive both to the TMD sequence and cytoplasmic residues. Antigen binding of MPER-specific bNAbs, in particular 10E8 and DH511.2_K3, was significantly impacted by the presence of the TMD. Furthermore, MPER-TMD assembly into 10-nm diameter nanodiscs revealed a heterogeneous membrane array comprised largely of monomers and dimers, as enumerated by bNAb Fab binding using single-particle electron microscopy analysis, arguing against preferential trimeric association of native MPER and TMD protein segments. Moreover, introduction of isoleucine mutations in the C-terminal heptad repeat to induce an extended MPER α-helical bundle structure yielded an antigenicity profile of cell surface-arrayed Env variants inconsistent with that found in the native prefusion state. In line with these observations, electron paramagnetic resonance analysis suggested that 10E8 inhibits viral membrane fusion by lifting the MPER N-terminal region out of the viral membrane, mandating the exposure of residues that would be occluded by MPER trimerization. Collectively, our data suggest that the MPER is not a stable trimer, but rather a dynamic segment adapted for structural changes accompanying fusion.


2001 ◽  
Vol 357 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip WASHBOURNE ◽  
Victor CANSINO ◽  
James R. MATHEWS ◽  
Margaret GRAHAM ◽  
Robert D. BURGOYNE ◽  
...  

The release of neurotransmitter at a synapse occurs via the regulated fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. The fusion of the two lipid bilayers is mediated by a protein complex that includes the plasma membrane target soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptors (t-SNAREs), syntaxin 1A and synaptosome-associated protein of 25kDa (SNAP-25), and the vesicle SNARE (v-SNARE), vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP). Whereas syntaxin 1A and VAMP are tethered to the membrane by a C-terminal transmembrane domain, SNAP-25 has been suggested to be anchored to the membrane via four palmitoylated cysteine residues. We demonstrate that the cysteine residues of SNAP-25 are not required for membrane localization when syntaxin 1A is present. Analysis of the 7S and 20S complexes formed by mutants that lack cysteine residues demonstrates that the cysteines are required for efficient SNARE complex dissociation. Furthermore, these mutants are unable to support exocytosis, as demonstrated by a PC12 cell secretion assay. We hypothesize that syntaxin 1A serves to direct newly synthesized SNAP-25 through the Golgi transport pathway to the axons and synapses, and that palmitoylation of cysteine residues is not required for targeting, but to optimize interactions required for SNARE complex dissociation.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 2011-2011
Author(s):  
Craig N. Streu ◽  
David Thomas Moore ◽  
Paul C. Billings ◽  
Patrik Nygren ◽  
Karen P. Fong ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2011 Although both talin and kindlin-3 binding to the β3 cytoplasmic domain are required for agonist-induced αIIbβ3 activation in platelets, the biochemical basis for this dual requirement is not clear. Recent NMR and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies of disulfide-stabilized complexes containing the full cytoplasmic domains of αIIb and β3 dispersed in detergent micelles or lipid bilayers revealed that the β3 cytoplasmic domain consists of three helices: a stable proximal helix contiguous with the transmembrane domain and two distal dynamic amphiphilic helices whose fluctuations allow interaction of the helices with lipid bilayers or cytoplasmic proteins. These results suggest a cooperative model for talin and kindlin-3 binding to β3 with the talin and kindlin-3 binding sites kinetically- and thermodynamically-linked. Whether there is a preferred temporal sequence for kindlin-3 versus talin binding to β3 during physiological αIIbβ3 activation in platelets is not known, but the greater mobility of the kindlin-3 binding site suggests it might have a kinetic advantage over talin, assuming both are present in appropriate forms for binding. Much is known about the structure and function of talin, but substantially less is known about kindlin-3 in part because it has not been possible to express the complete molecule in bacterial expression systems. To address this issue, we have examined kindlin-3 expression and function in human platelets. Two kindlin-3 isoforms have been identified, a long form (Mr ∼ 76 kDa; accession: NM_178443) and a short form (Mr ∼75 kDa accession: NM_031471), that differ by the presence of 4 residues (RIPR; residues 360–363) in the PH domain of the long isoform. Using highly purified platelet and leukocyte RNA and RT PCR, we found that kindlin-3 expressed in platelets and leukocytes consist almost entirely of the 663 amino acid short isoform. Kindlin-3 present in platelet extracts is functionally active and spontaneously binds to the β3 cytoplasmic domain in pull down assays. Moreover, because kindlin-3 binding is abrogated by the β3 mutations S752P and T759A, but not T759F, the in vitro binding of kindlin-3 does not appear to be phosphorylation dependent. Further, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy suggests that the PH domain of kindlin-3 partially drives membrane binding in the presence of phospholipids. Treatment of washed human platelets with the PAR1-activating peptide TRAP-6 (SFLLRNP) resulted in the rapid incorporation of kindlin-3 present in the platelet cytosol into the platelet cytoskeleton. We also found that kindlin-3 is present in dense fractions when platelets extracts were fractionated on sucrose gradients. Likewise, immunofluorescent images of platelets adherent to fibrinogen and platelet immuno-electron microscopy detected the presence of kindlin-3 in vesicular structures. Finally, using out-dated human platelets as starting material, we purified kindlin-3 to near homogeneity by the sequential use of ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. These results provide a foundation for understanding the unique role that kindlin-3 plays in regulating the activity of platelet αIIbβ3. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2017 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 505a
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Arbuckle ◽  
Kathleen P. Howard ◽  
Tyler Alexander ◽  
Catherine Crouch

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagardip Majumder ◽  
Patrick T. Willey ◽  
Maxwell S. DeNies ◽  
Allen P. Liu ◽  
G.W. Gant Luxton

ABSTRACTThe linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) is a conserved nuclear envelope-spanning molecular bridge that is responsible for the mechanical integration of the nucleus with the cytoskeleton. LINC complexes are formed by a transluminal interaction between the outer and inner nuclear membrane KASH and SUN proteins, respectively. Despite recent structural insights, our mechanistic understanding of LINC complex assembly remains limited by the lack of an experimental system for its in vitro reconstitution and manipulation. Here, we describe artificial nuclear membranes (ANMs) as a synthetic biology platform based on mammalian cell-free expression for the rapid reconstitution of SUN proteins in supported lipid bilayers. We demonstrate that SUN1 and SUN2 are oriented in ANMs with solvent-exposed C-terminal KASH-binding SUN domains. We also find that SUN2 possesses a single transmembrane domain, while SUN1 possesses three. Finally, SUN protein-containing ANMs bind synthetic KASH peptides, thereby reconstituting the LINC complex core. This work represents the first in vitro reconstitution of KASH-binding SUN proteins in supported lipid bilayers using cell-free expression, which will be invaluable for testing proposed models of LINC complex assembly and its regulation.


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