Frataxin, a molecule of mystery: trading stability for function in its iron-binding site

2010 ◽  
Vol 426 (2) ◽  
pp. e1-e3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darius J. R. Lane ◽  
Des R. Richardson

What are the structural implications for iron binding by frataxin, the mitochondrial protein whose decreased expression results in Friedreich's ataxia? Though frataxin has been shown to be essential for proper handling of iron within mitochondria (e.g. for iron–sulfur cluster and haem biosynthesis), its exact molecular function remains unclear. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Correia and colleagues investigate the relationship between structure and function at the putative iron-binding site of Yfh1 (yeast frataxin). Using a host of Yfh1 combination point mutants, the authors observe that the presence of a semi-conserved pocket of negative charge within the ‘acidic ridge’ region (thought to be responsible for iron binding) only mildly enhances Yfh1's ability to bind iron, though it does significantly increase the protein's structural flexibility. The general emerging view is that frataxin's keystone role in mitochondrial iron metabolism depends on iron binding. This appears to have downstream effects on protein–protein interactions that are crucial for frataxin function. The current results reveal a somewhat delicate relationship between iron binding and structural plasticity that may help unravel the enigma of frataxin's metabolic roles.

F1000Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Nazan Walpoth ◽  
Burak Erman

Protein-protein interactions are the key processes responsible for signaling and function in complex networks. Determining the correct binding partners and predicting the ligand binding sites in the absence of experimental data require predictive models. Hybrid models that combine quantitative atomistic calculations with statistical thermodynamics formulations are valuable tools for bioinformatics predictions. We present a hybrid prediction and analysis model for determining putative binding partners and interpreting the resulting correlations in the yet functionally uncharacterized interactions of the ryanodine RyR2 N-terminal domain. Using extensive docking calculations and libraries of hexameric peptides generated from regulator proteins of the RyR2 channel, we show that the residues 318-323 of protein kinase A, PKA, have a very high affinity for the N-terminal of RyR2. Using a coarse grained Elastic Net Model, we show that the binding site lies at the end of a pathway of evolutionarily conserved residues in RyR2. The two disease causing mutations are also on this path. The program for the prediction of the energetically responsive residues by the Elastic Net Model is freely available on request from the corresponding author.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 5146-5154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie Schultz ◽  
Stephanie Nottrott ◽  
Nicholas James Watkins ◽  
Reinhard Lührmann

ABSTRACT The k-turn-binding protein 15.5K is unique in that it is essential for the hierarchical assembly of three RNP complexes distinct in both composition and function, namely, the U4/U6 snRNP, the box C/D snoRNP, and the RNP complex assembled on the U3 box B/C motif. 15.5K interacts with the cognate RNAs via an induced fit mechanism, which results in the folding of the surrounding RNA to create a binding site(s) for the RNP-specific proteins. However, it is possible that 15.5K also mediates RNP formation via protein-protein interactions with the complex-specific proteins. To investigate this possibility, we created a series of 15.5K mutations in which the surface properties of the protein had been changed. We assessed their ability to support the formation of the three distinct RNP complexes and found that the formation of each RNP requires a distinct set of regions on the surface of 15.5K. This implies that protein-protein contacts are essential for RNP formation in each complex. Further supporting this idea, direct protein-protein interaction could be observed between hU3-55K and 15.5K. In conclusion, our data suggest that the formation of each RNP involves the direct recognition of specific elements in both 15.5K protein and the specific RNA.


Author(s):  
Rohan Dandage ◽  
Caroline M Berger ◽  
Isabelle Gagnon-Arsenault ◽  
Kyung-Mee Moon ◽  
Richard Greg Stacey ◽  
...  

Abstract Hybrids between species often show extreme phenotypes, including some that take place at the molecular level. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes of an interspecies diploid hybrid in terms of protein-protein interactions inferred from protein correlation profiling. We used two yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum, which are interfertile, but yet have proteins diverged enough to be differentiated using mass spectrometry. Most of the protein-protein interactions are similar between hybrid and parents, and are consistent with the assembly of chimeric complexes, which we validated using an orthogonal approach for the prefoldin complex. We also identified instances of altered protein-protein interactions in the hybrid, for instance in complexes related to proteostasis and in mitochondrial protein complexes. Overall, this study uncovers the likely frequent occurrence of chimeric protein complexes with few exceptions, which may result from incompatibilities or imbalances between the parental proteins.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar ◽  
E. Brad Thompson

Abstract The N-terminal domains (NTDs) of many members of the nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) family contain potent transcription-activating functions (AFs). Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of the NTD AFs has lagged, compared with that concerning other important domains of the NHRs. In part, this is because the NTD AFs appear to be unfolded when expressed as recombinant proteins. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the structure and function of the NTD AFs. Recombinant NTD AFs can be made to fold by application of certain osmolytes or when expressed in conjunction with a DNA-binding domain by binding that DNA-binding domain to a DNA response element. The sequence of the DNA binding site may affect the functional state of the AFs domain. If properly folded, NTD AFs can bind certain cofactors and primary transcription factors. Through these, and/or by direct interactions, the NTD AFs may interact with the AF2 domain in the ligand binding, carboxy-terminal portion of the NHRs. We propose models for the folding of the NTD AFs and their protein-protein interactions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navneet Sidhu ◽  
John F. Dawson

A purified F-actin-derived actin trimer that interacts with end-binding proteins did not activate or bind the side-binding protein myosin under rigor conditions. Remodeling of the actin trimer by the binding of gelsolin did not rescue myosin binding, nor did the use of different means of inhibiting the polymerization of the trimer. Our results demonstrate that ADP-ribosylation on all actin subunits of an F-actin-derived trimer inhibits myosin binding and that the binding of DNase-I to the pointed end subunits of a crosslinked trimer also remodels the myosin binding site. Taken together, this work highlights the need for a careful balance between modification of actin subunits and maintaining protein–protein interactions to produce a physiologically relevant short F-actin complex.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327482097667
Author(s):  
Ju-Yueh Li ◽  
Chia-Jung Li ◽  
Li-Te Lin ◽  
Kuan-Hao Tsui

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Here, we aimed to study the expression and function of the CREB1 gene in ovarian cancer via the bioinformatic analyses of multiple databases. Previously, the prognosis of ovarian cancer was based on single-factor or single-gene studies. In this study, different bioinformatics tools (such as TCGA, GEPIA, UALCAN, MEXPRESS, and Metascape) have been used to assess the expression and prognostic value of the CREB1 gene. We used the Reactome and cBioPortal databases to identify and analyze CREB1 mutations, copy number changes, expression changes, and protein–protein interactions. By analyzing data on the CREB1 differential expression in ovarian cancer tissues and normal tissues from 12 studies collected from the “Human Protein Atlas” database, we found a significantly higher expression of CREB1 in normal ovarian tissues. Using this database, we collected information on the expression of 25 different CREB-related proteins, including TP53, AKT1, and AKT3. The enrichment of these factors depended on tumor metabolism, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Individualized tumors based on gene therapy related to prognosis have become a new possibility. In summary, we established a new type of prognostic gene profile for ovarian cancer using the tools of bioinformatics.


Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (10) ◽  
pp. 2920-2932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goran Jovanovic ◽  
Christoph Engl ◽  
Antony J. Mayhew ◽  
Patricia C. Burrows ◽  
Martin Buck

The phage-shock-protein (Psp) response maintains the proton-motive force (pmf) under extracytoplasmic stress conditions that impair the inner membrane (IM) in bacterial cells. In Escherichia coli transcription of the pspABCDE and pspG genes requires activation of σ 54-RNA polymerase by the enhancer-binding protein PspF. A regulatory network comprising PspF–A–C–B–ArcB controls psp expression. One key regulatory point is the negative control of PspF imposed by its binding to PspA. It has been proposed that under stress conditions, the IM-bound sensors PspB and PspC receive and transduce the signal(s) to PspA via protein–protein interactions, resulting in the release of the PspA–PspF inhibitory complex and the consequent induction of psp. In this work we demonstrate that PspB self-associates and interacts with PspC via putative IM regions. We present evidence suggesting that PspC has two topologies and that conserved residue G48 and the putative leucine zipper motif are determinants required for PspA interaction and signal transduction upon stress. We also establish that PspC directly interacts with the effector PspG, and show that PspG self-associates. These results are discussed in the context of formation and function of the Psp regulatory complex.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (21) ◽  
pp. 11531-11540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Khoury ◽  
David Bilder

A polarized architecture is central to both epithelial structure and function. In many cells, polarity involves mutual antagonism between the Par complex and the Scribble (Scrib) module. While molecular mechanisms underlying Par-mediated apical determination are well-understood, how Scrib module proteins specify the basolateral domain remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate dependent and independent activities of Scrib, Discs-large (Dlg), and Lethal giant larvae (Lgl) using theDrosophilafollicle epithelium. Our data support a linear hierarchy for localization, but rule out previously proposed protein–protein interactions as essential for polarization. Cortical recruitment of Scrib does not require palmitoylation or polar phospholipid binding but instead an independent cortically stabilizing activity of Dlg. Scrib and Dlg do not directly antagonize atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), but may instead restrict aPKC localization by enabling the aPKC-inhibiting activity of Lgl. Importantly, while Scrib, Dlg, and Lgl are each required, all three together are not sufficient to antagonize the Par complex. Our data demonstrate previously unappreciated diversity of function within the Scrib module and begin to define the elusive molecular functions of Scrib and Dlg.


2004 ◽  
Vol 377 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy W. PECK ◽  
Emma T. BOWDEN ◽  
Peter D. BURBELO

Snf7p (sucrose non-fermenting) and Vps20p (vacuolar protein-sorting) are small coil-coiled proteins involved in yeast MVB (multivesicular body) structure, formation and function. In the present study, we report the identification of three human homologues of yeast Snf7p, designated hSnf7-1, hSnf7-2 and hSnf7-3, and a single human Vps20p homologue, designated hVps20, that may have similar roles in humans. Immunofluorescence studies showed that hSnf7-1 and hSnf7-3 localized in large vesicular structures that also co-localized with late endosomal/lysosomal structures induced by overexpressing an ATPase-defective Vps4-A mutant. In contrast, overexpressed hVps20 showed a typical endosomal membrane-staining pattern, and co-expression of hVps20 with Snf7-1 dispersed the large Snf7-staining vesicles. Interestingly, overexpression of both hSnf7 and hVps20 proteins induced a post-endosomal defect in cholesterol sorting. To explore possible protein–protein interactions involving hSnf7 proteins, we used information from yeast genomic studies showing that yeast Snf7p can interact with proteins involved in MVB function. Using a glutathione S-transferase-capture approach with several mammalian homologues of such yeast Snf7p-interacting proteins, we found that all three hSnf7s interacted with mouse AIP1 [ALG-2 (apoptosis-linked gene 2) interacting protein 1], a mammalian Bro1p [BCK1 (bypass of C kinase)-like resistance to osmotic shock]-containing protein involved in cellular vacuolization and apoptosis. Whereas mapping experiments showed that the N-terminus of AIP1 containing both a Bro1 and an α-helical domain were required for interaction with hSnf7-1, Snf7-1 did not interact with another human Bro1-containing molecule, rhophilin-2. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the in vivo interaction of hSnf7-1 and AIP1. Additional immunofluorescence experiments showed that hSnf7-1 recruited cytosolic AIP1 to the Snf7-induced vacuolar-like structures. Together these results suggest that mammalian Vps20, AIP1 and Snf7 proteins, like their yeast counterparts, play roles in MVB function.


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