Amyloid diseases of yeast: prions are proteins acting as genes

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 193-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed B. Wickner ◽  
Herman K. Edskes ◽  
David A. Bateman ◽  
Amy C. Kelly ◽  
Anton Gorkovskiy ◽  
...  

The unusual genetic properties of the non-chromosomal genetic elements [URE3] and [PSI+] led to them being identified as prions (infectious proteins) of Ure2p and Sup35p respectively. Ure2p and Sup35p, and now several other proteins, can form amyloid, a linear ordered polymer of protein monomers, with a part of each molecule, the prion domain, forming the core of this β-sheet structure. Amyloid filaments passed to a new cell seed the conversion of the normal form of the protein into the same amyloid form. The cell's phenotype is affected, usually from the deficiency of the normal form of the protein. Solid-state NMR studies indicate that the yeast prion amyloids are in-register parallel β-sheet structures, in which each residue (e.g. Asn35) forms a row along the filament long axis. The favourable interactions possible for aligned identical hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues are believed to be the mechanism for propagation of amyloid conformation. Thus, just as DNA mediates inheritance by templating its own sequence, these proteins act as genes by templating their conformation. Distinct isolates of a given prion have different biological properties, presumably determined by differences between the amyloid structures. Many lines of evidence indicate that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prions are pathological disease agents, although the example of the [Het-s] prion of Podospora anserina shows that a prion can have beneficial aspects.

2019 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. 1729-1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed B. Wickner

Yeast prions have become important models for the study of the basic mechanisms underlying human amyloid diseases. Yeast prions are pathogenic (unlike the [Het-s] prion of Podospora anserina), and most are amyloid-based with the same in-register parallel β-sheet architecture as most of the disease-causing human amyloids studied. Normal yeast cells eliminate the large majority of prion variants arising, and several anti-prion/anti-amyloid systems that eliminate them have been identified. It is likely that mammalian cells also have anti-amyloid systems, which may be useful in the same way humoral, cellular, and innate immune systems are used to treat or prevent bacterial and viral infections.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed B. Wickner ◽  
Herman K. Edskes ◽  
Moonil Son ◽  
Songsong Wu ◽  
Madaleine Niznikiewicz

Infectious proteins (prions) include an array of human (mammalian) and yeast amyloid diseases in which a protein or peptide forms a linear β-sheet-rich filament, at least one functional amyloid prion, and two functional infectious proteins unrelated to amyloid. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, at least eight anti-prion systems deal with pathogenic amyloid yeast prions by (1) blocking their generation (Ssb1,2, Ssz1, Zuo1), (2) curing most variants as they arise (Btn2, Cur1, Hsp104, Upf1,2,3, Siw14), and (3) limiting the pathogenicity of variants that do arise and propagate (Sis1, Lug1). Known mechanisms include facilitating proper folding of the prion protein (Ssb1,2, Ssz1, Zuo1), producing highly asymmetric segregation of prion filaments in mitosis (Btn2, Hsp104), competing with the amyloid filaments for prion protein monomers (Upf1,2,3), and regulation of levels of inositol polyphosphates (Siw14). It is hoped that the discovery of yeast anti-prion systems and elucidation of their mechanisms will facilitate finding analogous or homologous systems in humans, whose manipulation may be useful in treatment.


2007 ◽  
Vol 111 (30) ◽  
pp. 9172-9178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Suzuki ◽  
Michi Okonogi ◽  
Kazuo Yamauchi ◽  
Hiromichi Kurosu ◽  
Masataka Tansho ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 319-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Toombs ◽  
Blake R. McCarty ◽  
Eric D. Ross

ABSTRACT Numerous prions (infectious proteins) have been identified in yeast that result from the conversion of soluble proteins into β-sheet-rich amyloid-like protein aggregates. Yeast prion formation is driven primarily by amino acid composition. However, yeast prion domains are generally lacking in the bulky hydrophobic residues most strongly associated with amyloid formation and are instead enriched in glutamines and asparagines. Glutamine/asparagine-rich domains are thought to be involved in both disease-related and beneficial amyloid formation. These domains are overrepresented in eukaryotic genomes, but predictive methods have not yet been developed to efficiently distinguish between prion and nonprion glutamine/asparagine-rich domains. We have developed a novel in vivo assay to quantitatively assess how composition affects prion formation. Using our results, we have defined the compositional features that promote prion formation, allowing us to accurately distinguish between glutamine/asparagine-rich domains that can form prion-like aggregates and those that cannot. Additionally, our results explain why traditional amyloid prediction algorithms fail to accurately predict amyloid formation by the glutamine/asparagine-rich yeast prion domains.


2009 ◽  
Vol 390 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandini Sarkar ◽  
Abhay Narain Singh ◽  
Vikash Kumar Dubey

Abstract We identified a molten globule-like intermediate of 2,5-diketo-d-gluconate reductase A (DKGR) at pH 2.5, which has a prominent β-sheet structure. The molten globule state of the protein shows amyloidogenic property >50 μm protein concentration. Interestingly, a 1:1 molar ratio of curcumin prevents amyloid formation as shown by the Thioflavin-T assay and atomic force microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on amyloid formation by an (α/β)8-barrel protein. The results presented here indicate that the molten globule state has an important role in amyloid formation and potential application of curcumin in protein biotechnology as well as therapeutics against amyloid diseases.


1999 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 844-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed B. Wickner ◽  
Kimberly L. Taylor ◽  
Herman K. Edskes ◽  
Marie-Lise Maddelein ◽  
Hiromitsu Moriyama ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Genetic evidence showed two non-Mendelian genetic elements of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, called [URE3] and [PSI], to be prions of Ure2p and Sup35p, respectively. [URE3] makes cells derepressed for nitrogen catabolism, while [PSI] elevates the efficiency of weak suppressor tRNAs. The same approach led to identification of the non-Mendelian element [Het-s] of the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina, as a prion of the het-s protein. The prion form of the het-s protein is required for heterokaryon incompatibility, a normal fungal function, suggesting that other normal cellular functions may be controlled by prions. [URE3] and [PSI] involve a self-propagating aggregation of Ure2p and Sup35p, respectively. In vitro, Ure2p and Sup35p form amyloid, a filamentous protein structure, high in β-sheet with a characteristic green birefringent staining by the dye Congo Red. Amyloid deposits are a cardinal feature of Alzheimer’s disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, and many other diseases. The prion domain of Ure2p consists of Asn-rich residues 1 to 80, but two nonoverlapping fragments of the molecule can, when overproduced, induce the de nova appearance of [URE3]. The prion domain of Sup35 consists of residues 1 to 114, also rich in Asn and Gln residues. While runs of Asn and Gln are important for [URE3] and [PSI], no such structures are found in PrP or the Het-s protein. Either elevated or depressed levels of the chaperone Hsp104 interfere with propagation of [PSI]. Both [URE3] and [PSI] are cured by growth of cells in millimolar guanidine HCl. [URE3] is also cured by overexpression of fragments of Ure2p or fusion proteins including parts of Ure2p.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 327-327
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Springer ◽  
Junichi Takagi ◽  
Barry S. Coller ◽  
Jia-Huai Wang ◽  
Tsan Xiao

Abstract The αIIbβ3 headpiece (αIIb, 1–621; β3, 1–472) was expressed in CHO cells, purified, digested with chymotrypsin, mixed with either mAb 10E5 Fab (form A) or without (form B), repurified, digested with carboxypeptidase (leaving αIIb, 1–452 and β3, 1–440) and crystallized with PEG, Mg acetate, and Na cacodylate at 4°C. Cocrystallization of αIIbβ3/10E5 (A) with eptifibatide or tirofiban was with imidazole instead of cacodylate. Crystals were diffracted at APS and CHESS and analyzed by HKL2000, AMoRe, O, CNS, and CCP4 software. Crystal forms A and B contain 1 and 3 molecules/asymmetric unit (2.7–3.1 and 2.9 Å resolution), respectively. Ca2+ was assigned at the 4 αIIb β-hairpin sites in blades 4–7, and I-like (βA) LIMBS and ADMIDAS; Mg2+ was assigned to MIDAS. The major findings are: 1) As compared to unliganded αVβ3, αIIbβ3 has a ~62° outward pivot of the β3 hybrid domain from the I-like (βA) domain, indicating adoption of an open, high affinity conformation driven by cacodylate or the Asp (D) carboxyl of the drugs binding to MIDAS and acting as activating ligand equivalents. 2) The αIIb ligand binding cleft is rigid and includes αIIb D224 [end-on H bond to ligand Lys (K) or Arg (R)] and hydrophobic residues F160, Y190, and F231, accounting for the selective binding to αIIbβ3 (vs αVβ3) of KGD and homoarginine-GDW peptides, fibrinogen γ-chain peptide, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. 3) 10E5 Fab interacts with a unique “cap” subdomain in αIIb formed by 4 insertions in β-propeller loops in blades 1–3 that form a β-sheet and α-helix structure involved in ligand binding. 4) Comparison of unliganded αVβ3 and liganded αIIbβ3 indicates that receptor activation and ligand binding involves: extensive movement of β3 subunit β1-α1 loop and α1 helix, and β6-α7 loop and α7 helix; alterations in the coordinating residues at the ADMIDAS, MIDAS, and LIMBS; and breaking the ADMIDAS Ca2+ coordination by the M335 backbone carbonyl (providing a mechanism by which Mn2+, which competes with Ca2+ at the ADMIDAS but has a lower propensity for carbonyl coordination than Ca2+, activates integrins). The 62° pivot results from a one-turn piston-like displacement of the α7 helix involving a hydrophobic ratchet of the β6-α7 loop; a ratchet motion of the α1-helix in which L134 moves to the space previously occupied by V340; and complete remodeling at the interface between the β3 I-like (βA) and hybrid domains. 5) The structure of the β3 PSI domain reveals that the long range disulfide is between β3 C13 (rather than C5) and C435, and comparison to the PSI of semaphorin 4D demonstrates that C435 is an integral part of the PSI domain fold. Thus, the I-like (βA) domain appears to be inserted in the hybrid domain, which is inserted in the PSI domain. 6) The structure reveals the location of the Leu/Pro-33 PSI polymorphism responsible for the HPA1 alloantigen. At a rigid interface with the hybrid domain, polymorphism of Arg93 demonstrates the requirement of the hybrid/PSI interface for alloantigenicity at Leu-33. Overall, the structure reveals how allostery regulates ligand binding affinity of αIIbβ3, and how the outward swing of the lever-like hybrid and PSI domains communicates the conformation of the ligand binding site to the α and β leg domains, and to the membrane and cytosol.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Li ◽  
Yunze Sun ◽  
Yihao Zhou ◽  
Jiawei Gai ◽  
Linlu You ◽  
...  

AbstractA novel expansin-like protein (CxEXL22) has been identified and characterized from newly isolated Arthrobotrys sp. CX1 that can cause cellulose decrystallization. Unlike previously reported expansin-like proteins from microbes, CxEXL22 has a parallel β-sheet domain at the N terminal, containing many hydrophobic residues to form the hydrophobic surface as part of the groove. The direct phylogenetic relationship implied the genetic transfers occurred from nematode to nematicidal fungal Arthrobotrys sp. CX1. CxEXL22 showed strong activity for the hydrolysis of hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules, especially when highly crystalline cellulose was used as substrate. The hydrolysis efficiency of Avicel was increased 7.9-fold after pretreating with CxEXL22. The rupture characterization of crystalline region indicated that CxEXL22 strongly binds cellulose and breaks up hydrogen bonds in the crystalline regions of cellulose to split cellulose chains, causing significant depolymerization to expose much more microfibrils and enhances cellulose accessibility.


mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Bardin ◽  
Asen Daskalov ◽  
Sophie Barrouilhet ◽  
Alexandra Granger-Farbos ◽  
Bénédicte Salin ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In filamentous fungi, NLR-based signalosomes activate downstream membrane-targeting cell death-inducing proteins by a mechanism of amyloid templating. In the species Podospora anserina, two such signalosomes, NWD2/HET-S and FNT1/HELLF, have been described. An analogous system involving a distinct amyloid signaling motif, termed PP, was also identified in the genome of the species Chaetomium globosum and studied using heterologous expression in Podospora anserina. The PP motif bears resemblance to the RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM) and to RHIM-like motifs controlling necroptosis in mammals and innate immunity in flies. We identify here a third NLR signalosome in Podospora anserina comprising a PP motif and organized as a two-gene cluster encoding an NLR and an HELL domain cell death execution protein termed HELLP. We show that the PP motif region of HELLP forms a prion we term [π] and that [π] prions trigger the cell death-inducing activity of full-length HELLP. We detect no prion cross-seeding between HET-S, HELLF, and HELLP amyloid motifs. In addition, we find that, like PP motifs, RHIMs from human RIP1 and RIP3 kinases are able to form prions in Podospora and that [π] and [Rhim] prions partially cross-seed. Our study shows that Podospora anserina displays three independent cell death-inducing amyloid signalosomes. Based on the described functional similarity between RHIM and PP, it appears likely that these amyloid motifs constitute evolutionarily related cell death signaling modules. IMPORTANCE Amyloids are β-sheet-rich protein polymers that can be pathological or display a variety of biological roles. In filamentous fungi, specific immune receptors activate programmed cell death execution proteins through a process of amyloid templating akin to prion propagation. Among these fungal amyloid signaling sequences, the PP motif stands out because it shows similarity to the RHIM, an amyloid sequence controlling necroptotic cell death in mammals. We characterized an amyloid signaling system comprising a PP motif in the model species Podospora anserina, thus bringing to three the number of independent amyloid signaling cell death pathways described in that species. We then showed that human RHIMs not only propagate as prions in P. anserina but also partially cross-seed with fungal PP prions. These results indicate that, in addition to showing sequence similarity, the PP and RHIM motifs are at least partially functionally related, supporting a model of long-term evolutionary conservation of amyloid signaling mechanisms from fungi to mammals.


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