scholarly journals Structural basis for substrate specificity of an amino acid ABC transporter

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (16) ◽  
pp. 5243-5248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yu ◽  
Jingpeng Ge ◽  
Johanna Heuveling ◽  
Erwin Schneider ◽  
Maojun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Abc Transporters ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Nucleotide Binding Domain ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Thermoanaerobacter Tengcongensis ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Positively Charged

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are ubiquitous integral membrane proteins that translocate a variety of substrates, ranging from ions to macromolecules, either out of or into the cytosol (hence defined as importers or exporters, respectively). It has been demonstrated that ABC exporters and importers function through a common mechanism involving conformational switches between inward-facing and outward-facing states; however, the mechanism underlying their functions, particularly substrate recognition, remains elusive. Here we report the structures of an amino acid ABC importer Art(QN)2 from Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis composed of homodimers each of the transmembrane domain ArtQ and the nucleotide-binding domain ArtN, either in its apo form or in complex with substrates (Arg, His) and/or ATPs. The structures reveal that the straddling of the TMDs around the twofold axis forms a substrate translocation pathway across the membrane. Interestingly, each TMD has a negatively charged pocket that together create a negatively charged internal tunnel allowing amino acids carrying positively charged groups to pass through. Our structural and functional studies provide a better understanding of how ABC transporters select and translocate their substrates.

scholarly journals Global alignment and assessment of TRP channel transmembrane domain structures to explore functional mechanisms

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine E Huffer ◽  
Antoniya A Aleksandrova ◽  
Andrés Jara-Oseguera ◽  
Lucy R Forrest ◽  
Kenton J Swartz
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Ion Selectivity ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Trp Channel ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Global Alignment ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Domain Structures ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Channel Structures

The recent proliferation of published TRP channel structures provides a foundation for understanding the diverse functional properties of this important family of ion channel proteins. To facilitate mechanistic investigations, we constructed a structure-based alignment of the transmembrane domains of 120 TRP channel structures. Comparison of structures determined in the absence or presence of activating stimuli reveals similar constrictions in the central ion permeation pathway near the intracellular end of the S6 helices, pointing to a conserved cytoplasmic gate and suggesting that most available structures represent non-conducting states. Comparison of the ion selectivity filters toward the extracellular end of the pore supports existing hypotheses for mechanisms of ion selectivity. Also conserved to varying extents are hot spots for interactions with hydrophobic ligands, lipids and ions, as well as discrete alterations in helix conformations. This analysis therefore provides a framework for investigating the structural basis of TRP channel gating mechanisms and pharmacology, and, despite the large number of structures included, reveals the need for additional structural data and for more functional studies to establish the mechanistic basis of TRP channel function.

scholarly journals Global alignment and assessment of TRP channel transmembrane domain structures to explore functional mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Huffer ◽  
Antoniya A. Aleksandrova ◽  
Andrés Jara-Oseguera ◽  
Lucy R. Forrest ◽  
Kenton J. Swartz
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Ion Selectivity ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Trp Channel ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Global Alignment ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Domain Structures ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Channel Structures

AbstractThe recent proliferation of published TRP channel structures provides a foundation for understanding the diverse functional properties of this important family of ion channel proteins. To facilitate mechanistic investigations, we constructed a structure-based alignment of the transmembrane domains of 120 TRP channel structures. Comparison of structures determined in the absence or presence of activating stimuli reveals similar constrictions in the central ion permeation pathway near the intracellular end of the S6 helices, pointing to a conserved cytoplasmic gate and suggesting that most available structures represent non-conducting states. Comparison of the ion selectivity filters towards the extracellular end of the pore supports existing hypotheses for mechanisms of ion selectivity. Also conserved to varying extents are hot spots for interactions with hydrophobic ligands, lipids and ions, as well as discrete alterations in helix conformations. This analysis therefore provides a framework for investigating the structural basis of TRP channel gating mechanisms and pharmacology, and, despite the large number of structures included, reveals the need for additional structural data and for more functional studies to establish the mechanistic basis of TRP channel function.

Dietary intake of tryptophan tied emotion-related impulsivity in humans

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Javelle ◽  
Descartes Li ◽  
Philipp Zimmer ◽  
Sheri L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Essential Amino Acid ◽  
Food Habits ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Serotonin Synthesis ◽  
Amino Acid Tryptophan ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Three Factor

Abstract. Emotion-related impulsivity, defined as the tendency to say or do things that one later regret during periods of heightened emotion, has been tied to a broad range of psychopathologies. Previous work has suggested that emotion-related impulsivity is tied to an impaired function of the serotonergic system. Central serotonin synthesis relies on the intake of the essential amino acid, tryptophan and its ability to pass through the blood brain barrier. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between emotion-related impulsivity and tryptophan intake. Methods: Undergraduate participants (N = 25, 16 women, 9 men) completed a self-rated measure of impulsivity (Three Factor Impulsivity Index, TFI) and daily logs of their food intake and exercise. These data were coded using the software NutriNote to evaluate intakes of tryptophan, large neutral amino acids, vitamins B6/B12, and exercise. Results: Correlational analyses indicated that higher tryptophan intake was associated with significantly lower scores on two out of three subscales of the TFI, Pervasive Influence of Feelings scores r =  –.502, p < . 010, and (lack-of) Follow-Through scores, r =  –.407, p < . 050. Conclusion: Findings provide further evidence that emotion-related impulsivity is correlated to serotonergic indices, even when considering only food habits. It also suggests the need for more research on whether tryptophan supplements might be beneficial for impulsive persons suffering from a psychological disorder.

Biological Function and Chemistry of Endothelin. A Review

1999 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 1211-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hlaváček ◽  
Renáta Marcová
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Snake Venoms ◽  
Vasoactive Peptides ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Endothelin A

The first part of this review deals with the biosynthesis and a biological function of strongly vasoactive peptides named endothelins (ETs) including vasoactive intestinal contractor. Where it was useful, snake venoms sarafotoxins which are structural endothelin derivatives, were also mentioned. In the second part, an attention is paid to structural basis of the ETs biological activity, with respect to alterations of amino acid residues in the parent peptides modifying the conformation and consequently the physico-chemical and biological properties in corresponding ETs analogs. Special attention is focussed on the area of ETs receptors and their interaction with peptide and non peptide agonists and antagonists, important in designing selective inhibitors of ETs receptors potentially applicable as drugs in a medicine. A review with 182 references.

scholarly journals Charged Residues Flanking the Transmembrane Domain of Two Related Toxin–Antitoxin System Toxins Affect Host Response

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Andrew Holmes ◽  
Jessie Sadlon ◽  
Keith Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Host Response ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
The Other ◽  
Type I ◽  
Transcriptomic Response ◽  
Specific Amino Acid ◽  
Transporter Protein

A majority of toxins produced by type I toxin–antitoxin (TA-1) systems are small membrane-localized proteins that were initially proposed to kill cells by forming non-specific pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. The examination of the effects of numerous TA-1 systems indicates that this is not the mechanism of action of many of these proteins. Enterococcus faecalis produces two toxins of the Fst/Ldr family, one encoded on pheromone-responsive conjugative plasmids (FstpAD1) and the other on the chromosome, FstEF0409. Previous results demonstrated that overexpression of the toxins produced a differential transcriptomic response in E. faecalis cells. In this report, we identify the specific amino acid differences between the two toxins responsible for the differential response of a gene highly induced by FstpAD1 but not FstEF0409. In addition, we demonstrate that a transporter protein that is genetically linked to the chromosomal version of the TA-1 system functions to limit the toxicity of the protein.

scholarly journals Prefusion structure of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B and structural basis for membrane fusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. eabf3178
Author(s):  
Yuhang Liu ◽  
Kyle P. Heim ◽  
Ye Che ◽  
Xiaoyuan Chi ◽  
Xiayang Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Fusion ◽  
Human Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Proximal Region ◽  
Viral Envelope ◽  
Vaccine Antigen ◽  
Glycoprotein B ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Fusion Inhibitor ◽  
Host Cell Membrane

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes congenital disease with long-term morbidity. HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) transitions irreversibly from a metastable prefusion to a stable postfusion conformation to fuse the viral envelope with a host cell membrane during entry. We stabilized prefusion gB on the virion with a fusion inhibitor and a chemical cross-linker, extracted and purified it, and then determined its structure to 3.6-Å resolution by electron cryomicroscopy. Our results revealed the structural rearrangements that mediate membrane fusion and details of the interactions among the fusion loops, the membrane-proximal region, transmembrane domain, and bound fusion inhibitor that stabilized gB in the prefusion state. The structure rationalizes known gB antigenic sites. By analogy to successful vaccine antigen engineering approaches for other viral pathogens, the high-resolution prefusion gB structure provides a basis to develop stabilized prefusion gB HCMV vaccine antigens.

scholarly journals The methyltransferase METTL9 mediates pervasive 1-methylhistidine modification in mammalian proteomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erna Davydova ◽  
Tadahiro Shimazu ◽  
Maren Kirstin Schuhmacher ◽  
Magnus E. Jakobsson ◽  
Hanneke L. D. M. Willemen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Complex I ◽  
Protein Modification ◽  
Zinc Binding ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex ◽  
Respiratory Complex I ◽  
Broad Specificity

AbstractPost-translational methylation plays a crucial role in regulating and optimizing protein function. Protein histidine methylation, occurring as the two isomers 1- and 3-methylhistidine (1MH and 3MH), was first reported five decades ago, but remains largely unexplored. Here we report that METTL9 is a broad-specificity methyltransferase that mediates the formation of the majority of 1MH present in mouse and human proteomes. METTL9-catalyzed methylation requires a His-x-His (HxH) motif, where “x” is preferably a small amino acid, allowing METTL9 to methylate a number of HxH-containing proteins, including the immunomodulatory protein S100A9 and the NDUFB3 subunit of mitochondrial respiratory Complex I. Notably, METTL9-mediated methylation enhances respiration via Complex I, and the presence of 1MH in an HxH-containing peptide reduced its zinc binding affinity. Our results establish METTL9-mediated 1MH as a pervasive protein modification, thus setting the stage for further functional studies on protein histidine methylation.

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