scholarly journals Impact of an alpha helix and a cysteine–cysteine disulfide bond on the resistance of bacterial adhesion pili to stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. e2023595118
Author(s):  
Joseph L. Baker ◽  
Tobias Dahlberg ◽  
Esther Bullitt ◽  
Magnus Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Alpha Helix ◽  
Covalent Bond ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Class 1

Escherichia coli express adhesion pili that mediate attachment to host cell surfaces and are exposed to body fluids in the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Pilin subunits are organized into helical polymers, with a tip adhesin for specific host binding. Pili can elastically unwind when exposed to fluid flow forces, reducing the adhesin load, thereby facilitating sustained attachment. Here we investigate biophysical and structural differences of pili commonly expressed on bacteria that inhabit the urinary and intestinal tracts. Optical tweezers measurements reveal that class 1a pili of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), as well as class 1b of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), undergo an additional conformational change beyond pilus unwinding, providing significantly more elasticity to their structure than ETEC class 5 pili. Examining structural and steered molecular dynamics simulation data, we find that this difference in class 1 pili subunit behavior originates from an α-helical motif that can unfold when exposed to force. A disulfide bond cross-linking β-strands in class 1 pili stabilizes subunits, allowing them to tolerate higher forces than class 5 pili that lack this covalent bond. We suggest that these extra contributions to pilus resiliency are relevant for the UPEC niche, since resident bacteria are exposed to stronger, more transient drag forces compared to those experienced by ETEC bacteria in the mucosa of the intestinal tract. Interestingly, class 1b ETEC pili include the same structural features seen in UPEC pili, while requiring lower unwinding forces that are more similar to those of class 5 ETEC pili.

scholarly journals Impact of an alpha helix and a cysteine-cysteine disulfide bond on the resistance of bacterial adhesion pili to stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph L. Baker ◽  
Tobias Dahlberg ◽  
Esther Bullitt ◽  
Magnus Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Alpha Helix ◽  
Covalent Bond ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Structural Differences ◽  
Class 1

Escherichia coli express adhesion pili that mediate attachment to host cell surfaces that are exposed to body fluids in the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Pilin subunits are organized into helical polymers, with a tip adhesin for specific host binding. Pili can elastically unwind when exposed to fluid flow force, reducing the adhesin load, thereby facilitating sustained attachment. Here we investigate biophysical and structural differences of pili commonly expressed on bacteria that inhabit the urinary and intestinal tracts. Optical tweezers measurements reveal that Class 1 pili of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), as well as Class 1b of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), undergo an additional conformational change beyond pilus unwinding, providing significantly more elasticity to their structure than ETEC Class 5 pili. Looking comprehensively at structural and steered molecular dynamics simulation data, we find this difference in Class 1 pili subunit behavior originates from an α-helical motif that can unfold when exposed to force. A disulfide bond cross-linking β-strands in Class 1 pili stabilizes subunits, allowing them to tolerate higher forces than Class 5 pili that lack this covalent bond. We suggest that these extra contributions to pilus resiliency are relevant for the UPEC niche since resident bacteria are exposed to stronger, more transient shear forces compared to those experienced by ETEC bacteria in the mucosa of the intestinal tract. Interestingly, Class 1b ETEC pili include the same structural features seen in UPEC pili, while requiring lower unwinding forces that are more similar to those of Class 5 ETEC pili.Significance StatementAdhesion pili are often essential virulence factors for attachment of pathogenic bacteria in specific environmental niches. We provide mechanistic details of structural differences impacting the biophysical properties of pili found on bacteria in the urinary and intestinal tracts. We see that pili from urinary tract bacteria are composed of subunits optimized for their microenvironment. First, they can tolerate higher forces than intestinal pili due to a disulfide bond that limits subunit unfolding. Second, their greater flexibility is due to an α-helical motif that can unfold, absorbing force that could otherwise lead to bacteria detachment. Our work provides insight into the central role of pilus structural and biophysical properties for the sustained bacterial adherence necessary to initiate disease.

scholarly journals Single-molecule mechanical unfolding kinetics of unmodified Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNAPhe: a hint to the tRNA chaperone-tRNA interaction mechanism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenzhao Liu ◽  
Luyi Feng ◽  
Wenpeng Zhu ◽  
Zhenyu Zhou ◽  
Ran Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Unfolding Kinetics ◽  
Kinetics Of

The biological activity of tRNA is closely related to its mechanical folding properties. Although previous studies focused on the folding and unfolding mechanism of tRNA, its kinetics are largely unknown. In this study, combining optical tweezers and molecule dynamics simulations, we characterized the mechanical folding and unfolding processes of a single unmodified Saccharomyces cerevisiae tRNAphe. We identified the intermediates and pathways for tRNA mechanical folding and unfolding in the presence of Mg2+, discovering that the folding/unfolding kinetics of D stem-loop and T stem-loop but not the anti-codon stem-loop significantly affected by their upstream and downstream structures. The cooperative unfolding of the tRNA in the presence of Mg2+ lead to a large hysteresis between the folding and unfolding pathway, and such hysteresis and unfolding cooperativity are significantly reduced by lowering the Mg2+ concentration or mutating the nucleotides forming the 'elbow' structure. Moreover, both steered molecular dynamics simulation and optical tweezers experiment results support that, formation of tertiary interactions in the elbow region increases energy barriers of the mechanical unfolding pathway, including those in between intermediates, and determines the overall unfolding cooperativity. Our studies may shed light on the detailed tRNA chaperone mechanism of TruB and TrmA.

scholarly journals Disulfide bond engineering of AppA phytase for increased thermostability requires co-expression of protein disulfide isomerase in Pichia pastoris

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Navone ◽  
Thomas Vogl ◽  
Pawarisa Luangthongkam ◽  
Jo-Anne Blinco ◽  
Carlos H. Luna-Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pichia Pastoris ◽  
Phytic Acid ◽  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Wild Type Enzyme ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Biochemical Characterisation ◽  
Disulfide Bond Isomerase ◽  
Microbial Systems ◽  
Protein Disulfide

Abstract Background Phytases are widely used commercially as dietary supplements for swine and poultry to increase the digestibility of phytic acid. Enzyme development has focused on increasing thermostability to withstand the high temperatures during industrial steam pelleting. Increasing thermostability often reduces activity at gut temperatures and there remains a demand for improved phyases for a growing market. Results In this work, we present a thermostable variant of the E. coli AppA phytase, ApV1, that contains an extra non-consecutive disulfide bond. Detailed biochemical characterisation of ApV1 showed similar activity to the wild type, with no statistical differences in kcat and KM for phytic acid or in the pH and temperature activity optima. Yet, it retained approximately 50% activity after incubations for 20 min at 65, 75 and 85 °C compared to almost full inactivation of the wild-type enzyme. Production of ApV1 in Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffi) was much lower than the wild-type enzyme due to the presence of the extra non-consecutive disulfide bond. Production bottlenecks were explored using bidirectional promoters for co-expression of folding chaperones. Co-expression of protein disulfide bond isomerase (Pdi) increased production of ApV1 by ~ 12-fold compared to expression without this folding catalyst and restored yields to similar levels seen with the wild-type enzyme. Conclusions Overall, the results show that protein engineering for enhanced enzymatic properties like thermostability may result in folding complexity and decreased production in microbial systems. Hence parallel development of improved production strains is imperative to achieve the desirable levels of recombinant protein for industrial processes.

Structural insights into the repair mechanism of AGT for methyl-induced DNA damage

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra P. Koirala ◽  
Rudramani Pokhrel ◽  
Prabin Baral ◽  
Purushottam B. Tiwari ◽  
Prem P. Chapagain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Covalent Bond ◽  
Cancer Therapeutics ◽  
Md Simulations ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Umbrella Sampling ◽  
Repair Mechanism ◽  
Structural Investigations ◽  
Methylated Dna ◽  
Dna Base ◽  
Dna Alkyltransferase

Abstract Methylation induced DNA base-pairing damage is one of the major causes of cancer. O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is considered a demethylation agent of the methylated DNA. Structural investigations with thermodynamic properties of the AGT-DNA complex are still lacking. In this report, we modeled two catalytic states of AGT-DNA interactions and an AGT-DNA covalent complex and explored structural features using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We utilized the umbrella sampling method to investigate the changes in the free energy of the interactions in two different AGT-DNA catalytic states, one with methylated GUA in DNA and the other with methylated CYS145 in AGT. These non-covalent complexes represent the pre- and post-repair complexes. Therefore, our study encompasses the process of recognition, complex formation, and separation of the AGT and the damaged (methylated) DNA base. We believe that the use of parameters for the amino acid and nucleotide modifications and for the protein-DNA covalent bond will allow investigations of the DNA repair mechanism as well as the exploration of cancer therapeutics targeting the AGT-DNA complexes at various functional states as well as explorations via stabilization of the complex.

scholarly journals Cloning, expression, and analysis of the group 2 allergen from Dermatophagoides farinae from China

2010 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 941-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Yu-bao ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Shi Weihong ◽  
Ma Guifang ◽  
Li Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Alpha Helix ◽  
Random Coil ◽  
Reference Sequence ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Dermatophagoides Farinae ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Group 2

To obtain the recombinant group 2 allergen product of Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 2), the Der f 2 gene was synthesized by RT-PCR. The full-length cDNA comprised 441 nucleotides and was 99.3% identical to the reference sequence (GenBank AB195580). The cDNA was bound to vector pET28a to construct plasmid pET28a(+)-Der f 2, which was transformed into E. coli BL21 and induced by IPTG. SDS-PAGE showed a specific band of about 14kDa in the hole cell lysate. s estiated by chroatography, about 3.86 g of the recobinant product as obtained, which conjugated with serum IgE from asthmatic children. The protein had a signal peptide of 17 amino acids. Its secondary structure comprised an alpha helix (19.86%), an extended strand (30.82%), and a random coil (49.32%). The subcellular localization of this allergen was predicted to be at mitochondria. Furthermore, its function was shown to be associated with an MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML) domain. The results of this study provide a solid foundation for large-scale production of the allergen for clinical diagnosis and treatent of allergic disorders.

ORIENTATING MANIPULATION OF CYLINDRICAL PARTICLES WITH OPTICAL TWEEZERS

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (04) ◽  
pp. 387-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIUDONG SUN ◽  
XUECONG LI ◽  
JIANLONG ZHANG
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Laser Beam ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Optical Trap ◽  
Polarization Direction ◽  
Beam Shape ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Cylindrical Particles

Orientating manipulations of cylindrical particles were performed by optical tweezers. Vertical and horizontal manipulations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were carried out by changing the trapping depth and the focused laser beam shape. It was found that carbon nanotubes bundles (CNTBs) could be rotated in the linear polarized optical trap until it orientated its long axis along the linear polarization direction of the laser beam. However, E.coli could not be orientated in this way. Corresponding mechanisms were discussed based on the anisomeric electric characters of CNTBs. These orientation technologies of cylindrical objects with optical trap have potential applications in assembling nano-electric devices.

MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION ON HYDROGEN STORAGE IN METALLIC NANOPARTICLES

2009 ◽  
Vol 08 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROSHI OGAWA ◽  
AKINORI TEZUKA ◽  
HAO WANG ◽  
TAMIO IKESHOJI ◽  
MASAHIKO KATAGIRI
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Hydrogen Storage ◽  
Metallic Nanoparticles ◽  
Structural Modification ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Metallic Nanoparticle ◽  
Hydrogen Atoms ◽  
Diffusion Of Hydrogen ◽  
Storage Properties

Hydrogen storage in a metallic nanoparticle was simulated by classical molecular dynamics. Distribution of hydrogen atoms inside nanoparticle was investigated by changing length and energy parameters of metal– H bonds. Hydrogen atoms diffused into the particle and distributed homogeneously in case of weak metal– H bonds. In case of strong metal– H bonds, a hydrogen-rich surface layer was observed which suppresses the inward diffusion of hydrogen atoms. Structural modification of nanoparticle accompanied by grain boundary formation due to hydrogen loading was also observed. These variations in dynamical and structural features are considered to affect the hydrogen storage properties in nanoparticles.

scholarly journals Characterization of Soluble, Disulfide Bond-Stabilized, Prokaryotically Expressed Human Thyrotropin Receptor Ectodomain*

Endocrinology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Bobovnikova ◽  
P. N. Graves ◽  
H. Vlase ◽  
T. F. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Disulfide Bond ◽  
Disulfide Bonds ◽  
Thioredoxin Reductase ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Fusion Partner ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Recombinant Receptor

Abstract To study the interaction of TSH receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies with receptor protein, it is necessary first to express the receptor in the proper conformation including the formation of correct disulfide bridges. However, the reducing environment of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) cytoplasm prevents the generation of protein disulfide bonds and limits the solubility and immunoreactivity of recombinant human TSHR (hTSHR) products. To circumvent these limitations, hTSHR complementary DNA encoding the extracellular domain (hTSHR-ecd; amino acids 21–415) was inserted into the vector pGEX-2TK by directional cloning and used to transform the thioredoxin reductase mutant strain of E. coli (Ad494), which allowed formation of disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm. After induction, the expressed soluble hTSHR-ecd fusion protein was detected by Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody directed against hTSHR amino acids 21–35. This showed that over 50% of the expressed hTSHR-ecd was soluble in contrast to expression in a wild-type E. coli (strain αF′), where the majority of the recombinant receptor was insoluble. The soluble recombinant receptor was affinity purified and characterized. Under nonreducing SDS-PAGE conditions, the soluble hTSHR-ecd migrated as refolded, disulfide bond-stabilized, multimeric species, whose formation was independent of fusion partner protein. This product was found to be biologically active as evidenced by the inhibition of the binding of 125I-TSH to the full-length hTSHR expressed in transfected CHO cells and was used to develop a competitive capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for mapping of hTSHR antibody epitopes. Hence, hTSHR-ecd produced in bacteria with a thioredoxin reductase mutation was found to be highly soluble and biologically relevant.

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