scholarly journals Physical observables to determine the nature of membrane-less cellular sub-compartments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias L Heltberg ◽  
Judith Mine-Hattab ◽  
Angela Taddei ◽  
Aleksandra M Walczak ◽  
Thierry Mora

The spatial organization of complex biochemical reactions is essential for the regulation of cellular processes. Membrane-less structures called foci containing high concentrations of specific proteins have been reported in a variety of contexts, but the mechanism of their formation is not fully understood. Several competing mechanisms exist that are difficult to distinguish empirically, including liquid-liquid phase separation, and the trapping of molecules by multiple binding sites. Here we propose a theoretical framework and outline observables to differentiate between these scenarios from single molecule tracking experiments. In the binding site model, we derive relations between the distribution of proteins, their diffusion properties, and their radial displacement. We predict that protein search times can be reduced for targets inside a liquid droplet, but not in an aggregate of slowly moving binding sites. These results are applicable to future experiments and suggest different biological roles for liquid droplet and binding site foci.

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias L Heltberg ◽  
Judith Miné-Hattab ◽  
Angela Taddei ◽  
Aleksandra M Walczak ◽  
Thierry Mora

The spatial organization of complex biochemical reactions is essential for the regulation of cellular processes. Membrane-less structures called foci containing high concentrations of specific proteins have been reported in a variety of contexts, but the mechanism of their formation is not fully understood. Several competing mechanisms exist that are difficult to distinguish empirically, including liquid-liquid phase separation, and the trapping of molecules by multiple binding sites. Here we propose a theoretical framework and outline observables to differentiate between these scenarios from single molecule tracking experiments. In the binding site model, we derive relations between the distribution of proteins, their diffusion properties, and their radial displacement. We predict that protein search times can be reduced for targets inside a liquid droplet, but not in an aggregate of slowly moving binding sites. We use our results to reject the multiple binding site model for Rad52 foci, and find a picture consistent with a liquid-liquid phase separation. These results are applicable to future experiments and suggest different biological roles for liquid droplet and binding site foci.


1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imad Al-Bala'a ◽  
Richard D. Bates

The role of more than one binding site on a nitroxide free radical in magnetic resonance determinations of the properties of the complex formed with a hydrogen donor is examined. The expression that relates observed hyperfine couplings in EPR spectra to complex formation constants and concentrations of each species in solution becomes much more complex when multiple binding sites are present, but reduces to a simpler form when binding at the two sites occurs independently and the binding at the non-nitroxide site does not produce significant differences in the hyperfine coupling constant in the complexed radical. Effects on studies of hydrogen bonding between multiple binding site nitroxides and hydrogen donor solvent molecules by other magnetic resonance methods are potentially more extreme.


2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (supplement) ◽  
pp. S157
Author(s):  
K. Hibino ◽  
Y. Sako ◽  
A. Iwane ◽  
T. Yanagida

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramsey I. Kamar ◽  
Edward J. Banigan ◽  
Aykut Erbas ◽  
Rebecca D. Giuntoli ◽  
Monica Olvera de la Cruz ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe binding of transcription factors (TFs) to DNA controls most aspects of cellular function, making the understanding of their binding kinetics imperative. The standard description of bimolecular interactions posits TF off-rates are independent of TF concentration in solution. However, recent observations have revealed that proteins in solution can accelerate the dissociation of DNA-bound proteins. To study the molecular basis of facilitated dissociation (FD), we have used single-molecule imaging to measure dissociation kinetics of Fis, a key E. coli TF and major bacterial nucleoid protein, from single dsDNA binding sites. We observe a strong FD effect characterized by an exchange rate ∽1 × 104 M-1s-1, establishing that FD of Fis occurs at the single-binding-site level, and we find that the off-rate saturates at large Fis concentrations in solution. While spontaneous (i.e., competitor-free) dissociation shows a strong salt dependence, we find that facilitated dissociation depends only weakly on salt. These results are quantitatively explained by a model in which partially dissociated bound proteins are susceptible to invasion by competitor proteins in solution. We also report FD of NHP6A, a yeast TF whose structure differs significantly from Fis. We further perform molecular dynamics simulations, which indicate that FD can occur for molecules that interact far more weakly than those we have studied. Taken together, our results indicate that FD is a general mechanism assisting in the local removal of TFs from their binding sites and does not necessarily require cooperativity, clustering, or binding site overlap.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTranscription factors (TFs) control biological processes by binding and unbinding to DNA. Therefore it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that affect TF binding kinetics. Recent studies challenge the standard picture of TF binding kinetics by demonstrating cases of proteins in solution accelerating TF dissociation rates through a facilitated dissociation (FD) process. Our study shows that FD can occur at the level of single binding sites, without the action of large protein clusters or long DNA segments. Our results quantitatively support a model of FD in which competitor proteins invade partially dissociated states of DNA-bound TFs. FD is expected to be a general mechanism for modulating gene expression by altering the occupancy of TFs on the genome.Author ContributionsRamsey I. Kamardesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paperEdward J. Banigandesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paperAykut Erbasdesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paperRebecca D. Giuntolidesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paperMonica Olvera de la Cruzdesigned research, performed research, wrote the paperReid C. Johnsondesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paperJohn F. Markodesigned research, performed research, contributed new reagents/analytic tools, analyzed data, wrote the paper


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Lagarde ◽  
Alessandra Carbone ◽  
Sophie Sacquin-Mora

AbstractProtein-protein interactions control a large range of biological processes and their identification is essential to understand the underlying biological mechanisms. To complement experimental approaches, in silico methods are available to investigate protein-protein interactions. Cross-docking methods, in particular, can be used to predict protein binding sites. However, proteins can interact with numerous partners and can present multiple binding sites on their surface, which may alter the binding site prediction quality. We evaluate the binding site predictions obtained using complete cross-docking simulations of 358 proteins with two different scoring schemes accounting for multiple binding sites. Despite overall good binding site prediction performances, 68 cases were still associated with very low prediction quality, presenting individual area under the specificity-sensitivity ROC curve (AUC) values below the random AUC threshold of 0.5, since cross-docking calculations can lead to the identification of alternate protein binding sites (that are different from the reference experimental sites). For the large majority of these proteins, we show that the predicted alternate binding sites correspond to interaction sites with hidden partners, i.e. partners not included in the original cross-docking dataset. Among those new partners, we find proteins, but also nucleic acid molecules. Finally, for proteins with multiple binding sites on their surface, we investigated the structural determinants associated with the binding sites the most targeted by the docking partners.AbbreviationsANOVA: ANalysis Of Variance; AUC: Area Under the Curve; Best Interface: BI; CAPRI: Critical Assessment of Prediction of Interactions; CC-D: Complete Cross-Docking; DNA: DesoxyriboNucleic Acid; FDR: False Discovery Rate; FRIres(type): Fraction of each Residue type in the Interface; FP: False Positives; GI: Global Interface; HCMD: Help Cure Muscular Dystrophy; JET: Joint Evolutionary Tree; MAXDo: Molecular Association via Cross Docking; NAI: Nucleic Acid Interface; NPV: Negative Predicted Value; PDB: Protein Data Bank; PIP: Protein Interface Propensity; PiQSi: Protein Quaternary Structure investigation; PPIs: Protein-Protein Interactions; PPV: Positive Predicted Value; Prec.: Precision; PrimI: Primary Interface; RNA: RiboNucleic Acid; ROC: Receiver Operating Characteristic; SecI: Secondary Interface; Sen.: Sensitivity; Spe.: Specificity; TN: True Negatives; TP: True Positives; WCG: World Community Grid.


1991 ◽  
Vol 274 (3) ◽  
pp. 861-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A J Challiss ◽  
A L Willcocks ◽  
B Mulloy ◽  
B V L Potter ◽  
S R Nahorski

1. The properties of specific Ins(1,4,5)P3- and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding sites have been compared in a crude ‘P2’ cerebellar membrane fraction. 2. A homogeneous population of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding sites was present (KD 23.1 +/- 3.6 nM) at high density (Bmax. 11.9 +/- 1.8 pmol/mg of protein); whereas data obtained for [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 specific binding were best fitted to a two-site model, the high-affinity binding component (KD 2.6 +/- 0.7 nM) constituted 64.2 +/- 4.3% of the total population and was present at relatively low density (Bmax. 187 +/- 27 fmol/mg of protein). 3. The two high-affinity inositol polyphosphate-binding sites exhibited markedly different pH optima for radioligand binding, allowing the two sites to be independently investigated. At pH 8.0, [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding was maximal, whereas [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 specific binding was very low; conversely, at pH 5.0, [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 binding was maximal, whereas [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding was undetectably low. 4. Both inositol polyphosphate-binding sites exhibited marked positional and stereo-specificity. Of the analogues studied, only phosphorothioate substitution to form inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate was tolerated at the Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding site, with only a 2-3-fold loss of binding activity. Addition of a glyceroyl moiety at the 1-phosphate position or addition of further phosphate substituents at the 3- or 6-positions caused dramatic losses in displacing activity. Similarly, complete phosphorothioate substitution of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 caused an approx. 6-fold loss of binding activity at the [32P]Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding site, whereas Ins(1,4,5,6)P4, Ins(1,3,4,6)P4, Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 were bound at least 100-fold weaker at this site. Therefore, only the phosphorothioate derivatives retained high affinity and selectivity for the two inositol polyphosphate-binding sites. 5. Heparin and pentosan polysulphate were potent but non-selective inhibitors at Ins(1,4,5)P3- and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding sites. N-Desulphation (with or without N-reacetylation) of heparin decreased inhibitory activity at the Ins(1,4,5)P3-, but not at the Ins(1,3,4,5)P4-binding site; however, the selectivity of this effect was only about 4-fold. O- and N-desulphated N-reacetylated heparin was essentially inactive at both sites. 6. The results are discussed with respect to the separate identities of the inositol polyphosphate-binding sites.


1977 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
R D Howland ◽  
L D Bohm

1. Hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) derived from either weanling or adult rats exhibits three pH optima, at pH 5.4, 7.2 and 9.2, when o-aminophenol is the acceptor substrate, whereas p-nitrophenol is the acceptor substrate only on pH optimum is observed, at pH 5.4.2. Prior treatment of rats of either age with 3-methylcholanthrene results in a 2-3-fold increase in o-aminophenol conjugation at pH 5.4 and a 6-9-fold increase at pH 9.2. At pH 7.2, the induced enzyme is 2 to 3 times more active towards o-aminophenol than the control enzyme, but no pH optimum is demonstrable. 3. o-Aminophenol conjugation at pH 5.4 and 9.2 is inhibited competitively by both p-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenyl glucuronide, suggesting that the two phenolic aglycones share the same binding site. At pH 7.2, however, p-nitrophenyl glucuronide does not inhibit o-aminophenol conjugation, suggesting that the binding site at this pH is not shared by the two phenols. These data are consistent with the existence of more than one binding site for o-aminophenol on UDP-glucuronyltransferase.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Aaron Harris ◽  
Julie C. Van De Weghe ◽  
Tomohiro Kubo ◽  
George B. Witman ◽  
Karl F. Lechtreck

AbstractTubulin enters the cilia by diffusion and motor-based intraflagellar transport (IFT). The respective contributions of each route in providing tubulin for axonemal assembly are unknown. To attenuate IFT-based transport, we expressed modified GFP-tubulins in strains possessing IFT81 and IFT74 with altered tubulin binding sites. E-hook deficient GFP-β-tubulin normally incorporated into the axonemal microtubules; its transport frequency was reduced by ~90% in control cells and essentially abolished when expressed in a strain possessing IFT81 with an incapacitated tubulin-binding site. Despite the strong reduction in IFT, the share of E-hook deficient GFP-β-tubulin in the axoneme was only moderately reduced indicating that most axonemal tubulin (~80%) enters cilia by diffusion. While not providing the bulk of axonemal tubulin, we propose that motor-based IFT is nevertheless critical for ciliogenesis because it ensures high concentrations of tubulin near the ciliary tip promoting axonemal elongation.


Author(s):  
Rajarshi P. Ghosh ◽  
Barbara J. Meyer

Nuclei are central hubs for information processing in eukaryotic cells. The need to fit large genomes into small nuclei imposes severe restrictions on genome organization and the mechanisms that drive genome-wide regulatory processes. How a disordered polymer such as chromatin, which has vast heterogeneity in its DNA and histone modification profiles, folds into discernibly consistent patterns is a fundamental question in biology. Outstanding questions include how genomes are spatially and temporally organized to regulate cellular processes with high precision and whether genome organization is causally linked to transcription regulation. The advent of next-generation sequencing, super-resolution imaging, multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization, and single-molecule imaging in individual living cells has caused a resurgence in efforts to understand the spatiotemporal organization of the genome. In this review, we discuss structural and mechanistic properties of genome organization at different length scales and examine changes in higher-order chromatin organization during important developmental transitions. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


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