scholarly journals Sequence grammar underlying unfolding and phase separation of globular proteins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiersten M Ruff ◽  
Yoon Hee Choi ◽  
Dezerae Cox ◽  
Angelique Royale Ormsby ◽  
Yoochan Myung ◽  
...  

Protein homeostasis involves regulation of the concentrations of unfolded states of globular proteins. Dysregulation can cause phase separation leading to protein-rich deposits. Here, we uncover the sequence-grammar that influences the triad of folding, binding, and phase equilibria of unfolded proteins in cells. We find that the interactions that drive deposit formation of ALS-associated superoxide dismutase 1 mutations are akin to those that drive phase separation and deposit formation in variants of a model protein, barnase. We examined a set of barnase variants to uncover the molecular interactions that drive phase separation of unfolded proteins and formation of unfolded protein deposits (UPODs). The formation of UPODs requires protein destabilization, to increase the concentration of unfolded states, and a requisite sequence grammar to enable cohesive interactions among unfolded proteins. We further find that molecular chaperones, Hsp40 and Hsp70, destabilize UPODs by binding preferentially to and processing unfolded proteins in the dilute phase.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Sanchez de Groot ◽  
Marc Torrent Burgas ◽  
Charles N. J. Ravarani ◽  
Ala Trusina ◽  
Salvador Ventura ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTPhase separation of soluble proteins into insoluble deposits is associated with numerous diseases. However, protein deposits can also function as membrane-less compartments for many cellular processes. What are the fitness costs and benefits of forming such deposits in different conditions? Using a model protein that phase separates into deposits, we distinguish and quantify the fitness contribution due to the loss or gain of protein function and deposit formation in yeast. The environmental condition and the cellular demand for the protein function emerge as key determinants of fitness. Protein deposit formation can lead to cell-to-cell differences in free protein abundance between individuals. This results in variable manifestation of protein function and a continuous range of phenotypes in a cell population, favoring survival of some individuals in certain environments. Thus, protein deposit formation by phase separation might be a mechanism to sense protein concentration in cells and to generate phenotypic variability. The selectable phenotypic variability, previously described for prions, could be a general property of proteins that can form phase separated assemblies and may influence cell fitness.Stand-first textUsing a model protein that phase separates into deposits, we distinguish and quantify the fitness contribution due to the loss or gain of protein function and deposit formation in yeast.Bullet pointsThe presented approach identifies and quantifies different fitness effects associated with protein deposit formation due to phase separationThe environmental condition and the cellular demand for the protein function emerge as key determinants of fitness upon protein deposit formationVariability in protein deposit formation can lead to cell-to-cell differences in free protein abundance between individualsProtein phase separation can generate a continuous range of phenotypes in a cell population


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 384
Author(s):  
Adam Read ◽  
Martin Schröder

The unfolded protein response is the mechanism by which cells control endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein homeostasis. Under normal conditions, the UPR is not activated; however, under certain stresses, such as hypoxia or altered glycosylation, the UPR can be activated due to an accumulation of unfolded proteins. The activation of the UPR involves three signaling pathways, IRE1, PERK and ATF6, which all play vital roles in returning protein homeostasis to levels seen in non-stressed cells. IRE1 is the best studied of the three pathways, as it is the only pathway present in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This pathway involves spliceosome independent splicing of HAC1 or XBP1 in yeast and mammalians cells, respectively. PERK limits protein synthesis, therefore reducing the number of new proteins requiring folding. ATF6 is translocated and proteolytically cleaved, releasing a NH2 domain fragment which is transported to the nucleus and which affects gene expression. If the UPR is unsuccessful at reducing the load of unfolded proteins in the ER and the UPR signals remain activated, this can lead to programmed cell death.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 16353-16360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congheng Chen ◽  
Ting Yao ◽  
Sidong Tu ◽  
Weijie Xu ◽  
Yi Han ◽  
...  

SF was incompatible with PEG in some extent, and the phase separation took place in their blend film. The conformation of SF in the interface between SF and PEG was changed to the β-sheet, while that in the protein-rich domain remained in the random coil and/or helix conformation.


2002 ◽  
Vol 304 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 253-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Durand ◽  
Jean Christophe Gimel ◽  
Taco Nicolai

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiersten M. Ruff ◽  
Yoon Hee Choi ◽  
Dezerae Cox ◽  
Angelique R. Ormsby ◽  
Yoochan Myung ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2700-2707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel A. Kapelner ◽  
Allie C. Obermeyer

Short ionic polypeptide tags were demonstrated to drive complex coacervation of globular proteins at physiological conditions while maintaining protein activity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Walczak ◽  
Kinga Gradzik ◽  
Jacek Kabzinski ◽  
Karolina Przybylowska-Sygut ◽  
Ireneusz Majsterek

Cancer is the second most frequent cause of death worldwide. It is considered to be one of the most dangerous diseases, and there is still no effective treatment for many types of cancer. Since cancerous cells have a high proliferation rate, it is pivotal for their proper functioning to have the well-functioning protein machinery. Correct protein processing and folding are crucial to maintain tumor homeostasis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the leading factors that cause disturbances in these processes. It is induced by impaired function of the ER and accumulation of unfolded proteins. Induction of ER stress affects many molecular pathways that cause the unfolded protein response (UPR). This is the way in which cells can adapt to the new conditions, but when ER stress cannot be resolved, the UPR induces cell death. The molecular mechanisms of this double-edged sword process are involved in the transition of the UPR either in a cell protection mechanism or in apoptosis. However, this process remains poorly understood but seems to be crucial in the treatment of many diseases that are related to ER stress. Hence, understanding the ER stress response, especially in the aspect of pathological consequences of UPR, has the potential to allow us to develop novel therapies and new diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancer.


2017 ◽  
Vol 216 (8) ◽  
pp. 2295-2304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norfadilah Hamdan ◽  
Paraskevi Kritsiligkou ◽  
Chris M. Grant

Disturbances in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis create a condition termed ER stress. This activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), which alters the expression of many genes involved in ER quality control. We show here that ER stress causes the aggregation of proteins, most of which are not ER or secretory pathway proteins. Proteomic analysis of the aggregated proteins revealed enrichment for intrinsically aggregation-prone proteins rather than proteins which are affected in a stress-specific manner. Aggregation does not arise because of overwhelming proteasome-mediated degradation but because of a general disruption of cellular protein homeostasis. We further show that overexpression of certain chaperones abrogates protein aggregation and protects a UPR mutant against ER stress conditions. The onset of ER stress is known to correlate with various disease processes, and our data indicate that widespread amorphous and amyloid protein aggregation is an unanticipated outcome of such stress.


2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 2537-2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satomi Nadanaka ◽  
Hiderou Yoshida ◽  
Fumi Kano ◽  
Masayuki Murata ◽  
Kazutoshi Mori

Newly synthesized secretory and transmembrane proteins are folded and assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where an efficient quality control system operates so that only correctly folded molecules are allowed to move along the secretory pathway. The productive folding process in the ER has been thought to be supported by the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is activated by the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER. However, a dilemma has emerged; activation of ATF6, a key regulator of mammalian UPR, requires intracellular transport from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. This suggests that unfolded proteins might be leaked from the ER together with ATF6 in response to ER stress, exhibiting proteotoxicity in the secretory pathway. We show here that ATF6 and correctly folded proteins are transported to the Golgi apparatus via the same route and by the same mechanism under conditions of ER stress, whereas unfolded proteins are retained in the ER. Thus, activation of the UPR is compatible with the quality control in the ER and the ER possesses a remarkable ability to select proteins to be transported in mammalian cells in marked contrast to yeast cells, which actively utilize intracellular traffic to deal with unfolded proteins accumulated in the ER.


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