scholarly journals A KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 paralog in lettuce mediates highly sensitive germination responses to karrikinolide

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Martinez ◽  
Caitlin E Conn ◽  
Angelica M Guercio ◽  
Claudia Sepulveda ◽  
Christopher J Fiscus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Lactuca Sativa ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Ligand Specificity ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Grand Rapids ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
Homology Models

Karrikins (KARs) are chemicals in smoke that can enhance germination of many plants. Lactuca sativa cv. Grand Rapids (lettuce), germinates in the presence of nanomolar karrikinolide (KAR1). We found that lettuce is much less responsive to KAR2 or a mixture of synthetic strigolactone analogs, rac-GR24. We investigated the molecular basis of selective and sensitive KAR1 perception in lettuce. The lettuce genome contains two copies of KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2), a receptor that is required for KAR responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. LsKAI2b is more highly expressed than LsKAI2a in dry achenes and during early stages of seed imbibition. Through cross-species complementation assays in Arabidopsis we found that LsKAI2b confers robust responses to KAR1, but LsKAI2a does not. Therefore, LsKAI2b likely mediates KAR1 responses in lettuce. We compared homology models of the ligand-binding pockets of KAI2 proteins from lettuce and a fire follower, Emmenanthe penduliflora. This identified pocket residues 96, 124, 139, and 161 as candidates that influence the ligand-specificity of KAI2. Further support for the significance of these residues was found through a broader comparison of pocket residue conservation among 324 asterid KAI2 proteins. We tested the effects of substitutions at these four positions in Arabidopsis thaliana KAI2 and found that a broad array of responses to KAR1, KAR2, and rac-GR24 could be achieved.

scholarly journals Cryptic-site binding mechanism of medium-sized Bcl-xL inhibiting compounds elucidated by McMD-based dynamic docking simulations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert-Jan Bekker ◽  
Ikuo Fukuda ◽  
Junichi Higo ◽  
Yoshifumi Fukunishi ◽  
Narutoshi Kamiya
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Binding Mechanism ◽  
Docking Simulations ◽  
Large Conformational Change ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
Dynamic Docking ◽  
Site Binding ◽  
Apo State

AbstractWe have performed multicanonical molecular dynamics (McMD) based dynamic docking simulations to study and compare the binding mechanism between two medium-sized inhibitors (ABT-737 and WEHI-539) that bind to the cryptic site of Bcl-xL, by exhaustively sampling the conformational and configurational space. Cryptic sites are binding pockets that are transiently formed in the apo state or are induced upon ligand binding. Bcl-xL, a pro-survival protein involved in cancer progression, is known to have a cryptic site, whereby the shape of the pocket depends on which ligand is bound to it. Starting from the apo-structure, we have performed two independent McMD-based dynamic docking simulations for each ligand, and were able to obtain near-native complex structures in both cases. In addition, we have also studied their interactions along their respective binding pathways by using path sampling simulations, which showed that the ligands form stable binding configurations via predominantly hydrophobic interactions. Although the protein started from the apo state, both ligands modulated the pocket in different ways, shifting the conformational preference of the sub-pockets of Bcl-xL. We demonstrate that McMD-based dynamic docking is a powerful tool that can be effectively used to study binding mechanisms involving a cryptic site, where ligand binding requires a large conformational change in the protein to occur.

scholarly journals Desorption isotherms of Lactuca sativa seeds

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 568-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana S. Zeymer ◽  
Paulo C. Corrêa ◽  
Gabriel H. H. de Oliveira ◽  
Fernanda M. Baptestini ◽  
Rita C. P. Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Lactuca Sativa ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Quantitative Characteristics ◽  
Residual Values ◽  
Desorption Isotherms ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Characteristics

ABSTRACT Lactuca sativa seeds are highly sensitive to climate conditions; thus, they should be stored securely to maintain their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Studies on hygroscopicity aim to decrease possible changes in agricultural products under specific environmental conditions. Accordingly, this study aims to develop an appropriate mathematical model to represent the desorption isotherms of Lactuca sativa seeds. The hygroscopic equilibrium was achieved using a static-gravimetric method at temperatures of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C and water activity in the range 0.11-0.96. Six mathematical models were fitted to the experimental data of the equilibrium moisture content of Lactuca sativa seeds. The best model was chosen based on the determination coefficient (R2), magnitude of mean relative error (MRE), standard deviation of the estimate (SDE), and analysis of residue distribution. The modified Oswin model best represented the hygroscopicity of the Lactuca sativa seeds, with values of 8.02% and 0.55 for the MRE and SDE, respectively; moreover, the residual values were randomly distributed. The shape of the isotherms of the Lactuca sativa seeds estimated using the modified Oswin model is sigmoidal, which is characteristic of a type II curve.

Architectural Repertoire of Ligand-Binding Pockets on Protein Surfaces

ChemBioChem ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Weisel ◽  
Jan M. Kriegl ◽  
Gisbert Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Protein Surfaces ◽  
Binding Pockets

scholarly journals RNA protects a nucleoprotein complex against radiation damage

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 648-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S. Bury ◽  
John E. McGeehan ◽  
Alfred A. Antson ◽  
Ian Carmichael ◽  
Markus Gerstel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Dose Range ◽  
Protein Molecule ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Structure Determinations ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Damage Susceptibility ◽  
Dna Complex

Radiation damage during macromolecular X-ray crystallographic data collection is still the main impediment for many macromolecular structure determinations. Even when an eventual model results from the crystallographic pipeline, the manifestations of radiation-induced structural and conformation changes, the so-called specific damage, within crystalline macromolecules can lead to false interpretations of biological mechanisms. Although this has been well characterized within protein crystals, far less is known about specific damage effects within the larger class of nucleoprotein complexes. Here, a methodology has been developed whereby per-atom density changes could be quantified with increasing dose over a wide (1.3–25.0 MGy) range and at higher resolution (1.98 Å) than the previous systematic specific damage study on a protein–DNA complex. Specific damage manifestations were determined within the largetrpRNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP) bound to a single-stranded RNA that forms a belt around the protein. Over a large dose range, the RNA was found to be far less susceptible to radiation-induced chemical changes than the protein. The availability of two TRAP molecules in the asymmetric unit, of which only one contained bound RNA, allowed a controlled investigation into the exact role of RNA binding in protein specific damage susceptibility. The 11-fold symmetry within each TRAP ring permitted statistically significant analysis of the Glu and Asp damage patterns, with RNA binding unexpectedly being observed to protect these otherwise highly sensitive residues within the 11 RNA-binding pockets distributed around the outside of the protein molecule. Additionally, the method enabled a quantification of the reduction in radiation-induced Lys and Phe disordering upon RNA binding directly from the electron density.

scholarly journals Structural and functional studies of Arabidopsis thaliana legumain beta reveal isoform specific mechanisms of activation and substrate recognition

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (37) ◽  
pp. 13047-13064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elfriede Dall ◽  
Florian B. Zauner ◽  
Wai Tuck Soh ◽  
Fatih Demir ◽  
Sven O. Dahms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Cyclic Peptides ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Plant Characteristic ◽  
Activation Mechanisms ◽  
Binding Pockets ◽  
First Time ◽  
Autocatalytic Activation

The vacuolar cysteine protease legumain plays important functions in seed maturation and plant programmed cell death. Because of their dual protease and ligase activity, plant legumains have become of particular biotechnological interest, e.g. for the synthesis of cyclic peptides for drug design or for protein engineering. However, the molecular mechanisms behind their dual protease and ligase activities are still poorly understood, limiting their applications. Here, we present the crystal structure of Arabidopsis thaliana legumain isoform β (AtLEGβ) in its zymogen state. Combining structural and biochemical experiments, we show for the first time that plant legumains encode distinct, isoform-specific activation mechanisms. Whereas the autocatalytic activation of isoform γ (AtLEGγ) is controlled by the latency-conferring dimer state, the activation of the monomeric AtLEGβ is concentration independent. Additionally, in AtLEGβ the plant-characteristic two-chain intermediate state is stabilized by hydrophobic rather than ionic interactions, as in AtLEGγ, resulting in significantly different pH stability profiles. The crystal structure of AtLEGβ revealed unrestricted nonprime substrate binding pockets, consistent with the broad substrate specificity, as determined by degradomic assays. Further to its protease activity, we show that AtLEGβ exhibits a true peptide ligase activity. Whereas cleavage-dependent transpeptidase activity has been reported for other plant legumains, AtLEGβ is the first example of a plant legumain capable of linking free termini. The discovery of these isoform-specific differences will allow us to identify and rationally design efficient ligases with application in biotechnology and drug development.

scholarly journals BionoiNet: ligand-binding site classification with off-the-shelf deep neural network

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 3077-3083
Author(s):  
Wentao Shi ◽  
Jeffrey M Lemoine ◽  
Abd-El-Monsif A Shawky ◽  
Manali Singha ◽  
Limeng Pu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Protein Structures ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Heme Binding ◽  
Unseen Data ◽  
Ligand Binding Sites ◽  
Binding Pockets

Abstract Motivation Fast and accurate classification of ligand-binding sites in proteins with respect to the class of binding molecules is invaluable not only to the automatic functional annotation of large datasets of protein structures but also to projects in protein evolution, protein engineering and drug development. Deep learning techniques, which have already been successfully applied to address challenging problems across various fields, are inherently suitable to classify ligand-binding pockets. Our goal is to demonstrate that off-the-shelf deep learning models can be employed with minimum development effort to recognize nucleotide- and heme-binding sites with a comparable accuracy to highly specialized, voxel-based methods. Results We developed BionoiNet, a new deep learning-based framework implementing a popular ResNet model for image classification. BionoiNet first transforms the molecular structures of ligand-binding sites to 2D Voronoi diagrams, which are then used as the input to a pretrained convolutional neural network classifier. The ResNet model generalizes well to unseen data achieving the accuracy of 85.6% for nucleotide- and 91.3% for heme-binding pockets. BionoiNet also computes significance scores of pocket atoms, called BionoiScores, to provide meaningful insights into their interactions with ligand molecules. BionoiNet is a lightweight alternative to computationally expensive 3D architectures. Availability and implementation BionoiNet is implemented in Python with the source code freely available at: https://github.com/CSBG-LSU/BionoiNet. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document