scholarly journals High-affinity nanobodies as tools for structural and functional studies on mammalian Arc

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigurbjorn Markusson ◽  
Erik I Hallin ◽  
Helene J Bustad ◽  
Arne Raasakka ◽  
Ju Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Dynamics ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Intercellular Signaling ◽  
Saxs Data ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
High Affinity

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a multidomain protein of retroviral origin with a vital role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and memory formation in mammals. However, the mechanistic and structural basis of Arc function is little understood. Arc has an NTD involved in membrane binding and a CTD which binds postsynaptic protein ligands. In addition, the NTD and CTD both function in Arc oligomerization, including assembly of retrovirus-like capsid involved in intercellular signaling. We produced and characterised six ultra-high-affinity anti-Arc nanobodies (Nb). The CTD of both rat and human Arc could be crystallised in ternary complexes with two Nbs simultaneously bound (H11 and C11). H11 binding deep into the stargazing-binding pocket of Arc CTD suggested competitive binding with Arc ligand peptides, which was confirmed in vitro. This indicates that the H11 Nb could serve as a genetically-encoded tool for inhibition of endogenous Arc N-lobe interactions in study of neuronal function and plasticity. The crystallisation of the human Arc CTD in two different conformations, accompanied by SAXS data and molecular dynamics simulations, paints a dynamic picture of the mammalian Arc CTD. Dynamics were affected by mutations known to inhibit capsid formation, implying a role for Arc CTD dynamics in oligomerisation. Dimerisation of the NTD, together with structural dynamics of the CTD, suggest a mechanism, by which structural dynamics of the CTD may promote capsomer formation, and dimerisation of the NTD links capsomers, facilitating the formation of capsids. The described recombinant ultrahigh-affinity anti-Arc Nbs are versatile tools that can be further developed for studying mammalian Arc structure and function in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Structural insights into FTO’s catalytic mechanism for the demethylation of multiple RNA substrates

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (8) ◽  
pp. 2919-2924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
Lian-Huan Wei ◽  
Yuxin Wang ◽  
Yu Xiao ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Catalytic Mechanism ◽  
Tertiary Structure ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Multiple Substrates ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Structural Insights ◽  
Demethylation Activity

FTO demethylates internal N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and N6,2′-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am; at the cap +1 position) in mRNA, m6A and m6Am in snRNA, and N1-methyladenosine (m1A) in tRNA in vivo, and in vitro evidence supports that it can also demethylate N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA), 3-methylthymine (3mT), and 3-methyluracil (m3U). However, it remains unclear how FTO variously recognizes and catalyzes these diverse substrates. Here we demonstrate—in vitro and in vivo—that FTO has extensive demethylation enzymatic activity on both internal m6A and cap m6Am. Considering that 6mA, m6A, and m6Am all share the same nucleobase, we present a crystal structure of human FTO bound to 6mA-modified ssDNA, revealing the molecular basis of the catalytic demethylation of FTO toward multiple RNA substrates. We discovered that (i) N6-methyladenine is the most favorable nucleobase substrate of FTO, (ii) FTO displays the same demethylation activity toward internal m6A and m6Am in the same RNA sequence, suggesting that the substrate specificity of FTO primarily results from the interaction of residues in the catalytic pocket with the nucleobase (rather than the ribose ring), and (iii) the sequence and the tertiary structure of RNA can affect the catalytic activity of FTO. Our findings provide a structural basis for understanding the catalytic mechanism through which FTO demethylates its multiple substrates and pave the way forward for the structure-guided design of selective chemicals for functional studies and potential therapeutic applications.

Understanding the highly efficient catalysis of prokaryotic peptide deformylases by shedding light on the determinants specifying the low activity of the human counterpart

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Fieulaine ◽  
Michel Desmadril ◽  
Thierry Meinnel ◽  
Carmela Giglione
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Human Counterpart ◽  
Low Activity

Peptide deformylases (PDFs), which are essential and ubiquitous enzymes involved in the removal of theN-formyl group from nascent chains, are classified into four subtypes based on the structural and sequence similarity of specific conserved domains. All PDFs share a similar three-dimensional structure, are functionally interchangeablein vivoand display similar propertiesin vitro, indicating that their molecular mechanism has been conserved during evolution. The human mitochondrial PDF is the only exception as despite its conserved fold it reveals a unique substrate-binding pocket together with an unusual kinetic behaviour. Unlike human PDF, the closely related mitochondrial PDF1As from plants have catalytic efficiencies and enzymatic parameters that are similar to those of other classes of PDFs. Here, the aim was to identify the structural basis underlying the properties of human PDF compared with all other PDFs by focusing on plant mitochondrial PDF1A. The construction of a chimaera composed of plant PDF1A with the nonrandom substitutions found in a conserved motif of its human homologue converted it into an enzyme with properties similar to the human enzyme, indicating the crucial role of these positions. The crystal structure of this human-like plant PDF revealed that substitution of two residues leads to a reduction in the volume of the ligand-binding site together with the introduction of negative charges, unravelling the origin of the weak affinity of human PDF for its substrate. In addition, the substitution of the two residues of human PDF modifies the transition state of the reaction through alteration of the network of interactions between the catalytic residues and the substrate, leading to an overall reduced reaction rate.

scholarly journals A high-affinity antibody against the CSP N-terminal domain lacks Plasmodium falciparum inhibitory activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Thai ◽  
Giulia Costa ◽  
Anna Weyrich ◽  
Rajagopal Murugan ◽  
David Oyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Immunogen Design

Malaria is a global health concern, and research efforts are ongoing to develop a superior vaccine to RTS,S/AS01. To guide immunogen design, we seek a comprehensive understanding of the protective humoral response against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). In contrast to the well-studied responses to the repeat region and the C-terminus, the antibody response against the N-terminal domain of PfCSP (N-CSP) remains obscure. Here, we characterized the molecular recognition and functional efficacy of the N-CSP–specific monoclonal antibody 5D5. The crystal structure at 1.85-Å resolution revealed that 5D5 binds an α-helical epitope in N-CSP with high affinity through extensive shape and charge complementarity and the unusual utilization of an antibody N-linked glycan. Nevertheless, functional studies indicated low 5D5 binding to live Pf sporozoites and lack of sporozoite inhibition in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our data do not support the inclusion of the 5D5 N-CSP epitope into the next generation of CSP-based vaccines.

scholarly journals Structural basis of peptidomimetic agonism revealed by small molecule GLP-1R agonists Boc5 and WB4-24

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaotong Cong ◽  
Qingtong Zhou ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Li-Nan Chen ◽  
Zi-Chen Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Binding Mode ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Biased Signaling ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are effective in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity with proven cardiovascular benefits. However, most of them are peptides and require subcutaneous injection except for orally available semaglutide. Boc5 was identified as the first orthosteric non-peptidic agonist of GLP-1R that mimics a broad spectrum of bioactivities of GLP-1 in vitro and in vivo. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of Boc5 and its analog WB4-24 in complex with the human GLP-1R and Gs protein. Bound to the extracellular domain, extracellular loop 2, and transmembrane (TM) helices 1, 2, 3 and 7, one arm of both compounds inserted deeply into the bottom of the orthosteric binding pocket that is usually accessible by peptidic agonists, thereby partially overlapping with the residues A8-D15 in GLP-1. The other three arms, meanwhile, extended to the TM1-TM7, TM1-TM2, and TM2-TM3 clefts showing an interaction feature substantially similar to a previously known small molecule agonist LY3502970. Such a unique binding mode creates a distinct conformation that confers both peptidomimetic agonism and biased signaling induced by non-peptidic modulators at GLP-1R. Further, the conformational difference between Boc5 and WB4-24, two closed related compounds, provides a structural framework for fine tuning of pharmacological efficacy in the development of future small molecule therapeutics targeting GLP-1R.

Abstract 20452: Microrna-200b Induces Endothelial Progenitor Cell Apoptosis and Senescence by Targeting Cjun Expression

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoukang Zhu ◽  
Shanming Deng ◽  
Chunling Jia ◽  
Qi Ma ◽  
Emily Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Vascular Repair ◽  
Repair Capacity ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Reporter Assays

Introduction: Lineage negative bone marrow cells (Lin - BMCs) mediate vascular repair. Aging-associated apoptosis and senescence result in reduced number and impair Lin - BMCs’s pro-repair capacity. Molecular mechanisms underlying lin - BMCs apoptosis and senescence remain poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many important biological processes. The identification of miRNA-mRNA networks that modulate the health and functionality of lin - BMCs is a critical step in understanding the process of vascular repair. Hypothesis: miR-200b-cJun network plays a vital role in regulating Lin - BMCs apoptosis, senescence and self renewal in angiogenesis. Methods: Lin - BMCs were isolated from young (3-week-old) wild type (WT), young apoE -/- , aged WT (29-month-old) and aged apoE -/- (12 month-old) C57BL/6 mice. Global miRNA and gene expression profiling were analyzed. Results: Transcriptome analysis in Lin - BMCs isolated from young and aged WT and apoE -/- mice showed a significant aging-associated increase in miR-200b expression. We found that C-Jun was predicted to be a miR-200b target and c-Jun expression was reversely correlated with miR-200b levels. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed c-Jun as a direct target of miR-200b. MiR-200b overexpression in young lin-BMCs inhibited c-Jun expression, resulting in increased senescence and apoptosis in vitro and impaired angiogenic capacity in vivo . In contrast, suppression of miR-200b or overexpression of c-Jun in aged lin - BMCs increased c-Jun expression rejuvenated Lin - BMCs with decreased senescence and apoptosis, leading to improved angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo . Conclusions: Using genomic and functional studies, we discovered that miR-200b regulates apoptosis and senescence of age-associated lin - BMCs by suppressing c-Jun expression, thus negatively affecting vascular repair capacity of those cells in atherogenesis. Modulation of miR-200b and/or its target c-Jun may suggest a potential therapeutic intervention to improve Lin - BMCs-mediated angiogenesis and vascular repair.

Effects of Heparin Oligosaccharides with High Affinity for Antithrombin III in Experimental Venous Thrombosis

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (03) ◽  
pp. 244-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
D P Thomas ◽  
Rosemary E Merton ◽  
T W Barrowcliffe ◽  
L Thunberg ◽  
U Lindahl
Keyword(s):  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
High Specific Activity ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Thrombin Time ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Very High

SummaryThe in vitro and in vivo characteristics of two oligosaccharide heparin fragments have been compared to those of unfractionated mucosal heparin. A decasaccharide fragment had essentially no activity by APTT or calcium thrombin time assays in vitro, but possessed very high specific activity by anti-Factor Xa assays. When injected into rabbits at doses of up to 80 ¼g/kg, this fragment was relatively ineffective in impairing stasis thrombosis despite producing high blood levels by anti-Xa assays. A 16-18 monosaccharide fragment had even higher specific activity (almost 2000 iu/mg) by chromogenic substrate anti-Xa assay, with minimal activity by APTT. When injected in vivo, this fragment gave low blood levels by APTT, very high anti-Xa levels, and was more effective in preventing thrombosis than the decasaccharide fragment. However, in comparison with unfractionated heparin, the 16-18 monosaccharide fragment was only partially effective in preventing thrombosis, despite producing much higher blood levels by anti-Xa assays.It is concluded that the high-affinity binding of a heparin fragment to antithrombin III does not by itself impair venous thrombogenesis, and that the anti-Factor Xa activity of heparin is only a partial expression of its therapeutic potential.

Novel concatameric heparin-binding peptides reverse heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulant activities in patient plasma in vitro and in rats in vivo

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 1356-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara P. Schick ◽  
David Maslow ◽  
Adrianna Moshinski ◽  
James D. San Antonio
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparin ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Binding Peptides

Abstract Patients given unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis or treatment of thrombosis sometimes suffer serious bleeding. We showed previously that peptides containing 3 or more tandem repeats of heparin-binding consensus sequences have high affinity for LMWH and neutralize LMWH (enoxaparin) in vivo in rats and in vitro in citrate. We have now modified the (ARKKAAKA)n tandem repeat peptides by cyclization or by inclusion of hydrophobic tails or cysteines to promote multimerization. These peptides exhibit high-affinity binding to LMWH (dissociation constant [Kd], ≈ 50 nM), similar potencies in neutralizing anti–Factor Xa activity of UFH and enoxaparin added to normal plasma in vitro, and efficacy equivalent to or greater than protamine. Peptide (ARKKAAKA)3VLVLVLVL was most effective in all plasmas from enoxaparin-treated patients, and was 4- to 20-fold more effective than protamine. Several other peptide structures were effective in some patients' plasmas. All high-affinity peptides reversed inhibition of thrombin-induced clot formation by UFH. These peptides (1 mg/300 g rat) neutralized 1 U/mL anti–Factor Xa activity of enoxaparin in rats within 1 to 2 minutes. Direct blood pressure and heart rate measurements showed little or no hemodynamic effect. These heparin-binding peptides, singly or in combination, are potential candidates for clinical reversal of UFH and LMWH in humans.

scholarly journals Activation of MAT2A-RIP1 signaling axis reprograms monocytes in gastric cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e001364
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Hui Yang ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
Ping Wan ◽  
Ye Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Methionine Metabolism ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Methionine Cycle

BackgroundThe activation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) facilitates the progression of gastric cancer (GC). Cell metabolism reprogramming has been shown to play a vital role in the polarization of TAMs. However, the role of methionine metabolism in function of TAMs remains to be explored.MethodsMonocytes/macrophages were isolated from peripheral blood, tumor tissues or normal tissues from healthy donors or patients with GC. The role of methionine metabolism in the activation of TAMs was evaluated with both in vivo analyses and in vitro experiments. Pharmacological inhibition of the methionine cycle and modulation of key metabolic genes was employed, where molecular and biological analyses were performed.ResultsTAMs have increased methionine cycle activity that are mainly attributed to elevated methionine adenosyltransferase II alpha (MAT2A) levels. MAT2A modulates the activation and maintenance of the phenotype of TAMs and mediates the upregulation of RIP1 by increasing the histone H3K4 methylation (H3K4me3) at its promoter regions.ConclusionsOur data cast light on a novel mechanism by which methionine metabolism regulates the anti-inflammatory functions of monocytes in GC. MAT2A might be a potential therapeutic target for cancer cells as well as TAMs in GC.

scholarly journals POLRMT mutations impair mitochondrial transcription causing neurological disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Oláhová ◽  
Bradley Peter ◽  
Zsolt Szilagyi ◽  
Hector Diaz-Maldonado ◽  
Meenakshi Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Disease Mechanism ◽  
Mitochondrial Transcription ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Mtdna Deletions ◽  
Molecular Nature ◽  
Important Disease

AbstractWhile >300 disease-causing variants have been identified in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase γ, no mitochondrial phenotypes have been associated with POLRMT, the RNA polymerase responsible for transcription of the mitochondrial genome. Here, we characterise the clinical and molecular nature of POLRMT variants in eight individuals from seven unrelated families. Patients present with global developmental delay, hypotonia, short stature, and speech/intellectual disability in childhood; one subject displayed an indolent progressive external ophthalmoplegia phenotype. Massive parallel sequencing of all subjects identifies recessive and dominant variants in the POLRMT gene. Patient fibroblasts have a defect in mitochondrial mRNA synthesis, but no mtDNA deletions or copy number abnormalities. The in vitro characterisation of the recombinant POLRMT mutants reveals variable, but deleterious effects on mitochondrial transcription. Together, our in vivo and in vitro functional studies of POLRMT variants establish defective mitochondrial transcription as an important disease mechanism.

scholarly journals Design of PSMA ligands with modifications at the inhibitor part: an approach to reduce the salivary gland uptake of radiolabeled PSMA inhibitors?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Barbara Felber ◽  
Manuel Amando Valentin ◽  
Hans-Jürgen Wester
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Tumor Xenograft ◽  
Tumor Uptake ◽  
Lncap Cells ◽  
High Affinity

Abstract Aim To investigate whether modifications of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radiolabeled urea-based inhibitors could reduce salivary gland uptake and thus improve tumor-to-salivary gland ratios, several analogs of a high affinity PSMA ligand were synthesized and evaluated in in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods Binding motifs were synthesized ‘on-resin’ or, when not practicable, in solution. Peptide chain elongations were performed according to optimized standard protocols via solid-phase peptide synthesis. In vitro experiments were performed using PSMA+ LNCaP cells. In vivo studies as well as μSPECT/CT scans were conducted with male LNCaP tumor xenograft-bearing CB17-SCID mice. Results PSMA ligands with A) modifications within the central Zn2+-binding unit, B) proinhibitor motifs and C) substituents & bioisosteres of the P1′-γ-carboxylic acid were synthesized and evaluated. Modifications within the central Zn2+-binding unit of PSMA-10 (Glu-urea-Glu) provided three compounds. Thereof, only natLu-carbamate I (natLu-3) exhibited high affinity (IC50 = 7.1 ± 0.7 nM), but low tumor uptake (5.31 ± 0.94% ID/g, 1 h p.i. and 1.20 ± 0.55% ID/g, 24 h p.i.). All proinhibitor motif-based ligands (three in total) exhibited low binding affinities (> 1 μM), no notable internalization and very low tumor uptake (< 0.50% ID/g). In addition, four compounds with P1′-ɣ-carboxylate substituents were developed and evaluated. Thereof, only tetrazole derivative natLu-11 revealed high affinity (IC50 = 16.4 ± 3.8 nM), but also this inhibitor showed low tumor uptake (3.40 ± 0.63% ID/g, 1 h p.i. and 0.68 ± 0.16% ID/g, 24 h p.i.). Salivary gland uptake in mice remained at an equally low level for all compounds (between 0.02 ± 0.00% ID/g and 0.09 ± 0.03% ID/g), wherefore apparent tumor-to-submandibular gland and tumor-to-parotid gland ratios for the modified peptides were distinctly lower (factor 8–45) than for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-10 at 24 h p.i. Conclusions The investigated compounds could not compete with the in vivo characteristics of the EuE-based PSMA inhibitor [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-10. Although two derivatives (3 and 11) were found to exhibit high affinities towards LNCaP cells, tumor uptake at 24 h p.i. was considerably low, while uptake in salivary glands remained unaffected. Optimization of the established animal model should be envisaged to enable a clear identification of PSMA-targeting radioligands with improved tumor-to-salivary gland ratios in future studies.

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