Crystal structure of the hinge domain of Smchd1 reveals its dimerization mode and nucleic acid–binding residues

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (636) ◽  
pp. eaaz5599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelan Chen ◽  
Richard W. Birkinshaw ◽  
Alexandra D. Gurzau ◽  
Iromi Wanigasuriya ◽  
Ruoyun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Nucleic Acid Binding ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Hinge Domain

Structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain containing 1 (SMCHD1) is an epigenetic regulator in which polymorphisms cause the human developmental disorder, Bosma arhinia micropthalmia syndrome, and the degenerative disease, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. SMCHD1 is considered a noncanonical SMC family member because its hinge domain is C-terminal, because it homodimerizes rather than heterodimerizes, and because SMCHD1 contains a GHKL-type, rather than an ABC-type ATPase domain at its N terminus. The hinge domain has been previously implicated in chromatin association; however, the underlying mechanism involved and the basis for SMCHD1 homodimerization are unclear. Here, we used x-ray crystallography to solve the three-dimensional structure of the Smchd1 hinge domain. Together with structure-guided mutagenesis, we defined structural features of the hinge domain that participated in homodimerization and nucleic acid binding, and we identified a functional hotspot required for chromatin localization in cells. This structure provides a template for interpreting the mechanism by which patient polymorphisms within the SMCHD1 hinge domain could compromise function and lead to facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

scholarly journals Structure of DnmZ, a nitrososynthase in the Streptomyces peucetius anthracycline biosynthetic pathway

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. 1205-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Sartor ◽  
Charmaine Ibarra ◽  
Ahmad Al-Mestarihi ◽  
Brian O. Bachmann ◽  
Jessica L. Vey
Keyword(s):  
Substrate Specificity ◽  
Natural Product ◽  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography

The anthracyclines are a class of highly effective natural product chemotherapeutics and are used to treat a range of cancers, including leukemia. The toxicity of the anthracyclines has stimulated efforts to further diversify the scaffold of the natural product, which has led to renewed interest in the biosynthetic pathway responsible for the formation and modification of this family of molecules. DnmZ is an N-hydroxylating flavin monooxygenase (a nitrososynthase) that catalyzes the oxidation of the exocyclic amine of the sugar nucleotide dTDP-L-epi-vancosamine to its nitroso form. Its specific role in the anthracycline biosynthetic pathway involves the synthesis of the seven-carbon acetal moiety attached to C4 of L-daunosamine observed in the anthracycline baumycin. Here, X-ray crystallography was used to elucidate the three-dimensional structure of DnmZ. Two crystal structures of DnmZ were yielded: that of the enzyme alone, solved to 3.00 Å resolution, and that of the enzyme in complex with thymidine diphosphate, the nucleotide carrier portion of the substrate, solved to 2.74 Å resolution. These models add insights into the structural features involved in substrate specificity and conformational changes involved in thymidine diphosphate binding by the nitrososynthases.

scholarly journals Structure of the EphB6 receptor ectodomain

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247335
Author(s):  
Emilia O. Mason ◽  
Yehuda Goldgur ◽  
Dorothea Robev ◽  
Andrew Freywald ◽  
Dimitar B. Nikolov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Eph Receptors ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
General Importance

Eph receptors are the largest group amongst the receptor tyrosine kinases and are divided into two subgroups, A and B, based on ligand binding specificities and sequence conservation. Through ligand-induced and ligand-independent activities, Ephs play central roles in diverse biological processes, including embryo development, regulation of neuronal signaling, immune responses, vasculogenesis, as well as tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. The Eph extracellular regions (ECDs) are constituted of multiple domains, and previous structural studies of the A class receptors revealed how they interact with ephrin ligands and simultaneously mediate Eph-Eph clustering necessary for biological activity. Specifically, EphA structures highlighted a model, where clustering of ligand-bound receptors relies on two distinct receptor/receptor interfaces. Interestingly, most unliganded A class receptors also form an additional, third interface, between the ligand binding domain (LBD) and the fibronectin III domain (FN3) of neighboring molecules. Structures of B-class Eph ECDs, on the other hand, have never been reported. To further our understanding of Eph receptor function, we crystallized the EphB6-ECD and determined its three-dimensional structure using X-ray crystallography. EphB6 has important functions in both normal physiology and human malignancies and is especially interesting because this atypical receptor innately lacks kinase activity and our understanding of the mechanism of action is still incomplete. Our structural data reveals the overall EphB6-ECD architecture and shows EphB6-LBD/FN3 interactions similar to those observed for the unliganded A class receptors, suggesting that these unusual interactions are of general importance to the Eph group. We also observe unique structural features, which likely reflect the atypical signaling properties of EphB6, namely the need of co-receptor(s) for this kinase-inactive Eph. These findings provide new valuable information on the structural organization and mechanism of action of the B-class Ephs, and specifically EphB6, which in the future will assist in identifying clinically relevant targets for cancer therapy.

scholarly journals PROTEIN TEACHING: AN APPROACH FOR TEACHER TRAINING APPLIED TO STUDENTS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES COURSE AT UFRN

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
J. K.S. NASCIMENTO et al
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Lesson Plan ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Educational Models ◽  
Teaching Learning

Teaching biochemistry in higher education is increasingly becoming a challenge. It is notoriously difficult for students to assimilate the topic; in addition there are many complaints about the complexity of subjects and a lack of integration with the day-to-day. A recurrent problem in undergraduate courses is the absence of teaching practice in specific disciplines. This work aimed to stimulate students in the biological sciences course who were enrolled in the discipline of MOLECULAR DIVERSITY (MD), to create hypothetical classes focused on basic education highlighting the proteins topic. The methodology was applied in a class that contained 35 students. Seven groups were formed, and each group chose a protein to be used as a source of study for elementary school classes. A lesson plan was created focusing on the methodology that the group would use to manage a class. The class was to be presented orally. Students were induced to be creative and incorporate a teacher figure, and to propose teaching methodologies for research using the CTS approach (Science, Technology and Society). Each group presented a three-dimensional structure of the protein they had chosen, explained their structural features and functions and how they would develop the theme for a class of basic education, and what kind of methodology they would use for this purpose. At the end of the presentations, a questionnaire was given to students in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology in the teaching-learning process. The activity improved the teacher’s training and developed skills and abilities, such as creativity, didactical planning, teaching ability, development of educational models and the use of new technologies. The methodology used in this work was extremely important to the training of future teachers, who were able to better understand the content covered in the discipline and relate it to day-to-day life.

scholarly journals Repeat elements organize 3D genome structure and mediate transcription in the filamentous fungusEpichloë festucae

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J Winter ◽  
Austen RD Ganley ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
Ivan Liachko ◽  
Christopher L Schardl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Structure ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Repeat Elements ◽  
Symbiotic Relationships ◽  
3D Genome ◽  
Transcriptional Changes

AbstractStructural features of genomes, including the three-dimensional arrangement of DNA in the nucleus, are increasingly seen as key contributors to the regulation of gene expression. However, studies on how genome structure and nuclear organization influence transcription have so far been limited to a handful of model species. This narrow focus limits our ability to draw general conclusions about the ways in which three-dimensional structures are encoded, and to integrate information from three-dimensional data to address a broader gamut of biological questions. Here, we generate a complete and gapless genome sequence for the filamentous fungus,Epichloë festucae. Coupling it with RNAseq and HiC data, we investigate how the structure of the genome contributes to the suite of transcriptional changes that anEpichloëspecies needs to maintain symbiotic relationships with its grass host. Our results reveal a unique “patchwork” genome, in which repeat-rich blocks of DNA with discrete boundaries are interspersed by gene-rich sequences. In contrast to other species, the three-dimensional structure of the genome is anchored by these repeat blocks, which act to isolate transcription in neighbouring gene-rich regions. Genes that are differentially expressed in planta are enriched near the boundaries of these repeat-rich blocks, suggesting that their three-dimensional orientation partly encodes and regulates the symbiotic relationship formed by this organism.

scholarly journals Structural Features of a Bacteroidetes-Affiliated Cellulase Linked with a Polysaccharide Utilization Locus

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.E. Naas ◽  
A.K. MacKenzie ◽  
B. Dalhus ◽  
V.G.H. Eijsink ◽  
P.B. Pope
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Active Site Cleft ◽  
Polysaccharide Utilization Locus ◽  
And Function ◽  
Rumen Metagenome

Abstract Previous gene-centric analysis of a cow rumen metagenome revealed the first potentially cellulolytic polysaccharide utilization locus, of which the main catalytic enzyme (AC2aCel5A) was identified as a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 5 endo-cellulase. Here we present the 1.8 Å three-dimensional structure of AC2aCel5A and characterization of its enzymatic activities. The enzyme possesses the archetypical (β/α)8-barrel found throughout the GH5 family and contains the two strictly conserved catalytic glutamates located at the C-terminal ends of β-strands 4 and 7. The enzyme is active on insoluble cellulose and acts exclusively on linear β-(1,4)-linked glucans. Co-crystallization of a catalytically inactive mutant with substrate yielded a 2.4 Å structure showing cellotriose bound in the −3 to −1 subsites. Additional electron density was observed between Trp178 and Trp254, two residues that form a hydrophobic “clamp”, potentially interacting with sugars at the +1 and +2 subsites. The enzyme’s active-site cleft was narrower compared to the closest structural relatives, which in contrast to AC2aCel5A, are also active on xylans, mannans and/or xyloglucans. Interestingly, the structure and function of this enzyme seem adapted to less-substituted substrates such as cellulose, presumably due to the insufficient space to accommodate the side-chains of branched glucans in the active-site cleft.

Structural characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins by the combined use of NMR and SAXS

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 955-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Sibille ◽  
Pau Bernadó
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Conformational Preferences

In recent years, IDPs (intrinsically disordered proteins) have emerged as pivotal actors in biology. Despite IDPs being present in all kingdoms of life, they are more abundant in eukaryotes where they are involved in the vast majority of regulation and signalling processes. The realization that, in some cases, functional states of proteins were partly or fully disordered was in contradiction to the traditional view where a well defined three-dimensional structure was required for activity. Several experimental evidences indicate, however, that structural features in IDPs such as transient secondary-structural elements and overall dimensions are crucial to their function. NMR has been the main tool to study IDP structure by probing conformational preferences at residue level. Additionally, SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) has the capacity to report on the three-dimensional space sampled by disordered states and therefore complements the local information provided by NMR. The present review describes how the synergy between NMR and SAXS can be exploited to obtain more detailed structural and dynamic models of IDPs in solution. These combined strategies, embedded into computational approaches, promise the elucidation of the structure–function properties of this important, but elusive, family of biomolecules.

MRPC (Missing Regions in Polypeptide Chains): a knowledgebase

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1422-1426
Author(s):  
Rajendran Santhosh ◽  
Namrata Bankoti ◽  
Adgonda Malgonnavar Padmashri ◽  
Daliah Michael ◽  
Jeyaraman Jeyakanthan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Structures ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Protein Molecule ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Protein Crystal ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Protein Structure Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Polypeptide Chains

Missing regions in protein crystal structures are those regions that cannot be resolved, mainly owing to poor electron density (if the three-dimensional structure was solved using X-ray crystallography). These missing regions are known to have high B factors and could represent loops with a possibility of being part of an active site of the protein molecule. Thus, they are likely to provide valuable information and play a crucial role in the design of inhibitors and drugs and in protein structure analysis. In view of this, an online database, Missing Regions in Polypeptide Chains (MRPC), has been developed which provides information about the missing regions in protein structures available in the Protein Data Bank. In addition, the new database has an option for users to obtain the above data for non-homologous protein structures (25 and 90%). A user-friendly graphical interface with various options has been incorporated, with a provision to view the three-dimensional structure of the protein along with the missing regions using JSmol. The MRPC database is updated regularly (currently once every three months) and can be accessed freely at the URL http://cluster.physics.iisc.ac.in/mrpc.

Structure and conformation of the hydrochloride of pseudoisocytidine, an antileukemic C-nucleoside

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (16) ◽  
pp. 1633-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
George I. Birnabaum ◽  
Kyoichi A. Watanabe ◽  
Jack J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Atom ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Direct Methods ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Hydrogen Atoms ◽  
Triclinic Space Group ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Cell Dimensions ◽  
Sugar Ring

The three-dimensional structure of pseudoisocytidine hydrochloride was determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystals belong to the triclinic space group P1 and the cell dimensions are a = 6.623(2), b = 8.053(2), c = 6.201(2) Å, α = 108.35(2), β = 101.36(2), γ = 93.54(2) °. Intensity data were measured with a diffractometer and the structure was solved by a combination of heavy-atom and direct methods. Least-squares refinement, which included hydrogen atoms, converged at R = 0.040. The conformation about the glycosyl bond is anti (χCC = 21.6°), the pucker of the furanose ring is C(1′)exo, and the conformation of the —CH2OH side chain is gauche–trans (t). An examination of bond lengths indicates that of the three main resonance forms of the isocytosine cation the fully conjugated one contributes more to the structure than the cross-conjugated one. Bond angles in the sugar ring reflect its rare conformation.

Zona Pellucida Proteins, Fibrils, and Matrix

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 695-715
Author(s):  
Eveline S. Litscher ◽  
Paul M. Wassarman
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Zona Pellucida ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Preimplantation Development ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Three Dimensional Structure ◽  
Early Embryos ◽  
N Terminus

The zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix that surrounds all mammalian oocytes, eggs, and early embryos and plays vital roles during oogenesis, fertilization, and preimplantation development. The ZP is composed of three or four glycosylated proteins, ZP1–4, that are synthesized, processed, secreted, and assembled into long, cross-linked fibrils by growing oocytes. ZP proteins have an immunoglobulin-like three-dimensional structure and a ZP domain that consists of two subdomains, ZP-N and ZP-C, with ZP-N of ZP2 and ZP3 required for fibril assembly. A ZP2–ZP3 dimer is located periodically along ZP fibrils that are cross-linked by ZP1, a protein with a proline-rich N terminus. Fibrils in the inner and outer regions of the ZP are oriented perpendicular and parallel to the oolemma, respectively, giving the ZP a multilayered appearance. Upon fertilization of eggs, modification of ZP2 and ZP3 results in changes in the ZP's physical and biological properties that have important consequences. Certain structural features of ZP proteins suggest that they may be amyloid-like proteins.

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