New clues into the self-assembly of Vmh2, a basidiomycota class I hydrophobin

2018 ◽  
Vol 399 (8) ◽  
pp. 895-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Pennacchio ◽  
Paola Cicatiello ◽  
Eugenio Notomista ◽  
Paola Giardina ◽  
Alessandra Piscitelli
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Class I ◽  
Molecular Determinants

Abstract Hydrophobins are fungal proteins that can self-assemble into amphiphilic films at hydrophobic-hydrophilic interfaces. Class I hydrophobin aggregates resemble amyloid fibrils, sharing some features with them. Here, five site-directed mutants of Vmh2, a member of basidiomycota class I hydrophobins, were designed and characterized to elucidate the molecular determinants playing a key role in class I hydrophobin self-assembly. The mechanism of fibril formation proposed for Vmh2 foresees that the triggering event is the destabilization of a specific loop (L1), leading to the formation of a β-hairpin, which in turn generates the β-spine of the amyloid fibril.

scholarly journals Self-assembly of l-phenylalanine amino acid: electrostatic induced hindrance of fibril formation

RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 12596-12605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Tomar ◽  
Shilpi Chaudhary ◽  
Kailash Chandra Jena
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Immense Potential

Nanostructure morphology originating from the self-assembly of molecules has attracted substantial attention due to its role in toxic amyloid fibril formation and immense potential in the design and fabrication of novel biomaterials.

scholarly journals Sulphur K-edge XANES Spectroscopy of Transthyretin Amyloid Fibres

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 281-283
Author(s):  
L. Gales ◽  
I. Cardoso ◽  
B. Fayard ◽  
M.J. Saraiva ◽  
A.M. Damas
Keyword(s):  
Oxidation State ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Xanes Spectroscopy ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Self Association

Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis results from the self-association of TTR leading to insoluble deposits that occur at the extra cellular level. Sulphur K-edge XANES spectroscopy was used to determine the sulphur oxidation state in transtyretin present in amyloid fibrils. These data is discussed in relation to molecular mechanisms involved in amyloid fibril formation.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the self-assembly enhancing properties of cell-derived hexameric amyloid-β

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Devkee M. Vadukul ◽  
Céline Vrancx ◽  
Pierre Burguet ◽  
Sabrina Contino ◽  
Nuria Suelves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Precursor Protein ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Critical Nucleus ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Amyloid Plaques ◽  
The Self ◽  
Aβ Peptide ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Secretase Activity

AbstractA key hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the extracellular deposition of amyloid plaques composed primarily of the amyloidogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. The Aβ peptide is a product of sequential cleavage of the Amyloid Precursor Protein, the first step of which gives rise to a C-terminal Fragment (C99). Cleavage of C99 by γ-secretase activity releases Aβ of several lengths and the Aβ42 isoform in particular has been identified as being neurotoxic. The misfolding of Aβ leads to subsequent amyloid fibril formation by nucleated polymerisation. This requires an initial and critical nucleus for self-assembly. Here, we identify and characterise the composition and self-assembly properties of cell-derived hexameric Aβ42 and show its assembly enhancing properties which are dependent on the Aβ monomer availability. Identification of nucleating assemblies that contribute to self-assembly in this way may serve as therapeutic targets to prevent the formation of toxic oligomers.

scholarly journals The amphibian antimicrobial peptide uperin 3.5 is a cross-α/cross-β chameleon functional amyloid

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. e2014442118
Author(s):  
Nir Salinas ◽  
Einav Tayeb-Fligelman ◽  
Massimo D. Sammito ◽  
Daniel Bloch ◽  
Raz Jelinek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Regulation Mechanism ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Β Sheets

Antimicrobial activity is being increasingly linked to amyloid fibril formation, suggesting physiological roles for some human amyloids, which have historically been viewed as strictly pathological agents. This work reports on formation of functional cross-α amyloid fibrils of the amphibian antimicrobial peptide uperin 3.5 at atomic resolution, an architecture initially discovered in the bacterial PSMα3 cytotoxin. The fibrils of uperin 3.5 and PSMα3 comprised antiparallel and parallel helical sheets, respectively, recapitulating properties of β-sheets. Uperin 3.5 demonstrated chameleon properties of a secondary structure switch, forming mostly cross-β fibrils in the absence of lipids. Uperin 3.5 helical fibril formation was largely induced by, and formed on, bacterial cells or membrane mimetics, and led to membrane damage and cell death. These findings suggest a regulation mechanism, which includes storage of inactive peptides as well as environmentally induced activation of uperin 3.5, via chameleon cross-α/β amyloid fibrils.

scholarly journals Quantification of amyloid fibril polymorphism by nano-morphometry reveals the individuality of filament assembly

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam D. Aubrey ◽  
Ben J. F. Blakeman ◽  
Liisa Lutter ◽  
Christopher J. Serpell ◽  
Mick F. Tuite ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Distance Curve ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Sample Heterogeneity ◽  
Structural Insights ◽  
Polymorphic Nature

Abstract Amyloid fibrils are highly polymorphic structures formed by many different proteins. They provide biological function but also abnormally accumulate in numerous human diseases. The physicochemical principles of amyloid polymorphism are not understood due to lack of structural insights at the single-fibril level. To identify and classify different fibril polymorphs and to quantify the level of heterogeneity is essential to decipher the precise links between amyloid structures and their functional and disease associated properties such as toxicity, strains, propagation and spreading. Employing gentle, force-distance curve-based AFM, we produce detailed images, from which the 3D reconstruction of individual filaments in heterogeneous amyloid samples is achieved. Distinctive fibril polymorphs are then classified by hierarchical clustering, and sample heterogeneity is objectively quantified. These data demonstrate the polymorphic nature of fibril populations, provide important information regarding the energy landscape of amyloid self-assembly, and offer quantitative insights into the structural basis of polymorphism in amyloid populations.

scholarly journals Molecular Determinants for the Self-Assembly of Elastin Peptides

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Brigida Bochicchio ◽  
Maria Rosaria Armenante ◽  
Maria Antonietta Crudele ◽  
Antonietta Pepe
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Structure ◽  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
The Self ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Terminal Fragment ◽  
Aggregation Pattern ◽  
Molecular Determinants

Elastin and elastin-related peptides have great potential in the biomaterial field, because of their peculiar mechanical properties and spontaneous self-assembling behavior. Depending on their sequences and under appropriate experimental conditions, they are able to self-assemble in different fiber morphologies, including amyloid-like fibers. In this work, we will review recent data on elastin peptides derived from exon 30-coded domain of human tropoelastin. This domain has been shown to be fundamental for the correct assembly of elastin. However, the N-terminal region forms amyloid-like fibers, while the C-terminal fragment forms elastin-like fibers. A rationale for the varied aggregation pattern has been sought in the molecular structure of the peptides. Minimal differences in the sequences, adopting alternative conformations, are shown to be responsible for the observed data.

scholarly journals Modulation of Amyloidogenic Protein Self-Assembly Using Tethered Small Molecules

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Cawood ◽  
Nicolas Guthertz ◽  
Jessica Ebo ◽  
Theodoros Karamanos ◽  
Sheena E. Radford FRS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Structural Characterization ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Amyloid Assembly

<p></p><p>Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are involved in many of life’s essential biological functions yet are also an underlying cause of several human diseases, including amyloidosis. The modulation of PPIs presents opportunities to gain mechanistic insights into amyloid assembly, particularly through the use of methods which can trap specific intermediates for detailed study. Such information can also provide a starting point for drug discovery. Here, we demonstrate that covalently tethered small molecule fragments can be used to stabilize specific oligomers during amyloid fibril formation, facilitating the structural characterization of these assembly intermediates. We exemplify the power of covalent tethering using the naturally occurring truncated variant (ΔN6) of the human protein β2-microglobulin (β2m), which assembles into amyloid fibrils associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis. Using this approach, we have trapped tetramers formed by ΔN6 under conditions which would normally lead to fibril formation and found that the degree of tetramer stabilization depends on the site of the covalent tether and the nature of the protein-fragment interaction. The covalent protein-ligand linkage enabled structural characterization of these trapped oligomeric species using X-ray crystallography and NMR, providing insight into why tetramer stabilization inhibits amyloid assembly. Our findings highlight the power of “post-translational chemical modification" as a tool to study biological molecular mechanisms. </p><br><p></p>

scholarly journals Reproducibility Problems of Amyloid-β Self-Assembly and How to Deal With Them

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Faller ◽  
Christelle Hureau
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Test Tube ◽  
The Self ◽  
Aggregation Process ◽  
Self Assembled

The self-assembly of peptides and proteins into amyloid fibrils and other aggregates are linked to several diseases. One of the most studied cases is the peptide amyloid-β (Aβ), found self-assembled in Alzheimer's disease patients' brains. In test tubes, assays with chemically synthesized or recombinant Aβ are widely investigated to understand the aggregation process and to find modulators, which could be of therapeutic interest. Experience over more than a decade in our laboratory through discussions with colleagues, expertly studying the literature, and as reviewers revealed to us the widely encountered difficulty to control the aggregation and obtain reproducible results in the test tube. However, this issue is scarcely reported and discussed in the publications, which we think hampers strongly the progress in this field and can deceive newcomers. Here, we describe the difficulty and potential reasons to obtain reproducible aggregation data and propose some guidelines for working with it.

scholarly journals Identification of Novel 1,3,5-Triphenylbenzene Derivative Compounds as Inhibitors of Hen Lysozyme Amyloid Fibril Formation

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5558
Author(s):  
Hassan Ramshini ◽  
Reza Tayebee ◽  
Alessandra Bigi ◽  
Francesco Bemporad ◽  
Cristina Cecchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Amyloid Formation ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Egg White Lysozyme ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Activity Measurements ◽  
Model Protein

Deposition of soluble proteins as insoluble amyloid fibrils is associated with a number of pathological states. There is a growing interest in the identification of small molecules that can prevent proteins from undergoing amyloid fibril formation. In the present study, a series of small aromatic compounds with different substitutions of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene have been synthesized and their possible effects on amyloid fibril formation by hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), a model protein for amyloid formation, and of their resulting toxicity were examined. The inhibitory effect of the compounds against HEWL amyloid formation was analyzed using thioflavin T and Congo red binding assays, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and cytotoxicity assays, such as the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) reduction assay and caspase-3 activity measurements. We found that all compounds in our screen were efficient inhibitors of HEWL fibril formation and their associated toxicity. We showed that electron-withdrawing substituents such as –F and –NO2 potentiated the inhibitory potential of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, whereas electron-donating groups such as –OH, –OCH3, and –CH3 lowered it. These results may ultimately find applications in the development of potential inhibitors against amyloid fibril formation and its biologically adverse effects.

scholarly journals The Role of Buffers in Wild-Type HEWL Amyloid Fibril Formation Mechanism

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandi Brudar ◽  
Barbara Hribar-Lee
Keyword(s):  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Amyloid Fibril ◽  
Cd Spectroscopy ◽  
Fibril Formation ◽  
Acetate Solution ◽  
Solution Ph ◽  
Egg White Lysozyme ◽  
Fluorescence Measurements ◽  
Amyloid Fibril Formation ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy

Amyloid fibrils, highly ordered protein aggregates, play an important role in the onset of several neurological disorders. Many studies have assessed amyloid fibril formation under specific solution conditions, but they all lack an important phenomena in biological solutions—buffer specific effects. We have focused on the formation of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) fibrils in aqueous solutions of different buffers in both acidic and basic pH range. By means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence measurements and CD spectroscopy, we have managed to show that fibrillization of HEWL is affected by buffer identity (glycine, TRIS, phosphate, KCl-HCl, cacodylate, HEPES, acetate), solution pH, sample incubation (agitated vs. static) and added excipients (NaCl and PEG). HEWL only forms amyloid fibrils at pH = 2.0 under agitated conditions in glycine and KCl-HCl buffers of high enough ionic strength. Phosphate buffer on the other hand stabilizes the HEWL molecules. Similar stabilization effect was achieved by addition of PEG12000 molecules to the solution.

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