I02-Macromolecular Crystallography
I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[12342]
Open Access
Abstract: Human zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a 42 kDa adipokine which regulates body fat mass and is associated with cachexia and obesity. ZAG belongs to the major histocompatibility complex class I protein family and binds long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in its groove formed from the α1 and α2 domains. To identify the molecular basis of its lipid-binding function, we determined the first crystal structure at 2.49Å resolution for fatty acid-bound ZAG, where the ligand was the fluorescent 11-(dansylamino)undecanoic acid (DAUDA). The 192 kDa crystallographic asymmetric unit contained six ZAG and eight fatty acid molecules in unique conformations. Six fatty acid molecules were localised to the ZAG grooves, where its tails were bound in two distinct conformations. The carboxylate groups of three fatty acids projected out of the groove, while the fourth was hydrogen bonded with R73 inside the groove. Other ligand-residue contacts were primarily hydrophobic. A new fatty acid site was revealed for two further DAUDA molecules at the ZAG α3 domains. Following conformational changes from unbound ZAG, the α3 domains formed tetrameric β-barrel structures lined by fatty acid molecules that doubled the binding capacity of ZAG. Analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that ZAG in solution was a monomer in the absence of DAUDA, but formed small amounts of tetramers with DAUDA. By showing that ZAG binds fatty acids in different locations, we demonstrate an augmented mechanism for fatty acid binding in ZAG that is distinct from other known fatty acid binding proteins, and may be relevant to cachexia.
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Sep 2019
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B21-High Throughput SAXS
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[14794]
Open Access
Abstract: The trifunctional enzyme (TFE) catalyzes the last three steps of the fatty acid β-oxidation cycle. Two TFEs are present in Escherichia coli , EcTFE and anEcTFE. EcTFE is expressed only under aerobic conditions whereas anEcTFE is expressed also under anaerobic conditions, with nitrate or fumarate as the ultimate electron acceptor. The anEcTFE subunits have higher sequence identity with the human mitochondrial TFE (HsTFE) than with the soluble EcTFE. Like HsTFE, here it is found that anEcTFE is a membrane bound complex. Systematic enzyme kinetic studies show that anEcTFE has preference for medium and long chain enoyl-CoAs, similar to HsTFE, whereas EcTFE prefers short chain enoyl-CoA substrates. The biophysical characterization of anEcTFE and EcTFE shows that EcTFE is heterotetrameric, whereas anEcTFE is purified as a complex of two heterotetrameric units, like HsTFE. The tetrameric assembly of anEcTFE resembles the HsTFE tetramer, although the arrangement of the two anEcTFE tetramers in the octamer is different from the HsTFE octamer. These studies demonstrate that EcTFE and anEcTFE have complementary substrate specificities, allowing for complete degradation of long chain enoyl-CoAs under aerobic conditions. The new data agree with the notion that anEcTFE and HsTFE are evolutionary closely related, whereas EcTFE belongs to a separate subfamily.
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Jun 2019
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I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[17212]
Open Access
Abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metalloprotease best known for its role in blood pressure regulation. ACE consists of two homologous catalytic domains, the N- and C-domain, that display distinct but overlapping catalytic functions in vivo owing to subtle differences in substrate specificity. While current generation ACE inhibitors target both ACE domains, domain-selective ACE inhibitors may be clinically advantageous, either reducing side-effects or having utility in new indications. Here, we used site-directed mutagenesis, an ACE chimera and X-ray crystallography to unveil the molecular basis for C-domain selective ACE inhibition by the bradykinin potentiating peptide b (BPPb), naturally present in Brazilian pit viper venom. We present the BPPb-N-domain structure in comparison with the previously reported BPPb-C-domain structure and highlight key differences in peptide interactions with the S4 to S9 subsites. This suggests involvement of these subsites in conferring C-domain selective BPPb binding, in agreement with the mutagenesis results where unique residues governing differences in active site exposure, lid structure and dynamics between the two domains were the major drivers for C-domain selective BPPb binding. Mere disruption of BPPb interactions with unique S2 and S4 subsite residues, which synergistically assist in BPPb binding, was insufficient to abolish C-domain selectivity. The combination of unique S9-S4 and S2ʹ subsite C-domain residues were required for the favourable entry, orientation and thus, selective binding of the peptide. This emphasizes the need to consider factors other than direct protein-inhibitor interactions to guide the design of domain-selective ACE inhibitors, especially in the case of larger peptides.
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May 2019
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B21-High Throughput SAXS
I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Open Access
Abstract: The group A p21-activated kinases (PAKs) exist in an auto-inhibited form until activated by GTPase binding and auto-phosphorylation. In the auto-inhibited form a regulatory domain binds to the kinase domain blocking the binding of substrates, and CDC42 or Rac binding to the regulatory domain relieves this auto-inhibition allowing auto-phosphorylation on the kinase domain activation loop. We have determined the crystal structure of the PAK3 catalytic domain and by small angle X-ray scattering the solution-phase structures of full-length inactive PAK1 and PAK3. The structures reveal a compact but elongated molecular shape that demonstrates that, together with multiple independent biophysical measurements and in contrast to previous assumptions, group A PAKs are monomeric both before and after activation, consistent with an activation mechanism of cis -autoinhibition and initial cis -autophosphorylation, followed by transient dimerization to allow trans- autophosphorylation for full activation, yielding a monomeric active PAK protein.
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Apr 2019
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I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[9487]
Open Access
Abstract: Ferritins are a large family of intracellular proteins that protect the cell from oxidative stress by catalytically converting Fe(II) into less toxic Fe(III) and storing iron minerals within their core. Encapsulated ferritins (EncFtn) are a sub-family of ferritin-like proteins, which are widely distributed in all bacterial and archaeal phyla. The recently characterized Rhodospirillum rubrum EncFtn displays an unusual structure when compared with classical ferritins, with an open decameric structure that is enzymatically active, but unable to store iron. This EncFtn must be associated with an encapsulin nanocage in order to act as an iron store. Given the wide distribution of the EncFtn family in organisms with diverse environmental niches, a question arises as to whether this unusual structure is conserved across the family. Here, we characterize EncFtn proteins from the halophile Haliangium ochraceum and the thermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, which show the conserved annular pentamer of dimers topology. Key structural differences are apparent between the homologues, particularly in the centre of the ring and the secondary metal-binding site, which is not conserved across the homologues. Solution and native mass spectrometry analyses highlight that the stability of the protein quaternary structure differs between EncFtn proteins from different species. The ferroxidase activity of EncFtn proteins was confirmed, and we show that while the quaternary structure around the ferroxidase centre is distinct from classical ferritins, the ferroxidase activity is still inhibited by Zn(II). Our results highlight the common structural organization and activity of EncFtn proteins, despite diverse host environments and contexts within encapsulins.
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Mar 2019
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength)
I04-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Open Access
Abstract: The SCP2-thiolase (type-1) functions in the vertebrate peroxisomal, bile acid synthesis pathway, converting 24-keto-THC-CoA and CoA into choloyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA. This conversion concerns the β-oxidation chain shortening of the steroid fatty acyl moiety of 24-keto-THC-CoA. This class of dimeric thiolases has previously been poorly characterized. High resolution crystal structures of the zebrafish SCP2-thiolase (type-1) now reveal an open catalytic site, shaped by residues of both subunits. The structure of its non-dimerised monomeric form has also been captured in the obtained crystals. Four loops at the dimer interface adopt very different conformations in the monomeric form. These loops also shape the active site and their structural changes explain why a competent active site is not present in the monomeric form. Native mass spectrometry studies confirm that the zebrafish SCP2-thiolase (type-1) as well as its human homologue are weak transient dimers in solution. The crystallographic binding studies reveal the mode of binding of CoA and octanoyl-CoA in the active site, highlighting the conserved geometry of the nucleophilic cysteine, the catalytic acid/base cysteine and the two oxyanion holes. The dimer interface of SCP2-thiolase (type-1) is equally extensive as in other thiolase dimers, however it is more polar than any of the corresponding interfaces, which correlates with the notion that the enzyme forms a weak transient dimer. The structure comparison of the monomeric and dimeric forms suggests functional relevance of this property. These comparisons provide also insight into the structural rearrangements that occur when the folded inactive monomers assemble into the mature dimer.
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Dec 2018
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I02-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Alice Rose
Mitchell
,
Meng
Yuan
,
Hugh P.
Morgan
,
Iain W.
Mcnae
,
Elizabeth A.
Blackburn
,
Thierry
Lebihan
,
R. A.
Homem
,
M.
Yu
,
Gary J.
Loake
,
Paul A.
Michels
,
Martin A.
Wear
,
Malcolm D.
Walkinshaw
Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[18515]
Abstract: We show here that the M2 isoform of human pyruvate kinase (M2PYK) is susceptible to nitrosation and oxidation and that these modifications regulate enzyme activity by preventing formation of the active tetrameric form. The biotin switch assay carried out on M1 and M2 isoforms showed that M2PYK is sensitive to nitrosation and that Cys326 is highly susceptible to redox modification. Structural and enzymatic studies have been carried out on point mutants for three cysteine residues (Cys424, Cys358 and Cys326) to characterise their potential roles in redox regulation. Nine cysteines are conserved between M2PYK and M1PYK. Cys424 is the only cysteine unique to M2PYK. C424S, C424A, and C424L showed a moderate effect on enzyme activity with 80%, 100%, and 140% activity, respectively compared with M2PYK. C358 had been previously identified from in vivo studies to be the favoured target for oxidation. Our characterised mutant showed that this mutation stabilises tetrameric M2PYK suggesting that the in vivo resistance to oxidation for the Cys358Ser mutation is due to stabilisation of the tetrameric form of the enzyme. In contrast the Cys326Ser mutant exists predominantly in monomeric form. A biotin switch assay using this mutant also showed a significant reduction in biotinylation of M2PYK confirming that this is a major target for nitrosation and probably oxidation. Our results show that the sensitivity of M2PYK to oxidation and nitrosation is regulated by its monomer-tetramer equilibrium. In the monomer state, residues (in particular C326) are exposed to oxidative modifications that prevent reformation of the active tetrameric form.
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Sep 2018
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[15868]
Abstract: β-Ureidopropionase catalyzes the third step of the reductive pyrimidine catabolic pathway responsible for breakdown of uracil, thymine and pyrimidine-based antimetabolites such as 5-fluorouracil. Nitrilase-like β-ureidopropionases use a tetrad of conserved residues (Cys233, Lys196, Glu119 and Glu207) for catalysis and occur in a variety of oligomeric states. Positive cooperativity towards the substrate N-carbamoyl-β-alanine and an oligomerization-dependent mechanism of substrate activation and product inhibition have been reported for the enzymes from some species but not others. Here, the activity of recombinant human β-ureidopropionase is shown to be similarly regulated by substrate and product, but in a pH-dependent manner. Existing as homodimer at pH 9, the enzyme increasingly associates to octamers and larger oligomers with decreasing pH. Only at physiological pH it is responsive to effector binding, with N-carbamoyl-β-alanine causing association to more active higher molecular mass species, and β-alanine dissociation to inactive dimers. The parallel between the pH and ligand-induced effects suggests protonation state changes to play a crucial role in the allosteric regulation mechanism. Disruption of dimer-dimer interfaces by site-directed mutagenesis generated dimeric, inactive enzyme variants. The crystal structure of the T299C variant refined to 2.08 Å resolution revealed high structural conservation between human and fruit fly β-ureidopropionase, and supports the hypothesis that enzyme activation by oligomer assembly involves ordering of loop regions forming the entrance to the active site at the dimer-dimer interface, effectively positioning the catalytically important Glu207 in the active site.
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Jul 2018
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
I04-1-Macromolecular Crystallography (fixed wavelength)
I24-Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography
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Abstract: We have tested the effect of all 20 proteinogenic amino acids on the activity of the M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase (M2PYK) and show that within physiologically relevant concentrations, phenylalanine, alanine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, and proline act as inhibitors while histidine and serine act as activators. Size exclusion chromatography has been used to show that all amino acids, whether activators or inhibitors, stabilise the tetrameric form of M2PYK. In the absence of amino-acid ligands an apparent tetramer-monomer dissociation K d is estimated to be ~0.9 µM with a slow dissociation rate (t1/2 ~ 15 min). X-ray structures of M2PYK complexes with alanine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan show the M2PYK locked in an inactive T-state conformation, while activators lock the M2PYK tetramer in the active R-state conformation. Amino-acid binding in the allosteric pocket triggers rigid body rotations (11°) stabilising either T or R-states. The opposing inhibitory and activating effects of the non-essential amino acids serine and alanine suggest that M2PYK could act as a rapid-response nutrient sensor to rebalance cellular metabolism. This competition at a single allosteric site between activators and inhibitors provides a novel regulatory mechanism by which M2PYK activity is finely tuned by the relative (but not absolute) concentrations of activator and inhibitor amino acids. Such 'allostatic' regulation may be important in metabolic reprogramming and influencing cell fate.
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May 2018
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I03-Macromolecular Crystallography
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Diamond Proposal Number(s):
[12346]
Abstract: Under anaerobic conditions Escherichia coli is able to metabolize molecular hydrogen via the action of several [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzymes. Hydrogenase-2, which is typically present in cells at low levels during anaerobic respiration, is a periplasmic-facing membrane-bound complex that functions as a proton pump to convert energy from H2 oxidation into a proton gradient; consequently, its structure is of great interest. Empirically, the complex consists of a tightly-bound core catalytic module, comprising large (HybC) and small (HybO) subunits, which is attached to an Fe-S protein (HybA) and an integral membrane protein, HybB. To date, efforts to gain a more detailed picture have been thwarted by low native expression levels of hydrogenase-2 and the labile interaction between HybOC and HybA/HybB subunits. In this paper we describe a new over-expression system that has facilitated determination of high-resolution crystal structures of HybOC and, hence, a prediction of the quaternary structure of the HybOCAB complex.
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Mar 2018
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