pFind Studio: a computational solution for mass spectrometry-based proteomics
2022
Food Chemistry2022. Cherkaoui, M et al.
INRAE, UR1268 BIA, F-44316 Nantes, France
ABSTRACT:Ovalbumin (OVA) is a food allergen whose allergenicity is modulated by heating. We aimed to establish a molecular connection between heat-induced structural modifications and the modulation of the IgE binding capacity of OVA. For this, we used model samples of heat-modified OVA with increasing complexity; glycated, aggregated, or glycated and aggregated. Using sera from egg-allergic individuals, we show that both aggregation and glycation strongly impacted IgE binding capacity, despite limited structural changes for glycated OVA. A molecular exploration at the amino acid level using high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed extensive cross -linking, mostly through disulfide and dehydroprotein bridges, and moderate but significant glycation. Structural modifications affected residues located within or at a few amino acids distance of known human linear IgE epitopes, such as C121, K123, S169, K190, K207, H332 and C368. We thus unveil key amino residues implicated in the changes in IgE binding of OVA induced by heating.
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Communications Biology2022. Caixuan Liu et al.
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200031, Shanghai, China
ABSTRACT:
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Cell Research2022. Su, SC et al.
Univ Sci & Technol China, MOE Key Lab Cellular Dynam, Hefei, Anhui, Peoples R China; Fudan Univ, Sch Life Sci, Dept Biochem & Biophys,Multiscale Res Inst Comple, State Key Lab Genet Engn,Collaborat Innovat Ctr G, Shanghai, Peoples R China; Univ Sci & Technol China, Div Life Sci & Med, Hefei, Anhui, Peoples R China
ABSTRACT:N-6-methyladenosine (m(6)A) is the most abundant ribonucleotide modification among eukaryotic messenger RNAs. The m(6)A "writer" consists of the catalytic subunit m(6)A-METTL complex (MAC) and the regulatory subunit m(6)A-METTL-associated complex (MACOM), the latter being essential for enzymatic activity. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of MACOM at a 3.0-angstrom resolution, uncovering that WTAP and VIRMA form the core structure of MACOM and that ZC3H13 stretches the conformation by binding VIRMA. Furthermore, the 4.4-angstrom resolution cryo-EM map of the MACOM-MAC complex, combined with crosslinking mass spectrometry and GST pull-down analysis, elucidates a plausible model of the m(6)A writer complex, in which MACOM binds to MAC mainly through WTAP and METTL3 interactions. In combination with in vitro RNA substrate binding and m(6)A methyltransferase activity assays, our results illustrate the molecular basis of how MACOM assembles and interacts with MAC to form an active m(6)A writer complex.
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Cell2022. Akey, Christopher W. et al.
Univ Calif San Diego, Div Biol Sci, Sect Mol Biol, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA; Univ Basque Country, Inst Biofis, UPV EHU, CSIC, Leioa 48940, Spain; Univ Calif San Diego, Howard Hughes Med Inst, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA; Baylor Coll Med, Verna & Marrs McLean Dept Biochem & Mol Biol, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA; Rockefeller Univ, Lab Cellular & Struct Biol, New York, NY 10065 USA; Basque Fdn Sci, Ikerbasque, Bilbao 48013, Spain
ABSTRACT:Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate the nucleocytoplasmic transport of macromolecules. Here we provide a structure of the isolated yeast NPC in which the inner ring is resolved by cryo-EM at sub-nanometer resolution to show how flexible connectors tie together different structural and functional layers. These connectors may be targets for phosphorylation and regulated disassembly in cells with an open mitosis. Moreover, some nucleoporin pairs and transport factors have similar interaction motifs, which suggests an evolutionary and mechanistic link between assembly and transport. We provide evidence for three major NPC variants that may foreshadow functional specializations at the nuclear periphery. Cryo-electron tomography extended these studies, providing a model of the in situ NPC with a radially expanded inner ring. Our comprehensive model reveals features of the nuclear basket and central transporter, suggests a role for the lumenal Pom152 ring in restricting dilation, and highlights structural plasticity that may be required for transport.
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Nature structural & molecular biology2022. Chang, YG et al.
Monash Univ, Biomed Discovery Inst, Clayton, Vic, Australia
ABSTRACT:P-Rex (PI(3,4,5)P-3-dependent Rac exchanger) guanine nucleotide exchange factors potently activate Rho GTPases. P-Rex guanine nucleotide exchange factors are autoinhibited, synergistically activated by G beta gamma and PI(3,4,5)P-3 binding and dysregulated in cancer. Here, we use X-ray crystallography, cryogenic electron microscopy and crosslinking mass spectrometry to determine the structural basis of human P-Rex1 autoinhibition. P-Rex1 has a bipartite structure of N- and C-terminal modules connected by a C-terminal four-helix bundle that binds the N-terminal Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. In the N-terminal module, the Dbl homology (DH) domain catalytic surface is occluded by the compact arrangement of the DH-PH-DEP1 domains. Structural analysis reveals a remarkable conformational transition to release autoinhibition, requiring a 126 degrees opening of the DH domain hinge helix. The off-axis position of G beta gamma and PI(3,4,5)P-3 binding sites further suggests a counter-rotation of the P-Rex1 halves by 90 degrees facilitates PH domain uncoupling from the four-helix bundle, releasing the autoinhibited DH domain to drive Rho GTPase signaling.Cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and crosslinking mass spectrometry are harnessed to solve the structure of the full-length Rho-GEF P-Rex1, uncovering a two-layered mechanism of autoinhibition released upon G beta gamma and PI(3,4,5)P3 binding.
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Science Advances2022. Mi, Chenchen et al.
Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Biol, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China; Tsinghua Univ, Beijing Adv Innovat Ctr Struct Biol, Beijing Frontier Res Ctr Biol Struct, Sch Life Sci,State Key Lab Membrane Biol, Beijing 100084, Peoples R China
ABSTRACT:Transport protein particle (TRAPP) complexes belong to the multiprotein tethering complex and exist in three forms-core TRAPP/TRAPPI, TRAPPII, and TRAPPIII. TRAPPII activates GTPase Ypt31/Ypt32 as the guanine nucleotide exchange factor in the trans-Golgi network to determine the maturation of Golgi cisternae into post-Golgi carriers in yeast. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of yeast TRAPPII in apo and Ypt32-bound states. All the structures show a dimeric architecture assembled by two triangle-shaped monomers, while the monomer in the apo state exhibits both open and closed conformations, and the monomer in the Ypt32-bound form only captures the closed conformation. Located in the interior of the monomer, Ypt32 binds with both core TRAPP/TRAPPI and Trs120 via its nucleotide-binding domain and binds with Trs31 via its hypervariable domain. Combined with functional analysis, the structures provide insights into the assembly of TRAPPII and the mechanism of the specific activation of Ypt31/Ypt32 by TRAPPII.
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Science China Life Sciences2022. Huang, XX et al.
Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100049, Peoples R China; Chinese Acad Sci, CAS Ctr Excellence Biomacromol, Inst Biophys, Natl Lab Biomacromol, Beijing 100101, Peoples R China
ABSTRACT:Human alpha-2-macroglobulin is a well-known inhibitor of a broad spectrum of proteases and plays important roles in immunity, inflammation, and infections. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of human alpha-2-macroglobulin in its native state, induced state transformed by its authentic substrate, human trypsin, and serial intermediate states between the native and fully induced states. These structures exhibit distinct conformations, which reveal the dynamic transformation of alpha-2-macro-globulin that acts as a protease inhibitor. The results shed light on the molecular mechanism of alpha-2-macroglobulin in entrapping substrates.
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PNAS2022. Hodson, Charlotte et al.
Univ Melbourne, Dept Med St Vincents, Fitzroy, Vic 3065, Australia; St Vincents Inst Med Res, Genome Stabil Unit, Fitzroy, Vic 3065, Australia
ABSTRACT:The RecQ-like helicase BLM cooperates with topoisomerase IIIa, RMI1, and RMI2 in a heterotetrameric complex (the "Bloom syndrome complex") for dissolution of double Holliday junctions, key intermediates in homologous recombination. Mutations in any component of the Bloom syndrome complex can cause genome instability and a highly cancer-prone disorder called Bloom syndrome. Some heterozygous carriers are also predisposed to breast cancer. To understand how the activities of BLM helicase and topoisomerase IIIa are coupled, we purified the active four-subunit complex. Chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry revealed a unique architecture that links the helicase and topoisomerase domains. Using biochemical experiments, we demonstrated dimerization mediated by the N terminus of BLM with a 2:2:2:2 stoichiometry within the Bloom syndrome complex. We identified mutations that independently abrogate dimerization or association of BLM with RMI1, and we show that both are dysfunctional for dissolution using in vitro assays and cause genome instability and synthetic lethal interactions with GEN1/MUS81 in cells. Truncated BLM can also inhibit the activity of full-length BLM in mixed dimers, suggesting a putative mechanism of dominant-negative action in carriers of BLM truncation alleles. Our results identify critical molecular determinants of Bloom syndrome complex assembly required for double Holliday junction dissolution and maintenance of genome stability.
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Elife2022. Zhang, SN et al.
Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Bio X Inst, Key Lab Genet Dev & Neuropsychiat Disorders, Minist Educ, Shanghai, Peoples R China; Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Zhangjiang Inst Adv Study, Shanghai, Peoples R China; Univ Miami, Miller Sch Med, Dept Mol & Cellular Pharmacol, Miami, FL 33136 USA
ABSTRACT:Amyloid aggregation of phosphorylated Tau (pTau) into neurofibrillary tangles is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several molecular chaperones have been reported to bind Tau and impede its pathological aggregation. Recent findings of elevated levels of Hsp27 in the brains of patients with AD suggested its important role in pTau pathology. However, the molecular mechanism of Hsp27 in pTau aggregation remains poorly understood. Here, we show that Hsp27 partially co-localizes with pTau tangles in the brains of patients with AD. Notably, phosphoryla-tion of Tau by microtubule affinity regulating kinase 2 (MARK2), dramatically enhances the binding affinity of Hsp27 to Tau. Moreover, Hsp27 efficiently prevents pTau fibrillation in vitro and mitigates neuropathology of pTau aggregation in a Drosophila tauopathy model. Further mechanistic study reveals that Hsp27 employs its N-terminal domain to directly interact with multiple phosphorylation sites of pTau for specific binding. Our work provides the structural basis for the specific recognition of Hsp27 to pathogenic pTau, and highlights the important role of Hsp27 in preventing abnormal aggregation and pathology of pTau in AD.
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Briefings in Bioinformatics2022. Zhang, Weijie et al.
Beihang Univ, Sch Biol Sci & Med Engn, Beijing 10010, Peoples R China; Beihang Univ, Sch Engn Med, Beijing 10010, Peoples R China; Chinese Acad Sci, Key Lab Separat Sci Analyt Chem, Dalian Inst Chem Phys, Dalian 116023, Peoples R China
ABSTRACT:Nonspecific cross-linker can provide distance restraints between surface residues of any type, which could be used to investigate protein structure construction and protein-protein interaction (PPI). However, the vast number of potential combinations of cross-linked residues or sites obtained with such a cross-linker makes the data challenging to analyze, especially for the proteome-wide applications. Here, we developed SpotLink software for identifying site nonspecific cross-links at the proteome scale. Contributed by the dual pointer dynamic pruning algorithm and the quality control of cross-linking sites, SpotLink identified > 3000 cross-links from human cell samples within a short period of days. We demonstrated that SpotLink outperformed other approaches in terms of sensitivity and precision on the datasets of the simulated succinimidyl 4,4 '-azipentanoate dataset and the condensin complexes with known structures. In addition, some valuable PPI were discovered in the datasets of the condensin complexes and the HeLa dataset, indicating the unique identification advantages of site nonspecific cross-linking. These findings reinforce the importance of SpotLink as a fundamental characteristic of site nonspecific cross-linking technologies.
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