Atg8 transfer from Atg7 to Atg3: a distinctive E1-E2 architecture and mechanism in the autophagy pathway

Atg7 is a noncanonical, homodimeric E1 enzyme that interacts with the noncanonical E2 enzyme, Atg3, to mediate conjugation of the ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) Atg8 during autophagy. Here we report that the unique N-terminal domain of Atg7 (Atg7(NTD)) recruits a unique "flexible region" from Atg3 (Atg3(FR)). The structure of an Atg7(NTD)-Atg3(FR) complex reveals hydrophobic residues from Atg3 engaging a conserved groove in Atg7, important for Atg8 conjugation. We also report the structure of the homodimeric Atg7 C-terminal domain, which is homologous to canonical E1s and bacterial antecedents. The structures, SAXS, and crosslinking data allow modeling of a full-length, dimeric (Atg7~Atg8-Atg3)(2) complex. The model and biochemical data provide a rationale for Atg7 dimerization: Atg8 is transferred in trans from the catalytic cysteine of one Atg7 protomer to Atg3 bound to the N-terminal domain of the opposite Atg7 protomer within the homodimer. The studies reveal a distinctive E1~UBL-E2 architecture for enzymes mediating autophagy.     

Atg8L/Apg8L is the fourth mammalian modifier of mammalian Atg8 conjugation mediated by human Atg4B, Atg7 and Atg3

Murine Atg8L/Apg8L has significant homology with the other known mammalian Atg8 homologs, LC3, GABARAP and GATE-16. However, it is unclear whether murine Atg8L modification is mediated by human Atg4B, Atg7 and Atg3. Expression of Atg8L in HEK293 cells led to cleavage of its C-terminus. In vitro, the C-terminus of Atg8L was cleaved by human Atg4B, but not human Atg4A or Atg4C. Atg8L-I formed an E1-substrate intermediate with Atg7(C572S), and an E2-substrate intermediate with Atg3(C264S). A modified form of Atg8L was detected in the pelletable fraction in the presence of lysosomal protease inhibitors under nutrient-rich conditions. Cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-Atg8L colocalized with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-LC3 in HeLa cells in the presence of the inhibitors. However, little accumulation of the modified form of Atg8L was observed under conditions of starvation. These results indicate that Atg8L is the fourth modifier of mammalian Atg8 conjugation.     

Structures of Atg7-Atg3 and Atg7-Atg10 reveal noncanonical mechanisms of E2 recruitment by the autophagy E1

Central to most forms of autophagy are two ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs), Atg8 and Atg12, which play important roles in autophagosome biogenesis, substrate recruitment to autophagosomes, and other aspects of autophagy. Typically, UBLs are activated by an E1 enzyme that (1) catalyzes adenylation of the UBL C terminus, (2) transiently covalently captures the UBL through a reactive thioester bond between the E1 active site cysteine and the UBL C terminus, and (3) promotes transfer of the UBL C terminus to the catalytic cysteine of an E2 conjugating enzyme. The E2, and often an E3 ligase enzyme, catalyzes attachment of the UBL C terminus to a primary amine group on a substrate. Here, we summarize our recent work reporting the structural and mechanistic basis for E1-E2 protein interactions in autophagy.     

Structural basis for a homodimeric ATPase subunit of an ECF transporter

The transition metal cobalt, an essential cofactor for many enzymes in prokaryotes, is taken up by several specifi c transport systems. The CbiMNQO protein complex belongs to type-1 energy-coupling factor (ECF) transporters and is a widespread group of microbial cobalt transporters. CbiO is the ATPase subunit (A-component) of the cobalt transporting system in the gram-negative thermophilic bacterium Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis. Here we report the crystal structure of a nucleotide-free CbiO at a resolution of 2.3 ?. CbiO contains an N-terminal canonical nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and C-terminal helical domain. Structural and biochemical data show that CbiO forms a homodimer mediated by the NBD and the C-terminal domain. Interactions mainly via conserved hydrophobic amino acids between the two C-terminal domains result in formation of a four-helix bundle. Structural comparison with other ECF transporters suggests that non-conserved residues outside the T-component binding groove in the A component likely act as a specifi city determinant for T components. Together, our data provide information on understanding of the structural organization and interaction of the CbiMNQO system.     

Structural basis of FYCO1 and MAP1LC3A interaction reveals a novel binding mode for Atg8-family proteins

FYCO1 (FYVE and coiled-coil domain containing 1) functions as an autophagy adaptor in directly linking autophagosomes with the microtubule-based kinesin motor, and plays an essential role in the microtubule plus end-directed transport of autophagic vesicles. The specific association of FYCO1 with autophagosomes is mediated by its interaction with Atg8-family proteins decorated on the outer surface of autophagosome. However, the mechanistic basis governing the interaction between FYCO1 and Atg8-family proteins is largely unknown. Here, using biochemical and structural analyses, we demonstrated that FYCO1 contains a unique LC3-interacting region (LIR), which discriminately binds to mammalian Atg8 orthologs and preferentially binds to the MAP1LC3A and MAP1LC3B. In addition to uncovering the detailed molecular mechanism underlying the FYCO1 LIR and MAP1LC3A interaction, the determined FYCO1-LIR-MAP1LC3A complex structure also reveals a unique LIR binding mode for Atg8-family proteins, and demonstrates, first, the functional relevance of adjacent sequences C-terminal to the LIR core motif for binding to Atg8-family proteins. Taken together, our findings not only provide new mechanistic insight into FYCO1-mediated transport of autophagosomes, but also expand our understanding of the interaction modes between LIR motifs and Atg8-family proteins in general.     

Structural basis for recruitment of Ubc12 by an E2 binding domain in NEDD8's E1

E2 conjugating enzymes play a central role in ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like protein (ublp) transfer cascades: the E2 accepts the ublp from the E1 enzyme and then the E2 often interacts with an E3 enzyme to promote ublp transfer to the target. We report here the crystal structure of a complex between the C-terminal domain from NEDD8's heterodimeric E1 (APPBP1-UBA3) and the catalytic core domain of NEDD8's E2 (Ubc12). The structure and associated mutational analyses reveal molecular details of Ubc12 recruitment by NEDD8's E1. Interestingly, the E1's Ubc12 binding domain resembles ubiquitin and recruits Ubc12 in a manner mimicking ubiquitin's interactions with ubiquitin binding domains. Structural comparison with E2-E3 complexes indicates that the E1 and E3 binding sites on Ubc12 may overlap and raises the possibility that crosstalk between E1 and E3 interacting with an E2 could influence the specificity and processivity of ublp transfer.     

Atg7 Activates an Autophagy-Essential Ubiquitin-like Protein Atg8 through Multi-Step Recognition

Atg8 is a unique ubiquitin-like protein that is covalently conjugated with a phosphatidylethanolamine through reactions similar to ubiquitination and plays essential roles in autophagy. Atg7 is the E1 enzyme for Atg8, and it activates the C-terminal Gly116 of Atg8 using ATP. Here, we report the crystal structure of Atg8 bound to the C-terminal domain of Atg7 in an unprecedented mode. Atg8 neither contacts with the central β-sheet nor binds to the catalytic site of Atg7, both of which were observed in previously reported Atg7–Atg8 structures. Instead, Atg8 binds to the C-terminal α-helix and crossover loop, thereby changing the autoinhibited conformation of the crossover loop observed in the free Atg7 structure into a short helix and a disordered loop. Mutational analyses suggested that this interaction mode is important for the activation reaction. We propose that Atg7 recognizes Atg8 through multiple steps, which would be necessary to induce a conformational change in Atg7 that is optimal for the activation reaction.     

Structural basis of SARM1 activation,substrate recognition,and inhibition by small molecules

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Structural basis of Smad1 activation by receptor kinase phosphorylation.

Phosphorylation of Smad1 at the conserved carboxyl terminal SVS sequence activates BMP signaling. Here we report the crystal structure of the Smad1 MH2 domain in a conformation that reveals the structural effects of phosphorylation and a molecular mechanism for activation. Within a trimeric subunit assembly, the SVS sequence docks near two putative phosphoserine binding pockets of the neighboring molecule, in a position ready to interact upon phosphorylation. The MH2 domain undergoes concerted conformational changes upon activation, which signal Smad1 dissociation from the receptor kinase for subsequent heteromeric assembly with Smad4. Biochemical and modeling studies reveal unique favorable interactions within the Smad1/Smad4 heteromeric interface, providing a structural basis for their association in signaling.     

Structural basis of dcp2 recognition and activation by dcp1

A critical step in mRNA degradation is the removal of the 5' cap structure, which is catalyzed by the Dcp1-Dcp2 complex. The crystal structure of an S. pombe Dcp1p-Dcp2n complex combined with small-angle X-ray scattering analysis (SAXS) reveals that Dcp2p exists in open and closed conformations, with the closed complex being, or closely resembling, the catalytically more active form. This suggests that a conformational change between these open and closed complexes might control decapping. A bipartite RNA-binding channel containing the catalytic site and Box B motif is identified with a bound ATP located in the catalytic pocket in the closed complex, suggesting possible interactions that facilitate substrate binding. Dcp1 stimulates the activity of Dcp2 by promoting and/or stabilizing the closed complex. Notably, the interface of Dcp1 and Dcp2 is not fully conserved, explaining why the Dcp1-Dcp2 interaction in higher eukaryotes requires an additional factor.     

Structural basis of calcineurin activation by calmodulin

Calcineurin is the only known calmodulin (CaM) activated protein phosphatase, which is involved in the regulation of numerous cellular and developmental processes and in calcium-dependent signal transduction. Although commonly assumed that CaM displaces the autoinhibitory domain (AID) blocking substrate access to its active site, the structural basis underlying activation remains elusive. We have created a fused ternary complex (CBA) by covalently linking three polypeptides: CaM, calcineurin regulatory B subunit (CnB) and calcineurin catalytic A subunit (CnA). CBA catalytic activity is comparable to that of fully activated native calcineurin in the presence of CaM. The crystal structure showed virtually no structural change in the active site and no evidence of CaM despite being covalently linked. The asymmetric unit contains four molecules; two parallel CBA pairs are packed in an antiparallel mode and the large cavities in crystal packing near the calcineurin active site would easily accommodate multiple positions of AID-bound CaM. Intriguingly, the conformation of the ordered segment of AID is not altered by CaM; thus, it is the disordered part of AID, which resumes a regular α-helical conformation upon binding to CaM, which is displaced by CaM for activation. We propose that the structural basis of calcineurin activation by CaM is through displacement of the disordered fragment of AID which otherwise impedes active site access.     

Structural basis of alpha-amylase activation by chloride

To further investigate the mechanism and function of allosteric activation by chloride in some alpha-amylases, the structure of the bacterial alpha-amylase from the psychrophilic micro-organism Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis in complex with nitrate has been solved at 2.1 A degrees, as well as the structure of the mutants Lys300Gln (2.5 A degrees ) and Lys300Arg (2.25 A degrees ). Nitrate binds strongly to alpha-amylase but is a weak activator. Mutation of the critical chloride ligand Lys300 into Gln results in a chloride-independent enzyme, whereas the mutation into Arg mimics the binding site as is found in animal alpha-amylases with, however, a lower affinity for chloride. These structures reveal that the triangular conformation of the chloride ligands and the nearly equatorial coordination allow the perfect accommodation of planar trigonal monovalent anions such as NO3-, explaining their unusual strong binding. It is also shown that a localized negative charge such as that of Cl-, rather than a delocalized charge as in the case of nitrate, is essential for maximal activation. The chloride-free mutant Lys300Gln indicates that chloride is not mandatory for the catalytic mechanism but strongly increases the reactivity at the active site. Disappearance of the putative catalytic water molecule in this weakly active mutant supports the view that chloride helps to polarize the hydrolytic water molecule and enhances the rate of the second step in the catalytic reaction.     

Structural basis of integrin activation by talin

Regulation of integrin affinity (activation) is essential for metazoan development and for many pathological processes. Binding of the talin phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain to integrin beta subunit cytoplasmic domains (tails) causes activation, whereas numerous other PTB-domain-containing proteins bind integrins without activating them. Here we define the structure of a complex between talin and the membrane-proximal integrin beta3 cytoplasmic domain and identify specific contacts between talin and the integrin tail required for activation. We used structure-based mutagenesis to engineer talin and beta3 variants that interact with comparable affinity to the wild-type proteins but inhibit integrin activation by competing with endogenous talin. These results reveal the structural basis of talin's unique ability to activate integrins, identify an interaction that could aid in the design of therapeutics to block integrin activation, and enable engineering of cells with defects in the activation of multiple classes of integrins.     

Structural basis for Arl1-dependent targeting of homodimeric GRIP domains to the Golgi apparatus

Golgins are large coiled-coil proteins that play a role in Golgi structure and vesicle traffic. The Arf-like GTPase Arl1 regulates the translocation of GRIP domain-containing golgins to Golgi membranes. We report here the 1.7 A resolution structure of human Arl1-GTP in a complex with the GRIP domain of golgin-245. The structure reveals that the GRIP domain consists of an S-shaped arrangement of three helices. The domain forms a homodimer that binds two Arl1-GTPs using two helices from each monomer. The structure is consistent with golgin-245 forming parallel coiled-coils and suggests how Arl1-GTP/GRIP complexes interact with Golgi membranes via the N termini of Arl1-GTP and the C-terminal tails of the GRIP domains. In cells, bivalent association with Arl1-GTP would increase residence time of the golgins on Golgi membranes. Despite no conservation of sequence, topology, or even helical direction, several other effectors form similar interactions with small GTPases via a pair of alpha helices, suggesting a common structural basis for effector recognition.     

Structural basis for CDK6 activation by a virus-encoded cyclin

Cyclin from herpesvirus saimiri (Vcyclin) preferentially forms complexes with cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) from primate host cells. These complexes show higher kinase activity than host cell CDKs in complex with cellular cyclins and are resistant to cyclin-dependent inhibitory proteins (CDKIs). The crystal structure of human CDK6--Vcyclin in an active state was determined to 3.1 A resolution to better understand the structural basis of CDK6 activation by viral cyclins. The unphosphorylated CDK6 in complex with Vcyclin has many features characteristic of cyclinA-activated, phosphorylated CDK2. There are, however, differences in the conformation at the tip of the T-loop and its interactions with Vcyclin. Residues in the N-terminal extension of Vcyclin wrap around the tip of the CDK6 T-loop and form a short beta-sheet with the T-loop backbone. These interactions lead to a 20% larger buried surface in the CDK6--Vcyclin interface than in the CDK2--cyclinA complex and are probably largely responsible for the specificity of Vcyclin for CDK6 and resistance of the complex to inhibition by INK-type CDKIs.     

Structural basis for activation of calcineurin by calmodulin

The highly conserved phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) plays vital roles in numerous processes including T-cell activation, development and function of the central nervous system, and cardiac growth. It is activated by the calcium sensor calmodulin (CaM). CaM binds to a regulatory domain (RD) within CaN, causing a conformational change that displaces an autoinhibitory domain (AID) from the active site, resulting in activation of the phosphatase. This is the same general mechanism by which CaM activates CaM-dependent protein kinases. Previously published data have hinted that the RD of CaN is intrinsically disordered. In this work, we demonstrate that the RD is unstructured and that it folds upon binding CaM, ousting the AID from the catalytic site. The RD is 95 residues long, with the AID attached to its C-terminal end and the 24-residue CaM binding region toward the N-terminal end. This is unlike the CaM-dependent protein kinases that have CaM binding sites and AIDs immediately adjacent in sequence. Our data demonstrate that not only does the CaM binding region folds but also an ～25- to 30-residue region between it and the AID folds, resulting in over half of the RD adopting α-helical structure. This appears to be the first observation of CaM inducing folding of this scale outside of its binding site on a target protein.     

Structural basis of PP2A activation by PTPA,an ATP-dependent activation chaperone

Proper activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit is central for the complex PP2A regulation and is crucial for broad aspects of cellular function. The crystal structure of PP2A bound to PP2A phosphatase activator (PTPA) and ATPγS reveals that PTPA makes broad contacts with the structural elements surrounding the PP2A active site and the adenine moiety of ATP. PTPA-binding stabilizes the protein fold of apo-PP2A required for activation, and orients ATP phosphoryl groups to bind directly to the PP2A active site. This allows ATP to modulate the metal-binding preferences of the PP2A active site and utilize the PP2A active site for ATP hydrolysis. In vitro, ATP selectively and drastically enhances binding of endogenous catalytic metal ions, which requires ATP hydrolysis and is crucial for acquisition of pSer/Thr-specific phosphatase activity. Furthermore, both PP2A- and ATP-binding are required for PTPA function in cell proliferation and survival. Our results suggest novel mechanisms of PTPA in PP2A activation with structural economy and a unique ATP-binding pocket that could potentially serve as a specific therapeutic target.     

Structural basis of transcriptional activation by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis intrinsic antibiotic-resistance transcription factor WhiB7

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