Molecular recognition of leucine-aspartate repeat (LD) motifs by the focal adhesion targeting homology domain of cerebral cavernous malformation 3 (CCM3)

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a disease that affects between 0.1 and 0.5% of the human population, with mutations in CCM3 accounting for ∼15% of the autosomal dominant form of the disease. We recently reported that CCM3 contains an N-terminal dimerization domain (CCM3D) and a C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT) homology domain. Intermolecular protein-protein interactions of CCM3 are mediated by a highly conserved surface on the FAT homology domain and are affected by CCM3 truncations in the human disease. Here we report the crystal structures of CCM3 in complex with three different leucine-aspartate repeat (LD) motifs (LD1, LD2, and LD4) from the scaffolding protein paxillin, at 2.8, 2.7, and 2.5 Å resolution. We show that CCM3 binds LD motifs using the highly conserved hydrophobic patch 1 (HP1) and that this binding is similar to the binding of focal adhesion kinase and Pyk2 FAT domains to paxillin LD motifs. We further show by surface plasmon resonance that CCM3 binds paxillin LD motifs with affinities in the micromolar range, similar to FAK family FAT domains. Finally, we show that endogenous CCM3 and paxillin co-localize in mouse cerebral pericytes. These studies provide a molecular-level framework to investigate the protein-protein interactions of CCM3.     

Structural Basis for the Disruption of the Cerebral Cavernous Malformations 2 (CCM2) Interaction with Krev Interaction Trapped 1 (KRIT1) by Disease-associated Mutations

Familial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are predominantly neurovascular lesions and are associated with mutations within the KRIT1, CCM2, and PDCD10 genes. The protein products of KRIT1 and CCM2 (Krev interaction trapped 1 (KRIT1) and cerebral cavernous malformations 2 (CCM2), respectively) directly interact with each other. Disease-associated mutations in KRIT1 and CCM2 mostly result in loss of their protein products, although rare missense point mutations can also occur. From gene sequencing of patients known or suspected to have one or more CCMs, we discover a series of missense point mutations in KRIT1 and CCM2 that result in missense mutations in the CCM2 and KRIT1 proteins. To place these mutations in the context of the molecular level interactions of CCM2 and KRIT1, we map the interaction of KRIT1 and CCM2 and find that the CCM2 phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain displays a preference toward the third of the three KRIT1 NPX(Y/F) motifs. We determine the 2.75 Å co-crystal structure of the CCM2 PTB domain with a peptide corresponding to KRIT1^NPX(Y/F)3, revealing a Dab-like PTB fold for CCM2 and its interaction with KRIT1^NPX(Y/F)3. We find that several disease-associated missense mutations in CCM2 have the potential to interrupt the KRIT1-CCM2 interaction by destabilizing the CCM2 PTB domain and that a KRIT1 mutation also disrupts this interaction. We therefore provide new insights into the architecture of CCM2 and how the CCM complex is disrupted in CCM disease.     

Solution NMR Structure of the DNA-binding Domain from Scml2 (Sex Comb on Midleg-like 2)

Scml2 is a member of the Polycomb group of proteins involved in epigenetic gene silencing. Human Scml2 is a part of a multisubunit protein complex, PRC1 (Polycomb repressive complex 1), which is responsible for maintenance of gene repression, prevention of chromatin remodeling, preservation of the “stemness” of the cell, and cell differentiation. Although the majority of PRC1 subunits have been recently characterized, the structure of Scml2 and its role in PRC1-mediated gene silencing remain unknown. In this work a conserved protein domain within human Scml2 has been identified, and its structure was determined by solution NMR spectroscopy. This module was named Scm-like embedded domain, or SLED. Evolutionarily, the SLED domain emerges in the first multicellular organisms, consistent with the role of Scml2 in cell differentiation. Furthermore, it is exclusively found within the Scm-like family of proteins, often accompanied by malignant brain tumor domain (MBT) and sterile α motif (SAM) domains. The domain adopts a novel α/β fold with no structural analogues found in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The ability of the SLED to bind double-stranded DNA was also examined, and the isolated domain was shown to interact with DNA in a sequence-specific manner. Because PRC1 complexes localize to the promoters of a specific subset of developmental genes in vivo, the SLED domain of Scml2 may provide an important link connecting the PRC1 complexes to their target genes.     

Cancer-relevant Splicing Factor CAPERα Engages the Essential Splicing Factor SF3b155 in a Specific Ternary Complex

U2AF homology motifs (UHMs) mediate protein-protein interactions with U2AF ligand motifs (ULMs) of pre-mRNA splicing factors. The UHM-containing alternative splicing factor CAPERα regulates splicing of tumor-promoting VEGF isoforms, yet the molecular target of the CAPERα UHM is unknown. Here we present structures of the CAPERα UHM bound to a representative SF3b155 ULM at 1.7 Å resolution and, for comparison, in the absence of ligand at 2.2 Å resolution. The prototypical UHM/ULM interactions authenticate CAPERα as a bona fide member of the UHM family of proteins. We identify SF3b155 as the relevant ULM-containing partner of full-length CAPERα in human cell extracts. Isothermal titration calorimetry comparisons of the purified CAPERα UHM binding known ULM-containing proteins demonstrate that high affinity interactions depend on the presence of an intact, intrinsically unstructured SF3b155 domain containing seven ULM-like motifs. The interplay among bound CAPERα molecules gives rise to the appearance of two high affinity sites in the SF3b155 ULM-containing domain. In conjunction with the previously identified, UHM/ULM-mediated complexes of U2AF⁶⁵ and SPF45 with SF3b155, this work demonstrates the capacity of SF3b155 to offer a platform for coordinated recruitment of UHM-containing splicing factors.     

The NC2 Domain of Type IX Collagen Determines the Chain Register of the Triple Helix

Precise mapping and unraveling the mechanism of interaction or degradation of a certain type of collagen triple helix requires the generation of short and stable collagenous fragments. This is a great challenge especially for hetero-trimeric collagens, where chain composition and register (stagger) are important factors. No system has been reported that can be efficiently used to generate a natural collagenous fragment with exact chain composition and desired chain register. The NC2 domain (only 35–50 residues) of FACIT collagens is a potent trimerization domain. In the case of type IX collagen it provides the efficient selection and hetero-trimerization of three distinct chains. The ability of the NC2 domain to determine the chain register of the triple helix is studied. We generated three possible sequence combinations (α1α1α2, α1α2α1, α2α1α1) of a type I collagen fragment (the binding region for the von Willebrand factor A3 domain) attached to the NC2 domain. In addition, two control combinations were produced that constitute homo-trimers of (α1)₃ or (α2)₃. For the hetero-trimeric constructs, α1α1α2 demonstrated a higher melting temperature than the other two. Binding experiments with the von Willebrand factor A3 domain revealed the homo-trimer of (α1)₃ as the strongest binding construct, whereas the homo-trimer of (α2)₃ showed no binding. For hetero-trimers, α1α1α2 was found to be the strongest binding construct. Differences in thermal stability and binding to the A3 domain unambiguously demonstrate that the NC2 domain of type IX collagen determines not only the chain composition but also the chain register of the adjacent triple helix.     

Structural Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-Galactosidase and Its Complexes with Natural Substrates Reveals New Insights into Substrate Specificity of GH27 Glycosidases

α-Galactosidases catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal α-1,6-galactosyl units from galacto-oligosaccharides and polymeric galactomannans. The crystal structures of tetrameric Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-galactosidase and its complexes with the substrates melibiose and raffinose have been determined to 1.95, 2.40, and 2.70 Å resolution. The monomer folds into a catalytic (α/β)₈ barrel and a C-terminal β-sandwich domain with unassigned function. This pattern is conserved with other family 27 glycosidases, but this enzyme presents a unique 45-residue insertion in the β-sandwich domain that folds over the barrel protecting it from the solvent and likely explaining its high stability. The structure of the complexes and the mutational analysis show that oligomerization is a key factor in substrate binding, as the substrates are located in a deep cavity making direct interactions with the adjacent subunit. Furthermore, docking analysis suggests that the supplementary domain could be involved in binding sugar units distal from the scissile bond, therefore ascribing a role in fine-tuning substrate specificity to this domain. It may also have a role in promoting association with the polymeric substrate because of the ordered arrangement that the four domains present in one face of the tetramer. Our analysis extends to other family 27 glycosidases, where some traits regarding specificity and oligomerization can be formulated on the basis of their sequence and the structures available. These results improve our knowledge on the activity of this important family of enzymes and give a deeper insight into the structural features that rule modularity and protein-carbohydrate interactions.     

Sea Anemone Peptide with Uncommon β-Hairpin Structure Inhibits Acid-sensing Ion Channel 3 (ASIC3) and Reveals Analgesic Activity

Three novel peptides were isolated from the venom of the sea anemone Urticina grebelnyi. All of them are 29 amino acid peptides cross-linked by two disulfide bridges, with a primary structure similar to other sea anemone peptides belonging to structural group 9a. The structure of the gene encoding the shared precursor protein of the identified peptides was determined. One peptide, π-AnmTX Ugr 9a-1 (short name Ugr 9-1), produced a reversible inhibition effect on both the transient and the sustained current of human ASIC3 channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. It completely blocked the transient component (IC₅₀ 10 ± 0.6 μm) and partially (48 ± 2%) inhibited the amplitude of the sustained component (IC₅₀ 1.44 ± 0.19 μm). Using in vivo tests in mice, Ugr 9-1 significantly reversed inflammatory and acid-induced pain. The other two novel peptides, AnmTX Ugr 9a-2 (Ugr 9-2) and AnmTX Ugr 9a-3 (Ugr 9-3), did not inhibit the ASIC3 current. NMR spectroscopy revealed that Ugr 9-1 has an uncommon spatial structure, stabilized by two S-S bridges, with three classical β-turns and twisted β-hairpin without interstrand disulfide bonds. This is a novel peptide spatial structure that we propose to name boundless β-hairpin.     

Ca2+-binding Motif of βγ-Crystallins

βγ-Crystallin-type double clamp (N/D)(N/D)XX(S/T)S motif is an established but sparsely investigated motif for Ca²⁺ binding. A βγ-crystallin domain is formed of two Greek key motifs, accommodating two Ca²⁺-binding sites. βγ-Crystallins make a separate class of Ca²⁺-binding proteins (CaBP), apparently a major group of CaBP in bacteria. Paralleling the diversity in βγ-crystallin domains, these motifs also show great diversity, both in structure and in function. Although the expression of some of them has been associated with stress, virulence, and adhesion, the functional implications of Ca²⁺ binding to βγ-crystallins in mediating biological processes are yet to be elucidated.     

CCM2–CCM3 interaction stabilizes their protein expression and permits endothelial network formation

Mutations in the essential adaptor proteins CCM2 or CCM3 lead to cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), vascular lesions that most frequently occur in the brain and are strongly associated with hemorrhagic stroke, seizures, and other neurological disorders. CCM2 binds CCM3, but the molecular basis of this interaction, and its functional significance, have not been elucidated. Here, we used x-ray crystallography and structure-guided mutagenesis to show that an α-helical LD-like motif within CCM2 binds the highly conserved “HP1” pocket of the CCM3 focal adhesion targeting (FAT) homology domain. By knocking down CCM2 or CCM3 and rescuing with binding-deficient mutants, we establish that CCM2–CCM3 interactions protect CCM2 and CCM3 proteins from proteasomal degradation and show that both CCM2 and CCM3 are required for normal endothelial cell network formation. However, CCM3 expression in the absence of CCM2 is sufficient to support normal cell growth, revealing complex-independent roles for CCM3.     

The K5 Lyase KflA Combines a Viral Tail Spike Structure with a Bacterial Polysaccharide Lyase Mechanism

K5 lyase A (KflA) is a tail spike protein (TSP) encoded by a K5A coliphage, which cleaves K5 capsular polysaccharide, a glycosaminoglycan with the repeat unit [-4)-βGlcA-(1,4)- αGlcNAc(1-], displayed on the surface of Escherichia coli K5 strains. The crystal structure of KflA reveals a trimeric arrangement, with each monomer containing a right-handed, single-stranded parallel β-helix domain. Stable trimer formation by the intertwining of strands in the C-terminal domain, followed by proteolytic maturation, is likely to be catalyzed by an autochaperone as described for K1F endosialidase. The structure of KflA represents the first bacteriophage tail spike protein combining polysaccharide lyase activity with a single-stranded parallel β-helix fold. We propose a catalytic site and mechanism representing convergence with the syn-β-elimination site of heparinase II from Pedobacter heparinus.     

Characterization of the Membrane-targeting C1 Domain in Pasteurella multocida Toxin

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is a virulence factor responsible for the pathogenesis of some forms of pasteurellosis. The toxin activates G_q- and G_12/13-dependent pathways through the deamidation of a glutamine residue in the α-subunit of heterotrimeric GTPases. We recently reported the crystal structure of the C terminus (residues 575–1285) of PMT (C-PMT), which is composed of three domains (C1, C2, and C3), and that the C1 domain is involved in the localization of C-PMT to the plasma membrane, and the C3 domain possesses a cysteine protease-like catalytic triad. In this study, we analyzed the membrane-targeting function of the C1 domain in detail. The C1 domain consists of seven helices of which the first four (residues 590–670), showing structural similarity to the N terminus of Clostridium difficile toxin B, were found to be involved in the recruitment of C-PMT to the plasma membrane. C-PMT lacking these helices (C-PMT ΔC1(4H)) neither localized to the plasma membrane nor stimulated the G_q/12/13-dependent signaling pathways. When the membrane-targeting property was complemented by a peptide tag with an N-myristoylation motif, C-PMT ΔC1(4H) recovered the PMT activity. Direct binding between the C1 domain and liposomes containing phospholipids was evidenced by surface plasmon resonance analyses. These results indicate that the C1 domain of C-PMT functions as a targeting signal for the plasma membrane.     

Structural Elucidation of the Cyclization Mechanism of α-1,6-Glucan by Bacillus circulans T-3040 Cycloisomaltooligosaccharide Glucanotransferase

Bacillus circulans T-3040 cycloisomaltooligosaccharide glucanotransferase belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 66 and catalyzes an intramolecular transglucosylation reaction that produces cycloisomaltooligosaccharides from dextran. The crystal structure of the core fragment from Ser-39 to Met-738 of B. circulans T-3040 cycloisomaltooligosaccharide glucanotransferase, devoid of its N-terminal signal peptide and C-terminal nonconserved regions, was determined. The structural model contained one catalytic (β/α)₈-barrel domain and three β-domains. Domain N with an immunoglobulin-like β-sandwich fold was attached to the N terminus; domain C with a Greek key β-sandwich fold was located at the C terminus, and a carbohydrate-binding module family 35 (CBM35) β-jellyroll domain B was inserted between the 7th β-strand and the 7th α-helix of the catalytic domain A. The structures of the inactive catalytic nucleophile mutant enzyme complexed with isomaltohexaose, isomaltoheptaose, isomaltooctaose, and cycloisomaltooctaose revealed that the ligands bound in the catalytic cleft and the sugar-binding site of CBM35. Of these, isomaltooctaose bound in the catalytic site extended to the second sugar-binding site of CBM35, which acted as subsite −8, representing the enzyme·substrate complex when the enzyme produces cycloisomaltooctaose. The isomaltoheptaose and cycloisomaltooctaose bound in the catalytic cleft with a circular structure around Met-310, representing the enzyme·product complex. These structures collectively indicated that CBM35 functions in determining the size of the product, causing the predominant production of cycloisomaltooctaose by the enzyme. The canonical sugar-binding site of CBM35 bound the mid-part of isomaltooligosaccharides, indicating that the original function involved substrate binding required for efficient catalysis.     

Structural Insights of tBid,the Caspase-8-activated Bid,and Its BH3 Domain

The Bcl-2 family proteins regulate mitochondria-mediated apoptosis through intricate molecular mechanisms. One of the pro-apoptotic proteins, tBid, can induce apoptosis by promoting Bax activation, Bax homo-oligomerization, and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Association of tBid on the mitochondrial outer membrane is key to its biological function. Therefore knowing the conformation of tBid on the membrane will be the first step toward understanding its crucial role in triggering apoptosis. Here, we present NMR characterization of the structure and dynamics of human tBid in 1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-RAC-(1-glycerol)] micelles. Our data showed that tBid is monomeric with six well defined α-helices in the micelles. Compared with the full-length Bid structure, a longer flexible loop between tBid helix α₄ and α₅ was observed. Helices in tBid do not pack into a compact-fold but form an extended structure with a C-shape configuration in the micelles. All six tBid helices were shown to interact with LPPG micelles, with helix α₆ and α₇ being more embedded. Of note, the BH₃-containing helix α₃, which was previously believed to be exposed above the membrane surface, is also membrane associated, suggesting an “on the membrane” binding mode for tBid interaction with Bax. Our data provided structural details on the membrane-associated state of tBid and the functional implications of its membrane-associated BH₃ domain.     

Structural and Thermodynamic Insights into Chitooligosaccharide Binding to Human Cartilage Chitinase 3-like Protein 2 (CHI3L2 or YKL-39)

Four crystal structures of human YKL-39 were solved in the absence and presence of chitooligosaccharides. The structure of YKL-39 comprises a major (β/α)₈ triose-phosphate isomerase barrel domain and a small α + β insertion domain. Structural analysis demonstrates that YKL-39 interacts with chitooligosaccharides through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The binding of chitin fragments induces local conformational changes that facilitate tight binding. Compared with other GH-18 members, YKL-39 has the least extended chitin-binding cleft, containing five subsites for sugars, namely (−3)(−2)(−1)(+1)(+2), with Trp-360 playing a prominent role in the sugar-protein interactions at the center of the chitin-binding cleft. Evaluation of binding affinities obtained from isothermal titration calorimetry and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy suggests that YKL-39 binds to chitooligosaccharides with K_d values in the micromolar concentration range and that the binding energies increase with the chain length. There were no significant differences between the K_d values of chitopentaose and chitohexaose, supporting the structural evidence for the five binding subsite topology. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that binding of chitooligosaccharide to YKL-39 is mainly driven by enthalpy.     

Structure and Location of the Regulatory β Subunits in the (αβγδ)4 Phosphorylase Kinase Complex

Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) is a hexadecameric (αβγδ)₄ complex that regulates glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle. Activity of the catalytic γ subunit is regulated by allosteric activators targeting the regulatory α, β, and δ subunits. Three-dimensional EM reconstructions of PhK show it to be two large (αβγδ)₂ lobes joined with D₂ symmetry through interconnecting bridges. The subunit composition of these bridges was unknown, although indirect evidence suggested the β subunits may be involved in their formation. We have used biochemical, biophysical, and computational approaches to not only address the quaternary structure of the β subunits within the PhK complex, i.e. whether they compose the bridges, but also their secondary and tertiary structures. The secondary structure of β was determined to be predominantly helical by comparing the CD spectrum of an αγδ subcomplex with that of the native (αβγδ)₄ complex. An atomic model displaying tertiary structure for the entire β subunit was constructed using chemical cross-linking, MS, threading, and ab initio approaches. Nearly all this model is covered by two templates corresponding to glycosyl hydrolase 15 family members and the A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. Regarding the quaternary structure of the β subunits, they were directly determined to compose the four interconnecting bridges in the (αβγδ)₄ kinase core, because a β₄ subcomplex was observed through both chemical cross-linking and top-down MS of PhK. The predicted model of the β subunit was docked within the bridges of a cryoelectron microscopic density envelope of PhK utilizing known surface features of the subunit.     

Structure of Sorting Nexin 11 (SNX11) Reveals a Novel Extended Phox Homology (PX) Domain Critical for Inhibition of SNX10-induced Vacuolation

Sorting nexins are phox homology (PX) domain-containing proteins involved in diverse intracellular endosomal trafficking pathways. The PX domain binds to certain phosphatidylinositols and is recruited to vesicles rich in these lipids. The structure of the PX domain is highly conserved, containing a three-stranded β-sheet, followed by three α-helices. Here, we report the crystal structures of truncated human SNX11 (sorting nexin 11). The structures reveal that SNX11 contains a novel PX domain, hereby named the extended PX (PXe) domain, with two additional α-helices at the C terminus. We demonstrate that these α-helices are indispensible for the in vitro functions of SNX11. We propose that this PXe domain is present in SNX10 and is responsible for the vacuolation activity of SNX10. Thus, this novel PXe domain constitutes a structurally and functionally important PX domain subfamily.     

Chromatin Protein HP1α Interacts with the Mitotic Regulator Borealin Protein and Specifies the Centromere Localization of the Chromosomal Passenger Complex

Accurate mitosis requires the chromosomal passenger protein complex (CPC) containing Aurora B kinase, borealin, INCENP, and survivin, which orchestrates chromosome dynamics. However, the chromatin factors that specify the CPC to the centromere remain elusive. Here we show that borealin interacts directly with heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) and that this interaction is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved PXVXL motif in the C-terminal borealin with the chromo shadow domain of HP1α. This borealin-HP1α interaction recruits the CPC to the centromere and governs an activation of Aurora B kinase judged by phosphorylation of Ser-7 in CENP-A, a substrate of Aurora B. Consistently, modulation of the motif PXVXL leads to defects in CPC centromere targeting and aberrant Aurora B activity. On the other hand, the localization of the CPC in the midzone is independent of the borealin-HP1α interaction, demonstrating the spatial requirement of HP1α in CPC localization to the centromere. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized but direct link between HP1α and CPC localization in the centromere and illustrate the critical role of borealin-HP1α interaction in orchestrating an accurate cell division.     

Molecular Basis for the Recognition of Long-chain Substrates by Plant α-Glucosidases

Sugar beet α-glucosidase (SBG), a member of glycoside hydrolase family 31, shows exceptional long-chain specificity, exhibiting higher k_cat/K_m values for longer malto-oligosaccharides. However, its amino acid sequence is similar to those of other short chain-specific α-glucosidases. To gain structural insights into the long-chain substrate recognition of SBG, a crystal structure complex with the pseudotetrasaccharide acarbose was determined at 1.7 Å resolution. The active site pocket of SBG is formed by a (β/α)₈ barrel domain and a long loop (N-loop) bulging from the N-terminal domain similar to other related enzymes. Two residues (Phe-236 and Asn-237) in the N-loop are important for the long-chain specificity. Kinetic analysis of an Asn-237 mutant enzyme and a previous study of a Phe-236 mutant enzyme demonstrated that these residues create subsites +2 and +3. The structure also indicates that Phe-236 and Asn-237 guide the reducing end of long substrates to subdomain b2, which is an additional element inserted into the (β/α)₈ barrel domain. Subdomain b2 of SBG includes Ser-497, which was identified as the residue at subsite +4 by site-directed mutagenesis.     

Modular Organization of α-Toxins from Scorpion Venom Mirrors Domain Structure of Their Targets,Sodium Channels

To gain success in the evolutionary “arms race,” venomous animals such as scorpions produce diverse neurotoxins selected to hit targets in the nervous system of prey. Scorpion α-toxins affect insect and/or mammalian voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_vs) and thereby modify the excitability of muscle and nerve cells. Although more than 100 α-toxins are known and a number of them have been studied into detail, the molecular mechanism of their interaction with Na_vs is still poorly understood. Here, we employ extensive molecular dynamics simulations and spatial mapping of hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties distributed over the molecular surface of α-toxins. It is revealed that despite the small size and relatively rigid structure, these toxins possess modular organization from structural, functional, and evolutionary perspectives. The more conserved and rigid “core module” is supplemented with the “specificity module” (SM) that is comparatively flexible and variable and determines the taxon (mammal versus insect) specificity of α-toxin activity. We further show that SMs in mammal toxins are more flexible and hydrophilic than in insect toxins. Concomitant sequence-based analysis of the extracellular loops of Na_vs suggests that α-toxins recognize the channels using both modules. We propose that the core module binds to the voltage-sensing domain IV, whereas the more versatile SM interacts with the pore domain in repeat I of Na_vs. These findings corroborate and expand the hypothesis on different functional epitopes of toxins that has been reported previously. In effect, we propose that the modular structure in toxins evolved to match the domain architecture of Na_vs.