Mechanism of formation of the C‐terminal β‐hairpin of the B3 domain of the immunoglobulin‐binding protein G from Streptococcus. IV. Implication for the mechanism of folding of the parent protein

A 34‐residue α/β peptide [IG(28–61)], derived from the C‐terminal part of the B3 domain of the immunoglobulin binding protein G from Streptoccocus, was studied using CD and NMR spectroscopy at various temperatures and by differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the C‐terminal part (a 16‐residue‐long fragment) of this peptide, which corresponds to the sequence of the β‐hairpin in the native structure, forms structure similar to the β‐hairpin only at T = 313 K, and the structure is stabilized by non‐native long‐range hydrophobic interactions (Val47–Val59). On the other hand, the N‐terminal part of IG(28–61), which corresponds to the middle α‐helix in the native structure, is unstructured at low temperature (283 K) and forms an α‐helix‐like structure at 305 K, and only one helical turn is observed at 313 K. At all temperatures at which NMR experiments were performed (283, 305, and 313 K), we do not observe any long‐range connectivities which would have supported packing between the C‐terminal (β‐hairpin) and the N‐terminal (α‐helix) parts of the sequence. Such interactions are absent, in contrast to the folding pathway of the B domain of protein G, proposed recently by Kmiecik and Kolinski (Biophys J 2008, 94, 726–736), based on Monte‐Carlo dynamics studies. Alternative folding mechanisms are proposed and discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 469–480, 2010. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com     

Exploring the free energy landscape of a model β‐hairpin peptide and its isoform

Secondary structural transitions from α‐helix to β‐sheet conformations are observed in several misfolding diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Determining factors contributing favorably to the formation of each of these secondary structures is therefore essential to better understand these disease states. β‐hairpin peptides form basic components of anti‐parallel β‐sheets and are suitable model systems for characterizing the fundamental forces stabilizing β‐sheets in fibrillar structures. In this study, we explore the free energy landscape of the model β‐hairpin peptide GB1 and its E2 isoform that preferentially adopts α‐helical conformations at ambient conditions. Umbrella sampling simulations using all‐atom models and explicit solvent are performed over a large range of end‐to‐end distances. Our results show the strong preference of GB1 and the E2 isoform for β‐hairpin and α‐helical conformations, respectively, consistent with previous studies. We show that the unfolded states of GB1 are largely populated by misfolded β‐hairpin structures which differ from each other in the position of the β‐turn. We discuss the energetic factors contributing favorably to the formation of α‐helix and β‐hairpin conformations in these peptides and highlight the energetic role of hydrogen bonds and non‐bonded interactions. Proteins 2014; 82:2394–2402. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

X‐ray crystal structure of the N‐terminal region of Moloney murine leukemia virus integrase and its implications for viral DNA recognition

The retroviral integrase (IN) carries out the integration of a dsDNA copy of the viral genome into the host DNA, an essential step for viral replication. All IN proteins have three general domains, the N‐terminal domain (NTD), the catalytic core domain, and the C‐terminal domain. The NTD includes an HHCC zinc finger‐like motif, which is conserved in all retroviral IN proteins. Two crystal structures of Moloney murine leukemia virus (M‐MuLV) IN N‐terminal region (NTR) constructs that both include an N‐terminal extension domain (NED, residues 1–44) and an HHCC zinc‐finger NTD (residues 45–105), in two crystal forms are reported. The structures of IN NTR constructs encoding residues 1–105 (NTR_1–105) and 8–105 (NTR_8–105) were determined at 2.7 and 2.15 Å resolution, respectively and belong to different space groups. While both crystal forms have similar protomer structures, NTR_1–105 packs as a dimer and NTR_8–105 packs as a tetramer in the asymmetric unit. The structure of the NED consists of three anti‐parallel β‐strands and an α‐helix, similar to the NED of prototype foamy virus (PFV) IN. These three β‐strands form an extended β‐sheet with another β‐strand in the HHCC Zn²⁺ binding domain, which is a unique structural feature for the M‐MuLV IN. The HHCC Zn²⁺ binding domain structure is similar to that in HIV and PFV INs, with variations within the loop regions. Differences between the PFV and MLV IN NEDs localize at regions identified to interact with the PFV LTR and are compared with established biochemical and virological data for M‐MuLV. Proteins 2017; 85:647–656. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Crystal structure and nucleic acid‐binding activity of the CRISPR‐associated protein Csx1 of Pyrococcus furiosus

In many prokaryotic organisms, chromosomal loci known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR‐associated (CAS) genes comprise an acquired immune defense system against invading phages and plasmids. Although many different Cas protein families have been identified, the exact biochemical functions of most of their constituents remain to be determined. In this study, we report the crystal structure of PF1127, a Cas protein of Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638 that is composed of 480 amino acids and belongs to the Csx1 family. The C‐terminal domain of PF1127 has a unique β‐hairpin structure that protrudes out of an α‐helix and contains several positively charged residues. We demonstrate that PF1127 binds double‐stranded DNA and RNA and that this activity requires an intact β‐hairpin and involve the homodimerization of the protein. In contrast, another Csx1 protein from Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 that is composed of 377 amino acids does not have the β‐hairpin structure and exhibits no DNA‐binding properties under the same experimental conditions. Notably, the C‐terminal domain of these two Csx1 proteins is greatly diversified, in contrast to the conserved N‐terminal domain, which appears to play a common role in the homodimerization of the protein. Thus, although P. furiosus Csx1 is identified as a nucleic acid‐binding protein, other Csx1 proteins are predicted to exhibit different individual biochemical activities. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Solution structure of the RNA binding domain in the human muscleblind‐like protein 2

The muscleblind‐like (MBNL) proteins 1, 2, and 3, which contain four CCCH zinc finger motifs (ZF1–4), are involved in the differentiation of muscle inclusion by controlling the splicing patterns of several pre‐mRNAs. Especially, MBNL1 plays a crucial role in myotonic dystrophy. The CCCH zinc finger is a sequence motif found in many RNA binding proteins and is suggested to play an important role in the recognition of RNA molecules. Here, we solved the solution structures of both tandem zinc finger (TZF) motifs, TZF12 (comprising ZF1 and ZF2) and TZF34 (ZF3 and ZF4), in MBNL2 from Homo sapiens. In TZF12 of MBNL2, ZF1 and ZF2 adopt a similar fold, as reported previously for the CCCH‐type zinc fingers in the TIS11d protein. The linker between ZF1 and ZF2 in MBNL2 forms an antiparallel β‐sheet with the N‐terminal extension of ZF1. Furthermore, ZF1 and ZF2 in MBNL2 interact with each other through hydrophobic interactions. Consequently, TZF12 forms a single, compact global fold, where ZF1 and ZF2 are approximately symmetrical about the C2 axis. The structure of the second tandem zinc finger (TZF34) in MBNL2 is similar to that of TZF12. This novel three‐dimensional structure of the TZF domains in MBNL2 provides a basis for functional studies of the CCCH‐type zinc finger motifs in the MBNL protein family.     

Unusual bipartite mode of interaction between the nonsense‐mediated decay factors,UPF1 and UPF2

Nonsense‐mediated decay (NMD) is a eukaryotic quality control mechanism that degrades mRNAs carrying premature stop codons. In mammalian cells, NMD is triggered when UPF2 bound to UPF3 on a downstream exon junction complex interacts with UPF1 bound to a stalled ribosome. We report structural studies on the interaction between the C‐terminal region of UPF2 and intact UPF1. Crystal structures, confirmed by EM and SAXS, show that the UPF1 CH‐domain is docked onto its helicase domain in a fixed configuration. The C‐terminal region of UPF2 is natively unfolded but binds through separated α‐helical and β‐hairpin elements to the UPF1 CH‐domain. The α‐helical region binds sixfold more weakly than the β‐hairpin, whereas the combined elements bind 80‐fold more tightly. Cellular assays show that NMD is severely affected by mutations disrupting the beta‐hairpin binding, but not by those only affecting alpha‐helix binding. We propose that the bipartite mode of UPF2 binding to UPF1 brings the ribosome and the EJC in close proximity by forming a tight complex after an initial weak encounter with either element.     

Zinc finger proteins: getting a grip on RNA

C2H2 (Cys-Cys-His-His motif) zinc finger proteins are members of a large superfamily of nucleic-acid-binding proteins in eukaryotes. On the basis of NMR and X-ray structures, we know that DNA sequence recognition involves a short alpha helix bound to the major groove. Exactly how some zinc finger proteins bind to double-stranded RNA has been a complete mystery for over two decades. This has been resolved by the long-awaited crystal structure of part of the TFIIIA-5S RNA complex. A comparison can be made with identical fingers in a TFIIIA-DNA structure. Additionally, the NMR structure of TIS11d bound to an AU-rich element reveals the molecular details of the interaction between CCCH fingers and single-stranded RNA. Together, these results contrast the different ways that zinc finger proteins bind with high specificity to their RNA targets.     

Crystal structure of the secreted protein HP1454 from the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori

HP1454 is a protein of 303 amino acids found in the extracellular milieu of Helicobacter pylori. The protein structure, crystallized in the orthorhombic C222₁ space group with one molecule per asymmetric unit, has been determined using the single‐wavelength anomalous dispersion method. HP1454 exhibits an elongated bent shape, composed of three distinct domains. Each domain possesses a fold already present in other structures: Domain I contains a three‐strand antiparallel β‐barrel flanked by a long α‐helix, Domain II is an anti‐parallel three‐helix bundle, and Domain III a β‐sheet flanked by two α‐helices. The overall assembly of the protein does not bear any similarity with known structures. Proteins 2014; 82:2868–2873. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Structure and DNA binding characteristics of the three‐Cys2His2 domain of mouse testis zinc finger protein

The C‐terminal three‐Cys₂His₂ zinc‐finger domain (TZD) of mouse testis zinc‐finger protein binds to the 5′‐TGTACAGTGT‐3′ at the Aie1 (aurora‐C) promoter with high specificity. Interestingly, the primary sequence of TZD is unique, possessing two distinct linkers, TGEKP and GAAP, and distinct residues at presumed DNA binding sites at each finger, especially finger 3. A K_d value of ～10^?8 M was obtained from surface plasmon resonance analysis for the TZD‐DNA complex. NMR structure of the free TZD showed that each zinc finger forms a typical ββα fold. On binding to DNA, chemical shift perturbations and the R₂ transverse relaxation rate in finger 3 are significantly smaller than those in fingers 1 and 2, which indicates that the DNA binding affinity in finger 3 is weaker. Furthermore, the shift perturbations between TZD in complex with the cognate DNA and its serial mutants revealed that both ADE7 and CYT8, underlined in 5′‐ATATGTACAGTGTTAT‐3′, are critical in specific binding, and the DNA binding in finger 3 is sequence independent. Remarkably, the shift perturbations in finger 3 on the linker mutation of TZD (GAAP mutated to TGEKP) were barely detected, which further indicates that finger 3 does not play a critical role in DNA sequence‐specific recognition. The complex model showed that residues important for DNA binding are mainly located on positions ?1, 2, 3, and 6 of α‐helices in fingers 1 and 2. The DNA sequence and nonsequence‐specific bindings occurring simultaneously in TZD provide valuable information for better understanding of protein–DNA recognition. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Crystal structure of the sensor domain of BaeS from Serratia marcescens FS14

The sensor histidine kinases of two‐component signal‐transduction systems (TCSs) are essential for bacteria to adapt to variable environmental conditions. The two‐component regulatory system BaeS/R increases multidrug and metal resistance in Salmonella and Escherichia coli. In this study, we report the X‐ray structure of the periplasmic sensor domain of BaeS from Serratia marcescens FS14. The BaeS sensor domain (34–160) adopts a mixed α/β‐fold containing a central four‐stranded antiparallel β‐sheet flanked by a long N‐terminal α‐helix and additional loops and a short C‐terminal α‐helix on each side. Structural comparisons revealed that it belongs to the PDC family with a remarkable difference in the orientation of the helix α2. In the BaeS sensor domain, this helix is situated perpendicular to the long helix α1 and holds helix α1 in the middle with the beta sheet, whereas in other PDC domains, helix α2 is parallel to helix α1. Because the helices α1 and α2 is involved in the dimeric interface, this difference implies that BaeS uses a different dimeric interface compared with other PDC domains. Proteins 2017; 85:1784–1790. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A multiscale approach to simulating the conformational properties of unbound multi‐C2H2 zinc finger proteins

The conformational properties of unbound multi‐Cys₂His₂ (mC₂H₂) zinc finger proteins, in which zinc finger domains are connected by flexible linkers, are studied by a multiscale approach. Three methods on different length scales are utilized. First, atomic detail molecular dynamics simulations of one zinc finger and its adjacent flexible linker confirmed that the zinc finger is more rigid than the flexible linker. Second, the end‐to‐end distance distributions of mC₂H₂ zinc finger proteins are computed using an efficient atomistic pivoting algorithm, which only takes excluded volume interactions into consideration. The end‐to‐end distance distribution gradually changes its profile, from left‐tailed to right‐tailed, as the number of zinc fingers increases. This is explained by using a worm‐like chain model. For proteins of a few zinc fingers, an effective bending constraint favors an extended conformation. Only for proteins containing more than nine zinc fingers, is a somewhat compacted conformation preferred. Third, a mesoscale model is modified to study both the local and the global conformational properties of multi‐C₂H₂ zinc finger proteins. Simulations of the CCCTC‐binding factor (CTCF), an important mC₂H₂ zinc finger protein for genome spatial organization, are presented. Proteins 2015; 83:1604–1615. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

3(10)-Helix adjoining alpha-helix and beta-strand: sequence and structural features and their conservation

Does the amino acid use at the terminal positions of an α‐helix become altered depending on the context—more specifically, when there is an adjoining 3₁₀‐helix, and can a single helical cylinder encompass the resultant composite helix? An analysis of 138 and 107 cases of 3₁₀–α and α–3₁₀ composite helices, respectively, found in known protein structures indicate that the secondary structural element occurring first imposes its characteristics on the sequence of the structural element coming next. Thus, when preceded by a 3₁₀‐helix, the preference of proline to occur at the N1 position of an α‐helix is shifted to the N2 position, a typical characteristic of the C‐terminal capping of the 3₁₀‐helix. When an α‐ or a 3₁₀‐helix leads into a helix of the other type, there is a bend at the junction, especially for the 3₁₀–α composite, with the two junction residues facing inward and buried within the structure. Thus a single helical cylinder may not properly represent a composite helix, the bend providing a means for the tertiary structure to assume a globular shape, very much akin to what a proline‐induced kink does to an α‐helix. The tertiary structural context in which β–3₁₀ and 3₁₀–β composites occurs can be different, causing the angle between the secondary structural elements in the two cases to be different. Composites of 3₁₀‐helices and β‐strands are much more conserved among members in families of homologous structures than those between two types of helices; in many of the former instances, the 3₁₀‐helix constitutes the loops in β‐hairpin or β–β‐corner motifs. The overall fold of the chain may be more conserved than the actual identify of the secondary structure elements in a composite. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 78: 147–162, 2005 This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com     

Solution structure of the N-terminal zinc fingers of the Xenopus laevis double-stranded RNA-binding protein ZFa

Several zinc finger proteins have been discovered recently that bind specifically to double-stranded RNA. These include the mammalian JAZ and wig proteins, and the seven-zinc finger protein ZFa from Xenopus laevis. We have determined the solution structure of a 127 residue fragment of ZFa, which consists of two zinc finger domains connected by a linker that remains unstructured in the free protein in solution. The first zinc finger consists of a three-stranded beta-sheet and three helices, while the second finger contains only a two-stranded sheet and two helices. The common structures of the core regions of the two fingers are superimposable. Each finger has a highly electropositive surface that maps to a helix-kink-helix motif. There is no evidence for interactions between the two fingers, consistent with the length (24 residues) and unstructured nature of the intervening linker. Comparison with a number of other proteins shows similarities in the topology and arrangement of secondary structure elements with canonical DNA-binding zinc fingers, with protein interaction motifs such as FOG zinc fingers, and with other DNA-binding and RNA-binding proteins that do not contain zinc. However, in none of these cases does the alignment of these structures with the ZFa zinc fingers produce a consistent picture of a plausible RNA-binding interface. We conclude that the ZFa zinc fingers represent a new motif for the binding of double-stranded RNA.     

Structure of the Wilms tumor suppressor protein zinc finger domain bound to DNA

The zinc finger domain of the Wilms tumor suppressor protein (WT1) contains four canonical Cys(2)His(2) zinc fingers. WT1 binds preferentially to DNA sequences that are closely related to the EGR-1 consensus site. We report the structure determination by both X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy of the WT1 zinc finger domain in complex with DNA. The X-ray structure was determined for the complex with a cognate 14 base-pair oligonucleotide, and composite X-ray/NMR structures were determined for complexes with both the 14 base-pair and an extended 17 base-pair DNA. This combined approach allowed unambiguous determination of the position of the first zinc finger, which is influenced by lattice contacts in the crystal structure. The crystal structure shows the second, third and fourth zinc finger domains inserted deep into the major groove of the DNA where they make base-specific interactions. The DNA duplex is distorted in the vicinity of the first zinc finger, with a cytidine twisted and tilted out of the base stack to pack against finger 1 and the tip of finger 2. By contrast, the composite X-ray/NMR structures show that finger 1 continues to follow the major groove in the solution complexes. However, the orientation of the helix is non-canonical, and the fingertip and the N terminus of the helix project out of the major groove; as a consequence, the zinc finger side-chains that are commonly involved in base recognition make no contact with the DNA. We conclude that finger 1 helps to anchor WT1 to the DNA by amplifying the binding affinity although it does not contribute significantly to binding specificity. The structures provide molecular level insights into the potential consequences of mutations in zinc fingers 2 and 3 that are associated with Denys-Drash syndrome and nephritic syndrome. The mutations are of two types, and either destabilize the zinc finger structure or replace key base contact residues.     

A comparison of the different helices adopted by ��- and ��-peptides suggests different reasons for their stability

The right‐handed α‐helix is the dominant helical fold of α‐peptides, whereas the left‐handed 3₁₄‐helix is the dominant helical fold of β‐peptides. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the properties of α‐helical α‐peptides and 3₁₄‐helical β‐peptides with different C‐terminal protonation states and in the solvents water and methanol are compared. The observed energetic and entropic differences can be traced to differences in the polarity of the solvent‐accessible surface area and, in particular, the solute dipole moments, suggesting different reasons for their stability.     

C2H2型锌指蛋白结合的DNA序列预测方法的研究进展

C2H2型锌指蛋白是哺乳动物中数量最多的一类转录调控因子.C2H2型锌指蛋白中含有的C2H2型锌指基序多是不相同的,表明它们很可能结合不同的DNA序列,从而调控不同的基因,行使多样化的调控功能.然而,目前大多数C2H2型锌指蛋白结合的DNA序列仍不明确,这阻碍了C2H2型锌指蛋白的功能研究.目前,针对C2H2型锌指蛋白的靶序列预测已有一些初步的研究.本文介绍了C2H2型锌指基序与DNA结合的经典模式,并对C2H2型锌指蛋白靶序列预测方法中所用到的算法、训练集、金标准数据集及相应工具进行了全面系统的总结归纳,旨在丰富对C2H2型锌指蛋白靶序列预测原理和工具的认识,为C2H2型锌指蛋白靶序列的精确预测和更深入的功能研究打下基础.