分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: UNC-13-Munc13s have a central function in synaptic-vesicle priming through their MUN domains. However, it is unclear whether this function arises from the ability of the MUN domain to mediate the transition from the Munc18-1-closed syntaxin-1 complex to the SNARE complex in vitro. The crystal structure of the rat Munc13-1 MUN domain now reveals an elongated, arch-shaped architecture formed by a-helical bundles, with a highly conserved hydrophobic pocket in the middle. Mutation of two residues (NF) in this pocket abolishes the stimulation caused by the Munc13-1 MUN domain on SNARE-complex assembly and on SNARE-dependent proteoliposome fusion in vitro. Moreover, the same mutation in UNC-13 abrogates synaptic-vesicle priming in Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junctions. These results support the notion that orchestration of syntaxin-1 opening and SNARE-complex assembly underlies the central role of UNC-13-Munc13s in synaptic-vesicle priming.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: The oxygen-evolving center (OEC) in photosystem II catalyzes a water splitting reaction. Great efforts have already been made to artificially synthesize the OEC, in order to elucidate the structure-function relationship and the mechanism of the reaction. Now, a new synthetic model makes the best mimic yet of the OEC. This recent study opens up the possibility to study the mechanism of photosystem II and photosynthesis in general for applications in renewable energy and synthetic biology.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 细胞生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: The fatty alk(a/e)ne biosynthesis pathway found in cyanobacteria gained tremendous attention in recent years as a promising alternative approach for biofuel production. Cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (cADO), which catalyzes the conversion of C-n fatty aldehyde to its corresponding Cn-1 alk(a/e)ne, is a key enzyme in that pathway. Due to its low activity, alk(a/e)ne production by cADO is an inefficient process. Previous biochemical and structural investigations of cADO have provided some information on its catalytic reaction. However, the details of its catalytic processes remain unclear. Here we report five crystal structures of cADO from the Synechococcus elongates strain PCC7942 in both its iron-free and iron-bound forms, representing different states during its catalytic process. Structural comparisons and functional enzyme assays indicate that Glu144, one of the iron-coordinating residues, plays a vital role in the catalytic reaction of cADO. Moreover, the helix where Glu144 resides exhibits two distinct conformations that correlates with the different binding states of the di-iron center in cADO structures. Therefore, our results provide a structural explanation for the highly labile feature of cADO di-iron center, which we proposed to be related to its low enzymatic activity. On the basis of our structural and biochemical data, a possible catalytic process of cADO was proposed, which could aid the design of cADO with improved activity.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: Sulfolobus synthesizes large amounts of small chromatin proteins Cren7 and Sul7d. The two proteins share overall structural similarity, but differ distinctly in the DNA-binding region between beta 3- and beta 4-strands. While Sul7d possesses a hinge of two amino acid residues, Cren7 contains a flexible seven-residue loop (loop beta 3-beta 4) in the region. Here, we report the role of loop beta 3-beta 4 in the interaction of Cren7 with duplex DNA. We show that all residues with a large side chain on the loop, i.e., Pro30, Lys31, Arg33 and Lys34, contributed significantly to the binding of Cren7 to DNA. The three basic amino acids affected the ability of Cren7 to constrain negative DNA supercoils in a residue number-dependent manner. The crystal structure of a complex between a mutant Cren7 protein (GR) with loop beta 3-beta 4 replaced by two residues (Gly and Arg) to mimic the hinge at the corresponding position in Sul7d and an 8-bp dsDNA has been determined. Structural comparison between the GR-DNA and Cren7-DNA complexes shows that GR resembles Sul7d more than Cren7 in DNA-binding size and in the effect on the width of the major groove of DNA and the pattern of DNA bending. However, GR induces smaller DNA curvature than Sul7d. Our results suggest that Cren7 and Sul7d package chromosomal DNA in a slightly different fashion, presumably permitting different chromosomal accessibility by proteins functioning in DNA transactions.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 细胞生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: Specific recognition of centromere-specific histone variant CENP-A-containing chromatin by CENP-N is an essential process in the assembly of the kinetochore complex at centromeres prior to mammalian cell division. However, the mechanisms of CENP-N recruitment to centromeres/kinetochores remain unknown. Here, we show that a CENP-A-specific RG loop (Arg80/Gly81) plays an essential and dual regulatory role in this process. The RG loop assists the formation of a compact "ladder-like" structure of CENP-A chromatin, concealing the loop and thus impairing its role in recruiting CENP-N. Upon G1/S-phase transition, however, centromeric chromatin switches from the compact to an open state, enabling the now exposed RG loop to recruit CENP-N prior to cell division. Our results provide the first insights into the mechanisms by which the recruitment of CENP-N is regulated by the structural transitions between compaction and relaxation of centromeric chromatin during the cell cycle.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: Replication and transcription of influenza virus genome mainly depend on its RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), composed of the PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits. Although extensively studied, the underlying mechanism of the RdRP complex is still unclear. Here we report the biochemical characterization of influenza RdRP subcomplex comprising PA, PB1, and N terminus of PB2, which exist as dimer in solution and can assemble into a tetramer state, regulated by vRNA promoter. Using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, we have reconstructed the RdRP tetramer complex at 4.3 angstrom, highlighting the assembly and interfaces between monomers within the tetrameric structure. The individual RdRP subcomplex contains all the characterized motifs and appears as a cage-like structure. High-throughput mutagenesis profiling revealed that residues involved in the oligomer state formation are critical for viral life cycle. Our results lay a solid base for understanding the mechanism of replication of influenza and other negative-stranded RNA viruses.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: Protein disulfide-isomerase (PIN) was the first protein-folding catalyst to be characterized, half a century ago. It plays critical roles in a variety of physiological events by displaying oxidoreductase and redox-regulated chaperone activities. This review provides a brief history of the identification of PDI as both an enzyme and a molecular chaperone and of the recent advances in studies on the structure and dynamics of PDI, the substrate binding and release, and the cooperation with its partners to catalyze oxidative protein folding and maintain ER redox homeostasis. In this review, we highlight the structural features of PDI, including the high interdomain flexibility, the multiple binding sites, the two synergic active sites, and the redox-dependent conformational changes. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: Papain-like protease (PLpro) of coronaviruses (CoVs) carries out proteolytic maturation of non-structural proteins that play a role in replication of the virus and performs deubiquitination of host cell factors to scuttle antiviral responses. Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), the causative agent of bronchitis in chicken that results in huge economic losses every year in the poultry industry globally, encodes a PLpro. The substrate specificities of this PLpro are not clearly understood. Here, we show that IBV PLpro can degrade Lys(48)- and Lys(63)-linked polyubiquitin chains to monoubiquitin but not linear polyubiquitin. To explain the substrate specificities, we have solved the crystal structure of PLpro from IBV at 2.15-angstrom resolution. The overall structure is reminiscent of the structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV PLpro. However, unlike the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV PLpro that lacks blocking loop (BL) 1 of deubiquitinating enzymes, the IBV PLpro has a short BL1-like loop. Access to a conserved catalytic triad consisting of Cys(101), His(264), and Asp(275) is regulated by the flexible BL2. A model of ubiquitin-bound IBV CoV PLpro brings out key differences in substrate binding sites of PLpros. In particular, P3 and P4 subsites as well as residues interacting with the beta-barrel of ubiquitin are different, suggesting different catalytic efficiencies and substrate specificities. We show that IBV PLpro cleaves peptide substrates KKAG-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin and LRGG-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin with different catalytic efficiencies. These results demonstrate that substrate specificities of IBV PLpro are different from other PLpros and that IBV PLpro might target different ubiquitinated host factors to aid the propagation of the virus.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 免疫学 提交时间: 2016-05-12
摘要: NK cells play a pivotal role in innate immune responses against pathogenic infections. However, the underlying mechanisms driving defined NK functions remain largely elusive. In this study, we identified a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein, ER adaptor protein (ERAdP), which is constitutively expressed in human and mouse NK cells. ERAdP is expressed at low levels in peripheral NK cells of hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients. We show that ERAdP initiates NK cell activation through the NF-kappa B pathway. Notably, ERAdP interacts with ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 13 (Ubc13) to potentiate its charging activity. Thus, ERAdP augments Ubc13-mediated NF-kappa B essential modulator ubiquitination to trigger the Ubc13-mediated NF-kappa B pathway, leading to NK cell activation. Finally, ERAdP transgenic mice display hyperactivated NK cells that are more resistant to pathogenic infections. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of ERAdP-mediated NK cell activation will provide strategies for treatment of infectious diseases.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Major facilitator superfamily (MFS) is a large class of secondary active transporters widely expressed across all life kingdoms. Although a common 12-transmembrane helix-bundle architecture is found in most MFS crystal structures available, a common mechanism of energy coupling remains to be elucidated. Here, we discuss several models for energy-coupling in the transport process of the transporters, largely based on currently available structures and the results of their biochemical analyses. Special attention is paid to the interaction between protonation and the negative-inside membrane potential. Also, functional roles of the conserved sequence motifs are discussed in the context of the 3D structures. We anticipate that in the near future, a unified picture of the functions of MFS transporters will emerge from the insights gained from studies of the common architectures and conserved motifs.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Lysine acetylation is one of the most widely studied post-translational modifications of histones. It plays important roles in the regulation of chromatin remodeling and gene expression. This modification is dynamically regulated in vivo by histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases. Besides histone substrates, many histone deacetylases can also catalyze deacetylation of non-histone substrates, and participate in the regulation of various biological pathways. In this review, we discuss the classification, structure, function, and catalytic mechanisms of the four known classes of human histone deacetylases, as well as the progress in the development and application of small molecule inhibitors and activators of these deacetylases.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物力学与生物流变学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. Viral protein 2 (VP2), the major structural protein of IBDV, has been subjected to frequent mutations that have imparted tremendous genetic diversity to the virus. To determine how amino acid mutations may affect the virulence of IBDV, we built a structural model of VP2 of a very virulent strain of IBDV identified in China, vvIBDV Gx, and performed a molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between virulence sites. The study showed that the amino acid substitutions that distinguish vvIBDV from attenuated IBDV (H253Q and T284A) favor a hydrophobic and flexible conformation of beta-barrel loops in VP2, which could promote interactions between the virus and potential IBDV-specific receptors. Population sequence analysis revealed that the IBDV strains prevalent in East Asia show a significant signal of positive selection at virulence sites 253 and 284. In addition, a signal of co-evolution between sites 253 and 284 was identified. These results suggest that changes in the virulence of IBDV may result from both the interaction and the co-evolution of multiple amino acid substitutions at virulence sites.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: In eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA is hierarchically packed into chromatin by histones in the nucleus. Despite of over 30 years' study, the fundamental structure of 30 nm chromatin fiber remains controversial. In this review, we focus on recent progress in revealing the structure of 30 nm chromatin fiber, and emphasize on the most recent left-handed double helix structure of 30 nm chromatin fiber. In addition, we discuss the epigenetic regulation of the 30 nm chromatin structure. Finally, we discuss the possible challenge in elucidating the structure of 30 nm chromatin fiber and its regulation.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 肿瘤学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Human epidermal growth factor receptors (HERs or ErbBs) play crucial roles in numerous cellular processes. ErbB2 is a key member of ErbB family, and its overexpression is recognized as a frequent molecular abnormality. In cancer, this overexpression correlates with aggressive disease and poor patient outcomes. Dimer-dependent phosphorylation is a key event for the signal transduction of ErbBs. However, the molecular mechanism of the dimerization of ErbB2 remains elusive. In the present work, we report the homodimer architecture of the ErbB2 extracellular domain (ECD) which is unique compared with other dimer-models of ErbBs. The structure of the ErbB2 ECD homodimer represents a "back to head" interaction, in which a protruding beta-hairpin arm in domain II of one ErbB2 protomer is inserted into a C-shaped pocket created by domains I-III of the adjacent ErbB2 protomer. This dimerized architecture and its impact on the phosphorylation of ErbB2 intracellular domain were further verified by a mutagenesis study. We also elucidated the different impacts of two clinically administered therapeutic antibodies, trastuzumab and pertuzumab, on ErbB2 dimerization. This information not only provides an understanding of the molecular mechanism of ErbBs dimerization but also elucidates ErbB2-targeted therapy at the molecular level.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 细胞生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Homotypic membrane fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by dynamin-like guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), which include atlastin (ATL) in metazoans and Sey1p in yeast. In this paper, we determined the crystal structures of the cytosolic domain of Sey1p derived from Candida albicans. The structures reveal a stalk-like, helical bundle domain following the GTPase, which represents a previously unidentified configuration of the dynamin superfamily. This domain is significantly longer than that of ATL and critical for fusion. Sey1p forms a side-by-side dimer in complex with GMP-PNP or GDP/AlF4- but is monomeric with GDP. Surprisingly, Sey1p could mediate fusion without GTP hydrolysis, even though fusion was much more efficient with GTP. Sey1p was able to replace ATL in mammalian cells, and the punctate localization of Sey1p was dependent on its GTPase activity. Despite the common function of fusogenic GTPases, our results reveal unique features of Sey1p.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 细胞生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play essential roles in signal transduction from the environment into the cell. While many structural features have been elucidated in great detail, a common functional mechanism on how the ligand-binding signal is converted into a conformational change on the cytoplasmic face resulting in subsequent activation of downstream effectors remain to be established. Based on available structural and functional data of the activation process in class-A GPCRs, we propose here that a change in protonation status, together with proton transfer via conserved structural elements located in the transmembrane region, are the key elements essential for signal transduction across the membrane.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Eukaryotic genomes are organized hierarchically into chromatin structures by histones. Despite extensive research for over 30 years, not only the fundamental structure of the 30-nm chromatin fiber is being debated, but the actual existence of such fiber remains hotly contested. In this review, we focus on the most recent progress in elucidating the structure of the 30-nm fiber upon in vitro reconstitution, and its possible organization inside the nucleus. In addition, we discuss the roles of linker histone H1 as well as the importance of specific nucleosome-nucleosome interactions in the formation of the 30-nm fiber. Finally, we discuss the involvement of structural variations and epigenetic mechanisms available for the regulation of this chromatin form. (C) 2015 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Chromatin assembly in eukaryote is a well-organized process in which DNA and histone are hierarchically packaged into the nucleosome and chromatin. The assembly and disassembly of chromatin decode the genetic information stored within the chromatin. Histone variant and histone chaperone are major players in regulating the chromatin assembly and virtually involve in all DNA-based processes. In this review, we discuss the recent findings that provide insights into the assembly mechanism of histone variant H2A.Z and CENP-A, and highlight the important roleshistone chaperones play in this process.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 生物物理、生物化学与分子生物学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: Cells adapt to temperature shifts by adjusting levels of lipid desaturation and membrane fluidity. This fundamental process occurs in nearly all forms of life, but its mechanism in eukaryotes is unknown. We discovered that the evolutionarily conserved Caenorhabditis elegans gene acdh-11 (acyl-CoA dehydrogenase [ACDH]) facilitates heat adaptation by regulating the lipid desaturase FAT-7. Human ACDH deficiency causes the most common inherited disorders of fatty acid oxidation, with syndromes that are exacerbated by hyperthermia. Heat upregulates acdh-11 expression to decrease fat-7 expression. We solved the high-resolution crystal structure of ACDH-11 and established the molecular basis of its selective and high-affinity binding to C11/C12-chain fatty acids. ACDH-11 sequesters C11/C12-chain fatty acids and prevents these fatty acids from activating nuclear hormone receptors and driving fat-7 expression. Thus, the ACDH-11 pathway drives heat adaptation by linking temperature shifts to regulation of lipid desaturase levels and membrane fluidity via an unprecedented mode of fatty acid signaling.
分类: 生物学 >> 生物物理学 >> 基因表达调控与表观遗传学 提交时间: 2016-05-11
摘要: CD1, as the third family of antigen-presenting molecules, is previously only found in mammals and chickens, which suggests that the chicken and mammalian CD1 shared a common ancestral gene emerging at least 310 million years ago. Here, we describe CD1 genes in the green anole lizard and Crocodylia, demonstrating that CD1 is ubiquitous in mammals, birds, and reptiles. Although the reptilian CD1 protein structures are predicted to be similar to human CD1d and chicken CD1.1, CD1 isotypes are not found to be orthologous between mammals, birds, and reptiles according to phylogenetic analyses, suggesting an independent diversification of CD1 isotypes during the speciation of mammals, birds, and reptiles. In the green anole lizard, although the single CD1 locus and MHC I gene are located on the same chromosome, there is an approximately 10-Mb-long sequence in between, and interestingly, several genes flanking the CD1 locus belong to the MHC paralogous region on human chromosome 19. The CD1 genes in Crocodylia are located in two loci, respectively linked to the MHC region and MHC paralogous region (corresponding to the MHC paralogous region on chromosome 19). These results provide new insights for studying the origin and evolution of CD1.