Structural and functional analysis of SGT1–HSP90 core complex required for innate immunity in plants

SGT1 (Suppressor of G2 allele of skp1), a co-chaperone of HSP90 (Heat-shock protein 90), is required for innate immunity in plants and animals. Unveiling the cross talks between SGT1 and other co-chaperones such as p23, AHA1 (Activator of HSP90 ATPase 1) or RAR1 (Required for Mla12 resistance) is an important step towards understanding the HSP90 machinery. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mutational analyses of HSP90 revealed the nature of its binding with the CS domain of SGT1. Although CS is structurally similar to p23, these domains were found to non-competitively bind to various regions of HSP90; yet, unexpectedly, full-length SGT1 could displace p23 from HSP90. RAR1 partly shares the same binding site with HSP90 as the CS domain, whereas AHA1 does not. This analysis allowed us to build a structural model of the HSP90–SGT1 complex and to obtain a compensatory mutant pair between both partners that is able to restore virus resistance in vivo through Rx (Resistance to potato virus X) immune sensor stabilization

Extracellular vesicles as a platform to study cell-surface membrane proteins

International audienceKeywords Extracellular vesicle production Membrane protein expression Membrane protein-ligand interaction Cell-surface receptor Electron microscopy Immunization Highlights Membrane protein interaction studies using extracellular vesicles Extracellular vesicles as a tool for structure determination of membrane proteins Extracellular vesicles use for immunization Abstract Producing intact recombinant membrane proteins for structural studies is an inherently challenging task due to their requirement for a cell-lipid environment. Most procedures developed involve isolating the protein by detergent solubilization and further reconstitutions into artificial membranes. These procedures are highly time consuming and suffer from further drawbacks, including low yields and high cost. We describe here an alternative method for rapidly obtaining recombinant cell-surface membrane proteins displayed on extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from cells in culture. Interaction between these membrane proteins and ligands can be analyzed directly on EVs. Moreover, EVs can also be used for protein structure determination or immunization purposes

A new non-classical fold of varroa odorant-binding proteins reveals a wide open internal cavity

International audienceInsect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are not present in other arthropods nor in other living organism. However, ticks, mites, spiders and millipedes contain genes encoding protein with sequence similarity to insect OBPs. In this work we have explored the structure and function of such non-insect OBPs in the mite Varroa destructor, a major pest for honey bees. Varroa OBPs present six cysteines, paired into three disulphide bridges, but their positions in the sequence and their connections are different from those of their insect counterparts. VdesOBP1 structure was determined in two crystal forms closely related and is likely in a monomeric state. Its structure assembles 5 a-helices linked by three disulphide bridges, one of them exhibiting a different connection as compared to their insect counterparts. Comparison with classical OBPs reveals that the second of the six a-helices is lacking in VdesOBP. Ligand-binding experiments revealed molecules able binding only to specific OBPs with a moderate affinity, suggesting that either unknown compounds have to be identified as optimal ligands, or post-translational modifications present in the native proteins may be essential for modulating protein binding activity, or else these OBPs represent a failed attempt in evolution and are not used by the mites

Multifunctional Natural Killer Cell Engagers Targeting NKp46 Trigger Protective Tumor Immunity

Over the last decade, various new therapies have been developed to promote anti-tumor immunity. Despite interesting clinical results in hematological malignancies, the development of bispecific killercell-engager antibody formats directed against tumor cells and stimulating anti-tumor T cell immunity has proved challenging, mostly due to toxicity problems. We report here the generation of trifunctional natural killer (NK) cell engagers (NKCEs), targeting two activating receptors, NKp46 and CD16, on NK cells and a tumor antigen on cancer cells. Trifunctional NKCEs were more potent in vitro than clinical therapeutic antibodies targeting the same tumor antigen. They had similar in vivo pharmacokinetics to full IgG antibodies and no off-target effects and efficiently controlled tumor growth in mouse models of solid and invasive tumors. Trifunctional NKCEs thus constitute a new generation of molecules for fighting cancer

Blocking Antibodies Targeting the CD39/CD73 Immunosuppressive Pathway Unleash Immune Responses in Combination Cancer Therapies

Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment. However, many cancers are resistant to ICIs, and the targeting of additional inhibitory signals is crucial for limiting tumor evasion. The production of adenosine via the sequential activity of CD39 and CD73 ectoenzymes participates to the generation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In order to disrupt the adenosine pathway, we generated two antibodies, IPH5201 and IPH5301, targeting human membrane-associated and soluble forms of CD39 and CD73, respectively, and efficiently blocking the hydrolysis of immunogenic ATP into immunosuppressive adenosine. These antibodies promoted antitumor immunity by stimulating dendritic cells and macrophages and by restoring the activation of T cells isolated from cancer patients. In a human CD39 knockin mouse preclinical model, IPH5201 increased the anti-tumor activity of the ATP-inducing chemotherapeutic drug oxaliplatin. These results support the use of anti-CD39 and anti-CD73 monoclonal antibodies and their combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapies in cancer. : The production of adenosine via CD39 and CD73 ectoenzymes participates in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Perrot et al. generated two antibodies, IPH5201 and IPH5301, targeting human CD39 and CD73, respectively. In vitro and in vivo data support the use of anti-CD39 and anti-CD73 mAbs in combination cancer therapies. Keywords: CD39, CD73, cancer immunotherapies, therapeutic antibodies, adenosine pathway, tumor micro-environment, immunosuppressio