Experimental and computational analysis of the structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are abundant in cells and have central roles in protein-protein interaction networks. Many are involved in cancer, aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The structure and dynamics of IDPs is intimately related to their interactions with binding partners. Because IDPs are inherently flexible and do not have a single conformation, conventional methods and conditions for determining structure and dynamics of globular proteins may not be directly applicable. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is one of the primary techniques characterizing the structures and dynamics of IDPs, but one cannot rely solely on NMR data. A primary aim of this work was to use Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations in conjunction with NMR and other biophysical techniques to achieve a deeper understanding of the structure and dynamics of IDPs. To establish suitable parameters and force field choice for simulating IDPs, extensive MD simulations were performed and the results were compared to experimental data. Using computational and experimental techniques, the interactions between peptides from 9 disordered proteins with a common target were interrogated. The findings allowed us to determine key factors in modulating the affinities of the various interactions and highlighted the importance of molecular recognition fragments (MoRFs) in IDP target recognition and binding. IDP binding was also investigated from the perspective of the binding partner. The backbone resonances of the ~32 kDa target were assigned and the binding interface was mapped in the presence of a peptide from a disordered binding partner. Chemical shift changes distant from the interaction site indicated that IDP binding is a complex process, which should be studied from the perspectives of the partner and target. Because IDPs are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, the effects of molecular crowding on the dynamics of IDPs were also investigated. I found that crowding might have differential effects on the conformational propensities of distinct regions of some IDPs. This information will help to understand the behavior of IDPs in cellular environments and to determine suitable conditions for accurately studying them. This work has helped to improve the understanding of how IDP structure and dynamics relate to target binding

(1)H, (15)N and (13)C backbone resonance assignments of the Kelch domain of mouse Keap1.

Kelch-like ECH-associated Protein 1 (Keap1) is a multi-domain protein that functions as an inhibitor of the transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Under normal conditions, Keap1 binds to Nrf2 via its C-terminal Kelch domain and the interaction ultimately leads to the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of Nrf2. It has been proposed that designing molecules to selectively disrupt the Keap1-Nrf2 interaction can be a potential therapeutic approach for enhancing the expression of cytoprotective genes. Here, we reported the (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N backbone chemical shift assignments of the Kelch domain of mouse Keap1. Further, unlabeled Nrf2 peptide containing the Kelch-binding motif was added to the (15)N-labeled Kelch sample. (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectra of the protein in the absence and presence of an equimolar concentration of the Nrf2 peptide were presented. A significant number of resonance signals were shifted upon addition of the peptide, confirming the protein-peptide interaction. The results here will not just facilitate the further studies of the binding between Keap1 and Nrf2, it will also be valuable for probing interactions between the Kelch domain and small molecules, as well as a growing list of protein targets that have been identified recently

Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins Involved in the Oxidative Stress Response

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are abundant in cells and have central roles in protein-protein interaction networks. Interactions between the IDP Prothymosin alpha (ProTα) and the Neh2 domain of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), with a common binding partner, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1), are essential for regulating cellular response to oxidative stress. Misregulation of this pathway can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, premature aging and cancer. In order to understand the mechanisms these two disordered proteins employ to bind to Keap1, we performed extensive 0.5–1.0 microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments to investigate the structure/dynamics of free-state ProTα and Neh2 and their thermodynamics of bindings. The results show that in their free states, both ProTα and Neh2 have propensities to form bound-state-like β-turn structures but to different extents. We also found that, for both proteins, residues outside the Keap1-binding motifs may play important roles in stabilizing the bound-state-like structures. Based on our findings, we propose that the binding of disordered ProTα and Neh2 to Keap1 occurs synergistically via preformed structural elements (PSEs) and coupled folding and binding, with a heavy bias towards PSEs, particularly for Neh2. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms Neh2 and ProTα bind to Keap1, information that is useful for developing therapeutics to enhance the oxidative stress response

Fuzzy complex formation between the intrinsically disordered prothymosin α and the Kelch domain of Keap1 involved in the oxidative stress response.

Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) is an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor for cytoprotective gene activation in the oxidative stress response. Under unstressed conditions, Keap1 interacts with Nrf2 in the cytoplasm via its Kelch domain and suppresses the transcriptional activity of Nrf2. During oxidative stress, Nrf2 is released from Keap1 and is translocated into the nucleus, where it interacts with the small Maf protein to initiate gene transcription. Prothymosin α (ProTα), an intrinsically disordered protein, also interacts with the Kelch domain of Keap1 and mediates the import of Keap1 into the nucleus to inhibit Nrf2 activity. To gain a molecular basis understanding of the oxidative stress response mechanism, we have characterized the interaction between ProTα and the Kelch domain of Keap1 by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, peptide array analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, and molecular dynamic simulations. The results of nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift mapping, amide hydrogen exchange, and spin relaxation measurements revealed that ProTα retains a high level of flexibility, even in the bound state with Kelch. This finding is in agreement with the observations from the molecular dynamic simulations of the ProTα-Kelch complex. Mutational analysis of ProTα, guided by peptide array data and isothermal titration calorimetry, further pinpointed that the region (38)NANEENGE(45) of ProTα is crucial for the interaction with the Kelch domain, while the flanking residues play relatively minor roles in the affinity of binding

Wses Jerusalem Guidelines For Diagnosis And Treatment Of Acute Appendicitis

Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common cause of acute abdominal pain. Diagnosis of AA is challenging; a variable combination of clinical signs and symptoms has been used together with laboratory findings in several scoring systems proposed for suggesting the probability of AA and the possible subsequent management pathway. The role of imaging in the diagnosis of AA is still debated, with variable use of US, CT and MRI in different settings worldwide. Up to date, comprehensive clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of AA have never been issued. In July 2015, during the 3rd World Congress of the WSES, held in Jerusalem (Israel), a panel of experts including an Organizational Committee and Scientific Committee and Scientific Secretariat, participated to a Consensus Conference where eight panelists presented a number of statements developed for each of the eight main questions about diagnosis and management of AA. The statements were then voted, eventually modified and finally approved by the participants to The Consensus Conference and lately by the board of co-authors. The current paper is reporting the definitive Guidelines Statements on each of the following topics: 1) Diagnostic efficiency of clinical scoring systems, 2) Role of Imaging, 3) Non-operative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis, 4) Timing of appendectomy and in-hospital delay, 5) Surgical treatment 6) Scoring systems for intra-operative grading of appendicitis and their clinical usefulness 7) Non-surgical treatment for complicated appendicitis: abscess or phlegmon 8) Pre-operative and post-operative antibiotics.1

Bologna guidelines for diagnosis and management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO): 2013 update of the evidence-based guidelines from the world society of emergency surgery ASBO working group

Peer reviewe

Complicated intra-abdominal infections in a worldwide context: an observational prospective study (CIAOW Study)

Peer reviewe

Complicated intra-abdominal infections worldwide : the definitive data of the CIAOW Study

Peer reviewe

WSES Jerusalem guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis

Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common cause of acute abdominal pain. Diagnosis of AA is challenging; a variable combination of clinical signs and symptoms has been used together with laboratory findings in several scoring systems proposed for suggesting the probability of AA and the possible subsequent management pathway. The role of imaging in the diagnosis of AA is still debated, with variable use of US, CT and MRI in different settings worldwide. Up to date, comprehensive clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of AA have never been issued. In July 2015, during the 3rd World Congress of the WSES, held in Jerusalem (Israel), a panel of experts including an Organizational Committee and Scientific Committee and Scientific Secretariat, participated to a Consensus Conference where eight panelists presented a number of statements developed for each of the eight main questions about diagnosis and management of AA. The statements were then voted, eventually modified and finally approved by the participants to The Consensus Conference and lately by the board of co-authors. The current paper is reporting the definitive Guidelines Statements on each of the following topics: 1) Diagnostic efficiency of clinical scoring systems, 2) Role of Imaging, 3) Non-operative treatment for uncomplicated appendicitis, 4) Timing of appendectomy and in-hospital delay, 5) Surgical treatment 6) Scoring systems for intra-operative grading of appendicitis and their clinical usefulness 7) Non-surgical treatment for complicated appendicitis: abscess or phlegmon 8) Pre-operative and post-operative antibiotics.Peer reviewe