A Draft of the Human Septin Interactome

Background: Septins belong to the GTPase superclass of proteins and have been functionally implicated in cytokinesis and the maintenance of cellular morphology. They are found in all eukaryotes, except in plants. In mammals, 14 septins have been described that can be divided into four groups. It has been shown that mammalian septins can engage in homo- and heterooligomeric assemblies, in the form of filaments, which have as a basic unit a hetero-trimeric core. In addition, it has been speculated that the septin filaments may serve as scaffolds for the recruitment of additional proteins. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we performed yeast two-hybrid screens with human septins 1-10, which include representatives of all four septin groups. Among the interactors detected, we found predominantly other septins, confirming the tendency of septins to engage in the formation of homo- and heteropolymeric filaments. Conclusions/Significance: If we take as reference the reported arrangement of the septins 2, 6 and 7 within the heterofilament, (7-6-2-2-6-7), we note that the majority of the observed interactions respect the ""group rule"", i.e. members of the same group (e. g. 6, 8, 10 and 11) can replace each other in the specific position along the heterofilament. Septins of the SEPT6 group preferentially interacted with septins of the SEPT2 group (p<0.001), SEPT3 group (p<0.001) and SEPT7 group (p<0.001). SEPT2 type septins preferentially interacted with septins of the SEPT6 group (p<0.001) aside from being the only septin group which interacted with members of its own group. Finally, septins of the SEPT3 group interacted preferentially with septins of the SEPT7 group (p<0.001). Furthermore, we found non-septin interactors which can be functionally attributed to a variety of different cellular activities, including: ubiquitin/sumoylation cycles, microtubular transport and motor activities, cell division and the cell cycle, cell motility, protein phosphorylation/signaling, endocytosis, and apoptosis.Fundao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado Sao Paulo (Fapesp)CAPES: Coordenao de Aperfeioamento de Pessoal de Navel SuperiorConselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (CNPq)Laboratorio Nacional de Biociencias-Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materais (LNBio-CNPEM

Biochemical and biophysical studies of heat shock proteins of Hsp40 family from sugarcane and yeast

Orientador: Carlos Henrique Inacio RamosDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: O enovelamento protéico é essencial para a correta função biológica das proteínas. A existência de um ambiente com alta concentração dos mais diferentes tipos de moléculas, dentro da célula, e de diversos tipos de situações de estresse, podem agir induzindo a formação de espécies improdutivas na via de enovelamento, como proteínas mal enoveladas e/ou até mesmo agregados protéicos. Para controlar estes eventos, há a maquinaria de chaperonas moleculares, que tem por objetivo garantir a homeostase protéica celular. As chaperonas moleculares são capazes de ligar e estabilizar um polipeptídio, mas sem contribuir com informações para a sua conformação final. Dentro desta maquinaria, o sistema Hsp70 tem um papel central, sendo responsável por receber proteínas desenoveladas ou mal enoveladas de outras chaperonas, podendo auxiliar no reenovelamento e direcionamento para outras chaperonas moleculares ou para degradação. A Hsp70 é regulada por co-chaperonas, como a Hsp40, que é responsável pela entrega de proteínas clientes à Hsp70 e pelo estímulo da atividade ATPase, essencial para a funcionalidade da Hsp70. Este trabalho apresenta a caracterização de uma Hsp40 tipo I de cana-de-açúcar, nomeada SHsp40, e o estudo de uma Hsp40 tipo II de levedura e seus mutantes, a fim de entender a relação estrutura-função destas proteínas. A SHsp40 foi expressa em E. coli, purificada e obtida enovelada, como verificado por dicroísmo circular. Além disso, a SHsp40 apresentou atividade chaperona em experimentos de proteção ao substrato desenovelado e se comportou como um dímero alongado em solução, como mostrado por SEC-MALS e pela determinação do fator de Perrin. Experimentos de desenovelamento térmico monitorado pelo sinal de CD a 222 nm revelaram que a SHsp40 possui pelo menos um intermediário, e a fluorescência de tioflavina T e bis-ANS mostraram que este intermediário é rico em folhas ? e parcialmente desenovelado, características de espécies na via de formação de fibrilas. A SHsp40 agregada foi examinada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, que comprovou sua capacidade de formar de fibrilas. Este trabalho também contribuiu para o estudo de uma Hsp40 tipo II de levedura, Sis1, e seus mutantes de deleção, Sis1?124-174 e Sis1?121-257. Ensaios de fluorescência estática do triptofano, fotoapagamento e anisotropia mostraram que a deleção do domínio G/M não afetou a estrutura e hidrodinâmica de Sis1?124-174 em relação à proteína selvagem. Estudos de estabilidade destas proteínas, realizado anteriormente em nosso grupo de pesquisa e complementado neste trabalho pelo uso da técnica de SEC-MALS, mostrou que Sis1 e Sis1?124-174 foram mais estáveis que Sis1?121-257, mutante que o domínio G/M e subdomínio CTDI estão ausentesAbstract: Correct protein folding is essential for proper protein biological function. There is a crowded environment and many types of molecules inside the cell and a variety of external stresses can act inducing unproductive species, as unfolded and/or misfolded proteins and even protein aggregates. To control these undesired events and ensures the protein homeostasis there is a molecular chaperone machinery. Molecular chaperones are able to bind and stabilize polypeptides but with no contributions for their final conformations. Inside this machinery, the Hsp70 system has a central role and is responsible to receive unfolded or misfolded proteins from other chaperones, helping in protein refolding and delivering the clients to other chaperones and even protein targeting for degradation. Hsp70 is regulated by its co-chaperones, such as Hsp40, which is responsible to client proteins deliver to Hsp70 and stimulation of its ATPase activity, essential processes for Hsp70 function. This work presents a sugarcane type I Hsp40 characterization, named SHsp40, and studies of an yeast type II Hsp40 and its mutants in order to understand the structure-function relationship of these proteins. The SHsp40 was expressed in E. coli, purified and obtained folded, as verified by circular dichroism. Furthermore, SHsp40 presented chaperone activity in unfolded substrate protection experiments and behaved as an elongated dimer in solution, as shown by SEC-MALS and estimated by Perrin factor. Thermal-induced unfolding experiments monitored by CD signal at 222 nm revealed that SHsp40 has at least one intermediate which is populated and tioflavin T and bis-ANS fluorescence showed that this intermediate is ? sheet-rich and partially folded, such as intermediate species in the fibril formation pathway. The aggregated SHsp40 was examined by scanning electron microscopy, wich proved its ability to fibril formation. This work also contributed for the study of an yeast type II Hsp40, Sis1, and its deletion mutants, Sis1?124-174 and Sis1?121-257. Steady-state tryptophan fluorescence, quenching and anisotropy assays showed that the G/M domain deletion did not affect the structure and hydrodynamic properties of Sis1?124-174 in relation to the wild type protein. Stability studies of these proteins, previously performed in our research group and complemented in this work by using the SEC-MALS technique, showed that Sis1 and Sis1?124-174 were more stable than Sis1?121-257, a mutant with the G/M domain and CTDI subdomain absentsMestradoBioquimicaMestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecula

Structural studies of the Aha1 cochaperone (Activator of Hsp90 ATPase 1) from Leishmania braziliensis and its action on the Hsp90 functional cycle.

As chaperonas moleculares atuam no enovelamento de proteínas, montagem de complexos, prevenção/recuperação de proteínas de agregados e encaminhamento de proteínas mal enoveladas para depuração. As Hsp90 são chaperonas moleculares que atuam estabilizando proteínas relacionadas a vias de sinalização, crescimento celular, processos transcricionais e traducionais, estabilidade do genoma, entre outras, sendo essencial para a viabilidade celular. Em protozoários do gênero Leishmania, as Hsp90 são imprescindíveis no desenvolvimento, adaptação e transformação celular. Estes fatores fazem das Hsp90 alvos potenciais para o tratamento de patologias, como a leishmaniose, uma doença tropical negligenciada. As Hsp90 são homodímeros flexíveis onde cada protômero é dividido em três domínios denominados N, M e C. As Hsp90 possuem um ciclo conformacional associado ao seu ciclo funcional e sua baixa atividade ATPásica, o qual é direcionado e regulado por proteínas auxiliares, as co-chaperonas. A co-chaperona Aha1 atua estimulando a atividade ATPásica da Hsp90, participando da maturação de proteínas quinase e receptores de hormônios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar estruturalmente a proteína Aha1 de L. braziliensis (LbAha1) e seu mecanismo de interação com a Hsp90 desse organismo (LbHsp90). A LbAha1 é formada por dois domínios, LbAha1N e LbAha1C, conectados entre si por um linker flexível. Experimentos de identificação in vivo mostraram que a LbAha1 e LbHsp90 são proteínas cognatas. A LbAha1 e as construções de seus domínios (LbAha1N e LbAha1C) recombinantes foram obtidas puras e enoveladas. A LbAha1 é estruturada em dois domínios com diferentes estabilidades, que não interagem entre si e se enovelam independentemente, porém influenciam-se reciprocamente. Em solução, a LbAha1 se comporta como um monômero alongado e possui notável flexibilidade, com dimensão suficiente para interagir com os domínios N e M da LbHsp90. A análise da interação entre a LbAha1 e LbHsp90 revelou que a associação destas proteínas é dirigida entalpicamente, ocorrendo através de interações eletrostáticas e com estequiometria de 2 moléculas de LbAha1 por dímero de LbHsp90. O mapeamento de regiões envolvidas na interação indicou que o domínio LbAha1N e o domínio M da LbHsp90 compõem o cerne da interação e somente a LbAha1 íntegra é capaz de encaminhar a LbHsp90 para um estado fechado. Experimentos de cinética enzimática mostraram que somente a LbAha1 íntegra estimula a atividade ATPásica da LbHsp90 por meio de um mecanismo cooperativo positivo. Assim, é proposto que a conexão entre os domínios da LbAha1, via linker, é essencial para o direcionamento da LbHsp90 para um estado conformacional fechado e competente na hidrólise de ATP.Molecular chaperones play a role in protein folding, complex assembly, prevention/recover of proteins from aggregates and targeting misfolded proteins to depuration. Hsp90 molecular chaperones work stabilizing proteins related to signaling pathways, cell growth, transcription and translation processes, genome stability, among others, and are essential to cell viability. In protozoa of the genus Leishmania, Hsp90s are indispensable for cell developing, adaptation and transformation. These factors make Hsp90s potential targets for pathologies treatment, such as leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. Hsp90s are flexible homodimers and each protomer is divided into three domains named N, M and C. Hsp90s have a conformational cycle associated to its functional cycle and low ATPase activity, which is directed and regulated by auxiliary proteins, so-called cochaperones. Aha1 co-chaperone stimulates Hsp90 ATPase activity, participating on protein kinase and hormone receptors maturation. This work aimed to characterize the structure of the Aha1 from L. braziliensis (LbAha1) and its mechanism of interaction with the Hsp90 from the same organism (LbHsp90). LbAha1 is formed by two domains, LbAha1N and LbAha1C, connected to each other by a flexible linker. In vivo experiments identified LbAha1 and LbHsp90 as cognate proteins. Recombinant LbAha1 and its domains construct (LbAha1N and LbAha1C) were obtained pure and folded. LbAha1 is divided into two domains with dissimilar stabilities and they do not interact to each other. In spite of this they fold independently and influence each other reciprocally. LbAha1 behaves as an elongated monomer in solution and has a remarkable flexibility, with sufficient dimension to interact to LbHsp90 N and M domains. The analysis of the LbAha1-LbHsp90 interaction revealed that the association between these two proteins is enthalpically driven, occurring through electrostatic interactions in a stoichiometry of 2 LbAha1 molecules per LbHsp90 dimer. Domain mapping experiments indicated that LbAha1N and LbHsp90 M domains compose the core of the interaction and only full length LbAha1 is able to direct LbHsp90 toward a closed state. Enzyme kinetics experiments showed that only full length LbAha1 stimulates LbHsp90 ATPase activity through a positive cooperative mechanism. Thus, it is proposed that the connection between the LbAha1 domains, via linker, is essential to direct the LbHsp90 toward a closed and ATPase-competent conformational state

Identification of two p23 co-chaperone isoforms in Leishmania braziliensis exhibiting similar structures and Hsp90 interaction properties despite divergent stabilities

Submitted by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2016-04-06T12:28:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Identification of two p23 co-chaperone isoforms in Leishmania .pdf: 9476837 bytes, checksum: f9bb90d0e6af61050c09542ef54a31cf (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Nuzia Santos ([email protected]) on 2016-04-06T13:01:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Identification of two p23 co-chaperone isoforms in Leishmania .pdf: 9476837 bytes, checksum: f9bb90d0e6af61050c09542ef54a31cf (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-06T13:01:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Identification of two p23 co-chaperone isoforms in Leishmania .pdf: 9476837 bytes, checksum: f9bb90d0e6af61050c09542ef54a31cf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015Universidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Quimica. Sao Carlos, SP, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Sao Carlos. Departamento de Genetica e Evolucao. Sao Carlos, SP, BrasilUniversidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Quimica. Sao Carlos, SP, BrasilUniversidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Quimica. Sao Carlos, SP, BrasilFundaçao Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Rene Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrasilUniversidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Fisica. Sao Paulo, SP, BrasilUniversidade de Sao Paulo. Instituto de Quimica. Sao Carlos, SP, BrasilThe small acidic protein called p23 acts as a co-chaperone for heat-shock protein of 90 kDa (Hsp90) during its ATPase cycle. p23 proteins inhibit Hsp90 ATPase activity and show intrinsic chaperone activity. A search for p23 in protozoa, especially trypanosomatids, led us to identify two putative proteins in the Leishmania braziliensis genome that share approximately 30% identity with each other and with the human p23. To understand the presence of two p23 isoforms in trypanosomatids, we obtained the recombinant p23 proteins of L. braziliensis (named Lbp23A and Lbp23B) and performed structural and functional studies. The recombinant proteins share similar solution structures; however, temperature-and chemicalinduced unfolding experiments showed that Lbp23A is more stable than Lbp23B, suggesting that they may have different functions. Lbp23B prevented the temperature-induced aggregation of malic dehydrogenase more efficiently than did Lbp23A, whereas the two proteins had equivalent efficiencies with respect to preventing the temperature-induced aggregation of luciferase. Both proteins interacted with L. braziliensis Hsp90 (LbHsp90) and inhibited its ATPase activity, although their efficiencies differed. In vivo identification studies suggested that both proteins are present in L. braziliensis cells grown under different conditions, although Lbp23B may undergo post-translation modifications. Interaction studies indicated that both Lbp23 proteins interact with LbHsp90. Taken together, our data suggest that the two protozoa p23 isoforms act similarly when regulating Hsp90 function. However, they also have some differences, indicating that the L. braziliensis Hsp90 machine has features providing an opportunity for novel forms of selective inhibition of protozoan Hsp90

Insights into the full-length SRPK2 structure and its hydrodynamic behavior

The serine/arginine-rich protein kinase 2 (SRPK2) has been reported as upregulated in several cancer types, with roles in hallmarks such as cell migration, growth, and apoptosis. These findings have indicated that SRPK2 is a promising emerging target in drug discovery initiatives. Although high-resolution models are available for SRPK2 (PDB 2X7G), they have been obtained with a heavily truncated recombinant protein version (-50% of the primary structure), due to the presence of long intrinsically unstructured regions. In the present work, we sought to characterize the structure of a full-length recombinant version of SRPK2 in solution. Low-resolution Small-Angle X-ray Scattering data were obtained for both versions of SRPK2. The truncated Delta N Delta S-SRPK2 presented a propensity to dimerize at higher concentrations whereas the full-length SRPK2 was mainly found as dimers. The hydrodynamic behavior of the full-length SRPK2 was further investigated by analytical size exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. SRPK2 behaved as a monomer-dimer equilibrium and both forms have an elongated shape in solution, pointing to a stretched-to closed tendency among the conformational plasticity observed. Taken together, these findings allowed us to define unique structural features of the SRPK2 within SRPK family, characterized by its flexible regions outside the bipartite kinase domain137205214CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorCNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De Minas GeraisFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloSem informação485011/2012-3; 420648/2016-0; 471415/2013-8; 303129/2015-8CBB-01637-13; CBB-APQ02556-15; RED-00140-162011/23110-0; 2012/50161-8; 2014/07206-6; 2017/07335-9; 2012/00195-3; 13/50724-5; 2017/03489-

Potential antileukemia effect and structural analyses of SRPK inhibition by N-(2- (Piperidin-1-yl)-5-(Trifluoromethyl)Phenyl) isonicotinamide (SRPIN340)

Dysregulation of pre-mRNA splicing machinery activity has been related to the biogenesis of several diseases. The serine/arginine-rich protein kinase family (SRPKs) plays a critical role in regulating pre-mRNA splicing events through the extensive phosphorylation of splicing factors from the family of serine/arginine-rich proteins (SR proteins). Previous investigations have described the overexpression of SRPK1 and SRPK2 in leukemia and other cancer types, suggesting that they would be useful targets for developing novel antitumor strategies. Herein, we evaluated the effect of selective pharmacological SRPK inhibition by N-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isonicotinamide (SRPIN340) on the viability of lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cell lines. Along with significant cytotoxic activity, the effect of treatments in regulating the phosphorylation of the SR protein family and in altering the expression of MAP2K1, MAP2K2, VEGF and FAS genes were also assessed. Furthermore, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SRPKs can trigger early and late events of apoptosis. Finally, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence emission, molecular docking and molecular dynamics were analyzed to gain structural information on the SRPK/SRPIN340 complex. These data suggest that SRPK pharmacological inhibition should be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy for fighting leukemias. Moreover, the obtained SRPK-ligand interaction data provide useful structural information to guide further medicinal chemistry efforts towards the development of novel drug candidates

Potential Antileukemia Effect and Structural Analyses of SRPK Inhibition by <i>N</i>-(2-(Piperidin-1-yl)-5-(Trifluoromethyl)Phenyl)Isonicotinamide (SRPIN340)

<div><p>Dysregulation of pre-mRNA splicing machinery activity has been related to the biogenesis of several diseases. The serine/arginine-rich protein kinase family (SRPKs) plays a critical role in regulating pre-mRNA splicing events through the extensive phosphorylation of splicing factors from the family of serine/arginine-rich proteins (SR proteins). Previous investigations have described the overexpression of SRPK1 and SRPK2 in leukemia and other cancer types, suggesting that they would be useful targets for developing novel antitumor strategies. Herein, we evaluated the effect of selective pharmacological SRPK inhibition by <i>N</i>-(2-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isonicotinamide (SRPIN340) on the viability of lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cell lines. Along with significant cytotoxic activity, the effect of treatments in regulating the phosphorylation of the SR protein family and in altering the expression of MAP2K1, MAP2K2, VEGF and FAS genes were also assessed. Furthermore, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SRPKs can trigger early and late events of apoptosis. Finally, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence emission, molecular docking and molecular dynamics were analyzed to gain structural information on the SRPK/SRPIN340 complex. These data suggest that SRPK pharmacological inhibition should be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy for fighting leukemias. Moreover, the obtained SRPK-ligand interaction data provide useful structural information to guide further medicinal chemistry efforts towards the development of novel drug candidates.</p></div

Analysis of SRPK1 and SRPK2 expression in leukemia cell lines.

<p>The expression of SRPK1 and SRPK2 were analyzed by (A) Western blotting and (B) RT-qPCR assays in different leukemia cell lines derived from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-T), and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-B). (A) The histogram (below) represents the ratio of the band intensities of SRPK1 and SRPK2 normalized to the actin signal for each lineage. Densitometry analysis of the band intensity was performed using ImageJ software. Error bars represent means ± standard deviation from triplicate experiments. Because SRPK1 or SRPK2 signals in the PBMC samples could not be detected during the WB assays, even when higher amounts of material were used (data not shown), they were not considered for the densitometry analysis. Although we found that actin expression varied between leukemia cells and our PBMC samples (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0134882#pone.0134882.s001" target="_blank">S1 Fig</a>), actin was detected here to qualitatively control the presence of protein material. (B) Expression of SRPK1 and SRPK2 transcripts by relative quantification. Amplification of beta-2-microglobulin mRNA (B2M) was used as an endogenous control. B2M was equally expressed among all of the leukemia lineages evaluated (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0134882#pone.0134882.s001" target="_blank">S1 Fig</a> and data not shown). SRPK1 and SRPK2 mRNA quantification in PBMC are discussed in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0134882#pone.0134882.s001" target="_blank">S1 Fig</a>. All primers used are detailed in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0134882#pone.0134882.s004" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>.</p

Effect of SRPIN340 treatment on MAP2K1, MAP2K2, VEGF and FAS expression in leukemia cells.

<p>cDNAs were derived from HL60, Jurkat, Molt4 and Nalm6 cells treated with SRPIN340 (100 μM) for different amounts of time (0, 9 and 18 h). One representative experiment of three is shown. (*) represent possible isoforms as previously described [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0134882#pone.0134882.ref019" target="_blank">19</a>].</p