The [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase maturation protein HydF from Thermotoga maritima is a GTPase with an iron-sulfur cluster.

International audienceThe active site of [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenases is composed of a di-iron complex, where the two metal atoms are bridged together by a putative di(thiomethyl)amine molecule and are also ligated by di-nuclear ligands, namely carbon monoxide and cyanide. Biosynthesis of this metal site is thought to require specific protein machinery coded by the hydE, hydF and hydG genes. The HydF protein has been cloned from the thermophilic organism Thermotoga maritima, purified and characterized. The enzyme possesses specific amino-acid signatures for GTP-binding and is able to hydrolyze GTP. The anaerobically reconstituted TmHydF protein binds a [4Fe-4S] cluster with peculiar EPR characteristics: an S=1/2 signal presenting a high field shifted g-value together with a S=3/2 signal, similar to those observed for [4Fe-4S] clusters ligated by only three cysteines. HYSCORE spectroscopy experiments were carried out in order to determine the nature of the cluster's fourth ligand and its exchangeability was demonstrated with the formation of a [4Fe-4S]-imidazole complex

Rapid discovery and crystallography study of highly potent and selective butylcholinesterase inhibitors based on oxime-containing libraries and conformational restriction strategies

22 p.-9 fig.-8 tab.Butyrylcholinesterase is regarded as a promising drug target in advanced Alzheimer’s disease. In order to identify highly selective and potent BuChE inhibitors, a 53-membered compound library was constructed via the oxime-based tethering approach based on microscale synthesis. Although A2Q17 and A3Q12 exhibited higher BuChE selectivity versus acetylcholinesterase, the inhibitory activities were unsatisfactory and A3Q12 did not inhibit Aβ1-42 peptide self-induced aggregation. With A2Q17 and A3Q12 as leads, a novel series of tacrine derivatives with nitrogen-containing heterocycles were designed based on conformation restriction strategy. The results demonstrated that 39 (IC50 = 3.49 nM) and 43 (IC50 = 7.44 nM) yielded much improved hBuChE inhibitory activity compared to the lead A3Q12 (IC50 = 63 nM). Besides, the selectivity indexes (SI = AChE IC50 / BChE IC50) of 39 (SI = 33) and 43 (SI = 20) were also higher than A3Q12 (SI = 14). The results of the kinetic study showed that 39 and 43 exhibited a mixed-type inhibition against eqBuChE with respective Ki values of 1.715 nM and 0.781 nM. And 39 and 43 could inhibit Aβ1-42 peptide self-induced aggregation into fibril. X-ray crystallography structures of 39 or 43 complexes with BuChE revealed the molecular basis for their high potency. Thus, 39 and 43 are deserve for further study to develop potential drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Shandong Provincial Key Research and Development Project (No. 2019JZZY021011), Science Foundation for Outstanding Young Scholars of Shandong Province (ZR2020JQ31), Foreign Cultural and Educational Experts Project (GXL20200015001), Qilu Young Scholars Program of Shandong University, Distinguished Young and Middle-aged Scholar of Shandong University, the Taishan Scholar Program at Shandong Province, and MINECO (Grants SAF2016-76693-R to A.M), F.C., F.N. and X.B. were supported by the French Ministry of Armed Forces (Direction Générale de l'Armement and Service de Santé des Armées, NBC-5-C-4210). Authors would like to thank the ESRF for long-term beamtime access (MX2329 IBS BAG).Peer reviewe

Fine-Tuning the Biological Profile of Multitarget Mitochondriotropic Antioxidants for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurotransmitter depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction are among the multiple pathological events that lead to neurodegeneration. Following our previous studies related with the development of multitarget mitochondriotropic antioxidants, this study aims to evaluate whether the π-system extension on the chemical scaffolds of AntiOXCIN2 and AntiOXCIN3 affects their bioactivity and safety profiles. After the synthesis of four triphenylphosphonium (TPP+) conjugates (compounds 2-5), we evaluated their antioxidant properties and their effect on neurotransmitter-metabolizing enzymes. All compounds were potent equine butyrylcholinesterase (eqBChE) and moderate electric eel acetylcholinesterase (eeAChE) inhibitors, with catechols 4 and 5 presenting lower IC50 values than AntiOXCIN2 and AntiOXCIN3, respectively. However, differences in the inhibition potency and selectivity of compounds 2-5 towards non-human and human cholinesterases (ChEs) were observed. Co-crystallization studies with compounds 2-5 in complex with human ChEs (hChEs) showed that these compounds exhibit different binging modes to hAChE and hBChE. Unlike AntiOXCINs, compounds 2-5 displayed moderate human monoamine oxidase (hMAO) inhibitory activity. Moreover, compounds 4 and 5 presented higher ORAC-FL indexes and lower oxidation potential values than the corresponding AntiOXCINs. Catechols 4 and 5 exhibited broader safety windows in differentiated neuroblastoma cells than benzodioxole derivatives 2 and 3. Compound 4 is highlighted as a safe mitochondria-targeted antioxidant with dual ChE/MAO inhibitory activity. Overall, this work is a contribution for the development of dual therapeutic agents addressing both mitochondrial oxidative stress and neurotransmitter depletion

Implication des protéines IRP (Iron Regulatory Protein) dans le métabolisme du fer chez les animaux

Iron Regulatory Protein 1 (IRP1) is a cytosolic protein that regulates the intracellular iron concentration in metazoans by a post-transcriptional mechanism. It binds specific sequences, called Iron responsive Element (IRE), on the untranslated regions of different mRNA involved in iron homeostasis. When iron is abundant, IRP1 looses its RNA-binding activity, assembles a [4Fe-4S] cluster and becomes an aconitase. The building and destruction of the iron-sulfur cluster is a key feature of the regulation.The recombinant human IRP1 has been purified as the aconitase [4Fe-4S] form and the reaction of various compounds able to modify the IRP1 activity has been studied. Several reactive oxygen species in small excess over the protein produce the inactive [3Fe-4S] form. The cytostatic drug, doxorubicin, changes IRP1 activity, but its impact depends on the conditions and involves several mechanisms. Large amounts of 2-mercaptoethanol fully convert IRP1 into its IRE-binding form. Ethanol plays a similar role, and these chemicals act as solvents in this process.IRP1 has been investigated by a two hybrid approach in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No genuine physiological partners have been discovered. Alternatives approaches may be needed toward this aim.The possibility of measuring IRE binding to IRP1 by a fluorescent assay coupled to capillary electrophoresis has been probed. Our data do not validate the method but they provide indications about how to improve the sensitivity and efficiency to develop it.Conformational changes between the two active forms of IRP1 have been analyzed by two complementary methods. The building of some secondary structure elements depends on the form of the protein being studied and on the binding of substrates. The hydrodynamic properties also vary between these different states. Without additional structural information on IRP1, these studies give an idea about how IRP1 fulfils its regulatory function.Iron Regulatory Protein 1 (IRP1) est une protéine cytosolique dont le rôle est de réguler la concentration de fer intracellulaire chez les métazoaires par un mécanisme post-transcriptionnel. Elle interagit avec certains ARN messagers au niveau de motifs spécifiques appelés IRE (Iron Responsive Element) situés dans leurs régions non traduites et modifie la synthèse des protéines correspondantes. En présence de fer, IRP1 perd cette capacité de fixation, intègre un agrégat [4Fe-4S] et acquiert une activité aconitase. La régulation s'effectue donc par un processus d'assemblage et de désassemblage du centre fer-soufre.La réactivité de la protéine recombinante IRP1 humaine, purifiée sous sa forme aconitase [4Fe-4S], a été étudiée vis à vis d'autres effecteurs que le fer capables de modifier l'activité des IRP. Ainsi des excès assez modestes de diverses espèces réactives de l'oxygène ne peuvent former que l'espèce [3Fe-4S] de la protéine. La doxorubicine, un composé cytostatique utilisé comme anti-cancéreux, a une action sur IRP1, mais elle dépend des conditions d'application et implique certainement des mécanismes multiples. In vitro, IRP1 est complètement activée pour la fixation d'ARN par un fort excès de 2-mercaptoéthanol. Parmi les diverses causes possibles de cet effet, les propriétés de solvant de ce produit (comme de l'éthanol) en sont responsables.La recherche d'éventuels partenaires physiologiques de la protéine IRP1 a été entreprise par une étude double hybride chez la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mais les constructions utilisées n'ont pas permis de déterminer de candidats potentiels. L'utilisation d'autres constructions ainsi que d'autres systèmes double hybride est envisagée pour la poursuite de cette étude.Une nouvelle méthode de dosage de l'activité de fixation au motif IRE a été envisagée par l'utilisation d'un substrat fluorescent et de l'électrophorèse capillaire. Les résultats préliminaires obtenus n'ont pas encore abouti, mais ils contribuent à donner des orientations pour le développement de cette méthode présentant de nombreux avantages.Des changements de conformation entre les deux formes actives de IRP1 ont été analysés par deux méthodes structurales en solution. La formation de certains éléments de structure secondaire d'IRP1 dépend de l'état d'activité de la protéine et ils sont sensibles à la fixation des substrats. Les propriétés hydrodynamiques d'IRP1 varient aussi lors de ces différents changements. Faute de structure à haute résolution, ces informations permettent toutefois de se représenter le comportement structural d'IRP1 dans son rôle de régulateur

Implication des protéines IRP (Iron Regulatory Protein) dans le métabolisme du fer chez les animaux

Iron Regulatory Protein 1(IRP1) est une protéine cytosolique dont le rôle est de réguler la concentration de fer intracellulaire chez les métazoaires par un mécanisme post-transcriptionnel. Elle interagit avec certains ARN messagers au niveau de motifs spécifiques appelés IRE (Iron Responsive Element) situés dans leurs régions non traduites et modifie la synthèse des protéines correspondantes. En présence de fer, IRP1 perd cette capacité de fixation, intégre un agrégat [4Fe-4S] et acquiert une activité aconitase. La régulation s'effectue donc par un processus d'assemblage et de désassemblage du centre fer-soufre. La réactivité de la protéine recombinante IRP1 humaine, purifiée sous sa forme aconitase [4Fe-4S], a été étudiée vis à vis d'autres effecteurs que le fer capables de modifier l'avtivité des IRP. Ainsi des excès assez modestes de diverses espèces réactives de l'oxygène ne peuvent former que l'espèce [3Fe-4S] de la protéine. La doxorubicine, un composé cytostatique utilisé comme anti-cancéreux, une action sur IRP1, mais elle dépend des conditions d'application et implique certainement des mécanismes multiples. In vitro, IRP1 est complètement activée pour la fixation d'ARN par un fort excès de 2-mercaptoéthanol. Parmi les divers causes possibles de cet effet, les propriétés de solvant de ce produit (comme de l'éthanol) en sont responsables. La recherche d'éventuels partenaires physiologiques de la protéine IRP1 a été entreprise par une étude double hybride chez la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mais les constructions utilisées n'ont pas permis de déterminer de candidats potentiels. L'utilisation d'autres constructions ainsi que d'autres systèmes double hybride est envisagée par la poursuite de cette étude. Une nouvelle méthode de dosage de l'activité de fixation au motif IRE a été envisagée par l'utilisation d'un substrat fluorescent et de l'électrophorèse capillaire. Les résultats préliminaires obtenus n'ont pas encore abouti, mais ils contribuent à donner des orientations pour le développement de cette méthode présentant de nombreux avantages. Des changements de conformation entre les deux formes actives de IRP1 ont été analysés par deux méthodes structurales en solution. La formation de certains éléments de structure secondaire d'IRP1 dépend de l'état d'activité de la protéine et ils sont sensibles à la fixation des substrats. Les propriétés hydrodynamiques d'IRP1 varient aussi lors de ces différents changements. Faute de structure à haute résolution, ces informations permettent de se représenter le comportement structural d'IRP1 dans son rôle de régulateur.GRENOBLE1-BU Sciences (384212103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Three conserved histidyl residues contribute to mitochondrial iron transport through mitoferrins.

International audience: Iron is an essential element for almost all organisms. In eukaryotes, it is mainly used in mitochondria for the biosynthesis of iron-sulphur clusters and heme-group maturation. Iron is delivered into the mitochondrion by mitoferrins, members of the mitochondrial carrier family (MCF), through an unknown mechanism. In this article, the yeast homologs of these proteins, Mrs3p and Mrs4p, were studied by inserting them into liposomes. In this context, they could transport iron (II) across the proteoliposomes membrane, as revealed using the iron-chelator bathophenanthroline. A series of amino acid-modifying reagents were screened for their effects on Mrs3p-mediated iron transport. Results suggested that carboxylic and imidazole groups are essential for iron transport. This was confirmed by in vivo complementation assays, which demonstrated that three highly conserved His residues are important for Mrs3p function. These His residues are not conserved in other MCF members, thus they are likely to play a specific role in iron transport. A model describing how these residues help iron to transit smoothly across the carrier cavity is proposed and compared to structural and biochemical data available for other carriers in this family

Progress in the development of enzyme-based nerve agent bioscavengers

International audienceAcetylcholinesterase is the physiological target for acute toxicity of nerve agents. Attempts to protect acetylcholinesterase from phosphylation by nerve agents, is currently achieved by reversible inhibitors that transiently mask the enzyme active site. This approach either protects only peripheral acetylcholinesterase or may cause side effects. Thus, an alternative strategy consists in scavenging nerve agents in the bloodstream before they can reach acetylcholinesterase. Pre- or post-exposure administration of bioscavengers, enzymes that neutralize and detoxify organophosphorus molecules, is one of the major developments of new medical counter-measures. These enzymes act either as stoichiometric or catalytic bioscavengers. Human butyrylcholinesterase is the leading stoichiometric bioscavenger. Current efforts are devoted to its mass production with care to pharmacokinetic properties of the final product for extended lifetime. Development of specific reactivators of phosphylated butyrylcholinesterase, or variants with spontaneous reactivation activity is also envisioned for rapid in situ regeneration of the scavenger. Human paraoxonase 1 is the leading catalytic bioscavenger under development. Research efforts focus on improving its catalytic efficiency toward the most toxic isomers of nerve agents, by means of directed evolution-based strategies. Human prolidase appears to be another promising human enzyme. Other non-human efficient enzymes like bacterial phosphotriesterases or squid diisopropylfluorophosphatase are also considered though their intrinsic immunogenic properties remain challenging for use in humans. Encapsulation, PEGylation and other modifications are possible solutions to address this problem as well as that of their limited lifetime. Finally, gene therapy for in situ generation and delivery of bioscavengers is for the far future, but its proof of concept has been established

Inhibition of Human Cholinesterases and in vitro β-Amyloid Aggregation by Rationally Designed Peptides

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is now widely recognized, which has increased the interest in compounds that can address more than one AD-associated targets. Herein, we report the inhibitory activity on the human cholinesterases (acetylcholinesterase, hAChE and butyrylcholinesterase, hBChE) and on the AChE-induced β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) aggregation by a series of peptide derivatives designed by mutating aliphatic residues for aromatic ones. We identified peptide W3 (LGWVSKGKLL-NH2) as an interesting scaffold for the development of new anti-AD multitarget-directed drugs. It showed the lowest IC50 value against hAChE reported for a peptide (0.99±0.02 μM) and inhibited 94.2 %±1.2 of AChE-induced Aβ aggregation at 10 μM. Furthermore, it inhibited hBChE (IC50, 15.44±0.91 μM), showed no in vivo toxicity in brine shrimp and had shown moderated radical scavenging and Fe2+ chelating capabilities in previous studies. The results are in line with multiple reports showing the utility of the indole moiety for the development of cholinesterase inhibitors.Fil: Sanchis, Ivan. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química Organica. Laboratorio de Peptidos Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Spinelli, Roque. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química Organica. Laboratorio de Peptidos Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Dias, Jose. Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées; FranciaFil: Brazzolotto, Xavier. Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées; FranciaFil: Rietmann, Álvaro José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química Organica. Laboratorio de Peptidos Bioactivos; ArgentinaFil: Aimaretti, Florencia Maria. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química Organica. Laboratorio de Peptidos Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Siano, Alvaro Sebastían. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Química Organica. Laboratorio de Peptidos Bioactivos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Bacterial Expression of Human Butyrylcholinesterase as a Tool for Nerve Agent Bioscavengers Development

Human butyrylcholinesterase is a performant stoichiometric bioscavenger of organophosphorous nerve agents. It is either isolated from outdated plasma or functionally expressed in eukaryotic systems. Here, we report the production of active human butyrylcholinesterase in a prokaryotic system after optimization of the primary sequence through the Protein Repair One Stop Shop process, a structure- and sequence-based algorithm for soluble bacterial expression of difficult eukaryotic proteins. The mutant enzyme was purified to homogeneity. Its kinetic parameters with substrate are similar to the endogenous human butyrylcholinesterase or recombinants produced in eukaryotic systems. The isolated protein was prone to crystallize and its 2.5-Å X-ray structure revealed an active site gorge region identical to that of previously solved structures. The advantages of this alternate expression system, particularly for the generation of butyrylcholinesterase variants with nerve agent hydrolysis activity, are discussed

Evolution of the first disulfide bond in the cholinesterase-carboxylesterase (coesterase) family: possible consequences for cholinesterase expression in prokaryotes

International audienc