Enhanced Protein Stability Research Articles

TMOD-21. MOUSE MODEL TO CONDITIONALLY EXPRESS A DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA DERIVED MUTATION IN THE ONCOGENIC PHOSPHATASE PPM1D

Abstract Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMGs) are incurable brain tumors of children and adults, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. Their location within critical areas of the brain precludes complete surgical removal. While current treatment mainly relies on radiation therapy, its efficacy remains palliative. DMGs commonly harbor truncating mutations in the Mn2+/Mg2+-dependent protein phosphatase 1D (PPM1D), leading to a gain-of-function in PPM1D by enhancing protein stability and activity. Thus, investigating PPM1D protein expression and its regulatory mechanisms is crucial for understanding its oncogenic role and identifying therapeutic targets. To address this, we developed a Ppm1d-loxP-exon6-loxP-exon6-E518X-tag mouse allele (Ppm1d-FL). This allele allows conditional expression of DMG-derived truncating mutations from the endogenous Ppm1d locus when the loxP sites are recombined in the presence of Cre recombinase. Tosimulate primary gliomas, we utilized the RCAS/tv-a retrovirus system and Cre/loxP recombination platforms. Mouse pups were injected with RCAS retroviruses bearing oncogenic platelet-derived growth factor B, Cre recombinase, and luciferase reporter genes into the brainstem. We confirmed that Cre leads to expected recombination of Ppm1d-FL, leading to expression of DMG-derived truncated Ppm1d-E518X-Tag mRNA. We examined tumor-free survival data, which indicates accelerated tumor formation with Ppm1d-FL compared to littermate controls with wildtype Ppm1d. The tumors demonstrated expression of molecular biomarkers commonly found in DMGs. Single-cell RNA sequencing has identified pathways activated or inactivated upon Ppm1d mutation. These data shed light on the complex interplay between PPM1D mutations and glioma pathogenesis and may guide the design of therapies that target PPM1D molecular pathways.

Physical Isolation of Single Protein Molecules within Well‐Defined Coordination Cages to Enhance Their Stability

Encapsulation of a single protein within a confined space can lead to distinct properties compared to bulk solutions, but controlling the number of encapsulated proteins and their environment remains challenging. This study demonstrates the encapsulation of single proteins within well‐defined, tunable cavities of self‐assembled coordination cages, thereby enhancing protein stability. Within uniform cavities of size‐tunable coordination cages, 15 different proteins of varying sizes (3‐6 nm in diameter) and properties (e.g., isoelectric points and hydrophobicity) were successfully confined. Various analytical techniques confirmed that the proteins maintained their secondary structures and enzymatic activities under denaturing conditions such as exposure to organic solvents, heat, and buffers. These findings suggest that such coordination cages have the potential to serve as synthetic hosts for precisely controlling protein functions within their customizable cavities.

Physical Isolation of Single Protein Molecules within Well-Defined Coordination Cages to Enhance Their Stability.

Encapsulation of a single protein within a confined space can lead to distinct properties compared to bulk solutions, but controlling the number of encapsulated proteins and their environment remains challenging. This study demonstrates the encapsulation of single proteins within well-defined, tunable cavities of self-assembled coordination cages, thereby enhancing protein stability. Within uniform cavities of size-tunable coordination cages, 15 different proteins of varying sizes (3-6 nm in diameter) and properties (e.g., isoelectric points and hydrophobicity) were successfully confined. Various analytical techniques confirmed that the proteins maintained their secondary structures and enzymatic activities under denaturing conditions such as exposure to organic solvents, heat, and buffers. These findings suggest that such coordination cages have the potential to serve as synthetic hosts for precisely controlling protein functions within their customizable cavities.

Enhancing protein stability prediction with geometric learning and pre-training strategies.

Enhancing protein stability prediction with geometric learning and pre-training strategies.

Multimodal Neural Network for Enhanced Protein Stability Prediction by Integration of Contact Scores and Spatial Maps

Multimodal Neural Network for Enhanced Protein Stability Prediction by Integration of Contact Scores and Spatial Maps

Optimal strategy for stabilizing protein folding intermediates.

To manipulate the protein concentration at a certain functional state through chemical stabilizers is crucial for protein-related studies. It not only plays a key role in protein structure analysis and protein folding kinetics, but also affects protein functionality to a large extent and thus has wide applications in medicine, food industry, etc. However, due to concerns about side effects or financial costs of stabilizers, identifying optimal strategies for enhancing protein stability with a minimal amount of stabilizers is of great importance. Here, we prove that either for the fixed terminal time (including both finite and infinite cases) or for the free one, the optimal control strategy for stabilizing the folding intermediates with a linear strategy for stabilizer addition belongs to the class of bang-bang controls. The corresponding optimal switching time is derived analytically, whose phase diagram with respect to several key parameters is explored in detail. The bang-bang control will be broken when nonlinear strategies for stabilizer addition are adopted. Moreover, the above theory is applied to the stabilization of erythropoietin by ten different kinds of chemicals, providing theoretical guidance for the selection and rational usage of stabilizers. Our current study on optimal strategies for protein stabilizers not only offers deep insights into the general picture of protein folding kinetics but also provides valuable theoretical guidance on treatments for protein-related diseases in medicine.

Alternative buffer systems in biopharmaceutical formulations and their effect on protein stability.

The formulation of biopharmaceutical drugs is designed to eliminate chemical instabilities, increase conformational and colloidal stability of proteins, and optimize interfacial stability. Among the various excipients involved, buffer composition plays a pivotal role. However, conventional buffers like histidine and phosphate buffers may not always be the optimal choice for all monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In this study, we investigated the effects of several alternative buffer systems on seven different mAbs, exploring various combinations of ionic strengths, concentrations of the main buffer component, mAb concentrations, and stress conditions. Protein stability was assessed by analyzing soluble aggregate formation through size exclusion chromatography. At low protein concentrations, protein instability after temperature stress was exclusively observed in the bis-TRIS/ glucuronate buffer. Conversely, freeze-thaw stress led to a significant increase in aggregate formation in tested formulations, highlighting the efficacy of several alternative buffers, particularly arginine/ citrate, in preserving protein stability. Under temperature stress, the introduction of arginine to histidine buffer systems provided additional stabilization, while the addition of lysine resulted in protein destabilization. Similarly, the incorporation of arginine into histi-dine/HCl buffer further enhanced protein stability during freeze--thaw cycles. At high protein concentrations, the histidine/citrate buffer emerged as one of the most optimal choices for addressing temperature and light-induced stress. The efficacy of histidine buffers in combating light stress might be attributed to the light-absorbing properties of histidine molecules. Our findings demonstrate that the development of biopharmaceutical formulations should not be confined to conventional buffer systems, as numerous alternative options exhibit comparable or even superior performance.

PPP1R14B-mediated phosphorylation enhances protein stability of RPS6KA1 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide with a poor clinical prognosis. Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 14B (PPP1R14B) is an unidentified protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit that is associated with the occurrence and development of various cancers. Recently, PPP1R14B was found to contribute to paclitaxel resistance and cell progression in triple-negative breast cancer; however, the role of PPP1R14B in HCC is unknown. Here, we found that PPP1R14B was highly expressed in HCC tissues, which suggested a poor prognosis. Knockdown of PPP1R14B significantly inhibited the survival and tumorigenic ability of HCC cells, while overexpression of PPP1R14B had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase type 1(RPS6KA1) was identified as the target gene of PPP1R14B. PPP1R14B maintained the stability and phosphorylation of RPS6KA1, and positively regulated activation of the AKT/NF-κB pathway. Importantly, PPP1R14B-deficient tumor suppression could be partially restored by wild-type but not phosphorylated mutant RPS6KA1. Taken together, these findings shed light on the function and mechanism of PPP1R14B in HCC progression, indicating PPP1R14B is a promising molecular target for the treatment of HCC.

Engineered polymeric excipients for enhancing the stability of protein biologics: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAM-PEG) block copolymers

Protein therapeutics, particularly antibodies, depend on maintaining their native structures for optimal function. Hydrophobic interfaces, such as the air–water interface, can trigger protein aggregation and denaturation. While completely avoiding such interfacial exposures during manufacturing and storage is impractical, minimizing them is crucial for enhancing protein drug stability and extending shelf life. In the biologics industry, surfactants like polysorbates are commonly used as additives (excipients) to mitigate these undesirable interfacial exposures. However, polysorbates, the most prevalent choice, have recognized limitations in terms of polydispersity, purity, and stability, prompting the exploration of alternative excipients. The present study identifies poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAM-PEG) block copolymers as a promising alternative to polysorbates. Due to its stronger affinity for the air–water interface, PNIPAM-PEG significantly outperforms polysorbates in enhancing protein stability. This claim is supported by results from multiple tests. Accelerated dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments demonstrate PNIPAM-PEG’s exceptional efficacy in preserving IgG stability against surface-induced aggregation, surpassing conventional polysorbate excipients (Tween 80 and Tween 20) under high-temperature conditions. Additionally, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy results reveal conformational alterations associated with aggregation, with PNIPAM-PEG consistently demonstrates a greater protective effect by mitigating negative shifts at λ ≅ 220 nm, indicative of changes in secondary structure. Overall, this study positions PNIPAM-PEG as a promising excipient for antibody therapeutics, facilitating the development of more stable and effective biopharmaceuticals.

Ag+-Induced Supramolecular Polymers of Folic Acid: Reinforced by External Kosmotropic Anions Exhibiting Salting Out.

Introducing kosmotropic salts enhances protein stability and reduces solubility by withdrawing water from the protein surface, leading to 'salting out', a phenomenon we have mimicked in supramolecular polymers (SPs). Under the guidance of Ag+, folic acid (FA) self-assembled in water through slipped-stacking and hydrophobic interactions into elongated, robust one-dimensional SPs, resulting in thermo-stable supergels. The SPs exhibited temperature and dilution tolerance, attributed to the stability of the FA-Ag+ complex and its hydrophobic stacking. Importantly, FA-Ag+ SP's stability has been augmented by the kosmotropic anions, such as SO42-, strengthening hydrophobic interactions in the SP, evident from the enhanced J-band, causing improvement of gel's mechanical property. Interestingly, higher kosmotrope concentrations caused a significant decrease in SP's solubility, leading to precipitation of the reinforced SPs─a 'salting out' effect. Conversely, chaotropes like ClO4- slightly destabilized hydrophobic stacking and promoted an extended conformation of individual SP chain with enhanced solubility, resembling a 'salting in' effect.

Reinforcing thermostability and pH robustness of exo-inulinase facilitated by ReverseTag/ReverseCatcher tagging system

Enhancing protein stability is pivotal in the field of protein engineering. Protein self-cyclization using peptide a tagging system has emerged as an effective strategy for augmenting the thermostability of target proteins. In this study, we utilized a novel peptide tagging system, ReverseTag/ReverseCatcher, which leverages intramolecular ester bond formation. Initially, we employed GFP as a model to validate the feasibility of cyclization mediated by ReverseTag/ReverseCatcher in improving the protein thermostability. Cyclized GFP (cGFP) retained 30 % of its relative fluorescence after a 30-min incubation at 100 °C, while both GFP and linear GFP (lGFP) completely lost their fluorescence within 5 min. Additionally, we applied this method to exo-inulinase (EXINU), resulting in a variant named cyclized EXINU (cEXINU). The T50 and t1/2 values of cEXINU exhibited significant enhancements of 10 °C and 10 min, respectively, compared to EXINU. Furthermore, post-cyclization, EXINU demonstrated a broad operational pH range from 5 to 10 with sustained catalytic activity, and cEXINU maintained a half-life of 960 min at pH 5 and 9. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the enhanced thermostability and pH robustness of EXINU following cyclization. This study highlights that cyclization substanitially enhances the stability of both highly stable protein GFP and low-stable protein EXINU, mediated by the ReverseTag/ReverseCatcher tagging system. The ReverseTag/ReverseCatcher tagging system proves to be a potent conjugation method, with potential applications in improving thermostability, pH robustness, and other areas of protein engineering.

Myospreader improves gene editing in skeletal muscle by myonuclear propagation

Successful CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing in skeletal muscle is dependent on efficient propagation of Cas9 to all myonuclei in the myofiber. However, nuclear-targeted gene therapy cargos are strongly restricted to their myonuclear domain of origin. By screening nuclear localization signals and nuclear export signals, we identify "Myospreader," a combination of short peptide sequences that promotes myonuclear propagation. Appending Myospreader to Cas9 enhances protein stability and myonuclear propagation in myoblasts and myofibers. AAV-delivered Myospreader dCas9 better inhibits transcription of toxic RNA in a myotonic dystrophy mouse model. Furthermore, Myospreader Cas9 achieves higher rates of gene editing in CRISPR reporter and Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models. Myospreader reveals design principles relevant to all nuclear-targeted gene therapies and highlights the importance of the spatial dimension in therapeutic development.

Abstract LB445: USP24 suppresses T cell anti-tumor activity by enhancing the stability of the PD-1 protein

Abstract Persistent programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 inhibitory signaling disrupts T cell cytotoxic function, leading to T cell exhaustion—a phenomenon strongly associated with advanced cancer progression and immunotherapy failure. Deciphering the mechanisms behind dysregulated PD-1 expression and reactivating tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Our previous research established that tumor-associated macrophage-derived IL-6 promotes STAT3-dependent PD-1 transcriptional activity and immunotherapy resistance. The current study further explores whether IL-6 abundance in the TME contributes to PD-1 protein stability. Results indicate that IL-6 extended PD-1 protein half-life in T cells, suggesting its role in modulating PD-1 protein stability. Furthermore, analysis of the GEO database showed a positive correlation between the expression of ubiquitin-specific-processing protease (USP) family enzymes and PD-1 in non-responding patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy. Knockdown experiments revealed that USP24 strongly downregulated PD-1 protein expression and stability. USP24 depletion reversed IL-6-induced PD-1 expression and stability, with USP24 colocalizing with PD-1 at the plasma membrane upon IL-6 stimulation. Immunoprecipitation-Western blot assays confirmed that USP24 directly interacted with PD-1 and countered E3 ligase c-Cbl-mediated ubiquitination. Depleting USP24 suppressed PD-1-mediated immunosuppression both in vitro and in vivo. In lung-specific EGFRL858R/USP24C1698A functional knockout mice, tumor progression was slower, and exhausted tumor-infiltrating PD-1+ TIM-3+ CD8+ T cells reduced compared to EGFRL858R mice. Inhibiting PD-1 stability with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody or the novel inhibitor USP24-i-101 decreased tumor volume and increased activated cytotoxic T cell infiltration in vivo. Moreover, USP24-i-101 enhanced therapeutic effects in combination with anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy. Clinically, our in-house cohort revealed elevated USP24 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or peripheral T cells, correlating with worse clinical outcomes and unfavorable responses to immunotherapy in lung cancer patients. This study uncovers USP24 as a novel PD-1 regulator, deubiquitinating PD-1 to enhance protein stability and suppress T cell function. In conclusion, USP24 emerges as a potential target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity and as a biomarker predicting clinical responses to immunotherapy in lung cancer. Citation Format: Hung-Chia Hsieh, Jan-Jong Hung, Yi-Ching Wang. USP24 suppresses T cell anti-tumor activity by enhancing the stability of the PD-1 protein [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB445.

A LATS2 and ALKBH5 positive feedback loop supports their oncogenic roles

N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) critically regulates RNA dynamics in various biological processes. The m6A demethylase ALKBH5 promotes tumorigenesis of glioblastoma, while the intricate web that orchestrates its regulation remains enigmatic. Here, we discover that cell density affects ALKBH5 subcellular localization and m6A dynamics. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 is phosphorylated by the large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2), preventing its nuclear export and enhancing protein stability. Furthermore, phosphorylated ALKBH5 reciprocally erases m6A from LATS2 mRNA, thereby stabilizing this transcript. Unexpectedly, LATS2 depletion suppresses glioblastoma stem cell self-renewal independent of yes-associated protein activation. Additionally, deficiency in either LATS2 or ALKBH5 phosphorylation impedes tumor progression in mouse xenograft models. Moreover, high levels of LATS2 expression and ALKBH5 phosphorylation are associated with tumor malignancy in patients with gliomas. Collectively, our study unveils an oncogenic positive feedback loop between LATS2 and ALKBH5, revealing a non-canonical branch of the Hippo pathway for RNA processing and suggesting potential anti-cancer interventions.

Abstract 5940: JAB-30355: A highly potent, orally bioavailable p53-Y220C reactivator

Abstract Background: As a key tumor suppressor, p53 precisely regulates cellular events such as cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence, and DNA repair under physiological conditions. In 50-60% of human cancers, TP53 gene is mutated. The TP53 Y220C is a hotspot loss-of-function mutation occurring in around 1% of solid tumors. Application of p53-Y220C reactivator for restoration of p53 function represents a promising treatment strategy for patients with this mutation. Methods: The Induced Allosteric Drug Discovery Platform (IADDP), which integrates medicinal chemistry, biochemical and biophysical studies, and computational techniques, was applied for the development of JAB-30355. The proportion of p53-Y220C with wild-type protein-like structure after JAB-30355 treatment was determined by immunoprecipitation. Thermal shift assay was applied to assess the thermal stability of JAB-30355-reactivated p53-Y220C protein. DNA binding assay was developed to evaluate the in vitro DNA binding activity. p53-luciferase reporter system was developed to evaluate the cellular transcriptional activity. qPCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the transcriptional and translational levels of p53 downstream targets, respectively. CellTiter-Glo assay was performed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of JAB-30355 on the viability of tumor cell lines harboring wild-type or Y220C mutated TP53. In vivo PK-PD study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between JAB-30355 concentration and expression of p53 target genes. Multiple CDX and PDX mouse models harboring TP53 Y220C were used to evaluate the antitumor activity of JAB-30355. Results: Immunoprecipitation assay and thermal shift assay results demonstrated that JAB-30355 efficiently restored the wild-type p53-like structure and enhanced protein stability of p53-Y220C in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, JAB-30355 significantly enhanced the DNA binding activity of p53-Y220C and subsequently increased the expression of p53 target genes, such as CDKN1A, MDM2 and PUMA. JAB-30355 inhibited cell viability of multiple TP53 Y220C-mutated cancer cell lines with IC50s ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 μM, and exhibited good selectivity against TP53 wild-type cells. Overall, the in vitro data demonstrated that JAB-30355 is a potent and selective p53-Y220C reactivator. In vivo PK-PD study showed good correlation between JAB-30355 exposure and activation of p53 target genes. Furthermore, JAB-30355 exhibited dose-dependent anti-tumor activity, inducing tumor stasis or regression in multiple CDX and PDX models of ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and small cell lung cancer, with overall good tolerability. Conclusions: JAB-30355 is a highly potent, selective, and orally bioavailable p53-Y220C reactivator that will be tested in clinical space soon. Citation Format: Qian Zheng, Peng Wang, Chen Liang, Yao Li, Xin Sun, Amin Li, Wei Zhang, Wei Long, Yanping Wang. JAB-30355: A highly potent, orally bioavailable p53-Y220C reactivator [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5940.

Thermal Stabilization of Lipases Bound to Solid-Phase Triazine-Scaffolded Biomimetic Ligands: A Preliminary Assessment

Biomimetic ligands are synthetic compounds that mimic the structure and binding properties of natural biological ligands. The first uses of textile dyes as pseudo-affinity ligands paved the way for the rational design and de novo synthesis of low-cost, non-toxic and highly stable triazine-scaffolded affinity ligands. A novel method to assess and enhance protein stability, employing triazine-based biomimetic ligands and using cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi as a protein model, has been previously reported. This innovative approach combined the concepts of molecular modeling and solid-phase combinatorial chemistry to design, synthesize and screen biomimetic compounds able to bind cutinase through complementary affinity-like interactions while maintaining its biological functionality. The screening of a 36-member biased combinatorial library enabled the identification of promising lead ligands. The immobilization/adsorption of cutinase onto a particular lead (ligand 3′/11) led to a noteworthy enhancement in thermal stability within the temperature range of 60–80 °C. In the present study, similar triazine-based compounds, sourced from the same combinatorial library and mimicking dipeptides of diverse amino acids, were selected and studied to determine their effectiveness in binding and/or improving the thermal stability of several lipases, enzymes which are closely related in function to cutinases. Three ligands with different compositions were screened for their potential thermostabilizing effect on different lipolytic enzymes at 60 °C. An entirely distinct enzyme, invertase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was also assessed for binding to the same ligands and functioned as a ‘control’ for the experiments with lipases. The high binding yield of ligand 3′/11 [4-({4-chloro-6-[(2-methylbutyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl}amino)benzoic acid] to cutinase was confirmed, and the same ligand was tested for its ability to bind lipases from Aspergillus oryzae (AOL), Candida rugosa (CRL), Chromobacterium viscosum (CVL), Rhizomucor miehei (RML) and Rhizopus niveus (RNL). The enzymes CRL, CVL, RNL and invertase showed significant adsorption yields to ligand 3′/11—32, 29, 36 and 94%, respectively, and the thermal stability at 60 °C of free and adsorbed enzymes was studied. CVL and RNL were also stabilized by adsorption to ligand 3′/11. In the case of CRL and invertase, which bound but were not stabilized by ligand (3′/11), other ligands from the original combinatorial library were tested. Between the two alternative ligands, one was effective at stabilizing C. rugosa lipase, while none stabilized invertase.

UBA(2) protein stability enhancement: Bridging computational prediction and experimental validation of mutants

UBA(2) protein stability enhancement: Bridging computational prediction and experimental validation of mutants

Design of stable circular permutants of the GroEL chaperone apical domain

Enhancing protein stability holds paramount significance in biotechnology, therapeutics, and the food industry. Circular permutations offer a distinctive avenue for manipulating protein stability while keeping intra-protein interactions intact. Amidst the creation of circular permutants, determining the optimal placement of the new N- and C-termini stands as a pivotal, albeit largely unexplored, endeavor. In this study, we employed PONDR-FIT’s predictions of disorder propensity to guide the design of circular permutants for the GroEL apical domain (residues 191–345). Our underlying hypothesis posited that a higher predicted disorder value would correspond to reduced stability in the circular permutants, owing to the increased likelihood of fluctuations in the novel N- and C-termini. To substantiate this hypothesis, we engineered six circular permutants, positioning glycines within the loops as locations for the new N- and C-termini. We demonstrated the validity of our hypothesis along the set of the designed circular permutants, as supported by measurements of melting temperatures by circular dichroism and differential scanning microcalorimetry. Consequently, we propose a novel computational methodology that rationalizes the design of circular permutants with projected stability.8ghBPrif1HpKfHNvAL1G2xVideo

An innovative gene therapy approach to produce novel GALC variant with enhanced protein stability and enzyme activity with high levels of mannose 6-phosphate for Krabbe disease

An innovative gene therapy approach to produce novel GALC variant with enhanced protein stability and enzyme activity with high levels of mannose 6-phosphate for Krabbe disease

Rational Approach to Improve Detergent Efficacy for Membrane Protein Stabilization.

Membrane protein structures are essential for the molecular understanding of diverse cellular processes and drug discovery. Detergents are not only widely used to extract membrane proteins from membranes but also utilized to preserve native protein structures in aqueous solution. However, micelles formed by conventional detergents are suboptimal for membrane protein stabilization, necessitating the development of novel amphiphilic molecules with enhanced protein stabilization efficacy. In this study, we prepared two sets of tandem malonate-derived glucoside (TMG) variants, both of which were designed to increase the alkyl chain density in micelle interiors. The alkyl chain density was modulated either by reducing the spacer length (TMG-Ms) or by introducing an additional alkyl chain between the two alkyl chains of the original TMGs (TMG-Ps). When evaluated with a few membrane proteins including a G protein-coupled receptor, TMG-P10,8 was found to be substantially more efficient at extracting membrane proteins and also effective at preserving protein integrity in the long term compared to the previously described TMG-A13. This result reveals that inserting an additional alkyl chain between the two existing alkyl chains is an effective way to optimize detergent properties for membrane protein study. This new biochemical tool and the design principle described have the potential to facilitate membrane protein structure determination.