Multidimensional Heteronuclear NMR Research Articles

Backbone NMR Assignments and Secondary Structure Determination of a Cupin-family Protein YaiE from Escherichia coli

Cupin-superfamily proteins represent the most functionally diverse groups of proteins and include a huge number of functionally uncharacterized proteins. Recently, YaiE, a cupin protein from Escherichia coli has been suggested to be involved in a novel activity of pyrimidine/purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PPNP). In the present study, we achieved a complete backbone NMR assignments of YaiE, by a series of heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments on its [<TEX>$^{13}C/^{15}N$</TEX>]-enriched sample. Subsequently, secondary structure analysis using the assigned chemical shift values identified 10 obvious <TEX>${\beta}-strands$</TEX> and a tentative <TEX>$3_{10}-helix$</TEX>. Taken all together, the results constitute the first structural characterization of a putative PPNP cupin protein.

1H, 15N, 13C backbone resonance assignments of human soluble catechol O-methyltransferase in complex with S-adenosyl-l-methionine and 3,5-dinitrocatechol

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that plays a major role in catechol neurotransmitter deactivation. Inhibition of COMT can increase neurotransmitter levels, which provides a means of treatment for Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and depression. COMT exists as two isozymes: a soluble cytoplasmic form (S-COMT), expressed in the liver and kidneys and a membrane-bound form (MB-COMT), found mostly in the brain. Here we report the backbone 1H, 15N and 13C chemical shift assignments of S-COMT in complex with S-adenosyl-l-methionine, 3,5-dinitrocatechol and Mg2+. Assignments were obtained by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. In total, 97 % of all backbone resonances were assigned in the complex, with 205 out of a possible 215 residues assigned in the 1H-15N TROSY spectrum. Prediction of solution secondary structure from a chemical shift analysis using the TALOS+ webserver is in good agreement with published X-ray crystal structures.

NMR Scalar Couplings across Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds between Zinc-Finger Histidine Side Chains and DNA Phosphate Groups.

NMR scalar couplings across hydrogen bonds represent direct evidence for the partial covalent nature of hydrogen bonds and provide structural and dynamic information on hydrogen bonding. In this article, we report heteronuclear 15N-31P and 1H-31P scalar couplings across the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between protein histidine (His) imidazole and DNA phosphate groups. These hydrogen-bond scalar couplings were observed for the Egr-1 zinc-finger-DNA complex. Although His side-chain NH protons are typically undetectable in heteronuclear 1H-15N correlation spectra due to rapid hydrogen exchange, this complex exhibited two His side-chain NH signals around 1H 14.3 ppm and 15N 178 ppm at 35 °C. Through various heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments, these signals were assigned to two zinc-coordinating His side chains in contact with DNA phosphate groups. The data show that the Nδ1 atoms of these His side chains are protonated and exhibit the 1H-15N cross-peaks. Using heteronuclear 1H, 15N, and 31P NMR experiments, we observed the hydrogen-bond scalar couplings between the His 15Nδ1/1Hδ1 and DNA phosphate 31P nuclei. These results demonstrate the direct involvement of the zinc-coordinating His side chains in the recognition of DNA by the Cys2His2-class zinc fingers in solution.

The Chromatin Remodelling Protein CHD1 Contains a Previously Unrecognised C-Terminal Helical Domain

The packaging of eukaryotic DNA into nucleosomes, and the organisation of these nucleosomes into chromatin, plays a critical role in regulating all DNA-associated processes. Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling protein that is conserved throughout eukaryotes and has an ability to assemble and organise nucleosomes both in vitro and in vivo. This activity is involved in the regulation of transcription and is implicated in mammalian development and stem cell biology. CHD1 is classically depicted as possessing a pair of tandem chromodomains that directly precede a core catalytic helicase-like domain that is then followed by a SANT-SLIDE DNA-binding domain. Here, we have identified an additional conserved domain C-terminal to the SANT-SLIDE domain and determined its structure by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. We have termed this domain the CHD1 helical C-terminal (CHCT) domain as it is comprised of five α-helices arranged in a variant helical bundle topology. CHCT has a conserved, positively charged surface and is able to bind DNA and nucleosomes. In addition, we have identified another group of proteins, the as yet uncharacterised C17orf64 proteins, as also containing a conserved CHCT domain. Our data provide new structural insights into the CHD1 enzyme family.

(1)H, (13)C, and (15)N resonance assignments for the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-36α.

Interleukin-36α (IL-36α) is a recently characterised member of the interleukin-1 superfamily. It is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis in one third of psoriasis patients. By binding of IL-36α to its receptor IL-36R via the NF-κB pathway other cytokines involved in inflammatory and apoptotic cascade are activated. The efficacy of complex formation is controlled by N-terminal processing. To obtain a more detailed view on the structure function relationship we performed a heteronuclear multidimensional NMR investigation and here report the (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N resonance assignments for the backbone and side chain nuclei of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-36α.

Backbone resonance assignments of the m1A22 tRNA methyltransferase TrmK from Bacillus subtilis.

RNA modification is a post-transcriptional process by which certain nucleotides are altered after their initial incorporation into an RNA chain. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) is the most heavily modified class of RNA molecules. These modifications expand the chemical and functional diversity of tRNAs and enhance their structural stability. To date, more than 100 modifications have been identified, the majority of which are specific from one domain of life. However, few modifications are extensively present in the three domains of life. Among those, the m(1)A nucleotide, which consists in the methylation at position 1 of the adenine aromatic ring, is found in tRNAs and ribosomal RNAs. In tRNAs, the m(1)A modification occurs at position 9, 14, 22, 57 and 58. The enzyme TrmK catalyzes the m(1)A formation at position 22. Here we report the backbone (1)H, (15)N and (13)C chemical shift assignments of TrmK from Bacillus subtilis obtained by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as its secondary structure in solution as predicted by TALOS+. These assignments of TrmK pave the way for interaction studies with its tRNA substrates.

Backbone resonance assignments for the PHD-Bromo dual-domain of the human chromatin reader TRIM24.

Plant homeodomains (PHD) and Bromo domains are both chromatin reader domains that recognise histone methylation degree and acetylation state, respectively. The tripartite motif protein TRIM24 is a multidomain protein carrying a PHD-Bromo motif at its C-terminus, through which it is able to bind to histone 3 (H3) N-terminal tails with a specific modification pattern, namely unmethylated at K4 and acetylated at K23 (H3-K4me0K23ac). Here we report the 1H, 13C and 15N backbone resonance assignment of this 23 kDa motif, which we have obtained by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore we show that the secondary Cα and Cβ chemical shifts are in good agreement with a previously published crystal structure.

Heteronuclear Multidimensional Protein NMR in a Teaching Laboratory

Heteronuclear multidimensional NMR techniques are commonly used to study protein structure, function, and dynamics, yet they are rarely taught at the undergraduate level. Here, we describe a senior undergraduate laboratory where students collect, process, and analyze heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments using an unstudied Ig domain (Ig2 of human obscurin) in order to sequence-specifically assign this domain. In this way, this project-oriented laboratory tries to simulate an authentic biomolecular NMR research experience. Through the semester, students gain a more thorough understanding of both the specific technical aspects of multidimensional NMR analysis and the process by which raw data are converted into sequence-specific secondary structural information.

ChemInform Abstract: NMR Studies of Dynamic Biomolecular Conformational Ensembles

AbstractReview: 173 refs.

1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments and secondary structure of the human PHF6-ePHD1 domain.

The plant homeodomain (PHD) finger 6 (PHF6) is a multidomain protein that comprises four nuclear localization signals and two extended PHD zinc finger domains (ePHD), suggesting that the PHD domains of PHF6 may have different functions compared with other PHD domains. And the PHF6 was first identified as the gene mutated associated with Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome, an X-linked mental retardation disorder. The mutant PHF6 is also associated with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. But the molecular mechanism between these diseases and PHF6 are still unclear. In addition, the first conserved ePHD (ePHD1) of PHF6 is involved in its nucleolus localization, directly interacts with upstream binding factor (UBF) and suppresses rRNA transcription. Here we show the backbone resonance and side chain assignments of the PHF6-ePHD1 domain from human by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy and its secondary structure as predicted by the TALOS+. These assignments of PHF6-ePHD1 domain throw a light on the further structure determination, dynamics and interaction with UBF.

Conformation and dynamics of the Gag polyprotein of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 studied by NMR spectroscopy

Assembly and maturation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are governed by the Gag polyprotein. Here we study the conformation and dynamics of a large HIV-1 Gag fragment comprising the matrix, capsid, spacer peptide 1 and nucleocapsid domains (referred to as ΔGag) by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. In solution, ΔGag exists in a dynamic equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric states. In the presence of nucleic acids and at low ionic strength ΔGag assembles into immature virus-like particles. The structured domains of ΔGag (matrix, the N- and C-terminal domains of capsid, and the N- and C-terminal zinc knuckles of nucleocapsid) retain their fold and reorient semi-independently of one another; the linkers connecting the structural domains, including spacer peptide 1 that connects capsid to nucleocapsid, are intrinsically disordered. Structural changes in ΔGag upon proteolytic processing by HIV-1 protease, monitored by NMR in real-time, demonstrate that the conformational transition of the N-terminal 13 residues of capsid from an intrinsically disordered coil to a β-hairpin upon cleavage at the matrix|capsid junction occurs five times faster than cleavage at the capsid|spacer peptide 1 junction. Finally, nucleic acids interact with both nucleocapsid and matrix domains, and proteolytic processing at the spacer peptide 1|nucleocapsid junction by HIV-1 protease is accelerated in the presence of single-stranded DNA.

Resonance assignments and secondary structure of a phytocystatin from Sesamum indicum.

A cDNA encoding a cysteine protease inhibitor, cystatin was cloned from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed. This clone was constructed into an expression vector and expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneous. The recombinant sesame cystatin (SiCYS) showed effectively inhibitory activity toward C1 cysteine proteases. In order to unravel its inhibitory action from structural point of view, multidimensional heteronuclear NMR techniques were used to characterize the structure of SiCYS. The full (1)H, (15)N, and (13)C resonances of SiCYS were assigned. The secondary structure of SiCYS was identified by using the assigned chemical shifts of (1)H(α), (13)C(α), (13)C(β), and (13)CO through the consensus chemical shift index (CSI). The results of CSI analysis of SiCYS suggest eight β-strands (residues 33-46, 51-61, 63-75, 80-87, 150-155, 157-169, 172-183, and 192-195) and two α-helices (residues 16-30, and 120-135).

Structure and Molecular Dynamics of the Ig58/58 Domains of Obscurin

Obscurin (800-900 kDa) is a giant muscle protein vital to muscle cell maintenance and organization. It is the only known connection between the contractile apparatus and the sarcoplasmic reticulum and also binds to specific cytoskeletal, signaling, or membrane-associated proteins. Obscurin domains Ig58/59 bind to titin ZIg9/10, which is hypothesized to stabilize the sarcomeric cytoskeleton. Mutations in this obscurin region lead to malformed muscle architecture and, eventually, to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). For obscurin/titin binding to occur, all four of these domains must be present. In order to fully characterize this physiologically important region of obscurin, and by extension determine the molecular factors that drive HCM, here we present the Ig58 and Ig59 structure using both X-ray crystallography and heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectra. Low-resolution structure and dynamics of these tandem domains, along with how these domains react to physical stress, are also discussed.

Prioritizing targets for structural biology through the lens of proteomics: the archaeal protein TGAM_1934 from Thermococcus gammatolerans.

ORFans are hypothetical proteins lacking any significant sequence similarity with other proteins. Here, we highlighted by quantitative proteomics the TGAM_1934 ORFan from the hyperradioresistant Thermococcus gammatolerans archaeon as one of the most abundant hypothetical proteins. This protein has been selected as a priority target for structure determination on the basis of its abundance in three cellular conditions. Its solution structure has been determined using multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. TGAM_1934 displays an original fold, although sharing some similarities with the 3D structure of the bacterial ortholog of frataxin, CyaY, a protein conserved in bacteria and eukaryotes and involved in iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. These results highlight the potential of structural proteomics in prioritizing ORFan targets for structure determination based on quantitative proteomics data. The proteomic data and structure coordinates have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000402 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000402) and Protein Data Bank under the accession number 2mcf, respectively.

(1)H, (13)C, and (15)N resonance assignments for the tandem PHD finger motifs of human CHD4.

The plant homeodomain (PHD) zinc finger is a structural motif of about 40–60 amino acid residues found in many eukaryotic proteins that are involved in chromatin-mediated gene regulation. The human chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) is a multi-domain protein that harbours, at its N-terminal end, a pair of PHD finger motifs (dPHD) connected by a ~30 amino acid linker. This tandem PHD motif is thought to be involved in targeting CHD4 to chromatin via its interaction with histone tails. Here we report the 1H, 13C and 15N backbone and side-chain resonance assignment of the entire dPHD by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. These assignments provide the starting point for the determination of the structure, dynamics and histone-binding properties of this tandem domain pair.

High-resolution heteronuclear multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy in magnetic fields with unknown spatial variations

Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy is an extremely powerful tool for determining the structures of organic molecules and is of particular significance in the structural analysis of proteins. In order to leverage the method’s potential for structural investigations, obtaining high-resolution NMR spectra is essential and this is generally accomplished by using very homogeneous magnetic fields. However, there are several situations where magnetic field distortions and thus line broadening is unavoidable, for example, the samples under investigation may be inherently heterogeneous, and the magnet’s homogeneity may be poor. This line broadening can hinder resonance assignment or even render it impossible. We put forth a new class of pulse sequences for obtaining high-resolution heteronuclear spectra in magnetic fields with unknown spatial variations based on distant dipolar field modulations. This strategy’s capabilities are demonstrated with the acquisition of high-resolution 2D gHSQC and gHMBC spectra. These sequences’ performances are evaluated on the basis of their sensitivities and acquisition efficiencies. Moreover, we show that by encoding and decoding NMR observables spatially, as is done in ultrafast NMR, an extra dimension containing J-coupling information can be obtained without increasing the time necessary to acquire a heteronuclear correlation spectrum. Since the new sequences relax magnetic field homogeneity constraints imposed upon high-resolution NMR, they may be applied in portable NMR sensors and studies of heterogeneous chemical and biological materials.

Enhancing the resolution of multi-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectra of intrinsically disordered proteins by homonuclear broadband decoupling

Limited spectral resolution in the proton dimension of NMR spectra is a severe problem in intrinsically disordered proteins. Here we show that homonuclear broadband proton decoupling of the direct and indirect dimensions of multi-dimensional NMR spectra significantly enhances their resolution.

Mainchain NMR Assignments and secondary structure prediction of the C-terminal domain of BldD, a developmental transcriptional regulator from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

BldD, a developmental transcription factor from Streptomyces coelicolor, is a homodimeric, DNA-binding protein with 167 amino acids in each subunit. Each monomer consists of two structurally distinct domains, the N-terminal domain (BldD-NTD) responsible for DNA-binding and dimerization and the C-terminal domain (BldD-CTD). In contrast to the BldD-NTD, of which crystal structure has been solved, the BldD-CTD has been characterized neither in structure nor in function. Thus, in terms of structural genomics, structural study of the BldD-CTD has been conducted in solution, and in the present work, mainchain NMR assignments of the recombinant BldD-CTD (residues 80-167 of BldD) could be achieved by a series of heteronuclear multidimensional NMR experiments on a []-enriched protein sample. Finally, the secondary structure prediction by CSI and TALOS+ analysis using the assigned chemical shifts data identified a topology of the domain. The results will provide the most fundamental data for more detailed approach to the atomic structure of the BldD-CTD, which would be essential for entire understanding of the molecular function of BldD.

Solution Structural Analysis of the Single-Domain Parvulin TbPin1

BackgroundPin1-type parvulins are phosphorylation-dependent peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases. Their functions have been widely reported to be involved in a variety of cellular responses or processes, such as cell division, transcription, and apoptosis, as well as in human diseases including Alzheimer's disease and cancers. TbPin1 was identified as a novel class of Pin1-type parvulins from Trypanosoma brucei, containing a unique PPIase domain, which can catalyze the isomerization of phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro peptide bond.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe determined the solution structure of TbPin1 and performed 15N relaxation measurements to analyze its backbone dynamics using multi-dimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The average RMSD values of the 20 lowest energy structures are 0.50±0.05 Å for backbone heavy atoms and 0.85±0.08 Å for all heavy atoms. TbPin1 adopts the typical catalytic tertiary structure of Pin1-type parvulins, which comprises a globular fold with a four-stranded anti-parallel β-sheet core surrounded by three α-helices and one 310-helix. The global structure of TbPin1 is relatively rigid except the active site. The 2D EXSY spectra illustrate that TbPin1 possesses a phosphorylation-dependent PPIase activity. The binding sites of TbPin1 for a phosphorylated peptide substrate {SSYFSG[p]TPLEDDSD} were determined by the chemical shift perturbation approach. Residues Ser15, Arg18, Asn19, Val21, Ser22, Val32, Gly66, Ser67, Met83, Asp105 and Gly107 are involved in substantial contact with the substrate.Conclusions/SignificanceThe solution structure of TbPin1 and the binding sites of the phosphorylated peptide substrate on TbPin1 were determined. The work is helpful for further understanding the molecular basis of the substrate specificity for Pin1-type parvulin family and enzyme catalysis.

Expression, purification, and mass spectrometric analysis of 15N, 13C-labeled RGD-hirudin, expressed in Pichia pastoris, for NMR studies.

A novel recombinant hirudin, RGD-hirudin, inhibits the activity of thrombin and the aggregation of platelets. Here, we successfully expressed 15N, 13C-labeled RGD-hirudin in Pichia pastoris in a fermenter. The protein was subsequently purified to yield sufficient quantities for structural and functional studies. The purified protein was characterized by HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. Analysis revealed that the protein was pure and uniformly labeled with 15N and 13C. A bioassay showed that the anti-thrombin activity and the anti-platelet aggregation ability of the labeled protein were the same as those of unlabeled RGD-hirudin. Multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine almost complete backbone 15N, 13C and 1H resonance assignments of the r-RGD-Hirudin. The 15N-1H HSQC spectrum of uniformly 15N, 13C-labeled RGD-hirudin allowed successful assignment of the signals. Examples of the quality of the data are provided for the 15N-lH correlation spectrum, and by selected planes of the CBCA(CO)NH, CBCANH, and HNCO experiments. These results provide a basis for further studies on the structure-function relationship of RGD-hirudin with thrombin and platelets.