Percent Sequence Identity Research Articles

Protein backbone ensemble generation explores the local structural space of unseen natural homologs.

Mutations in homologous proteins affect changes in the backbone conformation that involve a complex interplay of forces which are difficult to predict. Protein design algorithms need to anticipate these backbone changes in order to accurately calculate the energy of the structure given an amino acid sequence, without knowledge of the final, designed sequence. This is related to the problem of predicting small changes in the backbone between highly similar sequences. We explored the ability of the Rosetta suite of protein design tools to move the backbone from its position in one structure (template) to its position in a close homologous structure (target) as a function of the diversity of a backbone ensemble constructed using the template structure, the percent sequence identity between the template and target, and the size of local zone being considered in the ensemble. We describe a pareto front in the likelihood of moving the backbone toward the target as a function of ensemble diversity and zone size. The equations and protocols presented here will be useful for protein design. PyRosetta scripts available at www.bioinfo.rpi.edu/bystrc/downloads.html#ensemble bystrc@rpi.edu.

Independent Co-Option of a Tailed Bacteriophage into a Killing Complex in Pseudomonas.

ABSTRACTCompetition between microbes is widespread in nature, especially among those that are closely related. To combat competitors, bacteria have evolved numerous protein-based systems (bacteriocins) that kill strains closely related to the producer. In characterizing the bacteriocin complement and killing spectra for the model strain Pseudomonas syringae B728a, we discovered that its activity was not linked to any predicted bacteriocin but is derived from a prophage. Instead of encoding an active prophage, this region encodes a bacteriophage-derived bacteriocin, termed an R-type syringacin. This R-type syringacin is striking in its convergence with the well-studied R-type pyocin of P. aeruginosa in both genomic location and molecular function. Genomic alignment, amino acid percent sequence identity, and phylogenetic inference all support a scenario where the R-type syringacin has been co-opted independently of the R-type pyocin. Moreover, the presence of this region is conserved among several other Pseudomonas species and thus is likely important for intermicrobial interactions throughout this important genus.

Genome sequence of a novel mycovirus of Rhizoctonia solani, a plant pathogenic fungus.

Here we present the genome sequence of a novel dsRNA virus we designed as Rhizoctonia solani RNA virus HN008 (RsRV-HN008) from a filamentous fungus R. solani. Its genome (7596 nucleotides) contains two non-overlapping open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2). ORF1 encoded a 128 kDa protein that showed no significant identity to any other virus sequence in the NCBI database. ORF2 encoded a protein with a molecular weight of 140 kDa and shared a low percentage of sequence identity to the RdRps of unclassified dsRNA viruses. Sequence analysis revealed that RsRV-HN008 may be a member of a novel unclassified family of mycoviruses.

Analysis of Multiple Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Genomes Confirms That the Species Is Relatively Conserved but Has Potentially Important Strain Variation.

The intestinal spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is an important pathogen in swine, causing mucohemorrhagic colitis in a disease known as swine dysentery. Based on the detection of significant linkage disequilibrium in multilocus sequence data, the species is considered to be clonal. An analysis of the genome sequence of Western Australian B. hyodysenteriae strain WA1 has been published, and in the current study 19 further strains from countries around the world were sequenced with Illumina technology. The genomes were assembled and aligned to over 97.5% of the reference WA1 genome at a percentage sequence identity better than 80%. Strain regions not aligned to the reference ranged between 0.2 and 2.5%. Clustering of the strain genes found on average 2,354 (88%) core genes, 255 (8.6%) ancillary genes and 77 (2.9%) unique genes per strain. Depending on the strain the proportion of genes with 100% sequence identity to WA1 ranged from 85% to 20%. The result is a global comparative genomic analysis of B. hyodysenteriae genomes revealing potential differential phenotypic markers for numerous strains. Despite the differences found, the genomes were less varied than those of the related pathogenic species Brachyspira pilosicoli, and the analysis supports the clonal nature of the species. From this study, a public genome resource has been created that will serve as a repository for further genetic and phenotypic studies of these important porcine bacteria. This is the first intra-species B. hyodysenteriae comparative genomic analysis.

Probing the Ras‐membrane Interaction from a Structural Biology Perspective

The small GTPase Ras is involved in a multitude of cellular signaling pathways that culminate in changes in transcription levels to control cell differentiation, growth, and apoptosis. The three major isoforms, H-, K-, and N-Ras signal from membrane “hubs” when bound to GTP, while signaling is turned off by nucleotide hydrolysis to GDP. Though the isoforms share greater than 90 percent sequence identity and a conserved global structure, each can promote overlapping yet distinct signaling outputs. Sublocalization within different microdomains and the orientation of each protein with respect to the membrane have been implicated in promoting these isoform-specific characteristics. To date, structural biology studies have focused on the effector lobe of the protein, which harbors mutations in around 20% of human cancers, while other biophysical approaches have been used to discern the details of the C-terminal hypervariable (HVR) region and its role in membrane association and localization. The research presented here focuses on the atomic level interactions between Ras and the membrane from a structural biology perspective. Crystal structures of H-Ras in the presence of membrane phospholipid head group mimics will be presented, with the goal of identifying the types and specificity of interactions at the Ras-membrane interface.

Defining species-specific immunodominant B cell epitopes for molecular serology of Chlamydia species.

Urgently needed species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies against Chlamydia spp. have been elusive due to high cross-reactivity of chlamydial antigens. To identify Chlamydia species-specific B cell epitopes for such assays, we ranked the potential epitopes of immunodominant chlamydial proteins that are polymorphic among all Chlamydia species. High-scoring peptides were synthesized with N-terminal biotin, followed by a serine-glycine-serine-glycine spacer, immobilized onto streptavidin-coated microtiter plates, and tested with mono-specific mouse hyperimmune sera against each Chlamydia species in chemiluminescent ELISAs. For each of nine Chlamydia species, three to nine dominant polymorphic B cell epitope regions were identified on OmpA, CT618, PmpD, IncA, CT529, CT442, IncG, Omp2, TarP, and IncE proteins. Peptides corresponding to 16- to 40-amino-acid species-specific sequences of these epitopes reacted highly and with absolute specificity with homologous, but not heterologous, Chlamydia monospecies-specific sera. Host-independent reactivity of such epitopes was confirmed by testing of six C. pecorum-specific peptides from five proteins with C. pecorum-reactive sera from cattle, the natural host of C. pecorum. The probability of cross-reactivity of peptide antigens from closely related chlamydial species or strains correlated with percent sequence identity and declined to zero at <50% sequence identity. Thus, phylograms of B cell epitope regions predict the specificity of peptide antigens for rational use in the genus-, species-, or serovar-specific molecular serology of Chlamydia spp. We anticipate that these peptide antigens will improve chlamydial serology by providing easily accessible assays to nonspecialist laboratories. Our approach also lends itself to the identification of relevant epitopes of other microbial pathogens.

Identification and functional characterization of sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase protein from rice and structural elucidation by in silico approach

The sorbitol-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (S6PDH) is a key enzyme for sorbitol synthesis and plays an important role in the alleviation of salinity stress in plants. Despite the huge significance, the structure and the mode of action of this enzyme are still not known. In the present study, sequence analysis, cloning, expression, activity assays and enzyme kinetics using various substrates (glucose-6-phosphate, sorbitol-6-phosphate and mannose-6-phosphate) were performed to establish the functional role of S6PDH protein from rice (Oryza sativa). For the structural analysis of the protein, a comparative homology model was prepared on the basis of percentage sequence identity and substrate similarity using the crystal structure of human aldose reductase in complex with glucose-6-phosphate and NADP(+) (PDB ID: 2ACQ) as a template. Molecular docking was performed for studying the structural details of substrate binding and possible enzyme mechanism. The cloned sequence resulted into an active recombinant protein when expressed into a bacterial expression system. The purified recombinant protein was found to be active with glucose-6-phosphate and sorbitol-6-phosphate; however, activity against mannose-6-phosphate was not found. The K m values for glucose-6-phosphate and sorbitol-6-phosphate were found to be 15.9 ± 0.2 and 7.21 ± 0.5 mM, respectively. A molecular-level analysis of the active site of OsS6PDH provides valuable information about the enzyme mechanism and requisite enantioselectivity for its physiological substrates. Thus, the fundamental studies of structure and function of OsS6PDH could serve as the basis for the future studies of bio-catalytic applications of this enzyme.

Conservancy of mAb Epitopes in Ebolavirus Glycoproteins of Previous and 2014 Outbreaks.

Background: Several monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are being evaluated as treatment options for the current 2014 Ebola outbreak. But they were derived from and tested for protection against the older 1976 Mayinga or 1995 Kikwit Zaire Ebolaviruses (EBOV). The EBOV sequences reported for the current outbreak contain several mutations whose significance remained to be established. Methods: We analyzed sequence and structural conservation of the Ebolavirus glycoprotein (GP) epitopes for all experimentally identified protective mAbs published to date. Results: The conservancy analysis of protective mAb epitopes in the Ebolavirus glycoprotein sequences spanning all Ebola virus lineages since 1976 showed that conservancy within the Zaire EBOV lineage was high, with only one immunodominant epitope of mAb 13F6-1-2 acquiring two novel mutations in the 2014 outbreak that might potentially change the antibody specificity and neutralization activity. However, the conservation to other Ebola viruses was unexpectedly low. Conclusion: Low conservancy of Zaire EBOV mAb epitopes to other EBOV lineages suggests that these epitopes are not indispensable for viral fitness, and that alternative mAbs could be developed to broadly target all EBOV. However, average percent sequence identity of the epitopes for mAbs used in current cocktails to the Zaire EBOV is high with only one epitope differing in the 2014 outbreak. These data bode well for general usefulness of these antibodies in the context of the current outbreak.

In silico Protein Structure Modeling and Conservation Analysis of ChrR, a Class-I Chromate Reducing Flavoenzyme from Pseudomonas putida

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a widespread environmental pollutant, arising as a by-product of numerous industrial processes. Bacteria can reduce toxic and carcinogenic Cr(VI) to insoluble and less toxic Cr(III), offering promise for an environmental friendly and affordable solution to chromate pollution. ChrR, a class I chromate-reducing flavoenzyme from Pseudomonas putida is an efficient chromate reducer. The crystal structure of ChrR is yet unknown to the scientific community, hence a three-dimensional (3D) structure is very essential for structural studies, protein - ligand interaction simulations and designing novel bioremediation strategies. The 3D model of the P. putida ChrR protein was predicted using in silico approach. Due to low percentage of sequence identity for homology modeling, I-TASSER was used for structure prediction which combines the methods of threading, ab initio modeling and structural refinement. The stereo chemical quality of the best model was validated with 90.6% residues under favored region from Ramachandran plot. The modeled protein was submitted to Protein Model Database and can be downloaded with the ID PM0077375. The degree of conservation was mapped onto the predicted model and ligand binding sites were found. The results of conservation analysis and binding site prediction were combined to show several highly conserved binding sites. Altogether, the structure for ChrR has been predicted. The work reveals novel universally conserved residues. These residues could be candidates for binding interactions and provide the basis for designing advanced chromium bioremediation strategies.

Native Presynaptic Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 4 (mGluR4) Interacts with Exocytosis Proteins in Rat Cerebellum

The eight pre- or/and post-synaptic metabotropic glutamatergic receptors (mGluRs) modulate rapid excitatory transmission sustained by ionotropic receptors. They are classified in three families according to their percentage of sequence identity and their pharmacological properties. mGluR4 belongs to group III and is mainly localized presynaptically. Activation of group III mGluRs leads to depression of excitatory transmission, a process that is exclusively provided by mGluR4 at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapse in rodent cerebellum. This function relies at least partly on an inhibition of presynaptic calcium influx, which controls glutamate release. To improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms of the mGluR4 depressant effect, we decided to identify the proteins interacting with this receptor. Immunoprecipitations using anti-mGluR4 antibodies were performed with cerebellar extracts. 183 putative partners that co-immunoprecipitated with anti-mGluR4 antibodies were identified and classified according to their cellular functions. It appears that native mGluR4 interacts with several exocytosis proteins such as Munc18-1, synapsins, and syntaxin. In addition, native mGluR4 was retained on a Sepharose column covalently grafted with recombinant Munc18-1, and immunohistochemistry experiments showed that Munc18-1 and mGluR4 colocalized at plasma membrane in HEK293 cells, observations in favor of an interaction between the two proteins. Finally, affinity chromatography experiments using peptides corresponding to the cytoplasmic domains of mGluR4 confirmed the interaction observed between mGluR4 and a selection of exocytosis proteins, including Munc18-1. These results could give indications to explain how mGluR4 can modulate glutamate release at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum in addition to the inhibition of presynaptic calcium influx.

Functional Prediction of Binding Pockets

Putative function for targets with no known ligands has typically been determined from liganded homologous proteins using sequence and structure comparisons. However, it is debatable what percentage of sequence identity implies similar function, whereas structural similarity is focused on global folds and could miss divergent structures and novel global folds. The present study describes an approach to classify a diverse set of proteins and predict their function. Descriptors corresponding to structural, physicochemical, and geometric properties of the ligand-binding cavities of a collection of 434 complexes (17 protein families) were calculated and analyzed by statistical methods. The best model using discriminant function analysis (DFA) consisted of 371 proteins (15 families) and had correct classification rates of 90% and cross-validation 86%. DFA with one protein and a random sample of the remaining proteins led to 100% correct prediction of putative protein function for 10 of the 15 protein families.

Homology models of four Agaricus bisporus tyrosinases

Partially purified tyrosinase from the white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus is available commercially and is a widely used experimental model for the study of tyrosinase. The structure of an H2L2 tetrameric form of the mushroom enzyme was recently determined by X-ray crystallography. In this structure the two H subunits originate from the PPO3 gene, and the two L subunits are formed by a protein of unknown function with a lectin-like fold. However, the X-ray structures and oligomeric states of the mushroom PPO1, PPO2, PPO4, and PPO5 gene products remain unknown. Commercial mushroom tyrosinase powder is a mixture containing several or all of these tyrosinases, so knowledge of their structures should provide insight regarding interpretation of experimental data generated using commercial preparations of the enzyme. The PPO3 structure (H-subunit) was used as a template to generate homology models for the structures of the other four tyrosinases, and the resulting structural models were evaluated. Due to the moderate to high percentage of sequence identity (∼37–76%) between PPO3 and the other four tyrosinases, the backbone conformations of the predicted structures are very similar to that of PPO3. The alpha carbons of the six copper-coordinating histidines in the active site are positioned properly in the predicted structures, but their side chains are not oriented optimally for copper binding in some cases. Thus, the models are likely to provide an accurate representation of the actual tertiary structures, but they may have limited use in studies involving docking of substrates or inhibitors in the active site. Comparison of the homology models to the structure of molluscan hemocyanin enabled a prediction of the orientation of the enzyme's C-terminal domain over the active site in the latent enzyme.

Tuf Gene Sequence Analysis Has Greater Discriminatory Power than 16S rRNA Sequence Analysis in Identification of Clinical Isolates of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

We compared and analyzed 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequences for 97 clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) by use of the GenBank, MicroSeq, EzTaxon, and BIBI databases. Discordant results for definitive identification were observed and differed according to the different databases and target genes. Although higher percentages of sequence identity were obtained with GenBank and MicroSeq for 16S rRNA analysis, the BIBI and EzTaxon databases produced less ambiguous results. Greater discriminatory power and fewer multiple probable identifications were observed with tuf gene analysis than with 16S rRNA analysis. The most pertinent results for tuf gene analysis were obtained with the GenBank database when the cutoff values for the percentage of identity were adjusted to be greater than or equal to 98.0%, with >0.8% separation between species. Analysis of the tuf gene proved to be more discriminative for certain CNS species; further, this method exhibited better distinction in the identification of CNS clinical isolates.

New experimental and theoretical approaches towards the understanding of the emergence of viral infections

New experimental and theoretical approaches towards the understanding of the emergence of viral infections

Wide-Inhibitory Spectra Bacteriocins Produced by Lactobacillus gasseri K7.

The aim of our study was to determine the genetic characterization and classification of Lb. gasseri K7 bacteriocins, comparison with bacteriocins of the Lb. gasseri LF221 strain and other related strains. Bacteriocin-encoding genes were amplified by PCR, subjected to DNA sequencing, and BLAST sequence analysis was performed to search the database for homologous peptides. Lb. gasseri K7 produces two two-peptide bacteriocins, named gassericin K7 A and gassericin K7 B. Their nucleotide sequences were deposited at GenBank, under accession numbers EF392861 for the gassericin K7 A and AY307382 for the gassericin K7 B. Analysis of gene clusters of bacteriocins in Lb. gasseri K7 strain revealed a 100 percent sequence identity with bacteriocins in LF221 strain. An active peptide of gassericin K7 B is homologous to the complementary peptide of gassericin T, and a complementary peptide of gassericin K7 B is homologous to the active peptide of gassericin T. Another surprising finding was that the sakacin T-beta peptide is partly homologous to the active peptide of gassericin K7 A, while the other sakacin T peptide (alfa) is partly homologous to the complementary peptide of gassericin K7 B. Gassericins of Lb. gasseri K7 strain were both classified as two-peptide bacteriocins. Human probiotic strains Lb. gasseri K7 and LF221 are different isolates but with identical bacteriocin genes. They produce wide-inhibitory spectra bacteriocins that are new members of two-peptide bacteriocins with some homologies to other bacteriocins in this group. Described bacteriocins offer a great potential in applications in food industry, pharmacy and biomedicine.

Introgression of Root‐Knot Nematode Resistance into Tetraploid Cottons

Root‐knot nematode (RKN) resistance introgression into tetraploid cotton (Gossypium spp.) and its ancestral genome origin were examined. Resistance sources (‘Acala NemX’, ‘Clevewilt 6’, Auburn 623 RNR) were compared with diverse germplasm using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from chromosomes 7, 11, and 14 and DNA sequence information. Differences (P &lt; 0.05) were observed for mean root galling index (GI; scale 0–10) between the 56 resistant and susceptible entries. In resistance sources, GI ranged from 0.3 to 2.9, but no consistent differences were observed at allele‐marker or DNA sequence level. Except for CIR316 allele (206–207 bp) on chromosome 11, no alleles from other SSRs were observed on resistant entries (GI &lt; 3). Allotetraploid G. hirsutum L. (AD1) and G. barbadense L. (AD2) showing the same SSR marker alleles as G. arboreum L. (A2) might suggest resistance introduction from the diploid cotton A2 genome (genetic distance 0.19 to 0.27). However, percent sequence identity from MUCS088 and CIR316 revealed G. barbadense and resistant G. hirsutum (206–207 bp) also were close to diploids G. herbaceum L. (A1), G. thurberi Tod. (D1), and G. trilobum (DC.) Skovst. (D8). Other G. hirsutum DNA sequences were closer to G. raimondii Ulbr. (D5). These analyses indicated resistance introgression into G. hirsutum allotetraploid cottons occurred by artificial hybridization with ancestral genome origin from G. arboreum as well as G. thurberi and not during cotton genome evolution.

The N-terminus of COX-1 and its effect on cyclooxygenase-1 catalytic activity

Cyclooxygenases are encoded by COX-1 and COX-2. They share over sixty percent sequence identity in human and are similar to each other in their crystallographic structures. One major difference in the primary structure of these two isozymes is the presence of eight amino acids in the amino-terminal region of COX-1 that are not present in COX-2. The function of this amino acid sequence is unknown. In this study, a human COX-1 mutant (Delta7aa) with this sequence removed was studied in parallel with COX-1. Signal peptide cleavage, N-linked glycosylation, protein expression, distribution and dimerization were not affected by the mutation. The mutant was enzymatically active and showed the same sensitivity toward aspirin. The KM for the enzyme remained the same as COX-1. However, the V(max) of the COX-1 mutant decreased by 3.3-fold. We conclude that the COX-1 specific amino-terminal sequence has a subtle but detectable effect on COX-1 catalysis.

Identification of an rsh gene from a Novosphingobium sp. necessary for quorum-sensing signal accumulation.

The stringent response is a mechanism by which bacteria adapt to environmental stresses and nutritional deficiencies through the synthesis and hydrolysis of (p)ppGpp by RelA/SpoT enzymes. Alphaproteobacteria and plants contain a single Rsh enzyme (named for RelA/SpoT homolog) that is bifunctional. Here we report the identification of a new species of bacteria belonging to the genus Novosphingobium and characterization of an rsh mutation in this plant tumor-associated isolate. Isolate Rr 2-17, from a grapevine crown gall tumor, is a member of the Novosphingobium genus that produces the N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing (QS) signals. A Tn5 mutant, Hx 699, deficient in AHL production was found to have an insertion in an rsh gene. The Rsh protein showed significant percent sequence identity to Rsh proteins of alphaproteobacteria. The Novosphingobium sp. rsh gene (rsh(Nsp)) complemented the multiple amino acid requirements of the Escherichia coli relA spoT double mutant by restoring the growth on selection media. Besides QS signal production, the rsh mutation also affects soluble polysaccharide production and cell aggregation. Genetic complementation of the Hx 699 mutant with the rsh(Nsp) gene restored these phenotypes. This is the first discovery of a functional rsh gene in a member of the Novosphingobium genus.

Cryo-EM Structure of the DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit at Subnanometer Resolution Reveals α Helices and Insight into DNA Binding

The DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) regulates the nonhomologous end joining pathway for repair of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Here, we present a 7A resolution structure of DNA-PKcs determined by cryo-electron microscopy single-particle reconstruction. This structure is composed of density rods throughout the molecule that are indicative of alpha helices and reveals structural features not observed in lower resolution EM structures. Docking of homology models into the DNA-PKcs structure demonstrates that up to eight helical HEAT repeat motifs fit well within the density. Surprisingly, models for the kinase domain can be docked into either the crown or base of the molecule at this resolution, although real space refinement suggests that the base location is the best fit. We propose a model for the interaction of DNA with DNA-PKcs in which one turn of dsDNA enters the central channel and interacts with a resolved alpha-helical protrusion.

Fold assessment for comparative protein structure modeling

Accurate and automated assessment of both geometrical errors and incompleteness of comparative protein structure models is necessary for an adequate use of the models. Here, we describe a composite score for discriminating between models with the correct and incorrect fold. To find an accurate composite score, we designed and applied a genetic algorithm method that searched for a most informative subset of 21 input model features as well as their optimized nonlinear transformation into the composite score. The 21 input features included various statistical potential scores, stereochemistry quality descriptors, sequence alignment scores, geometrical descriptors, and measures of protein packing. The optimized composite score was found to depend on (1) a statistical potential z-score for residue accessibilities and distances, (2) model compactness, and (3) percentage sequence identity of the alignment used to build the model. The accuracy of the composite score was compared with the accuracy of assessment by single and combined features as well as by other commonly used assessment methods. The testing set was representative of models produced by automated comparative modeling on a genomic scale. The composite score performed better than any other tested score in terms of the maximum correct classification rate (i.e., 3.3% false positives and 2.5% false negatives) as well as the sensitivity and specificity across the whole range of thresholds. The composite score was implemented in our program MODELLER-8 and was used to assess models in the MODBASE database that contains comparative models for domains in approximately 1.3 million protein sequences.