Propeptide Cleavage Research Articles

Mechanism of autocatalytic activation during proteasome assembly.

Many large molecular machines are too elaborate to assemble spontaneously and are built through ordered pathways orchestrated by dedicated chaperones. During assembly of the core particle (CP) of the proteasome, where protein degradation occurs, its six active sites are simultaneously activated via cleavage of N-terminal propeptides. Such activation is autocatalytic and coupled to fusion of two half-CP intermediates, which protects cells by preventing activation until enclosure of the active sites within the CP interior. Here we uncover key mechanistic aspects of autocatalytic activation, which proceeds through alignment of the β5 and β2 catalytic triad residues, respectively, with these triads being misaligned before fusion. This mechanism contrasts with most other zymogens, in which catalytic centers are preformed. Our data also clarify the mechanism by which individual subunits can be added in a precise, temporally ordered manner. This work informs two decades-old mysteries in the proteasome field, with broader implications for protease biology and multisubunit complex assembly.

Characterization of the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for the Ribosomally Synthesized Cyclic Peptide Epichloëcyclins in Epichloë festucae.

The various grass-induced epichloëcyclins of the Epichloë spp. are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), produced as small, secreted cyclopeptides from a single gene, gigA. Here, four clustered and coregulated genes (gigA, gigB, gigC, and kexB) with predicted roles in epichloëcyclin production in Epichloë festucae were evaluated through gene disruption. Subsequent chemical analysis indicates that GigB is a DUF3328 domain-containing protein associated with cyclization of epichloëcyclins; GigC is a methyltransferase enzyme responsible for N-methylation of desmethylepichloëcyclins; and KexB is a subtilisin-like enzyme, partly responsible for the propeptide cleavage of epichloëcyclin intermediates. Symbiotic effects on the host phenotype were not observed for gigA, gigC, or kexB mutants, although ΔgigB infection correlated with increased host tiller height and biomass, while only ΔkexB exhibited an effect on endophyte morphology. Disrupting epichloëcyclin biosynthesis showed negligible influence on the biosynthesis of E. festucae-associated alkaloids. Epichloëcyclins may perform other secondary metabolism functions in Epichloë and other fungi.

Impact of Propeptide Cleavage on the Stability and Activity of a Streptococcal Immunomodulatory C5a Peptidase for Biopharmaceutical Development.

Posttranslational modifications of proteins can impact their therapeutic efficacy, stability, and potential for pharmaceutical development. The Group AStreptococcus pyogenesC5a peptidase (ScpA) is a multi-domain protein composed of an N-terminal signal peptide, a catalytic domain (including propeptide), three fibronectin domains, and cell membrane-associated domains. It is one of several proteins produced by Group AS. pyogenesknown to cleave components of the human complement system. After signal peptide removal, ScpA undergoes autoproteolysis and cleaves its propeptide for full maturation. The exact location and mechanism of the propeptide cleavage, and the impact of this cleavage on stability and activity, are not clearly understood, and the exact primary sequence of the final enzyme is not known. A form of ScpA with no autoproteolysis fragments of propeptide present may be more desirable for pharmaceutical development from a regulatory and a biocompatibility in the body perspective. The current study describes an in-depth structural and functional characterization of propeptide truncated variants of ScpA expressed inEscherichia colicells. All three purified ScpA variants, ScpA, 79ΔPro, and 92ΔPro, starting with N32, D79, and A92 positions, respectively, showed similar activity against C5a, which suggests a propeptide-independent activity profile of ScpA. CE-SDS and MALDI top-down sequencing analyses highlight a time-dependent propeptide autoproteolysis of ScpA at 37 °C with a distinct end point at A92 and/or D93. In comparison, all three variants of ScpA exhibit similar stability, melting temperatures, and secondary structure orientation. In summary, this work not only highlights propeptide localization but also provides a strategy to recombinantly produce a final mature and active form of ScpA without any propeptide-related fragments.

Molecular basis of inherited protein C deficiency results from genetic variations in the signal peptide and propeptide regions

BackgroundInherited protein C deficiency (PCD) caused by mutations in protein C (PC) gene (PROC) increases the risk of thrombosis. Missense mutations in PC’s signal peptide and propeptide have been reported in patients with PCD, but their pathogenic mechanisms, except mutations in R42 residue, remain unclear. ObjectivesTo investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of inherited PCD caused by 11 naturally occurring missense mutations in PC’s signal peptide and propeptide. MethodsUsing cell-based assays, we evaluated the impact of these mutations on various aspects such as activities and antigens of secreted PC, intracellular PC expression, subcellular localization of a reporter protein, and propeptide cleavage. Additionally, we investigated their effect on pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing using a minigene splicing assay. ResultsOur data revealed that certain missense mutations (L9P, R32C, R40C, R38W, and R42C) disrupted PC secretion by impeding cotranslational translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum or causing endoplasmic reticulum retention. Additionally, some mutations (R38W and R42L/H/S) resulted in abnormal propeptide cleavage. However, a few missense mutations (Q3P, W14G, and V26M) did not account for PCD. Using a minigene splicing assay, we observed that several variations (c.8A>C, c.76G>A, c.94C>T, and c.112C>T) increased the incidence of aberrant pre-mRNA splicing. ConclusionOur findings suggest that variations in PC’s signal peptide and propeptide have varying effects on the biological process of PC, including posttranscriptional pre-mRNA splicing, translation, and posttranslational processing. Additionally, a variation could affect the biological process of PC at multiple levels. Except for W14G, our results provide a clear understanding of the relationship between PROC genotype and inherited PCD.

Retromer Chaperones: Potential Therapeutics for Treatment of Skin Disease?

Retromer Chaperones: Potential Therapeutics for Treatment of Skin Disease?

Association between primary osteoarthritis and ADAMTS14 single nucleotide polymorphism in Egyptian population: a case-control study

BackgroundPrimary osteoarthritis is considered one of the most common and the most studied musculoskeletal disorder. Nevertheless, the risk factors remain unclear. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) 14 (ADAMTS14) gene is involved in the cleavage of amino-terminal propeptides from type II procollagen, a necessary step in the formation of collagen fibers. The abnormal metabolism of collagen fibers type II leads to a decreased mechanical strength of joint cartilage which is one of the most important contributing factors to joint osteoarthritis. We aimed at investigating the association between primary osteoarthritis and ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 single nucleotide polymorphism in a sample of Egyptian patients and analyzing the relationship between this genetic polymorphism with the severity of osteoarthritis. Sixty-five Egyptian patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for primary knee osteoarthritis were compared with thirty-one apparently healthy subjects. Genotyping was performed by TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay.ResultsThere was a statistically significantly higher frequency of AA genotype among osteoarthritis patients compared to the control group (P = 0.004). The number of affected hand joints was significantly higher among patients with ADAMTS14 AA genotype in comparison to patients with ADAMTS14 AG genotype (P = 0.002). In addition, AA genotype was associated with statistically significantly higher Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grades in the knee and hand joints (proximal interphalangeal and thumb interphalangeal joints) (P = 0.037, 0.003, and 0.030 respectively).ConclusionThe study showed an association between the AA genotype of ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 single nucleotide polymorphism with knee and hand osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis severity in these joints. The AA genotype of ADAMTS14 gene rs4747096 single nucleotide polymorphism could be implicated in the increased incidence of primary osteoarthritis development and elevated disease severity among the Egyptian population.

A Novel Quali-Quantitative Defect of VWF

BackgroundVon Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a multimeric protein largely involved in both primary and secondary hemostasis. The diagnosis and classification of von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients can be challenging. In this poster we explore the genetic defects and their structural consequences in a VWD patient with a disproportionately high bleeding phenotype for her VWD severity. A 31-year old female, initially diagnosed with VWD type 1, presented herself with a bleeding tendency (ISTH-BAT 13) disproportionate to the severity of her VWD with antigen levels of 36%. Additional analysis showed decreased FVIII-binding at 28%. The combination of both quantitative and functional defects of VWF was an indication for further genetic analysis in order to better define the subtype of VWD.AimsGenetic and structural analysis of VWF in a patient with a disproportionally high bleeding phenotype with regard to a mild decrease in VWF antigen.MethodsRoutine laboratory analysis for VWD was performed. Genetic screening was performed by exome sequencing of hemostasis related genes. VWF mRNA analysis was carried out by RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. The X-ray structure of furin in complex with a peptide-based inhibitor (PDB ID: 6YD7) was used as a template to construct furin-VWF (759HR(R760S)SKRS764) complex. The derived structures (furin in complex with WT/R760S-VWF) were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (200ns) and binding free energy (BFE) calculations by using standard parameters and protocols implemented in AMBER20 program.ResultsRoutine analysis showed PFA-ADP and PFA EPI >300 seconds, VWF:ACT of 37% with a VWF:AG of 36%. Collagen binding and FVIII-binding were 46% and 28% respectively. Genetic analysis of the VWF gene disclosed 2 heterozygous variants of unknown significance (VUS): c.2771 G>A (exon 21, p.Arg924Gln) has a 1-2.5% population prevalence and has been previously described in type 1 and 2N VWD. The other VUS (c.2278 C>A; exon 17) is a novel mutation predicting a major amino acid substitution (p.Arg760Ser) in the D2-domain of VWF. Sequencing of exons 17 and 21 in the patient's VWF mRNA revealed homozygosity for the mutated allele at both mutation sites, indicating that the two variants are in cis and that the ‘normal’ allele is not expressed at mRNA level. Molecular dynamics simulations of the novel c.2278 C>A mutation (Arg760Ser) predicts a markedly decreased binding of furin to its VWF binding site, possibly decreasing or preventing VWF pro-peptide cleavage. This in turn has been shown to lead to reduced FVIII-binding of VWF.ConclusionGenetic analysis shows one polymorphism (c.2771 G>A) and one variation of unknown significance (c.2278 C>A) in the patient's VWF-gene. The polymorphism is known to be of low pathogenicity. The c. 2278 C>A mutation was not known in any of the mutation databases and is a novel VWF mutation. Both mutations were shownto be present on the same allele. As the wild-type allele was not expressed on mRNA level, all of the patient's VWF protein includes both amino acid substitutions. Modeling and molecular dynamics simulations show a markedly decreased affinity of furin to its cleavage site on the VWF protein due to the Arg760Ser substitution, likely resulting in a persistent pro-peptide binding to the mature VWF protein. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Stress-induced activation of receptor signaling by protease-mediated cleavage.

Plants encode a large number of proteases in activating intracellular signaling through proteolytic cleavages of various protein substrates. One type of the substrates is proligands, including peptide hormones, which are perceived by cell surface-resident receptors. The peptide hormones are usually first synthesized as propeptides, and then cleaved by specific proteases for activation. Accumulating evidence indicates that the protease-mediated cleavage of proligands can be triggered by environmental stresses and subsequently activates plant stress signaling. In this perspective, we highlight several recent publications and provide an update about stress-induced cleavage of propeptides and receptor-associated components by proteases in the activation of cell surface-resident receptor signaling in plants. We also discuss some questions and future challenges in the research of protease functions in plant stress response.

The role of propeptide-mediated autoinhibition and intermolecular chaperone in the maturation of cognate catalytic domain in leucine aminopeptidase

Leucyl aminopeptidase A from Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 (AO-LapA) is an exo-acting peptidase, widely utilised in food debittering applications. AO-LapA is secreted as a zymogen by the host and requires enzymatic cleavage of the autoinhibitory propeptide to reveal its full activity. Scarcity of structural data of zymogen aminopeptidases hampers a better understanding of the details of their molecular action of autoinhibition and how this might be utilised to improve the properties of such enzymes by recombinant methods for more effective bioprocessing. To address this gap in the literature, herein we report high-resolution crystal structures of recombinantly expressed AO-LapA precursor (AO-proLapA), mature LapA (AO-mLapA) and AO-mLapA complexed with reaction product l-leucine (AO-mLapA-Leu), all purified from Pichia pastoris culture supernatant. Our structures reveal a plausible molecular mechanism of LapA catalytic domain autoinhibition by propeptide and highlights the role of intramolecular chaperone (IMC). Our data suggest an absolute requirement for IMC in the maturation of cognate catalytic domain of AO-LapA. This observation is reinforced by our expression and refolding data of catalytic domain only (AO-refLapA) from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies, revealing a limited active conformation. Our work supports the notion that known synthetic aminopeptidase inhibitors and substrates mimic key polar contacts between propeptide and corresponding catalytic domain, demonstrated in our AO-proLapA zymogen crystal structure. Furthermore, understanding the atomic details of the autoinhibitory mechanism of cognate catalytic domains by native propeptides has wider reaching implications toward synthetic production of more effective inhibitors of bimetallic aminopeptidases and other dizinc enzymes that share an analogous reaction mechanism.

Engineered pro-peptide enhances the catalytic activity of keratinase to improve the conversion ability of feather waste.

Keratinase is an attractive industrial enzyme that can specifically catalyze keratin waste to obtain value-added products. A challenge to the application of keratinase is improving catalytic capacity to achieve efficient hydrolysis. In this study, we effectively expressed the keratinase gene from Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 in Bacillus subtilis WB600 based on pro-peptide engineering. Partial deletion of the pro-peptide sequence and the substitution of amino acid at the pro-peptide cleavage site (P1) suggested that the "chaperone effect"and "cleavage efficiency"of the pro-peptide determine the activity of the mature enzyme. Subsequently, seven target sites that can increase the activity of the mature enzyme by 16%-66% were obtained through the multiple sequence alignment of pro-peptides and site-directed mutation. We further performed combinatorial mutations at six sites based on the design principle of three-codon saturation mutations and obtained mutant 2-D12 (236.8 KU/mg) with a mature enzyme activity of 186% of the original (127.6 KU/mg). Finally, continuous fermentation was carried out in a 5-L bioreactor for 22 h, and the activity of the 2-D12 mature enzyme was increased to 391.6 KU/mg. Most importantly, 2-D12 could degrade more than 90% of feather waste into amino acids and peptides within 12 h with the aid of sulfite.

The cryo-EM structure of the human uromodulin filament core reveals a unique assembly mechanism.

The glycoprotein uromodulin (UMOD) is the most abundant protein in human urine and forms filamentous homopolymers that encapsulate and aggregate uropathogens, promoting pathogen clearance by urine excretion. Despite its critical role in the innate immune response against urinary tract infections, the structural basis and mechanism of UMOD polymerization remained unknown. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of the UMOD filament core at 3.5 Å resolution, comprised of the bipartite zona pellucida (ZP) module in a helical arrangement with a rise of ~65 Å and a twist of ~180°. The immunoglobulin-like ZPN and ZPC subdomains of each monomer are separated by a long linker that interacts with the preceding ZPC and following ZPN subdomains by β-sheet complementation. The unique filament architecture suggests an assembly mechanism in which subunit incorporation could be synchronized with proteolytic cleavage of the C-terminal pro-peptide that anchors assembly-incompetent UMOD precursors to the membrane.

Characterization of missense mutations in the signal peptide and propeptide of FIX in hemophilia B by a cell-based assay

AbstractMany mutations in the signal peptide and propeptide of factor IX (FIX) cause hemophilia B. A FIX variants database reports 28 unique missense mutations in these regions that lead to FIX deficiency, but the underlying mechanism is known only for the mutations on R43 that interfere with propeptide cleavage. It remains unclear how other mutations result in FIX deficiency and why patients carrying the same mutation have different bleeding tendencies. Here, we modify a cell-based reporter assay to characterize the missense mutations in the signal peptide and propeptide of FIX. The results show that the level of secreted conformation-specific reporter (SCSR), which has a functional γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) domain of FIX, decreases significantly in most mutations. The decreased SCSR level is consistent with FIX deficiency in hemophilia B patients. Moreover, we find that the decrease in the SCSR level is caused by several distinct mechanisms, including interfering with cotranslational translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum, protein secretion, γ-carboxylation of the Gla domain, and cleavage of the signal peptide or propeptide. Importantly, our results also show that the SCSR levels of most signal peptide and propeptide mutations increase with vitamin K concentration, suggesting that the heterogeneity of bleeding tendencies may be related to vitamin K levels in the body. Thus, oral administration of vitamin K may alleviate the severity of bleeding tendencies in patients with missense mutations in the FIX signal peptide and propeptide regions.

Desmoglein-2 mutations in propeptide cleavage-site causes arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia by impairing extracellular 1-dependent desmosomal interactions upon cellular stress

Desmoglein-2 (DSG2) mutations, which encode a heart-specific cadherin crucial for desmosomal adhesion, are frequent in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D). DSG2 mutations have been associated with higher risk of biventricular involvement. Among DSG2 mutations, mutations of the inhibitory propeptide consensus cleavage-site (Arg-X-Arg/Lys-Arg), are particularly frequent. In the present work, we explored the functional consequences of DSG2 propeptide cleavage site mutations p.Arg49His, p.Arg46Trp, and p.Arg46Gln on localization, adhesive properties, and desmosome incorporation of DSG2. We studied the expression of mutant-DSG2 in human heart and in epithelial and cardiac cellular models expressing wild-type or mutant (p.Arg49His, p.Arg46Trp, and p.Arg46Gln) proDSG2-GFP fusion proteins. The consequences of the p.Arg46Trp mutation on DSG2 adhesiveness were studied by surface plasmon resonance. Incorporation of mutant p.Arg46Trp DSG2 into desmosomes was studied under low-calcium culture conditions and cyclic mechanical stress. We demonstrated in human heart and cellular models that all three mutations prevented N-terminal propeptide cleavage, but did not modify intercellular junction targeting. Surface plasmon resonance experiments showed a propeptide-dependent loss of interaction between the cadherin N-terminal extracellular 1 (EC1) domains. Additionally, proDSG2 mutant proteins were abnormally incorporated into desmosomes under low-calcium culture conditions or following mechanical stress. This was accompanied by an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent internalization of proDSG2, suggesting increased turnover of unprocessed proDSG2. Our results strongly suggest weakened desmosomal adhesiveness due to abnormal incorporation of uncleaved mutant proDSG2 in cellular stress conditions. These results provide new insights into desmosomal cadherin regulation and ARVC/D pathophysiology, in particular, the potential role of mechanical stress on desmosomal dysfunction.

Aberrant Cathepsin S Induces a Supportive Immune Microenvironment in Follicular Lymphoma

The highly variable clinical course of follicular lymphoma (FL) is determined by the molecular heterogeneity of the tumor cells and complex interactions with the microenvironment. Here, we provide biochemical, structural, functional and clinical evidence that aberrant Cathepsin S (CTSS) activity induces a supportive immune microenvironment in FL. By targeted DNA sequencing of 305 diagnostic FL biopsies, we identified somatic mutations of CTSS in 8% of cases (24/305), mostly clustered at Y132 (19/24) converting Y to D (16/19). A subset of CTSS Y132 mutations (N=5) occurred at lower variant allele frequencies (5-10%), indicating subclonality. Another 13% of FL had CTSS amplifications (37/286). CTSS Y132 mutations and CTSS amplifications were mutually exclusive. In a cohort of 51 FL, CTSS amplifications were associated with higher CTSS expression (P=0.05). Of note, a subset of FL without CTSS amplifications also had higher CTSS expression, suggesting additional mechanisms of transcriptional dysregulation. CTSS is a cysteine protease that is highly expressed in endolysosomes of antigen presenting cells and malignant B-cells. CTSS is involved in proteolytical processing of antigenic peptides for presentation on MHC-II to be recognized by antigen specific CD4+ T-cells. CTSS is synthesized as an inactive zymogen, which is converted to its active form by autocatalytic cleavage of the autoinhibitory propeptide (pro-CTSS). We used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce CTSS Y132D into Karpas422, a B-cell lymphoma cell line that harbors the FL hallmark translocation t(14;18). Single-cell derived Y132D mutant clones showed >3-fold higher ratios of active CTSS to pro-CTSS (N=4, P=0.0003). Immunoprecipitated CTSS Y132D had >3-fold higher in vitro substrate cleavage activity compared to CTSS wild type (WT) (N=6, P=0.001). We purified pro-CTSS WT and Y132D and assayed their in vitro autocatalytic cleavage over time. The time required to convert 50% of pro-CTSS decreased from 17 minutes for WT to 11 minutes for Y132D (N=3, P=0.04). In contrast, purified active CTSS WT and Y132 had similar in vitro cleavage activities. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the Y132D mutation shortens the distances by ~2Å between the catalytic triad of active CTSS (C139, H278, N298) and a stretch of amino acids from the proform (L80, G81, D82, S94), which may facilitate intramolecular cleavage. By mass spectrometry we could indeed detect novel intermediate-sized CTSS fragments. Thus, Y132D does not increase the activity of the mature enzyme but is a gain-of-function mutation by accelerating the conversion from pro-CTSS to catalytically active CTSS. CD74 (invariant chain) is a physiologic CTSS substrate that plays critical roles in the assembly, trafficking and stabilization of peptide-free MHC-II. CTSS cleaves CD74, thereby allowing binding and presentation of antigens on MHC-II to antigen specific CD4+ T-cells. We could show that CTSS Y132D enhanced CD74 cleavage in Karpas422 cells. We then tested the impact of CTSS on antigen specific CD4+ T-cell activation in co-culture assays. CTSS knock-out lymphoma cells were broadly incapable of activating CD4+ T-cells. Overexpression of CTSS WT activated CD4+ T-cells more efficiently compared to empty vector control. CTSS Y132 had the highest capacity to stimulate antigen specific CD4+ T-cell responses. Furthermore, in primary FL biopsies (N=51) CTSS Y132 mutations had gene expression profiles linked with antigen-processing and chemokine perturbation, including CXCL13, a B-cell chemoattractant produced by activated CD4+ T-follicular helper cells. Lastly, we aimed to correlate CTSS aberrations with clinical outcome in patients who received standard immunochemotherapy (R-CHOP) for advanced FL (N=51 with available CTSS mutation and gene expression data). Compared to all other patients (N=34), patients with CTSS Y132 mutations or CTSS overexpression (N=17) had longer failure free survival (P=0.012) and overall survival (P=0.041). In summary, we propose that aberrant CTSS activity - even if only present in a FL subclone - can elicit a CD4+ T-cell driven tumor-promoting immune response, which could be amplified within the microenvironment via pro-inflammatory and chemotactic cytokines and substantially impact the biology and clinical course of the disease. Thus, aberrant CTSS activity is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in FL and potentially also other tumors. Disclosures Klapper: Roche, Takeda, Amgen, Regeneron: Honoraria, Research Funding. Hiddemann:Bayer: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Vector Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria. Steidl:Juno Therapeutics: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Nanostring: Patents & Royalties: Filed patent on behalf of BC Cancer; Roche: Consultancy; Tioma: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy. Kridel:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Weinstock:Celgene: Research Funding; Verastem Oncology: Research Funding. Weigert:Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding.

Combining Pro-peptide Engineering and Multisite Saturation Mutagenesis To Improve the Catalytic Potential of Keratinase.

Keratinases are becoming biotechnologically important since they have shown potential in hydrolysis of recalcitrant keratins with highly rigid and strongly cross-linked structures. However, the large-scale application of keratinases has been limited by the inefficient expression level and low enzyme activity. In this work, we employed pro-peptide engineering and saturation mutagenesis to construct excellent keratinase variants with improved activities. It turned out that amino acid substitutions at the pro-peptide cleavage site (P1) could accelerate the release of active mature enzymes, resulting in a 3-fold activity increase. Eighteen sites of the pro-peptide area were targeted for codon mutagenesis, and a multisite saturation mutagenesis library of the six potential sites was generated, achieving a significant improvement of keratinase activity from 179 to 1114 units/mL. Also, the mutants exhibited alterant catalytic properties. Finally, fermentation for keratinase production in a 15 L fermenter was carried out, and the enzyme activity reached up to over 3000 units/mL. Our results demonstrated that pro-peptide engineering played a crucial role in high expression and engineering of proteases. This study provides a universal route toward improvement of industrial enzymes that were first synthesized as precursors in the form of pre-pro-protein.

STAT6 and Furin Are Successive Triggers for the Production of TGF-β by T Cells.

Production of TGF-β by T cells is key to various aspects of immune homeostasis, with defects in this process causing or aggravating immune-mediated disorders. The molecular mechanisms that lead to TGF-β generation by T cells remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we take advantage of the fact that intestinal helminths stimulate Th2 cells besides triggering TGF-β generation by T lymphocytes and regulate immune-mediated disorders. We show that the Th2 cell-inducing transcription factor STAT6 is necessary and sufficient for the expression of TGF-β propeptide in T cells. STAT6 is also necessary for several helminth-triggered events in mice, such as TGF-β-dependent suppression of alloreactive inflammation in graft-versus-host disease. Besides STAT6, helminth-induced secretion of active TGF-β requires cleavage of propeptide by the endopeptidase furin. Thus, for the immune regulatory pathway necessary for TGF-β production by T cells, our results support a two-step model, composed of STAT6 and furin.

Mutations That Alter the Carboxy-Terminal-Propeptide Cleavage Site of the Chains of Type I Procollagen Are Associated With a Unique Osteogenesis Imperfecta Phenotype

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fractures, low bone mass, and skeletal fragility. It most commonly arises from dominantly inherited mutations in the genes COL1A1 and COL1A2 that encode the chains of type I collagen. A number of recent reports have suggested that mutations affecting the carboxyl-terminal propeptide cleavage site in the products of either COL1A1 or COL1A2 give rise to a form of OI characterized by unusually dense bones. We have assembled clinical, biochemical, and molecular data from 29 individuals from 8 families with 7 different mutations affecting the C-propeptide cleavage site. The phenotype was generally mild: The median height was ∼33th centile. Eighty percent of subjects had their first fracture by the age of 10 years, and one-third had a femoral or tibial fracture by the age of 25 years. Fractures continued into adulthood, though rates varied considerably. Healing was normal and rarely resulted in long bone deformity. One-third of subjects older than 15 years had scoliosis. The teeth and hearing were normal in most, and blue sclerae were not observed. Other features noted included fibro-osseous dysplasia of the mandible and Achilles tendon calcification. The mean spinal bone mineral density Z-score was +2.9 (SD 2.1) compared with -2.2 (0.7) in subjects with COL1A1 haploinsufficiency mutations. Bone mineral density distribution, assessed by quantitative backscattered electron imaging in bone showed higher levels of mineralization than found in any other disorder. Bone histology showed high trabecular volume and increased cortical thickness, with hyperosteoidosis and delayed mineralization. In vitro studies with cultured skin fibroblasts suggested that these mutations interfere with processing of the chain in which the sequence alteration occurs, but the C-propeptide is eventually cleaved (and detectable in blood), suggesting there are alternative sites of cleavage. The precise mechanism of the bony pathology is not yet clear. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Accessibility and contribution to glucan masking of natural and genetically tagged versions of yeast wall protein 1 of Candida albicans.

Yeast wall protein 1 (Ywp1) is an abundant glycoprotein of the cell wall of the yeast form of Candida albicans, the most prevalent fungal pathogen of humans. Antibodies that bind to the polypeptide backbone of isolated Ywp1 show little binding to intact yeast cells, presumably because the Ywp1 epitopes are masked by the polysaccharides of the mannoproteins that form the outer layer of the cell wall. Rare cells do exhibit much greater anti-Ywp1 binding, however, and one of these was isolated and characterized. No differences were seen in its Ywp1, but it exhibited greater adhesiveness, sensitivity to wall perturbing agents, and exposure of its underlying β-1,3-glucan layer to external antibodies. The molecular basis for this greater epitope accessibility has not been determined, but has facilitated exploration of how these properties change as a function of cell growth and morphology. In addition, previously engineered strains with reduced quantities of Ywp1 in their cell walls were also found to have greater β-1,3-glucan exposure, indicating that Ywp1 itself contributes to the masking of wall epitopes, which may be important for understanding the anti-adhesive effect of Ywp1. Ectopic production of Ywp1 by hyphae, which reduces the adhesivity of these filamentous forms of C. albicans, was similarly found to reduce exposure of the β-1,3-glucan in their walls. To monitor Ywp1 in the cell wall irrespective of its accessibility, green fluorescent protein (Gfp) was genetically inserted into wall-anchored Ywp1 using a bifunctional cassette that also allowed production from a single transfection of a soluble, anchor-free version. The wall-anchored Ywp1-Gfp-Ywp1 accumulated in the wall of the yeast forms but not hyphae, and appeared to have properties similar to native Ywp1, including its adhesion-inhibiting effect. Some pseudohyphal walls also detectably accumulated this probe. Strains of C. albicans with tandem hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes inserted into wall-anchored Ywp1 were previously created by others, and were further explored here. As above, rare cells with much greater accessibility of the HA epitopes were isolated, and also found to exhibit greater exposure of Ywp1 and β-1,3-glucan. The placement of the HA cassette inhibited the normal N-glycosylation and propeptide cleavage of Ywp1, but the wall-anchored Ywp1-HA-Ywp1 still accumulated in the cell wall of yeast forms. Bifunctional transformation cassettes were used to additionally tag these molecules with Gfp, generating soluble Ywp1-HA-Gfp and wall-anchored Ywp1-HA-Gfp-Ywp1 molecules. The former revealed unexpected electrophoretic properties caused by the HA insertion, while the latter further highlighted differences between the presence of a tagged Ywp1 molecule (as revealed by Gfp fluorescence) and its accessibility in the cell wall to externally applied antibodies specific for HA, Gfp and Ywp1, with accessibility being greatest in the rapidly expanding walls of budding daughter cells. These strains and results increase our understanding of cell wall properties and how C. albicans masks itself from recognition by the human immune system.

Critical Role of ADAMTS2 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 2) in Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Pressure Overload

ADAMTS2 (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs 2) is recognized as a metalloproteinase that promotes the cleavage of amino propeptides of types I, II, III, and V procollagens. However, the role of ADAMTS2 in the heart has not yet been defined. Herein, we observed the upregulated expression of ADAMTS2 in failing human hearts and hypertrophic murine hearts. Mice lacking ADAMTS2 display exacerbated cardiac hypertrophy on pressure overload-induced hypertrophic response, whereas mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of ADAMTS2 display alleviation of this detrimental phenotype. Consistent with these results, in vitro loss or gain of function experiments in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes confirmed that ADAMTS2 negatively regulates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in response to Ang II. Mechanistically, blockage of the PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT (protein kinase B)-dependent signaling pathway with specific inhibitors both in vivo and in vitro could rescue the aggravated hypertrophic response to the loss of ADAMTS2. Collectively, we propose that ADAMTS2 regulates the hypertrophic response through inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT-dependent signaling pathway. Because ADAMTS2 is an extracellular protein, it could be effectively manipulated using pharmacological means to modulate cardiac hypertrophy.

Engineering protein processing of the mammary gland to produce abundant hemophilia B therapy in milk.

Both the low animal cell density of bioreactors and their ability to post-translationally process recombinant factor IX (rFIX) limit hemophilia B therapy to <20% of the world’s population. We used transgenic pigs to make rFIX in milk at about 3,000-fold higher output than provided by industrial bioreactors. However, this resulted in incomplete γ-carboxylation and propeptide cleavage where both processes are transmembrane mediated. We then bioengineered the co-expression of truncated, soluble human furin (rFurin) with pro-rFIX at a favorable enzyme to substrate ratio. This resulted in the complete conversion of pro-rFIX to rFIX while yielding a normal lactation. Importantly, these high levels of propeptide processing by soluble rFurin did not preempt γ-carboxylation in the ER and therefore was compartmentalized to the Trans-Golgi Network (TGN) and also to milk. The Golgi specific engineering demonstrated here segues the ER targeted enhancement of γ-carboxylation needed to biomanufacture coagulation proteins like rFIX using transgenic livestock.