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  • 1.
    Benlloch, Reyes
    et al.
    Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU.
    Shevela, Dmitriy
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Physiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Shutova, Tatyana
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Physiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC).
    Messinger, Johannes
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Samuelsson, Göran
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Physiology. Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Crystal structure and functional characterization of Photosystem II-associated carbonic anhydrase CAH3 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii2015In: Plant Physiology, ISSN 0032-0889, E-ISSN 1532-2548, Vol. 167, no 3, p. 950-962Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In oxygenic photosynthesis, light energy is stored in the form of chemical energy by converting CO2 and water into carbohydrates.The light-driven oxidation of water that provides the electrons and protons for the subsequent CO2 fixation takes place inphotosystem II (PSII). Recent studies show that in higher plants, HCO3– increases PSII activity by acting as a mobile acceptor ofthe protons produced by PSII. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a luminal carbonic anhydrase, CrCAH3, was suggested toimprove proton removal from PSII, possibly by rapid reformation of HCO3– from CO2. In this study, we investigated the interplaybetween PSII and CrCAH3 by membrane inlet mass spectrometry and x-ray crystallography. Membrane inlet mass spectrometrymeasurements showed that CrCAH3 was most active at the slightly acidic pH values prevalent in the thylakoid lumen underillumination. Two crystal structures of CrCAH3 in complex with either acetazolamide or phosphate ions were determined at 2.6- and2.7-Å resolution, respectively. CrCAH3 is a dimer at pH 4.1 that is stabilized by swapping of the N-terminal arms, a feature notpreviously observed in a-type carbonic anhydrases. The structure contains a disulfide bond, and redox titration of CrCAH3 functionwith dithiothreitol suggested a possible redox regulation of the enzyme. The stimulating effect of CrCAH3 and CO2/HCO3– on PSIIactivity was demonstrated by comparing the flash-induced oxygen evolution pattern of wild-type and CrCAH3-less PSIIpreparations. We showed that CrCAH3 has unique structural features that allow this enzyme to maximize PSII activity at lowpH and CO2 concentration.

  • 2.
    Edwin, Aaron
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Öhman, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience.
    Stier, Gunter
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Domain isolation, expression, purification and proteolytic activity of the metalloprotease PrtV from Vibrio cholerae2014In: Protein Expression and Purification, ISSN 1046-5928, E-ISSN 1096-0279, Vol. 96, p. 39-47Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The metalloprotease PrtV from Vibrio cholerae serves an important function for the bacteria's ability to invade the mammalian host cell. The protein belongs to the family of M6 proteases, with a characteristic zinc ion in the catalytic active site. PrtV constitutes a 918 amino acids (102kDa) multidomain pre-pro-protein that so far has only been expressed in V. cholerae. Structural studies require high amounts of soluble protein with high purity. Previous attempts for recombinant expression have been hampered by low expression and solubility of protein fragments. Here, we describe results from parallel cloning experiments in Escherichia coli where fusion tagged constructs of PrtV fragments were designed, and protein products tested for expression and solubility. Of more than 100 designed constructs, three produced protein products that expressed well. These include the N-terminal domain (residues 23-103), the PKD1 domain (residues 755-839), and a 25kDa fragment (residues 581-839). The soluble fusion proteins were captured with Ni(2+) affinity chromatography, and subsequently cleaved with tobacco etch virus protease. Purification protocols yielded ∼10-15mg of pure protein from 1L of culture. Proper folding of the shorter domains was confirmed by heteronuclear NMR spectra recorded on (15)N-labeled samples. A modified protocol for the native purification of the secreted 81kDa pro-protein of PrtV is provided. Proteolytic activity measurements suggest that the 37kDa catalytic metalloprotease domain alone is sufficient for activity.

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  • 3.
    Edwin, Aaron
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Rompikuntal, Pramod
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Björn, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Stier, Gunter
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth A.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Calcium binding by the PKD1 domain regulates interdomain flexibility in Vibrio cholerae metalloprotease PrtV2013In: FEBS Open Bio, E-ISSN 2211-5463, Vol. 3, p. 263-270Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, releases several virulence factors including secreted proteases when it infects its host. These factors attack host cell proteins and break down tissue barriers and cellular matrix components such as collagen, laminin, fibronectin, keratin, elastin, and they induce necrotic tissue damage. The secreted protease PrtV constitutes one virulence factors of V. cholerae. It is a metalloprotease belonging to the M6 peptidase family. The protein is expressed as an inactive, multidomain, 102 kDa pre-pro-protein that undergoes several N- and C-terminal modifications after which it is secreted as an intermediate variant of 81 kDa. After secretion from the bacteria, additional proteolytic steps occur to produce the 55 kDa active M6 metalloprotease. The domain arrangement of PrtV is likely to play an important role in these maturation steps, which are known to be regulated by calcium. However, the molecular mechanism by which calcium controls proteolysis is unknown. In this study, we report the atomic resolution crystal structure of the PKD1 domain from V. cholera PrtV (residues 755–838) determined at 1.1 Å. The structure reveals a previously uncharacterized Ca2+-binding site located near linker regions between domains. Conformational changes in the Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound forms suggest that Ca2+-binding at the PKD1 domain controls domain linker flexibility, and plays an important structural role, providing stability to the PrtV protein.

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  • 4.
    Eneqvist, Therese
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Andersson, Karin
    Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Olofsson, Anders
    Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Lundgren, Erik
    Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    The beta-slip: a novel concept in transthyretin amyloidosis.2000In: Mol Cell, ISSN 1097-2765, Vol. 6, no 5, p. 1207-18Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Transthyretin is a tetrameric plasma protein associated with two forms of amyloid disease. The structure of the highly amyloidogenic transthyretin triple mutant TTRG53S/E54D/L55S determined at 2.3 A resolution reveals a novel conformation: the beta-slip. A three-residue shift in beta strand D places Leu-58 at the position normally occupied by Leu-55 now mutated to serine. The beta-slip is best defined in two of the four monomers, where it makes new protein-protein interactions to an area normally involved in complex formation with retinol-binding protein. This interaction creates unique packing arrangements, where two protein helices combine to form a double helix in agreement with fiber diffraction and electron microscopy data. Based on these findings, a novel model for transthyretin amyloid formation is presented.

  • 5.
    Eneqvist, Therese
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Lundberg, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Karlsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Huang, Shenghua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Santos, Ceci­lia R A
    Power, Deborah M
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    High resolution crystal structures of piscine transthyretin reveal different binding modes for triiodothyronine and thyroxine.2004In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 279, no 25, p. 26411-6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Transthyretin (TTR) is an extracellular transport protein involved in the distribution of thyroid hormones and vitamin A. So far, TTR has only been found in vertebrates, of which piscine TTR displays the lowest sequence identity with human TTR (47%). Human and piscine TTR bind both thyroid hormones 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine (T(3)) and 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-l-thyronine (thyroxine, T(4)). Human TTR has higher affinity for T(4) than T(3), whereas the reverse holds for piscine TTR. X-ray structures of Sparus aurata (sea bream) TTR have been determined as the apo-protein at 1.75 A resolution and bound to ligands T(3) and T(4), both at 1.9 A resolution. The apo structure is similar to human TTR with structural changes only at beta-strand D. This strand forms an extended loop conformation similar to the one in chicken TTR. The piscine TTR.T(4) complex shows the T(4)-binding site to be similar but not identical to human TTR, whereas the TTR.T(3) complex shows the I3' halogen situated at the site normally occupied by the hydroxyl group of T(4). The significantly wider entrance of the hormone-binding channel in sea bream TTR, in combination with its narrower cavity, provides a structural explanation for the different binding affinities of human and piscine TTR to T(3) and T(4).

  • 6.
    Eneqvist, Therese
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Lundberg, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Nilsson, Lars
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Abagyan, Ruben
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    The transthyretin-related protein family2003In: The FEBS Journal, ISSN 1742-464X, E-ISSN 1742-4658, Vol. 270, no 3, p. 518-532Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A number of proteins related to the homotetrameric transport protein transthyretin (TTR) forms a highly conserved protein family, which we present in an integrated analysis of data from different sources combined with an initial biochemical characterization. Homologues of the transthyretin-related protein (TRP) can be found in a wide range of species including bacteria, plants and animals, whereas transthyretins have so far only been identified in vertebrates. A multiple sequence alignment of 49 TRP sequences from 47 species to TTR suggests that the tertiary and quaternary features of the three-dimensional structure are most likely preserved. Interestingly, while some of the TRP orthologues show as little as 30% identity, the residues at the putative ligand-binding site are almost entirely conserved. RT/PCR analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans confirms that one TRP gene is transcribed, spliced and predominantly expressed in the worm, which suggests that at least one of the two C. elegans TRP genes encodes a functional protein. We used double-stranded RNA-mediated interference techniques in order to determine the loss-of-function phenotype for the two TRP genes in C. elegans but detected no apparent phenotype. The cloning and initial characterization of purified TRP from Escherichia coli reveals that, while still forming a homotetramer, this protein does not recognize thyroid hormones that are the natural ligands of TTR. The ligand for TRP is not known; however, genomic data support a functional role involving purine catabolism especially linked to urate oxidase (uricase) activity.

  • 7.
    Eneqvist, Therese
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Olofsson, Anders
    Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Ando, Yukio
    Miyakawa, Taihei
    Katsuragi, Shoichi
    Jass, Jana
    Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Lundgren, Erik
    Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Disulfide-bond formation in the transthyretin mutant Y114C prevents amyloid fibril formation in vivo and in vitro.2002In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, Vol. 41, no 44, p. 13143-51Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Y114C mutation in human transthyretin (TTR) is associated with a particular form of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. We show that vitreous aggregates ex vivo consist of either regular amyloid fibrils or disordered disulfide-linked precipitates that maintain the ability to bind Congo red. Furthermore, we demonstrate in vitro that the ATTR Y114C mutant exists in three forms: one unstable but nativelike tetrameric form, one highly aggregated form in which a network of disulfide bonds is formed, and one fibrillar form. The disulfide-linked aggregates and the fibrillar form of the mutant can be induced by heat induction under nonreduced and reduced conditions, respectively. Both forms are recognized by the amyloid specific antibody MAB(39-44). In a previous study, we have linked exposure of this epitope in TTR to a three-residue shift in beta-strand D. The X-ray crystallographic structure of reduced tetrameric ATTR Y114C shows a structure similar to that of the wild type but with a more buried position of Cys10 and with beta-mercaptoethanol associated with Cys114, verifying the strong tendency for this residue to form disulfide bonds. Combined with the ex vivo data, our in vitro findings suggest that ATTR Y114C can lead to disease either by forming regular unbranched amyloid fibrils or by forming disulfide-linked aggregates that maintain amyloid-like properties but are unable to form regular amyloid fibrils.

  • 8.
    Eneqvist, Therese
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Structural distribution of mutations associated with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in human transthyretin.2001In: Amyloid, ISSN 1350-6129, Vol. 8, no 3, p. 149-68Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The human plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) is a highly stable soluble homotetrameric protein. Still, conformational changes in the wild type protein can lead to self-assembly into insoluble amyloid fibrils. In addition, 74 point mutations are known to enhance amyloid formation causing familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (PAP). Alignment of TTR sequences from twenty different species shows that only six of these mutations occur as natural amino acids in other organisms. In this paper we analyse the distribution of FAP mutations within the three-dimensional structure of TTR. Contradictory to what might be expected from protein stability studies, the mutations are not restricted to structurally rigid parts of the molecule, nor are they concentrated at the monomer interaction sites.

  • 9.
    Enow, Constance
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Oscarsson, Jan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Odontology.
    Mizunoe, Yoshimitsu
    Huang, Shengua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Meier, Elke
    Benz, Roland
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Wai, Sun Nyunt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Uhlin, Bernt Eric
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Localization and structure of the ClyA protein in Escherichia coli before secretion and pore-formationManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 10.
    Eriksson, Jonas
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer, Uwe H
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Wolf-Watz, Hans
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Science and Technology). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Elofsson, Mikael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Small Molecule Screening for Inhibitors of the YopH Phosphatase of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis2012In: Advances in Yersinia Research, New York: Springer, 2012, Vol. 954, p. 357-363Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bacterial virulence systems are attractive targets for development of new antibacterial agents. Yersinia spp. utilize the type III secretion (T3S) system to secrete and translocate Yersinia outer proteins (Yop effectors) into the cytosol of the target cell and thereby overcome host defenses to successfully establish an infection. Thus, the Yop effectors constitute attractive targets for drug development. In the present study we apply small molecule screening to identify inhibitors of one of the secreted proteins YopH, a tyrosine phosphatase required for virulence. Characterization of seven inhibitors indicated that both competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors were identified with IC50 values of 6–20 μM.

  • 11.
    Gariani, Talal
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Samuelsson, Tore
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Conformational variability of the GTPase domain of the signal recognition particle receptor FtsY.2006In: J Struct Biol, ISSN 1047-8477, Vol. 153, no 1, p. 85-96Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The prokaryotic signal recognition particle Ffh and its receptor FtsY allow targeting of proteins into or across the plasma membrane. The targeting process is GTP dependent and the two proteins constitute a distinct GTPase family. The receptor FtsY is composed of A and NG domains where the NG’s GTPase domain plays a critical role in the targeting process. In this study, we describe two X-ray structures determined independently of each other of the NG domain of FtsY from Mycoplasma mycoides (MmFtsY). The two structures are markedly different in three of the nucleotide-binding segments, GI (P-loop), GII, and GIII, making only one of the structures compatible with nucleotide binding. Interestingly, the two distinct conformations of the nucleotide-binding segments of MmFtsY are similar to the apo- and ADP-loaded forms of certain ATPases. The structure of the extended interface between the A and NG domains of MmFtsY provides new insights into the role of the A domain for phospholipid interaction.

  • 12.
    Gariani, Talal
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the signal recognition particle receptor FtsY from Mycoplasma mycoides.2000In: Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, ISSN 0907-4449, Vol. 56, no Pt 8, p. 1030-2Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The prokaryotic signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway comprises two proteins, Ffh and FtsY, homologous to the SRP54 and SRalpha proteins in the more complex eukaryotic system. All four proteins are part of a unique subfamily of GTPases. Four truncated versions of the 412 amino-acid FtsY receptor protein from Mycoplasma mycoides have been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Purified proteins from all constructs and the full-length FtsY protein were subjected to crystallization trials. Crystals were obtained for the construct which comprised residues 98-412 corresponding to the conserved NG-domain (residues 194-497 in E. coli). A native data set at 1.9 A resolution has been collected at 100 K using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to the space group P2(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 68.7, b = 101.1, c = 42.5 A and one molecule in the asymmetric unit.

  • 13.
    Good, James A. D.
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Andersson, Christopher
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Hansen, Sabine
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Wall, Jessica
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Krishnan, Syam
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Niemiec, Moritz Sebastian
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Vaitkevicius, Karolis
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Chorell, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Wittung-Stafshede, Pernilla
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer, Uwe H.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer–Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Almqvist, Fredrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Attenuating Listeria monocytogenes virulence by targeting the regulatory protein PrfA2016In: Cell chemical biology, ISSN 2451-9448, Vol. 23, no 3, p. 404-414Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The transcriptional activator PrfA, a member of the Crp/Fnr family, controls the expression of some key virulence factors necessary for infection by the human bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Phenotypic screening identified ring-fused 2-pyridone molecules that at low micromolar concentrations attenuate L. monocytogenes infectivity by reducing the expression of virulence genes, without compromising bacterial growth. These inhibitors bind the transcriptional regulator PrfA and decrease its affinity for the consensus DNA binding site. Structural characterization of this interaction revealed that one of the ring-fused 2-pyridones, compound 1, binds within a hydrophobic pocket, located between the C- and N-terminal domains of PrfA, and interacts with residues important for PrfA activation. This indicates that these inhibitors maintain the DNA-binding helix-turn-helix motif of PrfA in a disordered state, thereby preventing a PrfA:DNA interaction. Ring-fused 2-pyridones represent a new class of chemical probes for studying virulence in L. monocytogenes.

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  • 14.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Bonde, Mari
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. QureTech Bio, Umeå, Sweden.
    Almqvist, Fredrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Structural insights into CodY activation and DNA recognition2023In: Nucleic Acids Research, ISSN 0305-1048, E-ISSN 1362-4962, Vol. 51, no 14, p. 7631-7648Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Virulence factors enable pathogenic bacteria to infect host cells, establish infection, and contribute to disease progressions. In Gram-positive pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) and Enterococcus faecalis (Ef), the pleiotropic transcription factor CodY plays a key role in integrating metabolism and virulence factor expression. However, to date, the structural mechanisms of CodY activation and DNA recognition are not understood. Here, we report the crystal structures of CodY from Sa and Ef in their ligand-free form and their ligand-bound form complexed with DNA. Binding of the ligands - branched chain amino acids and GTP - induces conformational changes in the form of helical shifts that propagate to the homodimer interface and reorient the linker helices and DNA binding domains. DNA binding is mediated by a non-canonical recognition mechanism dictated by DNA shape readout. Furthermore, two CodY dimers bind to two overlapping binding sites in a highly cooperative manner facilitated by cross-dimer interactions and minor groove deformation. Our structural and biochemical data explain how CodY can bind a wide range of substrates, a hallmark of many pleiotropic transcription factors. These data contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying virulence activation in important human pathogens.

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  • 15.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Huang, Shenghua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Meriläinen, Gitte
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Brännström, Kristoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Structural basis of signal-sequence recognition by the signal recognition particle 2011In: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, ISSN 1545-9993, E-ISSN 1545-9985, Vol. 18, no 3, p. 389-391Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The signal recognition particle (SRP) recognizes and binds the signal sequence of nascent proteins as they emerge from the ribosome. We present here the 3.0-Å structure of a signal sequence bound to the Methanococcus jannaschii SRP core. Structural comparison with the free SRP core shows that signal-sequence binding induces formation of the GM-linker helix and a 180° flip of the NG domain—structural changes that ensure a hierarchical succession of events during protein targeting.

  • 16.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Huang, Shenghua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Interaction of signal-recognition particle 54 GTPase domain and signal-recognition particle RNA in the free signal-recognition particle.2007In: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, ISSN 0027-8424, Vol. 104, no 38, p. 14911-6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The signal-recognition particle (SRP) is a ubiquitous protein-RNA complex that targets proteins to cellular membranes for insertion or secretion. A key player in SRP-mediated protein targeting is the evolutionarily conserved core consisting of the SRP RNA and the multidomain protein SRP54. Communication between the SRP54 domains is critical for SRP function, where signal sequence binding at the M domain directs receptor binding at the GTPase domain (NG domain). These SRP activities are linked to domain rearrangements, for which the role of SRP RNA is not clear. In free SRP, a direct interaction of the GTPase domain with SRP RNA has been proposed but has never been structurally verified. In this study, we present the crystal structure at 2.5-A resolution of the SRP54-SRP19-SRP RNA complex of Methanococcus jannaschii SRP. The structure reveals an RNA-bound conformation of the SRP54 GTPase domain, in which the domain is spatially well separated from the signal peptide binding site. The association of both the N and G domains with SRP RNA in free SRP provides further structural evidence for the pivotal role of SRP RNA in the regulation of the SRP54 activity.

  • 17.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Huang, Shenghua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Structural insights into SRP RNA: an induced fit mechanism for SRP assembly.2005In: RNA, ISSN 1355-8382, Vol. 11, no 7, p. 1043-50Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Proper assembly of large protein-RNA complexes requires sequential binding of the proteins to the RNA. The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a multiprotein-RNA complex responsible for the cotranslational targeting of proteins to biological membranes. Here we describe the crystal structure at 2.6-A resolution of the S-domain of SRP RNA from the archeon Methanococcus jannaschii. Comparison of this structure with the SRP19-bound form reveals the nature of the SRP19-induced conformational changes, which promote subsequent SRP54 attachment. These structural changes are initiated at the SRP19 binding site and transmitted through helix 6 to looped-out adenosines, which form tertiary RNA interaction with helix 8. Displacement of these adenosines enforces a conformational change of the asymmetric loop structure in helix 8. In free RNA, the three unpaired bases A195, C196, and C197 are directed toward the helical axis, whereas upon SRP19 binding the loop backbone inverts and the bases are splayed out in a conformation that resembles the SRP54-bound form. Nucleotides adjacent to the bulged nucleotides seem to be particularly important in the regulation of this loop transition. Binding of SRP19 to 7S RNA reveals an elegant mechanism of how protein-induced changes are directed through an RNA molecule and may relate to those regulating the assembly of other RNPs.

  • 18.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Huang, Shenghua
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Structure of the SRP19 RNA complex and implications for signal recognition particle assembly.2002In: Nature, ISSN 0028-0836, Vol. 417, no 6890, p. 767-71Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a phylogenetically conserved ribonucleoprotein. It associates with ribosomes to mediate co-translational targeting of membrane and secretory proteins to biological membranes. In mammalian cells, the SRP consists of a 7S RNA and six protein components. The S domain of SRP comprises the 7S.S part of RNA bound to SRP19, SRP54 and the SRP68/72 heterodimer; SRP54 has the main role in recognizing signal sequences of nascent polypeptide chains and docking SRP to its receptor. During assembly of the SRP, binding of SRP19 precedes and promotes the association of SRP54 (refs 4, 5). Here we report the crystal structure at 2.3 A resolution of the complex formed between 7S.S RNA and SRP19 in the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii. SRP19 bridges the tips of helices 6 and 8 of 7S.S RNA by forming an extensive network of direct protein RNA interactions. Helices 6 and 8 pack side by side; tertiary RNA interactions, which also involve the strictly conserved tetraloop bases, stabilize helix 8 in a conformation competent for SRP54 binding. The structure explains the role of SRP19 and provides a molecular framework for SRP54 binding and SRP assembly in Eukarya and Archaea.

  • 19.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Signal-sequence induced conformational changes in the signal recognition particle2015In: Nature Communications, E-ISSN 2041-1723, Vol. 6, article id 7163Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Co-translational protein targeting is an essential, evolutionarily conserved pathway for delivering nascent proteins to the proper cellular membrane. In this pathway, the signal recognition particle (SRP) first recognizes the N-terminal signal sequence of nascent proteins and subsequently interacts with the SRP receptor. For this, signal sequence binding in the SRP54 M domain must be effectively communicated to the SRP54 NG domain that interacts with the receptor. Here we present the 2.9 angstrom crystal structure of unbound- and signal sequence bound SRP forms, both present in the asymmetric unit. The structures provide evidence for a coupled binding and folding mechanism in which signal sequence binding induces the concerted folding of the GM linker helix, the finger loop, and the C-terminal alpha helix alpha M6. This mechanism allows for a high degree of structural adaptability of the binding site and suggests how signal sequence binding in the M domain is coupled to repositioning of the NG domain.

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  • 20.
    Hall, Michael
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Lindberg, Mikael J.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer, Uwe H.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Almqvist, Fredrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Structural basis for glutathione-mediated activation of the virulence regulatory protein PrfA in Listeria2016In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 113, no 51, p. 14733-14738Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Infection by the human bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes is mainly controlled by the positive regulatory factor A (PrfA), a member of the Crp/Fnr family of transcriptional activators. Published data suggest that PrfA requires the binding of a cofactor for full activity, and it was recently proposed that glutathione (GSH) could fulfill this function. Here we report the crystal structures of PrfA in complex with GSH and in complex with GSH and its cognate DNA, the hly operator PrfA box motif. These structures reveal the structural basis for a GSH-mediated allosteric mode of activation of PrfA in the cytosol of the host cell. The crystal structure of PrfAWT in complex only with DNA confirms that PrfAWT can adopt a DNA binding-compatible structure without binding the GSH activator molecule. By binding to PrfA in the cytosol of the host cell, GSH induces the correct fold of the HTH motifs, thus priming the PrfA protein for DNA interaction.

  • 21.
    Hansen, Sabine
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Hall, Michael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Brännström, Kristoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    A Novel Growth-Based Selection Strategy Identifies New Constitutively Active Variants of the Major Virulence Regulator PrfA in Listeria monocytogenes2020In: Journal of Bacteriology, ISSN 0021-9193, E-ISSN 1098-5530, Vol. 202, no 11, article id e00115-20Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive pathogen able to cause severe human infections. Its major virulence regulator is the transcriptional activator PrfA, a member of the Crp/Fnr family of transcriptional regulators. To establish a successful L. monocytogenes infection, the PrfA protein needs to be in an active conformation, either by binding the cognate inducer glutathione (GSH) or by possessing amino acid substitutions rendering the protein constitutively active (PrfA*). By a yet unknown mechanism, phosphotransferase system (PTS) sugars repress the activity of PrfA. We therefore took a transposon-based approach to identify the mechanism by which PTS sugars repress PrfA activity. For this, we screened a transposon mutant bank to identify clones able to grow in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate as the sole carbon source. Surprisingly, most of the isolated transposon mutants also carried amino acid substitutions in PrfA. In transposon-free strains, the PrfA amino acid substitution mutants displayed growth, virulence factor expression, infectivity, and DNA binding, agreeing with previously identified PrIA* mutants. Hence, the initial growth phenotype observed in the isolated clone was due to the amino acid substitution in PrfA and unrelated to the loci inactivated by the transposon mutant. Finally, we provide structural evidence for the existence of an intermediately activated PrfA state, which gives new insights into PrfA protein activation. IMPORTANCE The Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a human pathogen affecting mainly the elderly, immunocompromised people, and pregnant women. It can lead to meningoencephalitis, septicemia, and abortion. The major virulence regulator in L. monocytogenes is the PrfA protein, a transcriptional activator. Using a growth-based selection strategy, we identified mutations in the PrfA protein leading to constitutively active virulence factor expression. We provide structural evidence for the existence of an intermediately activated PrfA state, which gives new insights into PrfA protein activation.

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  • 22.
    Hogg, Matthew
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Osterman, Pia
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Bylund, Göran
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Ganai, Rais Ahmad
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lundström, Else-Britt
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Johansson, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Structural basis for processive DNA synthesis by yeast DNA polymerase ε2014In: Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, ISSN 1545-9993, E-ISSN 1545-9985, Vol. 21, no 1, p. 49-56Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    DNA polymerase ε (Pol ε) is a high-fidelity polymerase that has been shown to participate in leading-strand synthesis during DNA replication in eukaryotic cells. We present here a ternary structure of the catalytic core of Pol ε (142 kDa) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae in complex with DNA and an incoming nucleotide. This structure provides information about the selection of the correct nucleotide and the positions of amino acids that might be critical for proofreading activity. Pol ε has the highest fidelity among B-family polymerases despite the absence of an extended b-hairpin loop that is required for high-fidelity replication by other B-family polymerases. Moreover, the catalytic core has a new domain that allows Pol ε to encircle the nascent doublestranded DNA. Altogether, the structure provides an explanation for the high processivity and high fidelity of leading-strand DNA synthesis in eukaryotes

  • 23.
    Hogg, Matthew
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Johansson, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Promiscuous DNA synthesis by human DNA polymerase θ2012In: Nucleic Acids Research, ISSN 0305-1048, E-ISSN 1362-4962, Vol. 40, no 6, p. 2611-2622Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The biological role of human DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) is not yet clearly defined, but it has been proposed to participate in several cellular processes based on its translesion synthesis capabilities. POLQ is a low-fidelity polymerase capable of efficient bypass of blocking lesions such as abasic sites and thymine glycols as well as extension of mismatched primer termini. Here, we show that POLQ possesses a DNA polymerase activity that appears to be template independent and allows efficient extension of single-stranded DNA as well as duplex DNA with either protruding or multiply mismatched 3'-OH termini. We hypothesize that this DNA synthesis activity is related to the proposed role for POLQ in the repair or tolerance of double-strand breaks.

  • 24.
    Huang, Shenghua
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Hainzl, Tobias
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Forsman, Cecilia
    Orphan Biovitrum AB, Umeå, Sweden.
    Samuelsson, Göran
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Plant Physiology.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Structural studies of β-Carbonic Anhydrase from the Green Alga Coccomyxa: Inhibitor complexes with Anions and Acetazolamide2011In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 6, no 12, p. e28458-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The β-class carbonic anhydrases (β-CAs) are widely distributed among lower eukaryotes, prokaryotes, archaea, and plants. Like all CAs, the β-enzymes catalyze an important physiological reaction, namely the interconversion between carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. In plants the enzyme plays an important role in carbon fixation and metabolism. To further explore the structure-function relationship of β-CA, we have determined the crystal structures of the photoautotroph unicellular green alga Coccomyxa β-CA in complex with five different inhibitors: acetazolamide, thiocyanate, azide, iodide, and phosphate ions. The tetrameric Coccomyxa β-CA structure is similar to other β-CAs but it has a 15 amino acid extension in the C-terminal end, which stabilizes the tetramer by strengthening the interface. Four of the five inhibitors bind in a manner similar to what is found in complexes with α-type CAs. Iodide ions, however, make contact to the zinc ion via a zinc-bound water molecule or hydroxide ion - a type of binding mode not previously observed in any CA. Binding of inhibitors to Coccomyxa β-CA is mediated by side-chain movements of the conserved residue Tyr-88, extending the width of the active site cavity with 1.5-1.8 Å. Structural analysis and comparisons with other α- and β-class members suggest a catalytic mechanism in which the movements of Tyr-88 are important for the CO(2)-HCO(3) (-) interconversion, whereas a structurally conserved water molecule that bridges residues Tyr-88 and Gln-38, seems important for proton transfer, linking water molecules from the zinc-bound water to His-92 and buffer molecules.

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  • 25.
    Huang, Shenghua
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sjöblom, Björn
    Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Jonsson, Bengt-Harald
    Chemistry.
    Organization of an efficient carbonic anhydrase: implications for the mechanism based on structure-function studies of a T199P/C206S mutant.2002In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, Vol. 41, no 24, p. 7628-35Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Substitution of Pro for Thr199 in the active site of human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II)(1) reduces its catalytic efficiency about 3000-fold. X-ray crystallographic structures of the T199P/C206S variant have been determined in complex with the substrate bicarbonate and with the inhibitors thiocyanate and beta-mercaptoethanol. The latter molecule is normally not an inhibitor of wild-type HCA II. All three ligands display novel binding interactions to the T199P/C206S mutant. The beta-mercaptoethanol molecule binds in the active site area with its sulfur atom tetrahedrally coordinated to the zinc ion. Thiocyanate binds tetrahedrally coordinated to the zinc ion in T199P/C206S, in contrast to its pentacoordinated binding to the zinc ion in wild-type HCA II. Bicarbonate binds to the mutant with two of its oxygens at the positions of the zinc water (Wat263) and Wat318 in wild-type HCA II. The environment of this area is more hydrophilic than the normal bicarbonate-binding site of HCA II situated in the hydrophobic part of the cavity normally occupied by the so-called deep water (Wat338). The observation of a new binding site for bicarbonate has implications for understanding the mechanism by which the main-chain amino group of Thr199 acquired an important role for orientation of the substrate during the evolution of the enzyme.

  • 26.
    Huang, Shenghua
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Xue, Y
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Chirica, L
    Lindskog, Sven
    Chemistry.
    Jonsson, Bengt-Harald
    Chemistry.
    Crystal structure of carbonic anhydrase from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and its complex with the inhibitor acetazolamide.1998In: J Mol Biol, ISSN 0022-2836, Vol. 283, no 1, p. 301-10Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The crystal structure of carbonic anhydrase from Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been solved to a resolution of 1.78 A by molecular replacement using human carbonic anhydrase II as a template. After refinement the R factor was 17.8% (Rfree=23.2%). There are two molecules per asymmetric unit (space group P21), but they have essentially identical structures. The fold of the N. gonorrhoeae enzyme is very similar to that of human isozyme II; 192 residues, 74 of which are identical in the two enzymes, have equivalent positions in the three-dimensional structures. This corresponds to 85% of the entire polypeptide chain of the bacterial enzyme. The only two cysteine residues in the bacterial enzyme, which has a periplasmic location in the cell, are connected by a disulfide bond. Most of the secondary structure elements present in human isozyme II are retained in N. gonorrhoeae carbonic anhydrase, but there are also differences, particularly in the few helical regions. Long deletions in the bacterial enzyme relative to human isozyme II have resulted in a considerable shortening of three surface loops. One of these deletions, corresponding to residues 128 to 139 in the human enzyme, leads to a widening of the entrance to the hydrophobic part of the active site cavity. Practically all the amino acid residues in the active site of human isozyme II are conserved in the N. gonorrhoeae enzyme and have similar structural positions. However, the imidazole ring of a histidine residue, which has been shown to function as a proton shuttle in the catalytic mechanism of the human enzyme, interacts with an extraneous entity, which has tentatively been identified as a 2-mercaptoethanol molecule from the crystallization medium. When this entity is removed by soaking the crystal in a different medium, the side-chain of His66 becomes quite mobile. The structure of a complex with the sulfonamide inhibitor, acetazolamide, has also been determined. Its position in the active site is very similar to that observed in human carbonic anhydrase II.

  • 27.
    Hörnberg, Andreas
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Eneqvist, Therese
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Olofsson, Anders
    Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Lundgren, Erik
    Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    A comparative analysis of 23 structures of the amyloidogenic protein transthyretin.2000In: J Mol Biol, ISSN 0022-2836, Vol. 302, no 3, p. 649-69Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Self-assembly of the human plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) into unbranched insoluble amyloid fibrils occurs as a result of point mutations that destabilize the molecule, leading to conformational changes. The tertiary structure of native soluble TTR and many of its disease-causing mutants have been determined. Several independent studies by X-ray crystallography have suggested structural differences between TTR variants which are claimed to be of significance for amyloid formation. As these changes are minor and not consistent between the studies, we have compared all TTR structures available at the protein data bank including three wild-types, three non-amyloidogenic mutants, seven amyloidogenic mutants and nine complexes. The reference for this study is a new 1.5 A resolution structure of human wild-type TTR refined to an R-factor/R-free of 18.6 %/21.6 %. The present findings are discussed in the light of the previous structural studies of TTR variants, and show the reported structural differences to be non-significant.

  • 28.
    Hörnberg, Andreas
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Eneqvist, Therese
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Lundgren, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    The β-strand D of transthyretin trapped in two discrete conformations2004In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, ISSN 0006-3002, E-ISSN 1878-2434, Vol. 1700, no 1, p. 93-104Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Conformational changes in native and variant forms of the human plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) induce several types of amyloid diseases. Biochemical and structural studies have mapped the initiation site of amyloid formation onto residues at the outer C and D beta-strands and their connecting loop. In this study, we characterise an engineered variant of transthyretin, Ala108Tyr/Leu110Glu, which is kinetically and thermodynamically more stable than wild-type transthyretin, and as a consequence less amyloidogenic. Crystal structures of the mutant were determined in two space groups, P2(1)2(1)2 and C2, from crystals grown in the same crystallisation set-up. The structures are identical with the exception for residues Leu55-Leu58, situated at beta-strand D and the following DE loop. In particular, residues Leu55-His56 display large shifts in the C2 structure. There the direct hydrogen bonding between beta-strands D and A has been disrupted and is absent, whereas the beta-strand D is present in the P2(1)2(1)2 structure. This difference shows that from a mixture of metastable TTR molecules, only the molecules with an intact beta-strand D are selected for crystal growth in space group P2(1)2(1)2. The packing of TTR molecules in the C2 crystal form and in the previously determined amyloid TTR (ATTR) Leu55Pro crystal structure is close-to-identical. This packing arrangement is therefore not unique in amyloidogenic mutants of TTR.

  • 29.
    Hörnberg, Andreas
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Wikström Hultdin, Ulrika
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    The effect of iodide and chloride on transthyretin structure and stability2005In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 44, no 26, p. 9290-9299Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Transthyretin amyloid formation occurs through a process of tetramer destabilization and partial unfolding. Small molecules, including the natural ligand thyroxine, stabilize the tetrameric form of the protein, and serve as inhibitors of amyloid formation. Crucial for TTR's ligand-binding properties are its three halogen-binding sites situated at the hormone-binding channel. In this study, we have performed a structural characterization of the binding of two halides, iodide and chloride, to TTR. Chlorides are known to shield charge repulsions at the tetrameric interface of TTR, which improve tetramer stability of the protein. Our study shows that iodides, like chlorides, provide tetramer stabilization in a concentration-dependent manner and at concentrations approximately 15-fold below that of chlorides. To elucidate binding sites of the halides, we took advantage of the anomalous scattering of iodide and used the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) method to solve the iodide-bound TTR structure at 1.8 A resolution. The structure of chloride-bound TTR was determined at 1.9 A resolution using difference Fourier techniques. The refined structures showed iodides and chlorides bound at two of the three halogen-binding sites located at the hydrophobic channel. These sites therefore also function as halide-binding sites.

  • 30.
    Iakovleva, Irina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Brännström, Kristoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Wijsekera, Alexandra
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Nilsson, Lina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Zhang, Jin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Andersson, Patrik L.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Tetrabromobisphenol A Is an Efficient Stabilizer of the Transthyretin Tetramer2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 4, article id e0153529Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Amyloid formation of the human plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) is associated with several human disorders, including familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) and senile systemic amyloidosis. Dissociation of TTR’s native tetrameric assembly is the rate-limiting step in the conversion into amyloid, and this feature presents an avenue for intervention because binding of an appropriate ligand to the thyroxin hormone binding sites of TTR stabilizes the native tetrameric assembly and impairs conversion into amyloid. The desired features for an effective TTR stabilizer include high affinity for TTR, high selectivity in the presence of other proteins, no adverse side effects at the effective concentrations, and a long half-life in the body. In this study we show that the commonly used flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) efficiently stabilizes the tetrameric structure of TTR. The X-ray crystal structure shows TBBPA binding in the thyroxine binding pocket with bromines occupying two of the three halogen binding sites. Interestingly, TBBPA binds TTR with an extremely high selectivity in human plasma, and the effect is equal to the recently approved drug tafamidis and better than diflunisal, both of which have shown therapeutic effects against FAP. TBBPA consequently present an interesting scaffold for drug design. Its absorption, metabolism, and potential side-effects are discussed.

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  • 31.
    Iakovleva, Irina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Pokrzywa, Malgorzata
    Walfridsson, Malin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    The flavonoid luteolin, but not luteolin-7-o-glucoside, prevents a transthyretin mediated toxic response2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 5, article id e0128222Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric plasma protein with amyloidogenic properties that has been linked to the development of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy, and senile systemic amyloidosis. The in vivo role of TTR is associated with transport of thyroxine hormone T4 and retinol-binding protein. Loss of the tetrameric integrity of TTR is a rate-limiting step in the process of TTR amyloid formation, and ligands with the ability to bind within the thyroxin binding site (TBS) can stabilize the tetramer, a feature that is currently used as a therapeutic approach for FAP. Several different flavonoids have recently been identified that impair amyloid formation. The flavonoid luteolin shows therapeutic potential with low incidence of unwanted side effects. In this work, we show that luteolin effectively attenuates the cytotoxic response to TTR in cultured neuronal cells and rescues the phenotype of a Drosophila melanogaster model of FAP. The plant-derived luteolin analogue cynaroside has a glucoside group in position 7 of the flavone A-ring and as opposed to luteolin is unable to stabilize TTR tetramers and thus prevents a cytotoxic effect. We generated high-resolution crystal-structures of both TTR wild type and the amyloidogenic mutant V30M in complex with luteolin. The results show that the A-ring of luteolin, in contrast to what was previously suggested, is buried within the TBS, consequently explaining the lack of activity from cynaroside. The flavonoids represent an interesting group of drug candidates for TTR amyloidosis. The present investigation shows the potential of luteolin as a stabilizer of TTR in vivo. We also show an alternative orientation of luteolin within the TBS which could represent a general mode of binding of flavonoids to TTR and is of importance concerning the future design of tetramer stabilizing drugs.

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  • 32.
    Iakovleva, Irina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Brännström, Kristoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Nilsson, Lina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Gharibyan, Anna
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience.
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Intissar, Anan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Medicine.
    Walfridsson, Malin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Enthalpic Forces Correlate with Selectivity of Transthyretin-Stabilizing Ligands in Human Plasma2015In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN 0022-2623, E-ISSN 1520-4804, Vol. 58, no 16, p. 6507-6515Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) is linked to human amyloidosis. Dissociation of its native tetrameric assembly is a rate-limiting step in the conversion from a native structure into a pathological amyloidogenic fold. Binding of small molecule ligands within the thyroxine binding site of TTR can stabilize the tetrameric integrity and is a potential therapeutic approach. However, through the characterization of nine different tetramer-stabilizing ligands we found that unspecific binding to plasma components might significantly compromise ligand efficacy. Surprisingly the binding strength between a particular ligand and TTR does not correlate well with its selectivity in plasma. However, through analysis of the thermodynamic signature using isothermal titration calorimetry we discovered a better correlation between selectivity and the enthalpic component of the interaction. This is of specific interest in the quest for more efficient TTR stabilizers, but a high selectivity is an almost universally desired feature within drug design and the finding might have wide-ranging implications for drug design.

  • 33.
    Iakovleva, Irina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Hall, Michael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Oelker, Melanie
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sandblad, Linda
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Anan, Intissar
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umeå University (WCMM). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Medicine.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Structural basis for transthyretin amyloid formation in vitreous body of the eye2021In: Nature Communications, E-ISSN 2041-1723, Vol. 12, no 1, article id 7141Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of ATTR fibrils in multiple organs. However, the structure of ATTR fibrils from the eye is poorly understood. Here, we used cryo-EM to structurally characterize vitreous body ATTR fibrils. These structures were distinct from previously characterized heart fibrils, even though both have the same mutation and type A pathology. Differences were observed at several structural levels: in both the number and arrangement of protofilaments, and the conformation of the protein fibril in each layer of protofilaments. Thus, our results show that ATTR protein structure and its assembly into protofilaments in the type A fibrils can vary between patients carrying the same mutation. By analyzing and matching the interfaces between the amino acids in the ATTR fibril with those in the natively folded TTR, we are able to propose a mechanism for the structural conversion of TTR into a fibrillar form.

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  • 34.
    Karlsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Eneqvist, Therese
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Cys114-linked dimers of transthyretin are compatible with amyloid formation.2005In: Biochemistry, ISSN 0006-2960, E-ISSN 1520-4995, Vol. 44, no 39, p. 13063-70Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Tyr114Cys substitution in the human plasma protein transthyretin leads to a particularly aggressive form of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy. In a previous study we demonstrated that ATTR Tyr114Cys forms intermolecular disulfide bonds, which partly impair fibril formation and result in a more amorphous morphology. Apart from the introduced cysteinyl group in position 114, the native sequence contains one cysteine located at position 10. To deduce the role of intermolecular disulfide bridging in fibril formation we generated and characterized the TTR Cys10Ala/Tyr114Cys double mutant. Our results suggest that an intermolecular cysteine bridge at position 114 enhances the exposure of cysteine 10, thereby facilitating additional intermolecular cysteine assemblies. We also purified a disulfide-linked dimeric form of TTR Cys10Ala/Tyr114Cys, which was recognized by the anti-TTR amyloid-specific monoclonal antibody MAb (39-44). Moreover, this dimeric molecule can form protofibrils indistinguishable from the fibrils formed under reducing conditions, as judged by atomic force microscopy. Assuming that both molecules of the dimer are part of the core of the fibril, the assembly is incompatible with a preserved native or near-native dimeric interphase. Our findings raise the question of whether TTR-amyloid architecture is indeed the result of one highly stringent assembly of structures or if different fibrils may be built from different underlying structures.

  • 35.
    Karlsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Heating of proteins as a means of improving crystallization: a successful case study on a highly amyloidogenic triple mutant of human transthyretin.2007In: Acta Crystallographica. Section F: Structural Biology and Crystallization Communications, ISSN 1744-3091, E-ISSN 1744-3091, Vol. 63, no Pt 8, p. 695-700Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The use of high temperatures in the purification procedures of heat-stable proteins is a well established technique. Recently, rapid pre-heat treatment of protein samples prior to crystallization trials was described as a final polishing step to improve the diffraction properties of crystals [Pusey et al. (2005), Prog. Biophys. Mol. Biol. 88, 359-386]. The present study demonstrates that extended high-temperature incubation (328 K for 48 h) of the highly amyloidogenic transthyretin mutant TTR G53S/E54D/L55S successfully removes heterogeneities and allows the reproducible growth of well diffracting crystals. Heat treatment might be applied as an optimization method to other cases in which the protein/biomolecule fails to form diffracting crystals.

  • 36.
    Kovermann, Michael
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. University of Konstanz, Department of Chemistry, Constance, Germany.
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer, Uwe H.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Wolf-Watz, Magnus
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Structural basis for ligand binding to an enzyme by a conformational selection pathway2017In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, ISSN 0027-8424, E-ISSN 1091-6490, Vol. 114, no 24, p. 6298-6303Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Proteins can bind target molecules through either induced fit or conformational selection pathways. In the conformational selection model, a protein samples a scarcely populated high-energy state that resembles a target-bound conformation. In enzymatic catalysis, such high-energy states have been identified as crucial entities for activity and the dynamic interconversion between ground states and high-energy states can constitute the rate-limiting step for catalytic turnover. The transient nature of these states has precluded direct observation of their properties. Here, we present a molecular description of a high-energy enzyme state in a conformational selection pathway by an experimental strategy centered on NMR spectroscopy, protein engineering, and X-ray crystallography. Through the introduction of a disulfide bond, we succeeded in arresting the enzyme adenylate kinase in a closed high-energy conformation that is on-pathway for catalysis. A 1.9-angstrom X-ray structure of the arrested enzyme in complex with a transition state analog shows that catalytic side-chains are properly aligned for catalysis. We discovered that the structural sampling of the substrate free enzyme corresponds to the complete amplitude that is associated with formation of the closed and catalytically active state. In addition, we found that the trapped high-energy state displayed improved ligand binding affinity, compared with the wild-type enzyme, demonstrating that substrate binding to the high-energy state is not occluded by steric hindrance. Finally, we show that quenching of fast time scale motions observed upon ligand binding to adenylate kinase is dominated by enzyme-substrate interactions and not by intramolecular interactions resulting from the conformational change.

  • 37.
    Kovermann, Michael
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Ådén, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Sauer, Uwe H
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Wolf-Watz, Magnus
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Structural basis for catalytically restrictive dynamics of a high-energy enzyme state2015In: Nature Communications, E-ISSN 2041-1723, Vol. 6, article id 7644Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An emerging paradigm in enzymology is that transient high-energy structural states play crucial roles in enzymatic reaction cycles. Generally, these high-energy or ‘invisible’ states cannot be studied directly at atomic resolution using existing structural and spectroscopic techniques owing to their low populations or short residence times. Here we report the direct NMR-based detection of the molecular topology and conformational dynamics of a catalytically indispensable high-energy state of an adenylate kinase variant. On the basis of matching energy barriers for conformational dynamics and catalytic turnover, it was found that the enzyme’s catalytic activity is governed by its dynamic interconversion between the high-energy state and a ground state structure that was determined by X-ray crystallography. Our results show that it is possible to rationally tune enzymes’ conformational dynamics and hence their catalytic power—a key aspect in rational design of enzymes catalysing novel reactions.

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  • 38. Krypotou, Emilia
    et al.
    Scortti, Mariela
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Oelker, Melanie
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Luisi, Ben F.
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Vazquez-Boland, Jose
    Control of Bacterial Virulence through the Peptide Signature of the Habitat2019In: Cell Reports, E-ISSN 2211-1247, Vol. 26, no 7, p. 1815-1827Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    To optimize fitness, pathogens selectively activate their virulence program upon host entry. Here, we report that the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes exploits exogenous oligopeptides, a ubiquitous organic N source, to sense the environment and control the activity of its virulence transcriptional activator, PrfA. Using a genetic screen in adsorbent- treated ( PrfA-inducing) medium, we found that PrfA is functionally regulated by the balance between activating and inhibitory nutritional peptides scavenged via the Opp transport system. Activating peptides provide essential cysteine precursor for the PrfA-inducing cofactor glutathione ( GSH). Non-cysteine-containing peptides cause promiscuous PrfA inhibition. Biophysical and co-crystallization studies reveal that peptides inhibit PrfA through steric blockade of the GSH binding site, a regulation mechanism directly linking bacterial virulence and metabolism. L. monocytogenes mutant analysis in macrophages and our functional data support a model in which changes in the balance of antagonistic Oppimported oligopeptides promote PrfA induction intra-cellularly and PrfA repression outside the host.

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  • 39.
    Kulén, Martina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Lindgren, Marie
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Hansen, Sabine
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Cairns, Andrew G.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    van der Lingen, Ingeborg
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Brännström, Kristoffer
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Hall, Michael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Sauer, Uwe H.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Almqvist, Fredrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Structure-based design of inhibitors targeting PrfA, the master virulence regulator of Listeria monocytogenes2018In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN 0022-2623, E-ISSN 1520-4804, Vol. 61, no 9, p. 4165-4175Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that controls much of its virulence through the transcriptional regulator PrfA. In this study, we describe structure guided design and synthesis of a set of PrfA inhibitors based on ring-fused 2-pyridone heterocycles. Our most effective compound decreased virulence factor expression, reduced bacterial uptake into eukaryotic cells, and improved survival of chicken embryos infected with L. monocytogenes compared to previously identified compounds. Crystal structures identified an intraprotein "tunnel" as the main inhibitor binding site (A1), where the compounds participate in an extensive hydrophobic network that restricts the protein's ability to form functional DNA-binding helix−turn−helix (HTH) motifs. Our studies also revealed a hitherto unsuspected structural plasticity of the HTH motif. In conclusion, we have designed 2-pyridone analogues that function as site-A1 selective PrfA inhibitors with potent antivirulence properties.

  • 40.
    Lundberg, Erik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Bäckström, Stefan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer, Uwe
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    The transthyretin-related protein: structural investigation of a novel protein family2006In: Journal of Structural Biology, ISSN 1047-8477, E-ISSN 1095-8657, Vol. 155, no 3, p. 445-457Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The transthyretin-related protein (TRP) family comprises proteins predicted to be structurally related to the homotetrameric transport protein transthyretin (TTR). The function of TRPs is not yet fully established, but recent data suggest that they are involved in purine catabolism. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of the Escherichia coli TRP in two crystal forms; one at 1.65 A resolution in the presence of zinc, and the other at 2.1 A resolution in the presence of zinc and bromide. The structures revealed five zinc-ion-binding sites per monomer. Of these, the zinc ions bound at sites I and II are coordinated in tetrahedral geometries to the side chains of residues His9, His96, His98, Ser114, and three water molecules at the putative ligand-binding site. Of these four residues, His9, His98, and Ser114 are conserved. His9 and His98 bind the central zinc (site I) together with two water molecules. The side chain of His98 also binds to the zinc ion at site II. Bromide ions bind at site I only, replacing one of the water molecules coordinated to the zinc ion. The C-terminal four amino acid sequence motif Y-[RK]-G-[ST] constitutes the signature sequence of the TRP family. Two Tyr111 residues form direct hydrogen bonds to each other over the tetramer interface at the area, which in TTR constitutes the rear part of its thyroxine-binding channel. The putative substrate/ligand-binding channel of TRP is consequently shallower and broader than its counterpart in TTR.

  • 41.
    Lundberg, Erik
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Westermark, Gunilla T
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Stability and fibril formation properties of human and fish transthyretin, and of the Escherichia coli transthyretin-related protein2009In: The FEBS Journal, ISSN 1742-464X, E-ISSN 1742-4658, Vol. 276, no 7, p. 1999-2011Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Human transthyretin (hTTR) is one of several proteins known to cause amyloid disease. Conformational changes in its native structure result in aggregation of the protein, leading to insoluble amyloid fibrils. The transthyretin (TTR)-related proteins comprise a protein family of 5-hydroxyisourate hydrolases with structural similarity to TTR. In this study, we tested the amyloidogenic properties, if any, of sea bream TTR (sbTTR) and Escherichia coli transthyretin-related protein (ecTRP), which share 52% and 30% sequence identity, respectively, with hTTR. We obtained filamentous structures from all three proteins under various conditions, but, interestingly, different structures displayed different tinctorial properties. hTTR and sbTTR formed thin, curved fibrils at low pH (pH 2-3) that bound thioflavin-T (thioflavin-T-positive) but did not stain with Congo Red (CR) (CR-negative). Aggregates formed at the slightly higher pH of 4.0-5.5 had different morphology, displaying predominantly amorphous structures. CR-positive material of hTTR was found in this material, in agreement with previous results. ecTRP remained soluble at pH 2-12 at ambient temperatures. By raising of the temperature, fibril formation could be induced at neutral pH in all three proteins. Most of these temperature-induced fibrils were thicker and straighter than the in vitro fibrils seen at low pH. In other words, the temperature-induced fibrils were more similar to fibrils seen in vivo. The melting temperature of ecTRP was 66.7 degrees C. This is approximately 30 degrees C lower than the melting temperatures of sbTTR and hTTR. Information from the crystal structures was used to identify possible explanations for the reduced thermostability of ecTRP.

  • 42. Morgado, Isabel
    et al.
    Melo, Eduardo P
    Lundberg, Erik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Estrela, Nídia L
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Power, Deborah M
    Hormone affinity and fibril formation of piscine transthyretin: The role of the N-terminal2008In: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, ISSN 0303-7207, E-ISSN 1872-8057, Vol. 295, no 1-2, p. 48-58Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Transthyretin (TTR) transports thyroid hormones (THs), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the blood of vertebrates. TH-binding sites are highly conserved in vertebrate TTR, however, piscine TTR has a longer N-terminus which is thought to influence TH-binding affinity and may influence TTR stability. We produced recombinant wild type sea bream TTR (sbTTRWT) plus two mutants in which 6 (sbTTRM6) and 12 (sbTTRM12) N-terminal residues were removed. Ligand-binding studies revealed similar affinities for T3 (Kd=10.6+/-1.7nM) and T4 (Kd=9.8+/-0.97nM) binding to sbTTRWT. Affinity for THs was unaltered in sbTTRM12 but sbTTRM6 had poorer affinity for T4 (Kd=252.3+/-15.8nM) implying that some residues in the N-terminus can influence T4 binding. sbTTRM6 inhibited acid-mediated fibril formation in vitro as shown by fluorometric measurements using thioflavine T. In contrast, fibril formation by sbTTRM12 was significant, probably due to decreased stability of the tetramer. Such studies also suggested that sbTTRWT is more resistant to fibril formation than human TTR.

  • 43.
    Nilsson, Lina
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Larsson, Andreas
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN Defence and Security.
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Iakovleva, Irina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Carlsson, Marcus
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Kristoffer, Brännström
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Olofsson, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Modifications of the 7-Hydroxyl Group of the Transthyretin Ligand Luteolin Provide Mechanistic Insights into Its Binding Properties and High Plasma Specificity2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 4, article id e0153112Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Amyloid formation of the plasma protein transthyretin (TTR) has been linked to familial amyloid polyneuropathy and senile systemic amyloidosis. Binding of ligands within its natural hormone binding site can stabilize the tetrameric structure and impair amyloid formation. We have recently shown that the flavonoid luteolin stabilizes TTR in human plasma with a very high selectivity. Luteolin, however, is inactivated in vivo via glucuronidation for which the preferred site is the hydroxy group at position 7 on its aromatic A-ring. We have evaluated the properties of two luteolin variants in which the 7-hydroxy group has been exchanged for a chlorine (7-Cl-Lut) or a methoxy group (7-MeO-Lut). Using an in vitro model, based on human liver microsomes, we verified that these modifications increase the persistence of the drug. Crystal structure determinations show that 7-Cl-Lut binds similarly to luteolin. The larger MeO substituent cannot be accommodated within the same space as the chlorine or hydroxy group and as a result 7-MeO-Lut binds in the opposite direction with the methoxy group in position 7 facing the solvent. Both 7-Cl-Lut and 7-MeO-Lut qualify as high-affinity binders, but in contrast to luteolin, they display a highly non-specific binding to other plasma components. The binding of the two conformations and the key-interactions to TTR are discussed in detail. Taken together, these results show a proof-of-concept that the persistence of luteolin towards enzymatic modification can be increased. We reveal two alternative high-affinity binding modes of luteolin to TTR and that modification in position 7 is restricted only to small substituents if the original orientation of luteolin should be preserved. In addition, the present work provides a general and convenient method to evaluate the efficacy of TTR-stabilizing drugs under conditions similar to an in vivo environment.

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  • 44.
    Oelker, Melanie
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Lindgren, Cecilia
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Krypotou, Emilia
    Scortti, Mariela
    Vázquez-Boland, José
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Hydrophobic recognition allows transcription factor PrfA from Listeria monocytogenes to bind peptides of different sequences and lengthsManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 45.
    Oelker, Melanie
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Vielfort, Katarina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Lindgren, Cecilia
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Kiss, Anita
    Lindgren, Marie
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Grundström, Christin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Kulén, Martina
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Nagel, Nadja
    van der Lingen, Ingeborg
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Tyagi, Mohit
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Begum, Afshan
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Hall, Michael
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR).
    Lindgren, Anders E.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Singh, Pardeep
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Johansson, Jörgen
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology (Faculty of Medicine).
    Almqvist, Fredrik
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A. Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry. Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR). Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).
    Discovery of three new binding sites and modes of ring-fused 2-pyridones to PrfA: How can they contribute to drug design?Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 46.
    Olofsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Borowik, Tomasz
    Gröbner, Gerhard
    Faculty of Science and Technology, Chemistry.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Negatively Charged Phospholipid Membranes Induce Amyloid Formation of Medin via an alpha-Helical Intermediate2007In: Journal of Molecular Biology, ISSN 0022-2836, Vol. 374, no 1, p. 186-94Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Medin, a recently discovered 5.5 kDa peptide, is associated with amyloid deposits in the medial layer of human arteries and the prevalence is nearly 100% within individuals above 50 years. Presently, not much is known about its biochemical and biophysical properties or its pathway from soluble peptide to insoluble amyloid. Here we have characterized the behavior of medin in the presence of lipid membranes, using circular dichroism, isothermal titration calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, size exclusion chromatography, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Medin was shown to exist as a monomer in solution with a predominantly random-coil structure. It binds lipid vesicles that have either a neutral or a negative surface potential. Upon association to membranes containing acidic lipids, it undergoes an electrostatically driven conformational change towards a mainly α-helical state. Prolonged incubation converts medin from an α-helical structure into an amyloid β-sheet fibrillar state as confirmed by AFM. Based on these findings, we propose a mechanism of medin-amyloid formation where medin electrostatically associates in its monomeric form to biological interfaces displaying a negative potential. This process both increases the local peptide concentration and induces an aggregation-prone α-helical fold.

  • 47.
    Olofsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Lindhagen Persson, Malin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Vestling, Monika
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics.
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Öhman, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    Quenched hydrogen/deuterium exchange NMR characterization of amyloid-β peptide aggregates formed in the presence of Cu2+ or Zn2+2009In: The FEBS Journal, ISSN 1742-464X, E-ISSN 1742-4658, Vol. 276, no 15, p. 4051-4060Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder causing synaptic impairment and neuronal cell death, is strongly correlated with aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). Divalent metal ions such as Cu2+ and Zn2+ are known to significantly affect the rate of aggregation and morphology of Aβ assemblies in vitro and are also found at elevated levels within cerebral plaques in vivo. The present investigation characterized the architecture of the aggregated forms of Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42) in the presence or absence of either Cu2+ or Zn2+ using quenched hydrogen/deuterium exchange combined with solution NMR spectroscopy. The NMR analyses provide a quantitative and residue-specific structural characterization of metal-induced Aβ aggregates, showing that both the peptide sequence and the type of metal ion exert an impact on the final architecture. Common features among the metal-complexed peptide aggregates are two solvent-protected regions with an intervening minimum centered at Asn27, and a solvent-accessible N-terminal region, Asp1–Lys16. Our results suggest that Aβ in complex with either Cu2+ or Zn2+ can attain an aggregation-prone β-strand–turn–β-strand motif, similar to the motif found in fibrils, but where the metal binding to the N-terminal region guides the peptide into an assembly distinctly different from the fibril form.

  • 48.
    Olofsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Lindhagen-Persson, Malin
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Öhman, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Amide solvent protection analysis demonstrates that amyloid-beta(1-40) and amyloid-beta(1-42) form different fibrillar structures under identical conditions.2007In: Biochem J, ISSN 1470-8728, Vol. 404, no 1, p. 63-70Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    AD (Alzheimer's disease) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by self-assembly and amyloid formation of the 39–43 residue long Ab (amyloid-b)-peptide. The most abundant species, Ab(1–40) and Ab(1–42), are both present within senile plaques, but Ab(1–42) peptides are considerably more prone to self-aggregation and are also essential for the development of AD. To understand the molecular and pathological mechanisms behind AD, a detailed knowledge of the amyloid structures of Ab-peptides is vital. In the present study we have used quenched hydrogen/deuterium-exchange NMR experiments to probe the structure of Ab(1–40) fibrils. The fibrils were prepared and analysed identically as in our previous study on Ab(1–42) fibrils, allowing a direct comparison of the two fibrillar structures. The solvent protection pattern of Ab(1–40) fibrils revealed two well-protected regions, consistent with a structural arrangement of two b-strands connected with a bend. This protection pattern partly resembles the pattern found in Ab(1–42) fibrils, but the Ab(1–40) fibrils display a significantly increased protection for the N-terminal residues Phe4–His14, suggesting that additional secondary structure is formed in this region. In contrast, the C-terminal residues Gly37–Val40 show a reduced protection that suggests a loss of secondary structure in this region and an altered filament assembly. The differences between the present study and other similar investigations suggest that subtle variations in fibril-preparation conditions may significantly affect the fibrillar architecture.

  • 49.
    Olofsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Sauer-Eriksson, A Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Öhman, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP).
    Amyloid fibril dynamics revealed by combined hydrogen/deuterium exchange and nuclear magnetic resonance2009In: Analytical Biochemistry, ISSN 0003-2697, E-ISSN 1096-0309, Vol. 385, no 2, p. 374-376Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A general method to explore the dynamic nature of amyloid fibrils is described, combining hydrogen/deuterium exchange and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine the exchange rates of individual amide protons within an amyloid fibril. Our method was applied to fibrils formed by the amyloid-beta(1-40) peptide, the major protein component of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease. The fastest exchange rates were detected among the first 14 residues of the peptide, a stretch known to be poorly structured within the fibril. Considerably slower exchange rates were observed in the remainder of the peptide within the beta-strand-turn-beta-strand motif that constitutes the fibrillar core.

  • 50.
    Olofsson, Anders
    et al.
    Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Medicine).
    Sauer-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Umeå Centre for Molecular Pathogenesis (UCMP) (Faculty of Science and Technology).
    Öhman, Anders
    Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
    The solvent protection of alzheimer amyloid-beta-(1-42) fibrils as determined by solution NMR spectroscopy.2006In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, Vol. 281, no 1, p. 477-83Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is tightly linked to the self-assembly and amyloid formation of the 39-43-residue-long amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide. Considerable evidence suggests a correlation between Alzheimer disease development and the longer variants of the peptide, Abeta-(1-42/43). Currently, a molecular understanding for this behavior is lacking. In the present study, we have investigated the hydrogen/deuterium exchange of Abeta-(1-42) fibrils under physiological conditions, using solution NMR spectroscopy. The obtained residue-specific and quantitative map of the solvent protection within the Abeta-(1-42) fibril shows that there are two protected core regions, Glu11-Gly25 and Lys28-Ala42, and that the residues in between, Ser26 and Asn27, as well as those in the N terminus, Asp1-Tyr10, are solvent-accessible. This result reveals considerable discrepancies when compared with a previous investigation on Abeta-(1-40) fibrils and suggests that the additional residues in Abeta-(1-42), Ile41 and Ala42, significantly increase the solvent protection and stability of the C-terminal region Lys28-Ala42. Consequently, our findings provide a molecular explanation for the increased amyloidogenicity and toxicity of Abeta-(1-42) compared with shorter Abeta variants found in vivo.

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