Umeå University's logo

Antibody fragments are emerging as promising therapeutics, with biomolecular recognition properties on par with full-length monoclonal antibodies, while also providing advantages in terms of biodistribution and manufacturability. While antigen-binding fragments are generally easy to produce, with a variety of expression systems available, the downstream processing has faced challenges due to the lack of a mild selective capture approach for purification. This study addresses the challenge by demonstrating that directed evolution of a Protein G-derived antibody-binding domain into a calcium-dependent ligand, C2_{Ca EP7}, that enables mild capture and elution of full-length mouse IgG1 by the interaction with the Fab-fragment. The evolved ligand allows efficient purification of mouse IgG1 with calcium-triggered elution at neutral pH, eliminating the need for acidic conditions typically used in affinity chromatography. Optimization studies demonstrate that while the monomeric format elutes antibodies at moderate salt concentrations, a tetrameric configuration enhances binding strength (in 1 mM CaCl₂) through avidity effects and enables near-complete antibody recovery without leakage using 150 mM NaCl and 100 mM citrate for elution. Mechanistically, solution-state NMR reveals that a unique E35G scaffold mutation, acting synergistically with loop modifications, destabilizes the domain in the absence of calcium, leading to loss of tertiary structure and disruption of the antibody-binding interface, while calcium binding restores the native conformation and functional binding surface. Collectively, these results establish a calcium-switchable affinity system that enables robust, mild, and scalable antibody purification at neutral pH without residual product remaining on the column.

Yersinia pathogenicity is dependent on polarized translocation of effectorproteins via the type III secretion system (T3SS). The tip complex situatedon the needle structure of the T3SS is required for contact with the eukaryotichost membrane and is to an extent composed of pentameric LcrV. LcrVis a multifunctional protein that also acts as a regulator of the T3SS by virtueof forming a high-affinity complex in the cytoplasm with its chaperone, LcrG.By employing a structure-based approach centered on mass spectrometry,FRET and NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrated that the LcrV-LcrG complexis best described as a multivalent complex, and that the N-terminaldomain of LcrV contributes by negatively affecting the LcrG binding affinity.The N-terminal domain of LcrV is dynamic and undergoes a conformationalchange to accommodate LcrG binding. 19F NMR spectroscopy analysissuggests that the conformational change is an intrinsic property of the protein,which agrees with a conformational selection model. An analysis ofeffector secretion into a culture supernatant demonstrated that the low synthesisand low secretion phenotypes of a LcrV mutant where the N-terminaldomain has been removed are linked to the structure, interactions and stabilityof the LcrV N-terminal domain. In summary, our results add insightsinto the dynamics of LcrV and its complex with LcrG.

The emerging strategy of protein–drug conjugates (PDCs) for targeted cancer therapy holds great potential to improve treatment efficacy by specifically targeting cancer biomarkers and delivering toxic payloads directly to tumor cells, minimizing off-target toxicity. The success of this approach depends on the internalization and retention of the payload in target cells. This study introduces a method using a small protein domain engineered for conditional target affinity, enabling lysosomal trafficking independent of the biological fate of the receptor. Specifically, we describe the development of an EGF receptor binder, CaRAEGFR, with calcium-regulated affinity (CaRA), meaning the target binding strength is tailored by the available calcium concentration. This allows for endosomal dissociation, as calcium levels are lower in endosomes than in the bloodstream. Affinity measurements and structural modeling reveal the molecular basis of the calcium modulated affinity. Live cell imaging demonstrates efficient internalization and lysosomal trafficking of the calcium-dependent domain, while the EGF receptor is recycled to the membrane. When used as a drug carrier, CaRAEGFR effectively delivers the toxin to the lysosomes, resulting in potent cytotoxicity with an IC50 of 0.8 nM in EGFR-expressing cancer cells

Conformational dynamics is a fundamental aspect of enzymatic catalysis that, for example, can be linked to ligand binding and release, assembly of the active site, and the catalytic mechanism. The essential and metabolic enzyme adenylate kinase (AK) undergoes large-scale conformational changes in response to binding of its substrates ATP and AMP. As such, it has been intensely studied in search of linkages between dynamics and catalysis. For a complex conformational change to occur in a protein, whether it is of an induced fit or conformational selection nature, changes at several hinges are often required. Here, based on a comparative structure–function analysis of AK enzymes from E. coli and the archaea Odinarchaeota and from human AK1, we found that conformational changes in the enzymes are to a varying degree linked to bending, fraying, or unfolding/folding events of the termini of α-helices observed in various structural hot spots of the enzymes. The findings contribute with a mechanistic angle to how enzymatic dynamics and catalysis relate to the plasticity of the termini of α-helices.

Protein kinases are key players in many eukaryotic signal transduction cascades and are as a result often linked to human disease. In humans, the mitotic protein kinase family of Aurora kinases consist of three members: Aurora A, B and C. All three members are involved in cell division with proposed implications in various human cancers. The human Aurora kinase B has in particular proven challenging to study with structural biology approaches, and this is mainly due to difficulties in producing the large quantities of active enzyme required for such studies. Here, we present a novel and E. coli-based production system that allows for production of milligram quantities of well-folded and active human Aurora B in complex with its binding partner INCENP. The complex is produced as a continuous polypeptide chain and the resulting fusion protein is cleaved with TEV protease to generate a stable and native heterodimer of the Aurora B:INCENP complex. The activity, stability and degree of phosphorylation of the protein complex was quantified by using a coupled ATPase assay, 31P NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The developed production system enables isotope labeling and we here report the first 1H–15N-HSQC of the human Aurora B:INCENP complex. Our developed production strategy paves the way for future structural and functional studies of Aurora B and can as such assist the development of novel anticancer drugs targeting this important mitotic protein kinase.

Designing proteins with tunable activities from easily accessible external cues remains a biotechnological challenge. Here, we set out to create a small antibody-binding domain equipped with a molecular switch inspired by the allosteric response to calcium seen in naturally derived proteins like calmodulin. We have focused on one of the three domains of Protein G that show inherent affinity to antibodies. By combining a semi-rational protein design with directed evolution, we engineered novel variants containing a calcium-binding loop rendering the inherent antibody affinity calcium-dependent. The evolved variants resulted from a designed selection strategy subjecting them to negative and positive selection pressures focused on conditional antibody binding. Hence, these variants contains molecular "on/off" switches, controlling the target affinity towards antibody fragments simply by the presence or absence of calcium. From NMR spectroscopy we found that the molecular mechanism underlying the evolved switching behavior was a coupled calcium-binding and folding event where the target binding surface was intact and functional only in the presence of bound calcium. Notably, it was observed that the response to the employed selection pressures gave rise to the evolution of a cooperative folding mechanism. This observation illustrates why the cooperative folding reaction is an effective solution seen repeatedly in the natural evolution of fine-tuned macromolecular recognition. Engineering binding moieties to confer conditional target interaction has great potential due to the exquisite interaction control that is tunable to application requirements. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind regulated interactions is crucial to unlock how to engineer switchable proteins useful in a variety of biotechnological applications.

This study explores ligand-driven conformational changes in adenylate kinase (AK), which is known for its open-to-close conformational transitions upon ligand binding and release. By utilizing string free energy simulations, we determine the free energy profiles for both enzyme opening and ligand release and compare them with profiles from the apoenzyme. Results reveal a three-step ligand release process, which initiates with the opening of the adenosine triphosphate-binding subdomain (ATP lid), followed by ligand release and concomitant opening of the adenosine monophosphate-binding subdomain (AMP lid). The ligands then transition to nonspecific positions before complete dissociation. In these processes, the first step is energetically driven by ATP lid opening, whereas the second step is driven by ATP release. In contrast, the AMP lid opening and its ligand release make minor contributions to the total free energy for enzyme opening. Regarding the ligand binding mechanism, our results suggest that AMP lid closure occurs via an induced-fit mechanism triggered by AMP binding, whereas ATP lid closure follows conformational selection. This difference in the closure mechanisms provides an explanation with implications for the debate on ligand-driven conformational changes of AK. Additionally, we determine an X-ray structure of an AK variant that exhibits significant rearrangements in the stacking of catalytic arginines, explaining its reduced catalytic activity. In the context of apoenzyme opening, the sequence of events is different. Here, the AMP lid opens first while the ATP lid remains closed, and the free energy associated with ATP lid opening varies with orientation, aligning with the reported AK opening and closing rate heterogeneity. Finally, this study, in conjunction with our previous research, provides a comprehensive view of the intricate interplay between various structural elements, ligands, and catalytic residues that collectively contribute to the robust catalytic power of the enzyme.

The crystal structure of the intracellular domain of transforming growth factor β type I receptor (TβR1) in complex with the competitive inhibitor SB505124 is presented. The study provides insights into the structure and function of TβR1 in complex with SB505124, and as such offers molecular-level understanding of the inhibition of this critical signalling pathway. The potential of SB505124 as an avenue for therapy in cancer treatment is discussed on basis of the results.

Phosphoryl transfer is a fundamental reaction in cellular signaling and metabolism that requires Mg2+ as an essential cofactor. While the primary function of Mg2+ is electrostatic activation of substrates, such as ATP, the full spectrum of catalytic mechanisms exerted by Mg2+ is not known. In this study, we integrate structural biology methods, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, phylogeny, and enzymology assays to provide molecular insights into Mg2+-dependent structural reorganization in the active site of the metabolic enzyme adenylate kinase. Our results demonstrate that Mg2+ induces a conformational rearrangement of the substrates (ATP and ADP), resulting in a 30° adjustment of the angle essential for reversible phosphoryl transfer, thereby optimizing it for catalysis. MD simulations revealed transitions between conformational substates that link the fluctuation of the angle to large-scale enzyme dynamics. The findings contribute detailed insight into Mg2+ activation of enzymes and may be relevant for reversible and irreversible phosphoryl transfer reactions.

Understanding enzyme mechanisms is essential for unraveling the complex molecular machinery of life. In this review, we survey the field of computational enzymology, highlighting key principles governing enzyme mechanisms and discussing ongoing challenges and promising advances. Over the years, computer simulations have become indispensable in the study of enzyme mechanisms, with the integration of experimental and computational exploration now established as a holistic approach to gain deep insights into enzymatic catalysis. Numerous studies have demonstrated the power of computer simulations in characterizing reaction pathways, transition states, substrate selectivity, product distribution, and dynamic conformational changes for various enzymes. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in investigating the mechanisms of complex multistep reactions, large-scale conformational changes, and allosteric regulation. Beyond mechanistic studies, computational enzyme modeling has emerged as an essential tool for computer-aided enzyme design and the rational discovery of covalent drugs for targeted therapies. Overall, enzyme design/engineering and covalent drug development can greatly benefit from our understanding of the detailed mechanisms of enzymes, such as protein dynamics, entropy contributions, and allostery, as revealed by computational studies. Such a convergence of different research approaches is expected to continue, creating synergies in enzyme research. This review, by outlining the ever-expanding field of enzyme research, aims to provide guidance for future research directions and facilitate new developments in this important and evolving field.