| 21. |
- Ariöz, Candan, 1983-
(författare)
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Exploring the Interplay of Lipids and Membrane Proteins
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The interplay between lipids and membrane proteins is known to affect membrane protein topology and thus have significant effect (control) on their functions. In this PhD thesis, the influence of lipids on the membrane protein function was studied using three different membrane protein models.A monotopic membrane protein, monoglucosyldiacylglyecerol synthase (MGS) from Acholeplasma laidlawii is known to induce intracellular vesicles when expressed in Escherichia coli. The mechanism leading to this unusual phenomenon was investigated by various biochemical and biophysical techniques. The results indicated a doubling of lipid synthesis in the cell, which was triggered by the selective binding of MGS to anionic lipids. Multivariate data analysis revealed a good correlation with MGS production. Furthermore, preferential anionic lipid sequestering by MGS was shown to induce a different fatty acid modeling of E. coli membranes. The roles of specific lipid binding and the probable mechanism leading to intracellular vesicle formation were also investigated.As a second model, a MGS homolog from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was selected. MgdA is an integral membrane protein with multiple transmembrane helices and a unique membrane topology. The influence of different type of lipids on MgdA activity was tested with different membrane fractions of Synechocystis. Results indicated a very distinct profile compared to Acholeplasma laidlawii MGS. SQDG, an anionic lipid was found to be the species of the membrane that increased the MgdA activity 7-fold whereas two other lipids (PG and PE) had only minor effects on MgdA. Additionally, a working model of MgdA for the biosynthesis and flow of sugar lipids between Synechocystis membranes was proposed.The last model system was another integral membrane protein with a distinct structure but also a different function. The envelope stress sensor, CpxA and its interaction with E. coli membranes were studied. CpxA autophosphorylation activity was found to be positively regulated by phosphatidylethanolamine and negatively by anionic lipids. In contrast, phosphorylation of CpxR by CpxA revealed to be increased with PG but inhibited by CL. Non-bilayer lipids had a negative impact on CpxA phosphotransfer activity.Taken together, these studies provide a better understanding of the significance of the interplay of lipids and model membrane proteins discussed here.
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| 22. |
- Lorentzon, Emma, 1995, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of the toxic metals arsenite and cadmium on α-synuclein aggregation in vitro and in cells
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 22:21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic and cadmium, is associated with neurodegen-erative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. However, the mechanistic details of how these metals contribute to pathogenesis are not well understood. To search for underlying mechanisms involving α-synuclein, the protein that forms amyloids in Parkinson’s disease, we here assessed the effects of arsenic and cadmium on α-synuclein amyloid formation in vitro and in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) cells. Atomic force microscopy experiments with acetylated human α-synuclein demonstrated that amyloid fibers formed in the presence of the metals have a different fiber pitch compared to those formed without metals. Both metal ions become incorporated into the amyloid fibers, and cadmium also accelerated the nucleation step in the amyloid formation process, likely via binding to intermediate species. Fluorescence microscopy analyses of yeast cells expressing fluorescently tagged α-synuclein demonstrated that arsenic and cadmium affected the distribution of α-synuclein aggregates within the cells, reduced aggregate clearance, and aggravated α-synuclein toxicity. Taken together, our in vitro data demonstrate that interactions between these two metals and α-synuclein modulate the resulting amyloid fiber structures, which, in turn, might relate to the observed effects in the yeast cells. Whilst our study advances our understanding of how these metals affect α-synuclein biophysics, further in vitro characterization as well as human cell studies are desired to fully appreciate their role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
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| 23. |
- Wu, Min, 1986, et al.
(författare)
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Proline 411 biases the conformation of the intrinsically disordered plant UVR8 photoreceptor C27 domain altering the functional properties of the peptide
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- UVR8 (UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8) is a UV-B photoreceptor responsible for initiating UV-B signalling in plants. UVR8 is a homodimer in its signalling inactive form. Upon absorption of UV radiation, the protein monomerizes into its photoactivated state. In the monomeric form, UVR8 binds the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1 (CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1), triggering subsequent UV-B-dependent photomorphogenic development in plants. Recent in vivo experiments have shown that the UVR8 C-terminal region (aa 397-423; UVR8(C27)) alone is sufficient to regulate the activity of COP1. In this work, CD spectroscopy and NMR experiments showed that the UVR8(C27) domain was non-structured but gained secondary structure at higher temperatures leading to increased order. Bias-exchange metadynamics simulations were also performed to evaluate the free energy landscape of UVR8(C27). An inverted free energy landscape was revealed, with a disordered structure in the global energy minimum. Flanking the global energy minimum, more structured states were found at higher energies. Furthermore, stabilization of the low energy disordered state was attributed to a proline residue, P411, as evident from P411A mutant data. P411 is also a key residue in UVR8 binding to COP1. UVR8(C27) is therefore structurally competent to function as a molecular switch for interaction of UVR8 with different binding partners since at higher free energies different structural conformations are being induced in this peptide. P411 has a key role for this function.
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| 24. |
- Ermund, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The normal trachea is cleaned by MUC5B mucin bundles from the submucosal glands coated with the MUC5AC mucin
- 2017
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Ingår i: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 492:3, s. 331-337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To understand the mucociliary clearance system, mucins were visualized by light, confocal and electron microscopy, and mucus was stained by Alcian blue and tracked by video microscopy on tracheal explants of newborn piglets. We observed long linear mucus bundles that appeared at the submucosal gland openings and were transported cephalically. The mucus bundles were shown by mass spectrometry and immunostaining to have a core made of MUC5B mucin and were coated with MUC5AC mucin produced by surface goblet cells. The transport speed of the bundles was slower than the airway surface liquid flow. We suggest that the goblet cell MUC5AC mucin anchors the mucus bundles and thus controls their transport. Normal clearance of the respiratory tree of pigs and humans, both rich in submucosal glands, is performed by thick and long mucus bundles. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.
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| 25. |
- Liebau, Jobst, et al.
(författare)
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Fast-tumbling bicelles constructed from native Escherichia coli lipids
- 2016
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Ingår i: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2642 .- 0005-2736. ; 1858:9, s. 2097-2105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solution-state NMR requires small membrane mimetic systems to allow for acquiring high-resolution data. At the same time these mimetics should faithfully mimic biological membranes. Here we characterized two novel fast-tumbling bicelle systems with lipids from two Escherichia coli strains. While strain 1 (AD93WT) contains a characteristic E. coli lipid composition, strain 2 (AD93-PE) is not capable of synthesizing the most abundant lipid in E. coli, phosphatidylethanolamine. The lipid and acyl chain compositions were characterized by P-31 and C-13 NMR. Depending on growth temperature and phase, the lipid composition varies substantially, which means that the bicelle composition can be tuned by using lipids from cells grown at different temperatures and growth phases. The hydrodynamic radii of the bicelles were determined from translational diffusion coefficients and NMR spin relaxation was measured to investigate lipid properties in the bicelles. We find that the lipid dynamics are unaffected by variations in lipid composition, suggesting that the bilayer is in a fluid phase under all conditions investigated here. Backbone glycerol carbons are the most rigid positions in all lipids, while head-group carbons and the first carbons of the acyl chain are somewhat more flexible. The flexibility increases down the acyl chain to almost unrestricted motion at its end. Carbons in double bonds and cyclopropane moieties are substantially restricted in their motional freedom. The bicelle systems characterized here are thus found to faithfully mimic E. coli inner membranes and are therefore useful for membrane interaction studies of proteins with E. coli inner membranes by solution-state NMR. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 26. |
- Nilsson, Linnéa
(författare)
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Studies on the Role of Apoptosis in Kidney Diseases
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Apoptosis is one of the most common types of cell death. Under physiological conditions, it plays an essential role in removal of damaged and potentially harmful cells. Excessive apoptosis has however been linked to a number of diseases including proteinuric kidney disease and DKD, and is believed to enhance the disease progression. Albuminuria and hyperglycemia are common symptoms of these diseases and albumin and high glucose have been seen to trigger intrinsic apoptosis in renal cells. Ouabain, a cardiotonic steroid, has previously been identified as an antiapoptotic agent that in subsaturating concentrations protect from intrinsic apoptosis. The mechanism of the protective effect of ouabain is still not fully understood and it remains to be concluded whether ouabain can protect from albumin and/or glucotoxic-triggered apoptosis.In study I we investigated the protective effects of ouabain in albumin-exposed primary rat PTC and podocytes and in the proteinuric kidney disease animal model passive Heymann nephritis. By reestablishing the balance between the proapoptotic protein BAX and the antiapoptotic protein BCL-XL, ouabain averted the albumin-triggered apoptosis in vitro and in vivo and protected from podocytes loss and glomerular-tubular disconnection.In study II we investigated the relationship between the glucose transporters renal cells express and their susceptibility of glucotoxic-triggered apoptosis. We identified the SGLT expressing cells, PTC and MC, to be more susceptible to high glucose-induced apoptosis than cells without SGLT. The apoptosis was mediated by BAX and BCL-XL imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction, and was abolished when treated with ouabain or SGLT inhibitors. Podocytes, which lack SGLT, did not respond to short-term high glucose exposure.In study III we used super-resolution microscopy to investigate at which stage of the apoptotic process ouabain start to intervene. Ouabain interfered early in the apoptotic process, where it prevented activation of the sensitizer protein BAD. This allowed BCL-XL to avert BAX activation and translocation to mitochondria and thereby protected from mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.In study IV we investigated differentially expressed genes between renal cortex and primary short-term PTC cultures and between PTC exposed to control and high glucose. The mRNA expression level of most genes was significantly up- or downregulated in PTC compared to renal cortex, with the biggest differences in mitochondria and metabolism related genes. Early state glucotoxicity did not significantly alter mRNA expression levels in PTC.
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| 27. |
- Troussicot, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Structural determinants of multimerization and dissociation in 2-Cys peroxiredoxin chaperone function
- 2021
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Ingår i: Structure. - : Elsevier BV. - 0969-2126 .- 1878-4186. ; 29:7, s. 640-654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are abundant peroxidases present in all kingdoms of life. Recently, they have been shown to also carry out additional roles as molecular chaperones. To address this emerging supplementary function, this review focuses on structural studies of 2-Cys PRDX systems exhibiting chaperone activity. We provide a detailed understanding of the current knowledge of structural determinants underlying the chaperone function of PRDXs. Specifically, we describe the mechanisms which may modulate their quaternary structure to facilitate interactions with client proteins and how they are coordinated with the functions of other molecular chaperones. Following an overview of PRDX molecular architecture, we outline structural details of the presently best-characterized peroxiredoxins exhibiting chaperone function and highlight common denominators. Finally, we discuss the remarkable structural similarities between 2-Cys PRDXs, small HSPs, and J-domain-independent Hsp40 holdases in terms of their functions and dynamic equilibria between lowand high-molecular-weight oligomers.
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| 28. |
- Unnerståle, Sofia
(författare)
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NMR Investigations of Peptide-Membrane Interactions, Modulation of Peptide-Lipid Interaction as a Switch in Signaling across the Lipid Bilayer
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The complexity of multi cellular organisms demands systems that facilitate communicationbetween cells. The neurons in our brains for instance are specialized in this cell-cellcommunication. The flow of ions, through their different ion channels, across the membrane, isresponsible for almost all of the communication between neurons in the brain by changing theneurons membrane potentials. Voltage-gated ion channels open when a certain thresholdpotential is reached. This change in membrane potential is detected by voltage-sensors in the ionchannels. In this licentiate thesis the Homo sapiens voltage- and calcium-gated BK potassiumchannel (HsapBK) has been studied. The NMR solution structure of the voltage-sensor ofHsapBK was solved to shed light upon the voltage-gating in these channels. Structures of othervoltage-gated potassium channels (Kv) have been determined by other groups, enablingcomparison among different types of Kv channels. Interestingly, the peptide-lipid interactions ofthe voltage-sensor in HsapBK are crucial for its mechanism of action.Uni cellular organisms need to sense their environment too, to be able to move towardsmore favorable areas and from less favorable ones, and to adapt their gene profiles to currentcircumstances. This is accomplished by the two-component system, comprising a sensor proteinand a response regulator. The sensor protein transfers signals across the membrane to thecytoplasm. Many sensor proteins contain a HAMP domain close to the membrane that isinvolved in transmitting the signal. The mechanism of this transfer is not yet revealed. Ourstudies show that HAMP domains can be divided into two groups based on the membraneinteraction of their AS1 segments. Further, these two groups are suggested to work by differentmechanisms; one membrane-dependent and one membrane-independent mechanism.Both the voltage-gating mechanism and the signal transduction carried out by HAMPdomains in the membrane-dependent group, demand peptide-lipid interactions that can be readilymodulated. This modulation enables movement of peptides within membranes or within thelipid-water interface. These conditions make these peptides especially suitable for NMR studies.
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| 29. |
- Allison, Timothy M., et al.
(författare)
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Complementing machine learning‐based structure predictions with native mass spectrometry
- 2022
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Ingår i: Protein Science. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0961-8368 .- 1469-896X. ; 31:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The advent of machine learning-based structure prediction algorithms such as AlphaFold2 (AF2) and RoseTTa Fold have moved the generation of accurate structural models for the entire cellular protein machinery into the reach of the scientific community. However, structure predictions of protein complexes are based on user-provided input and may require experimental validation. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a versatile, time-effective tool that provides information on post-translational modifications, ligand interactions, conformational changes, and higher-order oligomerization. Using three protein systems, we show that native MS experiments can uncover structural features of ligand interactions, homology models, and point mutations that are undetectable by AF2 alone. We conclude that machine learning can be complemented with MS to yield more accurate structural models on a small and large scale.
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| 30. |
- Reymer, Anna, 1983
(författare)
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Unveiling Mechanistic Details of Macromolecular Interactions: Structural Design and Molecular Modelling of DNA-Protein Systems in Their Active State
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Molecular structure is fundamental for understanding mechanisms of molecular interactions. This applies not least to understanding biological function: every biological cell, whether bacterial or human, is an immensely complex system of thousands of molecules that exist in constant motion and interaction with each other. Structural properties of the two main classes of biological macromolecules, nucleic acids and proteins, have been studied in this Thesis focusing on functional interactions of both DNA and the DNA-binding enzyme human recombinase Rad51. DNA is a highly polymorphic molecule and its plasticity may be important for its function. Conformational mechanics of the DNA helix was addressed to understand interactions with dumbbell-shaped ruthenium(II) polypyridyl compounds, known for their remarkable ability to slowly thread one of their bulky centres through a tightly packed DNA stack, probably invoking large transient conformational rearrangements of the helix. Thread-intercalation rate is accelerated by several orders of magnitude if the DNA target sequence is a stretch of at least ten base pairs of AT, as well as by the hydrophobicity of the auxiliary “dumbbell” ligands: counterintuitively, a smaller and less hydrophobic compound takes longer times to thread. It is hypothesized that thread-intercalation might be facilitated by an A-like DNA conformation, induced by the outside binding of the Ru(II) compounds. An NMR study, aiming to solve a thread-intercalated structure of the binuclear Ru(II)-DNA complex, resulted in a groove-binding geometry, probably representing an initial binding mode preceding intercalation, a result emphasizing the elusiveness and immense complexity of the threading process. Turning back to simpler monomeric propeller-shaped Ru(II) compounds it was deduced that, despite acting as classic intercalators, they can “read out” the chirality of the DNA helix by enantiospecifically kinking it, in a fashion analogous to several families of operatory DNA binding proteins.Another operatory protein, human recombinase Rad51, that facilitates homologous recombination, the process of exchanging near identical-sequence DNA strands, is also mechanically acting on DNA, by stretching it. A 3-D high-resolution model structure of human Rad51 filament was solved by a combination of polarized-light spectroscopic data and molecular modelling. Highlighted by the model some interesting structural features could be addressed: strategic locations of two putative DNA binding loops inside the protein filament; as well as location of a putative ATP binding site at the interface between two protein subunits and in direct proximity to a supposed location of DNA – could hint about DNA docking mechanism and potential role of ATP in the protein function.The Rad51-DNA model has proven itself useful also in a follow-up study on the stimulatory role of Ca2+ in the strand exchange reaction by human Rad51. A mechanism is proposed involving a high affinity DNA binding state of the Rad51 filament induced by Ca2+, regulatorily crucial for the search of homology and subsequent DNA strands exchange.
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