SummaryPolymerase δ interacting protein of 38 kDa (PDIP38) was originally identified in a yeast t... more SummaryPolymerase δ interacting protein of 38 kDa (PDIP38) was originally identified in a yeast two hybrid screen as an interacting protein of DNA polymerase delta, more than a decade ago. Since this time several subcellular locations have been reported and hence its function remains controversial. Our current understanding of PDIP38 function has also been hampered by a lack of detailed biochemical or structural analysis of this protein. Here we show, that human PDIP38 is directed to the mitochondrion, where it resides in the matrix compartment, together with its partner protein CLPX. PDIP38 is a bifunctional protein, composed of two conserved domains separated by an α-helical hinge region (or middle domain). The N-terminal (YccV-like) domain of PDIP38 forms an SH3-like β-barrel, which interacts specifically with CLPX, via the adaptor docking loop within the N-terminal Zinc binding domain (ZBD) of CLPX. In contrast, the C-terminal (DUF525) domain forms an Immunoglobin-like β-sandwic...
The ClpP protease is found in all kingdoms of life, from bacteria to humans. In general, this pro... more The ClpP protease is found in all kingdoms of life, from bacteria to humans. In general, this protease forms a homo-oligomeric complex composed of 14 identical subunits, which associates with its cognate ATPase in a symmetrical manner. Here we show that, in contrast to this general architecture, the Clp protease from Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm) forms an asymmetric hetero-oligomeric complex ClpP1P2, which only associates with its cognate ATPase through the ClpP2 ring. Our structural and functional characterisation of this complex demonstrates that asymmetric docking of the ATPase component is controlled by both the composition of the ClpP1 hydrophobic pocket (Hp) and the presence of a unique C-terminal extension in ClpP1 that guards this Hp. Our structural analysis of MsmClpP1 also revealed openings in the side-walls of the inactive tetradecamer, which may represent sites for product egress.
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Wong et al. (2018) identify several dysregulators of a ke... more In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Wong et al. (2018) identify several dysregulators of a key mitochondrial protease: casein lytic protease P (ClpP). These dysregulators were found to trigger programmed cell death and may offer fresh avenues for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.
The pupylation of cellular proteins plays a crucial role in the degradation cascade via the Pup-P... more The pupylation of cellular proteins plays a crucial role in the degradation cascade via the Pup-Proteasome system (PPS). It is essential for the survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis under nutrient starvation and, as such, the activity of many components of the pathway is tightly regulated. Here, we show that Pup, like ubiquitin, can form polyPup chains primarily through K61 and that this form of Pup inhibits the ATPase-mediated turnover of pupylated substrates by the 20S proteasome. Similarly, the autopupylation of PafA (the sole Pup ligase found in mycobacteria) inhibits its own enzyme activity; hence, pupylation of PafA may act as a negative feedback mechanism to prevent substrate pupylation under specific cellular conditions.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Mar 20, 2018
Succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) functions in energy metabolism, coupling the tricarboxylic... more Succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) functions in energy metabolism, coupling the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain in bacteria and mitochondria. The biogenesis of flavinylated SdhA, the catalytic subunit of SQR, is assisted by a highly conserved assembly factor termed SdhE in bacteria via an unknown mechanism. By using X-ray crystallography, we have solved the structure ofSdhE in complex with SdhA to 2.15-Å resolution. Our structure shows that SdhE makes a direct interaction with the flavin adenine dinucleotide-linked residue His45 in SdhA and maintains the capping domain of SdhA in an "open" conformation. This displaces the catalytic residues of the succinate dehydrogenase active site by as much as 9.0 Å compared with SdhA in the assembled SQR complex. These data suggest that bacterial SdhE proteins, and their mitochondrial homologs, are assembly chaperones that constrain the conformation of SdhA to facilitate efficient flavinylation while regulatin...
The N-end rule pathway is a set of protein degradation systems that link the in vivo stability of... more The N-end rule pathway is a set of protein degradation systems that link the in vivo stability of a protein to its N-terminal residue. A recent paper from Alexander Varshavsky's laboratory [1] identifies a new branch of the N-end rule pathway that specifically recognizes the N-terminal Pro residue of key gluconeogenesis enzymes.
The N-end rule is a conserved protein degradation pathway that relates the metabolic stability of... more The N-end rule is a conserved protein degradation pathway that relates the metabolic stability of a protein to the identity of its N-terminal residue. Proteins bearing a destabilising N-terminal residue (N-degron) are recognised by specialised components of the pathway (N-recognins) and degraded by cellular proteases. In bacteria, the N-recognin ClpS is responsible for the specific recognition of proteins bearing an N-terminal destabilising residue such as leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan. In this study, we show that the putative apicoplast N-recognin from Plasmodium falciparum (PfClpS), in contrast to its bacterial homologs, exhibits an expanded substrate specificity that includes recognition of the branched chain amino acid isoleucine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is crucial for correct cellul... more The maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is crucial for correct cellular function. Recently, several mutations in the mitochondrial protease CLPP have been identified in patients with Perrault syndrome 3 (PRLTS3). These mutations can be arranged into two groups, those that cluster near the docking site (hydrophobic pocket, Hp) for the cognate unfoldase CLPX (i.e. T145P and C147S) and those that are adjacent to the active site of the peptidase (i.e. Y229D). Here we report the biochemical consequence of mutations in both regions. The Y229D mutant not only inhibited CLPP-peptidase activity, but unexpectedly also prevented CLPX-docking, thereby blocking the turnover of both peptide and protein substrates. In contrast, Hp mutations cause a range of biochemical defects in CLPP, from no observable change to CLPP activity for the C147S mutant, to dramatic disruption of most activities for the "gain-of-function" mutant T145P - including loss of oligomeric...
The mitochondrial matrix of mammalian cells contains several different ATP-dependent proteases, i... more The mitochondrial matrix of mammalian cells contains several different ATP-dependent proteases, including CLPXP, some of which contribute to protein maturation and quality control. Currently however, the substrates and the physiological roles of mitochondrial CLPXP in humans, has remained elusive. Similarly, the mechanism by which these ATP-dependent proteases recognize their substrates currently remains unclear. Here we report the characterization of a Walker B mutation in human CLPX, in which the highly conserved glutamate was replaced with alanine. This mutant protein exhibits improved interaction with the model unfolded substrate casein and several putative physiological substrates in vitro. Although this mutant lacks ATPase activity, it retains the ability to mediate casein degradation by hCLPP, in a fashion similar to the small molecule ClpP-activator, ADEP. Our functional dissection of hCLPX structure, also identified that most model substrates are recognized by the N-terminal domain, although some substrates bypass this step and dock, directly to the pore-1 motif. Collectively these data reveal, that despite the difference between bacterial and human CLPXP complexes, human CLPXP exhibits a similar mode of substrate recognition and is deregulated by ADEPs.
Maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis is critical for proper cellular function. Under ... more Maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis is critical for proper cellular function. Under normal conditions resident molecular chaperones and proteases maintain protein homeostasis within the organelle. Under conditions of stress however, misfolded proteins accumulate leading to the activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR mt). While molecular chaperone assisted refolding of proteins in mammalian mitochondria has been well documented, the contribution of AAA+ proteases to the maintenance of protein homeostasis in this organelle remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge we examined the contribution of human mitochondrial matrix proteases, LONM and CLPXP, to the turnover of OTC-∆, a folding incompetent mutant of ornithine transcarbamylase, known to activate UPR mt. Contrary to a model whereby CLPXP is believed to degrade misfolded proteins, we found that LONM, and not CLPXP is responsible for the turnover of OTC-∆ in human mitochondria. To analyse the conformational state of proteins that are recognised by LONM, we examined the turnover of unfolded and aggregated forms of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and OTC. This analysis revealed that LONM specifically recognises and degrades unfolded, but not aggregated proteins. Since LONM is not upregulated by UPR mt , this pathway may preferentially act to promote chaperone mediated refolding of proteins. To be functionally active most proteins must fold into distinct three-dimensional structures. However, within the crowded environment of the cell, proteins are highly susceptible to intermolecular aggrega-tion, not only during de novo folding but also as a consequence of unfolding caused by a destabilising stress 1–5. Protein aggregation results in a loss of protein function and if left unchecked can disturb cellular processes leading to cytotoxicity. To prevent the accumulation of these toxic protein aggregates within the cell, organisms have co-evolved complex protein quality control (PQC) networks composed of molecular chaperones and proteases 2,3,6. Molecular chaperones are not only responsible for the de novo folding of proteins but also for their refolding after stress. Proteolytic machines on the other hand, are responsible for the removal of damaged or unwanted proteins. In general, these proteolytic machines belong to the AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) superfamily and as such are referred to as AAA+ proteases 7–9. Some of these ATP-dependent machines contribute to the clearance of damaged cellular proteins by degrading them into short peptides and thereby preventing the detrimental accumulation of protein aggregates. To coordinate the cell's defence against the accumulation of damaged
SummaryPolymerase δ interacting protein of 38 kDa (PDIP38) was originally identified in a yeast t... more SummaryPolymerase δ interacting protein of 38 kDa (PDIP38) was originally identified in a yeast two hybrid screen as an interacting protein of DNA polymerase delta, more than a decade ago. Since this time several subcellular locations have been reported and hence its function remains controversial. Our current understanding of PDIP38 function has also been hampered by a lack of detailed biochemical or structural analysis of this protein. Here we show, that human PDIP38 is directed to the mitochondrion, where it resides in the matrix compartment, together with its partner protein CLPX. PDIP38 is a bifunctional protein, composed of two conserved domains separated by an α-helical hinge region (or middle domain). The N-terminal (YccV-like) domain of PDIP38 forms an SH3-like β-barrel, which interacts specifically with CLPX, via the adaptor docking loop within the N-terminal Zinc binding domain (ZBD) of CLPX. In contrast, the C-terminal (DUF525) domain forms an Immunoglobin-like β-sandwic...
The ClpP protease is found in all kingdoms of life, from bacteria to humans. In general, this pro... more The ClpP protease is found in all kingdoms of life, from bacteria to humans. In general, this protease forms a homo-oligomeric complex composed of 14 identical subunits, which associates with its cognate ATPase in a symmetrical manner. Here we show that, in contrast to this general architecture, the Clp protease from Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm) forms an asymmetric hetero-oligomeric complex ClpP1P2, which only associates with its cognate ATPase through the ClpP2 ring. Our structural and functional characterisation of this complex demonstrates that asymmetric docking of the ATPase component is controlled by both the composition of the ClpP1 hydrophobic pocket (Hp) and the presence of a unique C-terminal extension in ClpP1 that guards this Hp. Our structural analysis of MsmClpP1 also revealed openings in the side-walls of the inactive tetradecamer, which may represent sites for product egress.
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Wong et al. (2018) identify several dysregulators of a ke... more In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Wong et al. (2018) identify several dysregulators of a key mitochondrial protease: casein lytic protease P (ClpP). These dysregulators were found to trigger programmed cell death and may offer fresh avenues for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.
The pupylation of cellular proteins plays a crucial role in the degradation cascade via the Pup-P... more The pupylation of cellular proteins plays a crucial role in the degradation cascade via the Pup-Proteasome system (PPS). It is essential for the survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis under nutrient starvation and, as such, the activity of many components of the pathway is tightly regulated. Here, we show that Pup, like ubiquitin, can form polyPup chains primarily through K61 and that this form of Pup inhibits the ATPase-mediated turnover of pupylated substrates by the 20S proteasome. Similarly, the autopupylation of PafA (the sole Pup ligase found in mycobacteria) inhibits its own enzyme activity; hence, pupylation of PafA may act as a negative feedback mechanism to prevent substrate pupylation under specific cellular conditions.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Mar 20, 2018
Succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) functions in energy metabolism, coupling the tricarboxylic... more Succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) functions in energy metabolism, coupling the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain in bacteria and mitochondria. The biogenesis of flavinylated SdhA, the catalytic subunit of SQR, is assisted by a highly conserved assembly factor termed SdhE in bacteria via an unknown mechanism. By using X-ray crystallography, we have solved the structure ofSdhE in complex with SdhA to 2.15-Å resolution. Our structure shows that SdhE makes a direct interaction with the flavin adenine dinucleotide-linked residue His45 in SdhA and maintains the capping domain of SdhA in an "open" conformation. This displaces the catalytic residues of the succinate dehydrogenase active site by as much as 9.0 Å compared with SdhA in the assembled SQR complex. These data suggest that bacterial SdhE proteins, and their mitochondrial homologs, are assembly chaperones that constrain the conformation of SdhA to facilitate efficient flavinylation while regulatin...
The N-end rule pathway is a set of protein degradation systems that link the in vivo stability of... more The N-end rule pathway is a set of protein degradation systems that link the in vivo stability of a protein to its N-terminal residue. A recent paper from Alexander Varshavsky's laboratory [1] identifies a new branch of the N-end rule pathway that specifically recognizes the N-terminal Pro residue of key gluconeogenesis enzymes.
The N-end rule is a conserved protein degradation pathway that relates the metabolic stability of... more The N-end rule is a conserved protein degradation pathway that relates the metabolic stability of a protein to the identity of its N-terminal residue. Proteins bearing a destabilising N-terminal residue (N-degron) are recognised by specialised components of the pathway (N-recognins) and degraded by cellular proteases. In bacteria, the N-recognin ClpS is responsible for the specific recognition of proteins bearing an N-terminal destabilising residue such as leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan. In this study, we show that the putative apicoplast N-recognin from Plasmodium falciparum (PfClpS), in contrast to its bacterial homologs, exhibits an expanded substrate specificity that includes recognition of the branched chain amino acid isoleucine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is crucial for correct cellul... more The maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is crucial for correct cellular function. Recently, several mutations in the mitochondrial protease CLPP have been identified in patients with Perrault syndrome 3 (PRLTS3). These mutations can be arranged into two groups, those that cluster near the docking site (hydrophobic pocket, Hp) for the cognate unfoldase CLPX (i.e. T145P and C147S) and those that are adjacent to the active site of the peptidase (i.e. Y229D). Here we report the biochemical consequence of mutations in both regions. The Y229D mutant not only inhibited CLPP-peptidase activity, but unexpectedly also prevented CLPX-docking, thereby blocking the turnover of both peptide and protein substrates. In contrast, Hp mutations cause a range of biochemical defects in CLPP, from no observable change to CLPP activity for the C147S mutant, to dramatic disruption of most activities for the "gain-of-function" mutant T145P - including loss of oligomeric...
The mitochondrial matrix of mammalian cells contains several different ATP-dependent proteases, i... more The mitochondrial matrix of mammalian cells contains several different ATP-dependent proteases, including CLPXP, some of which contribute to protein maturation and quality control. Currently however, the substrates and the physiological roles of mitochondrial CLPXP in humans, has remained elusive. Similarly, the mechanism by which these ATP-dependent proteases recognize their substrates currently remains unclear. Here we report the characterization of a Walker B mutation in human CLPX, in which the highly conserved glutamate was replaced with alanine. This mutant protein exhibits improved interaction with the model unfolded substrate casein and several putative physiological substrates in vitro. Although this mutant lacks ATPase activity, it retains the ability to mediate casein degradation by hCLPP, in a fashion similar to the small molecule ClpP-activator, ADEP. Our functional dissection of hCLPX structure, also identified that most model substrates are recognized by the N-terminal domain, although some substrates bypass this step and dock, directly to the pore-1 motif. Collectively these data reveal, that despite the difference between bacterial and human CLPXP complexes, human CLPXP exhibits a similar mode of substrate recognition and is deregulated by ADEPs.
Maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis is critical for proper cellular function. Under ... more Maintenance of mitochondrial protein homeostasis is critical for proper cellular function. Under normal conditions resident molecular chaperones and proteases maintain protein homeostasis within the organelle. Under conditions of stress however, misfolded proteins accumulate leading to the activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR mt). While molecular chaperone assisted refolding of proteins in mammalian mitochondria has been well documented, the contribution of AAA+ proteases to the maintenance of protein homeostasis in this organelle remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge we examined the contribution of human mitochondrial matrix proteases, LONM and CLPXP, to the turnover of OTC-∆, a folding incompetent mutant of ornithine transcarbamylase, known to activate UPR mt. Contrary to a model whereby CLPXP is believed to degrade misfolded proteins, we found that LONM, and not CLPXP is responsible for the turnover of OTC-∆ in human mitochondria. To analyse the conformational state of proteins that are recognised by LONM, we examined the turnover of unfolded and aggregated forms of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and OTC. This analysis revealed that LONM specifically recognises and degrades unfolded, but not aggregated proteins. Since LONM is not upregulated by UPR mt , this pathway may preferentially act to promote chaperone mediated refolding of proteins. To be functionally active most proteins must fold into distinct three-dimensional structures. However, within the crowded environment of the cell, proteins are highly susceptible to intermolecular aggrega-tion, not only during de novo folding but also as a consequence of unfolding caused by a destabilising stress 1–5. Protein aggregation results in a loss of protein function and if left unchecked can disturb cellular processes leading to cytotoxicity. To prevent the accumulation of these toxic protein aggregates within the cell, organisms have co-evolved complex protein quality control (PQC) networks composed of molecular chaperones and proteases 2,3,6. Molecular chaperones are not only responsible for the de novo folding of proteins but also for their refolding after stress. Proteolytic machines on the other hand, are responsible for the removal of damaged or unwanted proteins. In general, these proteolytic machines belong to the AAA+ (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) superfamily and as such are referred to as AAA+ proteases 7–9. Some of these ATP-dependent machines contribute to the clearance of damaged cellular proteins by degrading them into short peptides and thereby preventing the detrimental accumulation of protein aggregates. To coordinate the cell's defence against the accumulation of damaged
Uploads