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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, June 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2006. / Not embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 129-136.

Orientador: Jörg Kobarg / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T13:52:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alborghetti_MarcosRodrigo_D.pdf: 16630969 bytes, checksum: 42e040f25194010a25828aeaa31ac3c2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: As proteínas humanas FEZ1 e FEZ2 (fasciculation and elongation protein zeta) são ortólogas da proteína UNC-76 de C. elegans e estão envolvidas no crescimento e na fasciculação dos axônios através de interações que envolvem kinesinas, mitocôndrias e vesículas sinápticas. Além disso, algumas evidências sugerem a participação de FEZ1 na etiologia da esquizofrenia, no ciclo viral, além da resistência à quimioterápicos. Sua estrutura intrinsecamente desordenada, com coiled-coil ao longo da sequência, pode contribuir para sua função. Nós exploramos a evolução molecular da família de proteínas FEZ com ênfase no ramo dos vertebrados. Através do perfil do interactoma comparado entre FEZ1 e FEZ2 de Homo sapiens e UNC-76 de C. elegans foi observado um padrão de conservação das interações proteínaproteína entre FEZ1 e UNC-76, que explicam a capacidade de FEZ1 resgatar os defeitos causados por mutações em unc-76 em nematoides, de acordo com o descrito por Bloom e colaboradores em 1997. Além disso, caracterizamos a interação entre FEZ1 e SCOCO (short coil-coiled) por SAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering). Essa interação já foi descrita previamente entre os seus ortólogos UNC-76 e UNC-69, que cooperam no crescimento axonal. Um estado de heterotetramérico foi observado, consistindo de duas moléculas GST-SCOCO interagindo com duas moléculas de 6xHis-FEZ1 dimerizadas. Por PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, eletroforese em gel de poli-acrilamida), SAXS, Espectrometria de Massas e Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, constatamos que FEZ1 dimeriza envolvendo a formação de ponte dissulfeto. In vivo, este estado dimérico de forma covalente pode ser importante para o transporte mediado por kinesinas de proteínas ao longo dos microtúbulos. Assim, FEZ1 pode ser classificada como uma proteína adaptadora do transporte, dimérica e bivalente, essencial para o crescimento axonal e organização pré-sináptica normal e transporte de cargas. A agregação de novos parceiros de interação encontrada para a proteína FEZ2 poderia ser interpretada como aquisição de novas funções moleculares e pode ter ocorrido nos primeiros estágios da evolução dos cordados / Abstract: The human proteins FEZ1 and FEZ2 (fasciculation and elongation protein zeta 1) are orthologs of the protein UNC-76 from C. elegans, involved in growth and fasciculation of axons, through interactions that involve kinesins, mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. Moreover, some evidence suggests involvement of FEZ1 in the etiology of schizophrenia, in addition to the viral cycle and resistance to chemotherapy. Its structure intrinsically disordered, with coiled-coil along the sequence, can contribute to its function. We have explored the molecular evolution of the FEZ protein family with emphasis on the vertebrata branch. Analyzing the interactome profile of the FEZ1 and FEZ2 from Homo sapiens and UNC-76 from C. elegans we observed a conserved pattern of protein-protein interactions among FEZ1 and UNC-76 that explain the ability of FEZ1 to rescue the defects caused by unc-76 mutations in nematodes, according to Bloom and co-workers in 1997. Furthermore, we characterized the interaction between FEZ1 and SCOCO (short coiled-coil protein) by SAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering). This interaction has been previously reported between their orthologs UNC-76 and UNC-69 that cooperate in axonal outgrowth. A heterotetrameric state was observed, which consists of two GST-SCOCO molecules attached to two FEZ1 molecules. By PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), SAXS, Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance we defined that FEZ1 dimerizes involving formation of disulfide bond. In vivo this covalent mediated dimeric state could be important for kinesin mediated protein transport along the microtubule. Thereby, FEZ1 may be classified as a dimeric and bivalent transport adaptor, essential to axon outgrowth and normal pre-synaptic organization and transport of cargoes. The aggregation of new interaction partners found for the FEZ2 protein could be interpreted as the acquisition of new molecular functions and may have occurred in the early stages of chordate evolution / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Biochemistry / unrestricted

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are small soluble proteins expressed at high levels in the proximity of olfactory receptors. OBPs act as solubilizers and carriers of the lipophilic odorants in the aqueous mucus of mammals and other vertebrates. OBPs have now been studied nearly thirty years, but in comparison to the wealth of data available on their structural chemistry and molecular biology, our knowledge about gene expression and function of these proteins is still insufficient. This work provides new insights into the tissue specificity of OBP and presents several new sequences of genes governing these proteins in selected species of mice.

One of the major outcomes of a genome sequencing project is the availability of amino acid sequences of all the proteins encoded in the genome of the organism concerned. However, most commonly, for a substantial proportion of the proteins encoded in the genome no information in function is available either from experimental studies or by inference on the basis of homology with a protein of known function. Even if the general function of a protein is known, the region of the protein corresponding to the function might be a domain and there may be additional regions of considerable length in the protein with no known function. In such cases the information on function is incomplete. Lack of understanding of the repertoire of functions of proteins encoded in the genome limits the utility of the genomic data. While there are many experimental approaches available for deciphering functions of proteins at the genomic scale, bioinformatics approaches form a good early step in obtaining clues about functions of proteins at the genomic scale (Koonin et al, 1998). One of the common bioinformatics approaches is recognition of function by homology (Bork et al, 1994). If the evolutionary relationship between two proteins, one with known function and the other with unknown function, could be established it raises the possibility of common function and 3-D structure for these proteins(Bork and Gibson, 1996). While this approach is effective its utility is limited by the ability of the bioinformatics approach to identify related proteins when their evolutionary divergence is high leading to low amino acid sequence similarity which is typical of two unrelated proteins (Bork and Koonin, 1998). Use of 3-D structural information, obtained by predictive methods such as fold recognition, has offered approaches towards increasing the sensitivity of remote homology detection 9e.g., Kelley et al, 2000; Shi et al, 2001; Gough et al, 2001). The work embodied in this thesis has the general objective of analysis of evolution of structural features and functions of families of proteins and design of new bioinformatics approaches for recognizing distantly related proteins and their applications. After an introductory chapter, a few chapters report analysis of functional and structural features of homologous protein domains. Further chapters report development and assessment of new remote homology detection approaches and applications to the proteins encoded in two protozoan organisms. A further chapter is presented on the analysis of proteins involved in methylglyoxal detoxification pathways in kinetoplastid organisms. Chapter I of the thesis presents a brief introduction, based on the information available in the literature, to protein structures, classification, methods for structure comparison, popular methods for remote homology detection and homology-based methods for function annotation. Chapter 2 describes the steps involved in the update and improvements made in this database. In addition to the update, the domain structural families are integrated with the homologous sequences from the sequence databases. Thus, every family in PALI is enriched with a substantial volume of sequence information from proteins with no known structural information. Chapter 3 reports investigations on the inter-relationships between sequence, structure and functions of closely-related homologous enzyme domain families. Chapter 4 describes the investigations on the unusual differences in the lengths of closely-related homologous protein domains, accommodation of additional lengths in protein 3-D structures and their functional implications. Chapter 5 reports the development and assessment of a new approach for remote homology detection using dynamic multiple profiles of homologous protein domain families. Chapter 6 describes development of another remote homology detection approach which are multiple, static profiles generated using the bonafide members of the family. A rigorous assessment of the approach and strategies for improving the detection of distant homologues using the multiple profile approach are discussed in this chapter. Chapter 7 describes results of searches made in the database of multiple family profiles (MulPSSM database) in order to recognize the functions of hypothetical proteins encoded in two parasitic protozoa. Chapter 8 describes the sequence and structural analyses of two glyoxalase pathway proteins from the kinetoplastid organism Leishmania donovani which causes Leishmaniases. An alternate enzyme, which would probably substitute the glyoxalase pathway enzymes in certain kinetoplastid organisms which lack the glyoxalase enzymes are also discussed. Chapter 9 summarises the important findings from the various analyses discussed in this thesis. Appendix describes an analysis on the correlation between a measure of hydrophobicity of amino acid residues aligned in a multiple sequence alignment and residue depth in 3-D structures of proteins.

In this thesis I investigate the effect of amino acid substitutions on secondary structure of proteins. I found that the secondary structure is relatively resistant to mutations, some regions hold the same secondary structure, even though their sequences are very different. Since this effect was observed also for random sequences, I conclude that it is a general property of the amino acid sequence. The particular elements of secondary structures are differentially sensitive to the changes caused by mutations. Protein's sensitivity to mutations depends on the composition of its secondary structure. Some methods of secondary structure prediction are described in the introductory section.

A steady state level of negative supercoiling is essential for chromosome condensation, initiation of replication and subsequent elongation step. DNA gyrase, found in every eubacteria, serves the essential housekeeping function of maintenance of the negative supercoiling status of the genome. The functional holoenzyme is a heterotetramer, comprising of two GyrA and two GyrB subunits. DNA gyrase is an indispensable enzyme and serves as a readily susceptible target for natural antibacterial agents. The enzymatic steps of topoisomerisation by gyrase involve transient double strand break and rejoining of the strands after intact duplex transfer. Corruption of its catalytic cycle can lead to the generation of cytotoxic double-strand DNA breaks. Most of the anti-gyrase agents achieve their objective by targeting the vulnerable step of the reaction cycle i.e. DNA cleavage step. Bacteria on their part must have evolved and adopted strategies to counter the action of external agents and prevent the generation of double strand breaks thereby safeguarding their genome. In the present thesis, attempts have been made to understand the role of three endogenous gyrase interacting proteins in gyrase modulation and cellular defense against anti-gyrase agents. The thesis is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the wonder enzymes “DNA topoisomerases” starting with a brief classification of these enzymes and their physiological functions. In the next section, DNA gyrase has been discussed in greater detail. The structural aspects as well as the mechanism of the topoisomerisation reaction catalyzed by gyrase have been discussed. Final section gives an overview of different gyrase modulators known till date focusing on their source, structure and mode of action. The scope and objectives of the present study is presented at the end of this chapter. In Chapter 2 is aimed at understanding the physiological role of GyrI. GyrI, originally identified in Escherichia coli as an inhibitor of DNA gyrase, has been previously shown in the laboratory to render protection against gyrase poisons and also various other DNA damaging agents (mitomycin C, MNNG). Abolishing GyrI expression renders the cell hypersensitive to these cytotoxic agents. Interestingly, GyrI exhibits contrasting behavior towards two plasmid encoded proteinaceous poisons of DNA gyrase. It reduces microcin B17-mediated double-strand breaks in vivo, imparting protection to the cells against the toxin. However, a positive cooperation between GyrI and F plasmid encoded toxin CcdB, results in enhanced DNA damage and cell death. These results suggest a more complex functional interplay and physiological role for GyrI. Search for other chromosomally encoded gyrase inhibitors led to YacG, a small zinc finger protein (7.3kDa) from E. coli, shown to be a member of DNA gyrase interactome, in a protein-protein interaction network described recently. Chapter 3 deals with the detailed characterization of YacG. It is shown that YacG inhibits DNA gyrase by binding to GyrB subunit and preventing DNA binding activity of the enzyme. More importantly, it protects against the cytotoxic effects of other gyrase inhibitors like ciprofloxacin, novobiocin, microcin B17 and CcdB. Further investigations revealed that YacG and its homologues are found only in proteobacteria. Hence, it appears to be a defense strategy developed by gram-negative bacteria to fight against the gyrase targeting cytotoxic agents. Inhibition by YacG appears to be specific to E. coli gyrase as mycobacterial enzyme is refractile to YacG action. GyrB, only in gram-negative organisms, possesses extra stretch of 165 amino acids, indispensable for DNA binding. Biochemical experiments with the truncated GyrB lacking the extra stretch reveal the importance of this stretch for stable YacG-GyrB interaction. E. coli topoisomerase IV is also resistant to YacG mediated inhibition, probably due to the absence of the extra stretch in ParE subunit, which is otherwise highly similar to GyrB. Further, YacG homologues from other proteobacterial members (Sinorhizobium meliloti and Haemophilus influenzae homologues sharing 35% and 63 % identity with E. coli YacG respectively ) also inhibits E. coli DNA gyrase at comparable levels. YacG thus emerges as a proteobacteria specific inhibitor of DNA gyrase. The occurrence of both YacG and the gyrase extra stretch only in proteobacteria, suggest co-evolution of interacting partners in proteobacteria. In Chapter 4, the study of endogenous gyrase modulators is extended to Mycobacterium sp. glutamate racemase (MurI) from E. coli has been shown earlier to be an inhibitor of DNA gyrase. However, nothing much was known about its mode of action. MurI is an important enzyme in the cell wall biosynthesis pathway, which catalyses the conversion of L-glutamate to D-glutamate, an integral component of the bacterial cell wall. In this chapter, it is demonstrated that M. tuberculosis MurI inhibits DNA gyrase activity, in addition to its precursor independent racemization function. The inhibition is not species specific as E. coli gyrase is also inhibited. However, it is gyrase specific as topoisomerase I activity remains unaltered. The mechanism of inhibition by MurI has been elucidated for the first time and it is shown that MurI binds to GyrA subunit of the enzyme leading to a decrease in DNA binding of the holoenzyme. The sequestration of the gyrase by MurI results in inhibition of all reactions catalyzed by DNA gyrase. Chapter 5 is the extension of the studies on glutamate racemase into another species, i.e. Mycobacterium smegmatis. DNA gyrase inhibition seems to be an additional attribute of some of the glutamate racemases, but not all, as Glr isozyme from B. subtilis has no effect on gyrase activity in spite of sharing a high degree of similarity with the gyrase inhibitory glutamate racemases. It is shown that like the M. tuberculosis MurI, M. smegmatis enzyme is also a bifunctional enzyme. It inhibits DNA gyrase in addition to its racemization activity. Further, overexpression of the enzyme in M. smegmatis provides protection to the organism against fluoroquinolones. DNA gyrase inhibitory property thus appears to be a typical characteristic of these MurI and seems to have evolved to either modulate the function of the essential housekeeping enzyme or to provide protection to gyrase against gyrase inhibitors, which cause double strand breaks in the genome. In the above chapters, it is shown that besides its crucial role in cell wall biosynthesis, mycobacterial MurI moon lights as DNA gyrase inhibitor. That the two activities exhibited by M. tuberculosis MurI are unlinked and independent of each other is demonstrated in Chapter 6. Racemization function of MurI is not essential for its gyrase inhibitory property as mutants compromised in racemization activity retain gyrase inhibition property. MurI- DNA gyrase interaction influences gyrase activity but has no effect on racemization activity of MurI. MurI expression in mycobacterial cells provides protection against the action of ciprofloxacin, thereby suggesting a role of MurI in countering external agents targeting DNA gyrase. Further M. tuberculosis MurI overexpressed in near homologous expression system of M. smegmatis yields highly soluble enzyme which can be further used for structural and functional studies. In conclusion, the studies reveal that the endogenous inhibitors essentially influence the enzyme activity by sequestering the enzyme away from DNA. None of them cause cytotoxicity, which usually arises as a result of DNA damage caused by accumulation of gyrase-DNA covalent intermediate. On the contrary they provide protection against such gyrase poisons. Comparative analysis of these proteinaceous inhibitors, however, does not reveal a common motif or structural fold, required for their ability to inhibit DNA gyrase. Based on these studies, it can be proposed that these endogenous proteins exist to serve as cellular defense strategies against external abuse and also to modulate the intracellular activity of DNA gyrase as and when required, for accurate division, functioning and survival of the cells.

Analyses of protein sequences from diverse genomes have revealed the ubiquitous nature of multi-domain proteins. They form up to 70% of proteomes of most eukaryotic organisms. Yet, our understanding of protein structure, folding and evolution has been dominated by extensive studies on single-domain proteins. We provide quantitative treatment and proof for prevailing intuitive ideas on the strategies employed by nature to stabilize otherwise unstable domains. We find that domains incapable of independent stability are stabilized by favourable interactions with tethered domains in the multi-domain context. Natural variations (nsSNPs) at these sites alter communication between domains and affect stability leading to disease manifestation. We emphasize this by using explicit all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to study the interface nsSNPs of human Glutathione S-transferase omega 1. We show that domain-domain interface interactions constrain inter-domain geometry (IDG) which is evolutionarily well conserved. The inter-domain linkers modulate the interactions by varying their lengths, conformations and local structure, thereby affecting the overall IDG. These findings led to the development of a method to predict interfacial residues in multi-domain proteins based on difference evolutionary information extracted from at least two diverse domain architectures (single and multi-domain). Our predictions are highly accurate (∼85%) and specific (∼95%). Using predicted residues to constrain domain–domain interaction, rigid-body docking was able to provide us with accurate full-length protein structures with correct orientation of domains. Further, we developed and employed an alignment-free approach based on local amino-acid fragment matching to compare sequences of multi-domain proteins. This is especially effective in the absence of proper alignments, which is usually the case for multi-domain proteins. Using this, we were able to recreate the existing Hanks and Hunter classification scheme for protein kinases. We also showed functional relationships among Immunoglobulin sequences. The clusters obtained were functionally distinct and also showed unique domain-architectures. Our analysis provides guidelines toward rational protein and interaction design which have attractive applications in obtaining stable fragments and domain constructs essential for structural studies by crystallography and NMR. These studies enable a deeper understanding of rapport of protein domains in the multi-domain context.