Under certain circumstances, any of the three termination codons can be read through by a near-cognate tRNA; i.e., a tRNA whose two out of three anticodon nucleotides base pair with those of the stop codon. Unless programed to synthetize C-terminally extended protein variants with expanded physiological roles, readthrough represents an undesirable translational error. On the other side of a coin, a significant number of human genetic diseases is associated with the introduction of nonsense mutations (premature termination codons [PTCs]) into coding sequences, where stopping is not desirable. Here, the tRNA's ability to induce readthrough opens up the intriguing possibility of mitigating the deleterious effects of PTCs on human health. In yeast, the UGA and UAR stop codons were described to be read through by four readthrough-inducing rti-tRNAs-tRNATrp and tRNACys, and tRNATyr and tRNAGln, respectively. The readthrough-inducing potential of tRNATrp and tRNATyr was also observed in human cell lines. Here, we investigated the readthrough-inducing potential of human tRNACys in the HEK293T cell line. The tRNACys family consists of two isoacceptors, one with ACA and the other with GCA anticodons. We selected nine representative tRNACys isodecoders (differing in primary sequence and expression level) and tested them using dual luciferase reporter assays. We found that at least two tRNACys can significantly elevate UGA readthrough when overexpressed. This indicates a mechanistically conserved nature of rti-tRNAs between yeast and human, supporting the idea that they could be used in the PTC-associated RNA therapies.

• MeSH
• antikodon MeSH
• cystein * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nesmyslný kodon genetika   MeSH
• proteosyntéza MeSH
• RNA transferová Cys metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA transferová Trp metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA transferová Tyr MeSH
• RNA transferová genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae * genetika   MeSH
• terminační kodon genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The 14-3-3 proteins constitute a family of adaptor proteins with many binding partners and biological functions, and they are considered promising drug targets in cancer and neuropsychiatry. By screening 1280 small-molecule drugs using differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), we found 15 compounds that decreased the thermal stability of 14-3-3ζ Among these compounds, ebselen was identified as a covalent, destabilizing ligand of 14-3-3 isoforms ζ, ε, γ, and η Ebselen bonding decreased 14-3-3ζ binding to its partner Ser19-phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase. Characterization of site-directed mutants at cysteine residues in 14-3-3ζ (C25, C94, and C189) by DSF and mass spectroscopy revealed covalent modification by ebselen of all cysteines through a selenylsulfide bond. C25 appeared to be the preferential site of ebselen interaction in vitro, whereas modification of C94 was the main determinant for protein destabilization. At therapeutically relevant concentrations, ebselen and ebselen oxide caused decreased 14-3-3 levels in SH-SY5Y cells, accompanied with an increased degradation, most probably by the ubiquitin-dependent proteasome pathway. Moreover, ebselen-treated zebrafish displayed decreased brain 14-3-3 content, a freezing phenotype, and reduced mobility, resembling the effects of lithium, consistent with its proposed action as a safer lithium-mimetic drug. Ebselen has recently emerged as a promising drug candidate in several medical areas, such as cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders, and infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019. Its pleiotropic actions are attributed to antioxidant effects and formation of selenosulfides with critical cysteine residues in proteins. Our work indicates that a destabilization of 14-3-3 may affect the protein interaction networks of this protein family, contributing to the therapeutic potential of ebselen. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There is currently great interest in the repurposing of established drugs for new indications and therapeutic targets. This study shows that ebselen, which is a promising drug candidate against cancer, bipolar disorder, and the viral infection coronavirus disease 2019, covalently bonds to cysteine residues in 14-3-3 adaptor proteins, triggering destabilization and increased degradation in cells and intact brain tissue when used in therapeutic concentrations, potentially explaining the behavioral, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic effects of this drug.

• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• cirkulární dichroismus MeSH
• cystein genetika   MeSH
• dánio pruhované MeSH
• down regulace MeSH
• isoindoly farmakologie   MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• mozek metabolismus   MeSH
• mutageneze cílená MeSH
• organoselenové sloučeniny farmakologie   MeSH
• proteiny 14-3-3 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny dánia pruhovaného chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• stabilita proteinů účinky léků   MeSH
• tyrosin-3-monooxygenasa metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů účinky léků   MeSH
• vazebná místa účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Mutations of cysteine are often introduced to e.g. avoid formation of non-physiological inter-molecular disulfide bridges in in-vitro experiments, or to maintain specificity in labeling experiments. Alanine or serine is typically preferred, which usually do not alter the overall protein stability, when the original cysteine was surface exposed. However, selecting the optimal mutation for cysteines in the hydrophobic core of the protein is more challenging. In this work, the stability of selected Cys mutants of 14-3-3ζ was predicted by free-energy calculations and the obtained data were compared with experimentally determined stabilities. Both the computational predictions as well as the experimental validation point at a significant destabilization of mutants C94A and C94S. This destabilization could be attributed to the formation of hydrophobic cavities and a polar solvation of a hydrophilic side chain. A L12E, M78K double mutant was further studied in terms of its reduced dimerization propensity. In contrast to naïve expectations, this double mutant did not lead to the formation of strong salt bridges, which was rationalized in terms of a preferred solvation of the ionic species. Again, experiments agreed with the calculations by confirming the monomerization of the double mutants. Overall, the simulation data is in good agreement with experiments and offers additional insight into the stability and dimerization of this important family of regulatory proteins.

• MeSH
• cystein chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• hydrofobní a hydrofilní interakce MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• multimerizace proteinu * MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• proteiny 14-3-3 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• stabilita proteinů MeSH
• termodynamika * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

A common strategy for exploring the biological roles of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) in different pathways is to study the effects of replacing the wild-type DUB with a catalytically inactive mutant in cells. We report here that a commonly studied DUB mutation, in which the catalytic cysteine is replaced with alanine, can dramatically increase the affinity of some DUBs for ubiquitin. Overexpression of these tight-binding mutants thus has the potential to sequester cellular pools of monoubiquitin and ubiquitin chains. As a result, cells expressing these mutants may display unpredictable dominant negative physiological effects that are not related to loss of DUB activity. The structure of the SAGA DUB module bound to free ubiquitin reveals the structural basis for the 30-fold higher affinity of Ubp8C146A for ubiquitin. We show that an alternative option, substituting the active site cysteine with arginine, can inactivate DUBs while also decreasing the affinity for ubiquitin.

• MeSH
• alanin genetika   MeSH
• cystein genetika   MeSH
• deubikvitinasy chemie   genetika   MeSH
• endopeptidasy chemie   genetika   MeSH
• katalýza MeSH
• konformace proteinů MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace genetika   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - proteiny chemie   genetika   MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetika   MeSH
• specifické proteázy ubikvitinu chemie   genetika   MeSH
• substituce aminokyselin genetika   MeSH
• trans-aktivátory chemie   genetika   MeSH
• transportní proteiny chemie   genetika   MeSH
• ubikvitin chemie   genetika   MeSH
• ubikvitinace genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

Retrovirus assembly is driven mostly by Gag polyprotein oligomerization, which is mediated by inter and intra protein-protein interactions among its capsid (CA) domains. Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) CA contains three cysteines (C82, C193 and C213), where the latter two are highly conserved among most retroviruses. To determine the importance of these cysteines, we introduced mutations of these residues in both bacterial and proviral vectors and studied their impact on the M-PMV life cycle. These studies revealed that the presence of both conserved cysteines of M-PMV CA is necessary for both proper assembly and virus infectivity. Our findings suggest a crucial role of these cysteines in the formation of infectious mature particles.

• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• cystein genetika   MeSH
• genetické vektory MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Masonův-Pfizerův opičí virus genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• proviry genetika   MeSH
• sestavení viru * MeSH
• virion fyziologie   MeSH
• virové plášťové proteiny chemie   genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH

Coordination of plant development requires modulation of growth responses that are under control of the phytohormone auxin. PIN-FORMED plasma membrane proteins, involved in intercellular transport of the growth regulator, are key to the transmission of such auxin signals and subject to multilevel surveillance mechanisms, including reversible post-translational modifications. Apart from well-studied PIN protein modifications, namely phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, no further post-translational modifications have been described so far. Here, we focused on root-specific Arabidopsis PIN2 and explored functional implications of two evolutionary conserved cysteines, by a combination of in silico and molecular approaches. PIN2 sequence alignments and modeling predictions indicated that both cysteines are facing the cytoplasm and therefore would be accessible to redox status-controlled modifications. Notably, mutant pin2C-A alleles retained functionality, demonstrated by their ability to almost completely rescue defects of a pin2 null allele, whereas high resolution analysis of pin2C-A localization revealed increased intracellular accumulation, and altered protein distribution within plasma membrane micro-domains. The observed effects of cysteine replacements on root growth and PIN2 localization are consistent with a model in which redox status-dependent cysteine modifications participate in the regulation of PIN2 mobility, thereby fine-tuning polar auxin transport.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• cystein genetika   MeSH
• konzervovaná sekvence * MeSH
• kořeny rostlin růst a vývoj   metabolismus   MeSH
• kyseliny indoloctové metabolismus   MeSH
• membránové mikrodomény metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny huseníčku chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• transport proteinů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Anterior Gradient-2 (AGR2) is a component of a pro-oncogenic signalling pathway that can promote p53 inhibition, metastatic cell migration, limb regeneration, and cancer drug-resistance. AGR2 is in the protein-disulphide isomerase superfamily containing a single cysteine (Cys-81) that forms covalent adducts with its client proteins. We have found that mutation of Cysteine-81 attenuates its biochemical activity in its sequence-specific peptide docking function, reduces binding to Reptin, and reduces its stability in cells. As such, we evaluated how chemical oxidation of its cysteine affects its biochemical properties. Recombinant AGR2 spontaneously forms covalent dimers in the absence of reductant whilst DTT promotes dimer to monomer conversion. Mutation of Cysteine-81 to alanine prevents peroxide catalysed dimerization of AGR2 in vitro, suggesting a reactive cysteine is central to covalent dimer formation. Both biochemical assays and ESI mass spectrometry were used to demonstrate that low levels of a chemical oxidant promote an intermolecular disulphide bond through formation of a labile sulfenic acid intermediate. However, higher levels of oxidant promote sulfinic or sulfonic acid formation thus preventing covalent dimerization of AGR2. These data together identify the single cysteine of AGR2 as an oxidant responsive moiety that regulates its propensity for oxidation and its monomeric-dimeric state. This has implications for redox regulation of the pro-oncogenic functions of AGR2 protein in cancer cells.

• MeSH
• chemorezistence genetika   MeSH
• cystein genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• disulfidy chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA-helikasy chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• kyseliny sulfenové metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• MFC-7 buňky MeSH
• multimerizace proteinu genetika   MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• nádory chemie   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce * MeSH
• proteiny chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvence aminokyselin genetika   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• transportní proteiny chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

HMGB1 protein and linker histone H1 have overlapping binding sites in the nucleosome. HMGB1 has been implicated in many DNA-dependent processes in chromatin involving binding of specific proteins, including transcription factors, to DNA sites pre-bent by HMGB1. HMGB1 can also act as an extracellular signaling molecule by promoting inflammation, tumor growth a metastasis. Many of the intra- and extracellular functions of HMGB1 depend on redox-sensitive cysteine residues of the protein. Here we report that mild oxidization of HMGB1 (and much less mutation of cysteines involved in disulphide bond formation) can severely compromise the functioning of the protein as a DNA chaperone by inhibiting its ability to unwind or bend DNA. Histone H1 (via the highly basic C-terminal domain) significantly inhibits DNA bending by the full-length HMGB1, and the inhibition is further enhanced upon oxidization of HMGB1. Interestingly, DNA bending by HMGB1 lacking the acidic C-tail (HMGB1ΔC) is much less affected by histone H1, but oxidization rendered DNA bending by HMGB1ΔC and HMGB1 equally prone for inhibition by histone H1. Possible consequences of histone H1-mediated inhibition of DNA bending by HMGB1 of different redox state for the functioning of chromatin are discussed.

• MeSH
• cystein genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• histony chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• nukleozomy MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• protein HMGB1 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• superhelikální DNA metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The role of KRAS mutations in molecular targeted therapy by epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully understood. The present investigation is aimed at an elucidation of the role of specific KRAS mutation types in predicting outcomes of patients with advanced NSCLC receiving EGFR-TKI therapy. Initially, 448 NSCLC patients were tested for the presence of KRAS mutations, to obtain frequencies of specific KRAS mutation types. Subsequently, the clinical outcome of treatment was evaluated in a subgroup of 38 KRAS-positive patients receiving EGFR-TKI therapy. KRAS mutations were detected in 69 of 448 patients (15.4%), mostly in smokers (17.86% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.0048), and appeared more frequently in adenocarcinomas than in squamous cell NSCLC or NSCLC that is not otherwise specified (21% vs. 6.99% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.0004). The most frequent type of KRAS mutation was G12C. The progression-free survival (PFS) was doubled in a group of non-G12C patients compared with that of the G12C group (9.0 wk vs. 4.3 wk, P = 0.009). The overall survival (OS) was not significantly different between non-G12C and G12C groups (12.1 wk vs. 9.3 wk, P = 0.068). The G12C KRAS mutation is a strong negative predictor for EGFR-TKI treatment, whereas other KRAS mutation types have not negatively predicted treatment efficacy compared with that for the wild-type KRAS genotype.

• MeSH
• antitumorózní látky terapeutické užití   MeSH
• biomarkery farmakologické metabolismus   MeSH
• chemorezistence genetika   MeSH
• cystein genetika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• erbB receptory antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• glycin genetika   MeSH
• inhibitory proteinkinas terapeutické užití   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• missense mutace fyziologie   MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• nádory plic diagnóza   farmakoterapie   genetika   MeSH
• nemalobuněčný karcinom plic diagnóza   farmakoterapie   genetika   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• protoonkogenní proteiny genetika   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• ras proteiny genetika   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• substituce aminokyselin fyziologie   MeSH
• tyrosinkinasy antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: A salivary proteome-transcriptome project on the hard tick Ixodes scapularis revealed that Kunitz peptides are the most abundant salivary proteins. Ticks use Kunitz peptides (among other salivary proteins) to combat host defense mechanisms and to obtain a blood meal. Most of these Kunitz peptides, however, remain functionally uncharacterized, thus limiting our knowledge about their biochemical interactions. RESULTS: We discovered an unusual cysteine motif in a Kunitz peptide. This peptide inhibits several serine proteases with high affinity and was named tryptogalinin due to its high affinity for β-tryptase. Compared with other functionally described peptides from the Acari subclass, we showed that tryptogalinin is phylogenetically related to a Kunitz peptide from Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, also reported to have a high affinity for β-tryptase. Using homology-based modeling (and other protein prediction programs) we were able to model and explain the multifaceted function of tryptogalinin. The N-terminus of the modeled tryptogalinin is detached from the rest of the peptide and exhibits intrinsic disorder allowing an increased flexibility for its high affinity with its inhibiting partners (i.e., serine proteases). CONCLUSIONS: By incorporating experimental and computational methods our data not only describes the function of a Kunitz peptide from Ixodes scapularis, but also allows us to hypothesize about the molecular basis of this function at the atomic level.

• MeSH
• aminokyselinové motivy MeSH
• cystein chemie   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• inhibitory serinových proteinas chemie   klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• klíště chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• proteiny členovců chemie   klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• rekombinantní proteiny chemie   klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Rhipicephalus chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sekvenční homologie aminokyselin MeSH
• slinné proteiny a peptidy chemie   klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• terciární struktura proteinů MeSH
• tryptasy antagonisté a inhibitory   chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH