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Protein frameworks are an emerging class of biomaterial with medical and technological applications. Frameworks are studied mainly by X-ray diffraction or scattering techniques. Complementary strategies are required. Here, we report solid-state NMR analyses of a microcrystalline protein-macrocycle framework and the rehydrated freeze-dried protein. This methodology may aid the characterization of low-crystallinity frameworks.

One approach to protein assembly involves water-soluble supramolecular receptors that act like glues. Bionanoarchitectures directed by these scaffolds are often system-specific, with few studies investigating their customization. Herein, the modulation of cucurbituril-mediated protein assemblies through the inclusion of peptide tectons is described. Three peptides of varying length and structural order were N-terminally appended to RSL, a β-propeller building block. Each fusion protein was incorporated into crystalline architectures mediated by cucurbit[7]uril (Q7). A trimeric coiled-coil served as a spacer within a Q7-directed sheet assembly of RSL, giving rise to a layered material of varying porosity. Within the spacer layers, the coiled-coils were dynamic. This result prompted consideration of intrinsically disordered peptides (IDPs) as modulatory tectons. Similar to the coiled-coil, a mussel adhesion peptide (Mefp) also acted as a spacer between protein-Q7 sheets. In contrast, the fusion of a nucleoporin peptide (Nup) to RSL did not recapitulate the sheet assembly. Instead, a Q7-directed cage was adopted, within which disordered Nup peptides were partially "captured" by Q7 receptors. IDP capture occurred by macrocycle recognition of an intrapeptide Phe-Gly motif in which the benzyl group was encapsulated by Q7. The modularity of these protein-cucurbituril architectures adds a new dimension to macrocycle-mediated protein assembly. Segregated protein crystals, with alternating layers of high and low porosity, could provide a basis for new types of materials., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The donut-shaped cucurbit[n]urils (Qn, n = 6-8) are rigid macrocyclic receptors with widespread use in protein recognition. To date, most applications have centred on the encapsulation of N-terminal aromatic residues by Q7 or Q8. Less attention has been placed on Q6, which can recognize lysine side chains due to its high affinity for alkylamines. In this work, we investigated protein-Q6 complexation by using NMR spectroscopy. Attempts to crystallize protein-Q6 complexes were thwarted by the crystallization of Q6. We studied four proteins that vary in size, net charge, and lysine content. In addition to Q6 interactions with specific Lys or dimethylated Lys residues, we report striking evidence for N-terminal recognition. High affinity (micromolar) binding occurred with the N-terminal Met-Lys motif present in one of the four model proteins. Engineering this feature into another model protein yielded a similar high affinity site. We also present evidence for Q8 binding at this N-terminal feature. These data expand the cucurbituril toolkit for protein sensing.

Sulfonato-calix[n]arenes (sclxn) are promising tools to generate crystalline protein frameworks. We report, for the first time, a lower rim functionalised octa-anionic calix[4]arene (sclx4mc) in complex with proteins. Two crystal structures of sclx4mc bound to yeast or horse heart cytochrome c (cytc) are described. Highly porous honeycomb or tubular assemblies were obtained with yeast or horse cytc, respectively. Related frameworks were obtained previously with sclx8 and sclx6 but not with sclx4, suggesting that the ligand charge is a determining factor.

Protein crystals with their precise, periodic array of functional building blocks have potential applications in biomaterials, sensing, and catalysis. This paper describes how a highly porous crystalline framework of a cationic redox protein and an anionic macrocycle can be modulated by a small cationic effector. Ternary composites of protein (∼13 kDa), calix[8]arene (∼1.5 kDa), and effector (∼0.2 kDa) formed distinct crystalline architectures, dependent on the effector concentration and the crystallization technique. A combination of X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations was used to decipher the framework variations, which appear to be dependent on a calixarene conformation change mediated by the effector. This "switch" calixarene was observed in three states, each of which is associated with a different interaction network. Two structures obtained by co-crystallization with the effector contained an additional protein "pillar", resulting in framework duplication and decreased porosity. These results suggest how protein assembly can be engineered by supramolecular host-guest interactions.

Controlled protein assembly provides a means to regulate function. Supramolecular building blocks, including rigid macrocycles, are versatile triggers of protein assembly. Now it is shown that sulfonato-calix[8]arene (sclx 8 ) mediates the formation of cytochrome c tetramers in solution. This tetramer spontaneously disassembles at ≥2 equivalents of sclx 8 , providing a remarkable example of auto-regulation. Using X-ray crystallography the sclx 8 binding sites on cytochrome c were characterized. Crystal structures at different protein-ligand ratios reveal varying degrees (up to 35 %) of protein surface coverage by the flexible calixarene and suggest a mechanism for oligomer disassembly. The solution structure of the oligomer was characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering. Overall, the data indicate calixarene-controlled protein assembly and disassembly without the requirement for a competitive inhibitor, and point to protein encapsulation by a flexible macrocycle., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Here, we provide the first structural characterization of host-guest complexation between cucurbit[7]uril (Q7) and dimethyllysine (KMe 2 ) in a model protein. Binding was dominated by complete encapsulation of the dimethylammonium functional group. While selectivity for the most sterically accessible dimethyllysine was observed both in solution and in the solid state, three different modes of Q7-KMe 2 complexation were revealed by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures revealed also entrapped water molecules that solvated the ammonium group within the Q7 cavity. Remarkable Q7-protein assemblies, including inter-locked octahedral cages that comprise 24 protein trimers, occurred in the solid state. Cucurbituril clusters appear to be responsible for these assemblies, suggesting a strategy to generate controlled protein architectures., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

PEGylated proteins are a mainstay of the biopharmaceutical industry. Although the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to increase particle size, stability and solubility is well-established, questions remain as to the structure of PEG-protein conjugates. Here we report the structural characterization of a model β-sheet protein (plastocyanin, 11.5 kDa) modified with a single PEG 5,000. An NMR spectroscopy study of the PEGylated conjugate indicated that the protein and PEG behaved as independent domains. A crystal structure revealed an extraordinary double-helical assembly of the conjugate, with the helices arranged orthogonally to yield a highly porous architecture. Electron density was not observed for the PEG chain, which indicates that it was disordered. The volume available per PEG chain in the crystal was within 10% of the calculated random coil volume. Together, these data support a minimal interaction between the protein and the synthetic polymer. Our work provides new possibilities for understanding this important class of protein-polymer hybrids and suggests a novel approach to engineering protein assemblies.

Fluorine-containing amino acids are valuable probes for the biophysical characterization of proteins. Current methods for (19)F-labeled protein production involve time-consuming genetic manipulation, compromised expression systems and expensive reagents. We show that Escherichia coli BL21, the workhorse of protein production, can utilise fluoroindole for the biosynthesis of proteins containing (19)F-tryptophan.

NMR-monitored pH titration experiments are routinely used to measure site-specific protein pKa values. Accurate experimental pKa values are essential in dissecting enzyme catalysis, in studying the pH-dependence of protein stability and ligand binding, in benchmarking pKa prediction algorithms, and ultimately in understanding electrostatic effects in proteins. However, due to the complex ways in which pH-dependent electrostatic and structural changes manifest themselves in NMR spectra, reported apparent pKa values are often dependent on the way that NMR pH-titration curves are analyzed. It is therefore important to retain the raw NMR spectroscopic data to allow for documentation and possible re-interpretation. We have constructed a database of primary NMR pH-titration data, which is accessible via a web interface. Here, we report statistics of the database contents and analyze the data with a global perspective to provide guidelines on best practice for fitting NMR titration curves. Titration_DB is available at http://enzyme.ucd.ie/Titration_DB. Proteins 2010. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Arginine is an abundant residue in protein-protein interfaces. The importance of this residue relates to the versatility of its side chain in intermolecular interactions. Different classes of protein-protein interfaces were surveyed for cation-pi interactions. Approximately half of the protein complexes and one-third of the homodimers analyzed were found to contain at least one intermolecular cation-pi pair. Interactions between arginine and tyrosine were found to be the most abundant. The electrostatic interaction energy was calculated to be approximately 3 kcal/mol, on average. A distance-based search of guanidinium:aromatic interactions was also performed using the Macromolecular Structure Database (MSD). This search revealed that half of the guanidinium:aromatic pairs pack in a coplanar manner. Furthermore, it was found that the cationic group of the cation-pi pair is frequently involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In this manner the arginine side chain can participate in multiple interactions, providing a mechanism for inter-protein specificity. Thus, the cation-pi interaction is established as an important contributor to protein-protein interfaces.

Interprotein electron transfer is characterized by protein interactions on the millisecond time scale. Such transient encounters are ensured by extremely high rates of complex dissociation. Computational analysis of the available crystal structures of redox protein complexes reveals features of the binding site that favor fast dissociation. In particular, the complex interface is shown to have low geometric complementarity and poor packing. These features are consistent with the necessity for fast dissociation since the absence of close packing facilitates solvation of the interface and disruption of the complex., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We have identified a novel shell protein, accripin11, as a major soluble component of the calcitic prisms of the fan mussel Pinna nobilis. Initially retrieved from a cDNA library, its full sequence is confirmed here by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. The sequence of the mature protein is 103 residues with a theoretical molecular weight of 11 kDa and is moderately acidic (pI 6.74) except for its C‐terminus which is highly enriched in aspartic acid. The protein exhibits a peculiar cysteine pattern in its central domain. The full sequence shares similarity with six other uncharacterized molluscan shell proteins from the orders Ostreida, Pteriida and Mytilida, all of which are pteriomorphids and produce a phylogenetically restricted pattern of nacro‐prismatic shell microstructures. This suggests that accripin11 is a member of a family of clade‐specific shell proteins. A 3D model of accripin11 was predicted with AlphaFold2, indicating that it possesses three short alpha helices and a disordered C‐terminus. Recombinant accripin11 was tested in vitro for its ability to influence the crystallization of CaCO3, while a polyclonal antibody was able to locate accripin11 to prismatic extracts, particularly in the acetic acid‐soluble matrix. The putative functions of accripin11 are further discussed in relation to shell biomineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular receptors such as water‐soluble calixarenes are in development as 'molecular glues' for protein assembly. Here, we obtained cocrystals of sulfonato‐calix[6]arene (sclx6) and yeast cytochrome c (cytc) in the presence of imidazole. A crystal structure at 2.65 Å resolution reveals major structural rearrangement and disorder in imidazole‐bound cytc. The largest protein‐calixarene interface involves 440 Å2 of the protein surface with key contacts at Arg13, Lys73, and Lys79. These lysines participate in alkaline transitions of cytc and are part of Ω‐loop D, which is substantially restructured in the complex with sclx6. The structural modification also includes Ω‐loop C, which is disordered (residues 41–55 inclusive). These results suggest the possibility of using supramolecular scaffolds to trap partially disordered proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 'Cage' or 'sheet' RSL*-cucurbit[7]uril assemblies have distinct crystal morphologies. • Cucurbituril:protein ratio influences the assembly of cage or sheet co-crystals. • Protein assembly tolerates replacement of dimethylated Lys by Arg. • Sodium may promote formation of the sheet architecture. The donut-shaped cucurbit[n]urils (Qn) are a class of rigid macrocyclic receptor with protein recognition capabilities. Qn encapsulation of amino acid side chains can enable protein assembly. Recently, cucurbit[7]uril (Q7) has been applied as a molecular glue for organizing protein building blocks into crystalline architectures. Q7 co-crystallization with dimethylated Ralstonia solanacearum lectin (RSL*) has yielded novel crystalline architectures. Co-crystallization of RSL* and Q7 yields either cage- or sheet-like architectures which may be modulated via protein engineering. However, questions remain as to the factors dictating the formation of one architecture over another (cage versus sheet). Here, we make use of an engineered RSL*- Q7 system which co-crystallizes as the cage or sheet assembly with easily-distinguished crystal morphologies. Using this model system, we probe how the crystallization conditions dictate which crystalline architecture is adopted. Protein-ligand ratios and the sodium concentration were identified as key determinants for the growth of the cage versus sheet assemblies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Flavodiiron proteins (FDP) are modular enzymes which function as NO and/or O2 reductases. Although the majority is composed of two structural domains, the homolog found in Escherichia coli, flavorubredoxin, possesses an extra C-terminal module consisting of a linker and a rubredoxin (Rd) domain necessary for interprotein redox processes. In order to investigate the location of the Rd domain with respect to the flavodiiron structural core, small-angle X-ray scattering was used to construct low-resolution structural models of flavorubredoxin. Scattering patterns from the Rd domain, the FDP core, and full-length flavorubredoxin were collected. The latter two species were found to be tetrameric in solution. Ab initio shape reconstruction and rigid-body modeling indicate a peripheral location for the Rd domains, which appear to have weak contacts with the FDP core. This finding suggests that Rd behaves as an independent domain and is freely available to participate in redox reactions with protein partners. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents an analysis of the major physicochemical properties of cells and describes how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)/intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) might be affected by these various cellular properties. It discusses the physical and biological properties of complex intracellular environments in relation to structural and functional parameters of disordered proteins. It offers a review of how biological processes may act differently on ordered and disordered proteins.