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Myelin is a multilayered membrane that tightly wraps neuronal axons, enabling efficient, high-speed signal propagation. The axon and myelin sheath form tight contacts, mediated by specific plasma membrane proteins and lipids, and disruption of these contacts causes devastating demyelinating diseases. Using two cell-based models of demyelinating sphingolipidoses, we demonstrate that altered lipid metabolism changes the abundance of specific plasma membrane proteins. These altered membrane proteins have known roles in cell adhesion and signaling, with several implicated in neurological diseases. The cell surface abundance of the adhesion molecule neurofascin (NFASC), a protein critical for the maintenance of myelin-axon contacts, changes following disruption to sphingolipid metabolism. This provides a direct molecular link between altered lipid abundance and myelin stability. We show that the NFASC isoform NF155, but not NF186, interacts directly and specifically with the sphingolipid sulfatide via multiple binding sites and that this interaction requires the full-length extracellular domain of NF155. We demonstrate that NF155 adopts an S-shaped conformation and preferentially binds sulfatide-containing membranes in cis , with important implications for protein arrangement in the tight axon-myelin space. Our work links glycosphingolipid imbalances to disturbance of membrane protein abundance and demonstrates how this may be driven by direct protein–lipid interactions, providing a mechanistic framework to understand the pathogenesis of galactosphingolipidoses.

During the last decade, the detection of neurotropic astroviruses has increased dramatically. The MLB genogroup of astroviruses represents a genetically distinct group of zoonotic astroviruses associated with gastroenteritis and severe neurological complications in young children, the immunocompromised and the elderly. Using different virus evolution approaches, we identified dispensable regions in the 3′ end of the capsid-coding region responsible for attenuation of MLB astroviruses in susceptible cell lines. To create recombinant viruses with identified deletions, MLB reverse genetics and replicon systems were developed. Recombinant truncated MLB viruses had wild type-like or enhanced growth and replication properties in permissive cells but were strongly attenuated in iPSC-derived neuronal cultures confirming the location of neurotropism determinants. This approach can be used for the development of vaccine candidates using attenuated astroviruses that infect humans, livestock animals and poultry.

The journal of biological chemistry 299(1), 102750 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102750, Type IIB receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases are cell surface transmembrane proteins that engage in cell adhesion via their extracellular domains (ECDs) and cell signaling via their cytoplasmic phosphatase domains. The ECDs of type IIB receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases form stable, homophilic, and trans interactions between adjacent cell membranes. Previous work has demonstrated how one family member, PTPRM, forms head-to-tail homodimers. However, as the interface was composed of residues conserved across the family, the determinants of homophilic specificity remain unknown. Here, we have solved the X-ray crystal structure of the membrane-distal N-terminal domains of PTPRK that form a head-to-tail dimer consistent with intermembrane adhesion. Comparison with the PTPRM structure demonstrates interdomain conformational differences that may define homophilic specificity. Using small-angle X-ray scattering, we determined the solution structures of the full-length ECDs of PTPRM and PTPRK, identifying that both are rigid extended molecules that differ in their overall long-range conformation. Furthermore, we identified one residue, W351, within the interaction interface that differs between PTPRM and PTPRK and showed that mutation to glycine, the equivalent residue in PTPRM, abolishes PTPRK dimer formation in vitro. This comparison of two members of the receptor tyrosine phosphatase family suggests that homophilic specificity is driven by a combination of shape complementarity and specific but limited sequence differences., Published by Soc., Bethesda, Md.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 dramatically alters the architecture and protein composition of cellular membranes during infection, but its effects upon membrane lipid composition remain unclear. HSV-1 pUL21 is a virus-encoded protein phosphatase adaptor that promotes dephosphorylation of multiple cellular and virus proteins, including the cellular ceramide transport protein CERT. CERT mediates non- vesicular transport of ceramide from the ER to the trans-Golgi network, whereupon ceramide is converted to sphingomyelin and other sphingolipids that play important roles in cell proliferation, cell signalling and membrane trafficking. Using click chemistry to profile the kinetics of sphingolipid metabolism in cultured cells, we show that pUL21-mediated dephosphorylation activates CERT and increases the rate of ceramide to sphingomyelin conversion. Purified pUL21 and full-length CERT interact with sub-micromolar affinity and we map the domains responsible for the interaction. Solving the solution structure of the pUL21 C-terminal domain in complex with the CERT PH and START domains using small-angle X-ray scattering allows us to identify a single amino acid mutation on the surface of pUL21 that disrupts CERT binding in vitro and in cultured cells. Sphingolipid profiling demonstrates that ceramide to sphingomyelin conversion is severely diminished in the context of HSV- 1 infection, a defect that is compounded when infecting with a virus encoding the mutated form of pUL21 that lacks the ability to activate CERT. However, virus replication and spread are not significantly altered when pUL21-mediated CERT dephosphorylation is abolished, highlighting that dephosphorylation of other cellular and/or viral targets underpins the important role of pUL21 in HSV-1 biology.SignificanceHerpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 causes a life-long dormant infection of neurons, sporadically reactivating to manifest as cold-sores or genital herpes. While the impact of HSV-1 upon the protein content of infected cells has been well studied, we know relatively little about its impact upon cellular lipids. Using bioorthogonal labelling in cultured cells we show that HSV-1 protein pUL21 activates the key cellular lipid transport protein CERT to accelerate the conversion of ceramide to sphingomyelin. HSV-1 infection dramatically alters the kinetics of ceramide metabolism, leading to ceramide accumulation. Mutation of HSV-1 pUL21 to prevent CERT activation further enhances ceramide accumulation but this does not alter the replication or spread of HSV-1, highlighting that other cellular and/or viral proteins represent the critical targets of pUL21-mediated dephosphorylation in cultured cells.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type kappa (PTPRK) is a transmembrane receptor that links extracellular homophilic interactions to intracellular catalytic activity. Previously we showed that PTPRK promotes cell-cell adhesion by selectively dephosphorylating several cell junction regulators including the protein Afadin (Fearnley et al., 2019). Here we demonstrate that Afadin is recruited for dephosphorylation by directly binding to the PTPRK D2 pseudophosphatase domain. We mapped this interaction to a putative coiled coil (CC) domain in Afadin that is separated by more than 100 amino acids from the substrate pTyr residue. We identify the residues that define PTP specificity, explaining how Afadin is selectively dephosphorylated by PTPRK yet not by the closely-related receptor tyrosine phosphatase PTPRM. Our work demonstrates that PTP substrate specificity can be determined by protein-protein interactions distal to the active site. This explains how PTPRK and other PTPs achieve substrate specificity despite a lack of specific sequence context at the substrate pTyr. Furthermore, by demonstrating that these interactions are phosphorylation-independent and mediated via binding to a non-catalytic domain, we highlight how receptor PTPs could function as intracellular scaffolds in addition to catalyzing protein dephosphorylation.

The morphogenesis of vaccinia virus (VACV, family Poxviridae), the smallpox vaccine, is a complex process involving multiple distinct cellular membranes and resulting in multiple different forms of infectious virion. Efficient release of enveloped virions, which promote systemic spread of infection within hosts, requires the VACV protein E2 but the molecular basis of E2 function remains unclear and E2 lacks sequence homology to any well-characterised family of proteins. We solved the crystal structure of VACV E2 to 2.3 Å resolution, revealing that it comprises two domains with novel folds: an N-terminal annular (ring) domain and a C-terminal head domain. The C-terminal head domain displays weak structural homology with cellular (pseudo)kinases but lacks conserved surface residues or kinase features, suggesting that it is not enzymatically active, and possesses a large surface basic patch that might interact with phosphoinositide lipid headgroups. Recent deep learning methods have revolutionised our ability to predict the three-dimensional structures of proteins from primary sequence alone. VACV E2 is an exemplar ‘difficult’ viral protein target for structure prediction, being comprised of multiple novel domains and lacking sequence homologues outside Poxviridae. AlphaFold2 nonetheless succeeds in predicting the structures of the head and ring domains with high and moderate accuracy, respectively, allowing accurate inference of multiple structural properties. The advent of highly accurate virus structure prediction marks a step-change in structural virology and beckons a new era of structurally-informed molecular virology.

Saposins are lipid transfer proteins required for the degradation of sphingolipids in the lysosome. These small proteins bind lipids by transitioning from a closed, monomeric state to an open conformation exposing a hydrophobic surface that binds and shields hydrophobic lipid tails from the aqueous environment. Saposins form a range of multimeric assemblies to encompass these bound lipids and present them to hydrolases in the lysosome. This lipid-binding property of human saposin A has been exploited to form lipoprotein nanodiscs suitable for structural studies of membrane proteins. Here we present the crystal structure of a unique tetrameric assembly of murine saposin A produced serendipitously, following modifications of published protocols for making lipoprotein nanodiscs. The structure of this new saposin oligomer highlights the diversity of tertiary arrangement that can be adopted by these important lipid transfer proteins.

JBC papers in press 298(11), 102589 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102589, Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 dramatically alters the architecture and protein composition of cellular membranes during infection, but its effects upon membrane lipid composition remain unclear. HSV-1 pUL21 is a virus-encoded protein phosphatase adaptor that promotes dephosphorylation of multiple cellular and virus proteins, including the cellular ceramide (Cer) transport protein CERT. CERT mediates nonvesicular Cer transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the trans-Golgi network, whereupon Cer is converted to sphingomyelin (SM) and other sphingolipids that play important roles in cellular proliferation, signaling, and membrane trafficking. Here, we use click chemistry to profile the kinetics of sphingolipid metabolism, showing that pUL21-mediated dephosphorylation activates CERT and accelerates Cer-to-SM conversion. Purified pUL21 and full-length CERT interact with submicromolar affinity, and we solve the solution structure of the pUL21 C-terminal domain in complex with the CERT Pleckstrin homology and steroidogenic acute regulatory–related lipid transfer domains using small-angle X-ray scattering. We identify a single amino acid mutation on the surface of pUL21 that disrupts CERT binding in vitro and in cultured cells. This residue is highly conserved across the genus Simplexvirus. In addition, we identify a pUL21 residue essential for binding to HSV-1 pUL16. Sphingolipid profiling demonstrates that Cer-to-SM conversion is severely diminished in the context of HSV-1 infection, a defect that is compounded when infecting with a virus encoding the mutated form of pUL21 that lacks the ability to activate CERT. However, virus replication and spread in cultured keratinocytes or epithelial cells is not significantly altered when pUL21-mediated CERT dephosphorylation is abolished. Collectively, we demonstrate that HSV-1 modifies sphingolipid metabolism via specific protein–protein interactions., Published by American Soc. for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bethesda, MD.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 protein pUL21 is essential for efficient virus replication and dissemination. While pUL21 has been shown to promote multiple steps of virus assembly and spread, the molecular basis of its function remained unclear. Here we identify that pUL21 is a virus-encoded adaptor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). pUL21 directs the dephosphorylation of cellular and virus proteins, including components of the viral nuclear egress complex, and we define a conserved non-canonical linear motif in pUL21 that is essential for PP1 recruitment. In vitro evolution experiments reveal that pUL21 antagonises the activity of the virus-encoded kinase pUS3, with growth and spread of pUL21 PP1-binding mutant viruses being restored in adapted strains where pUS3 activity is disrupted. This study shows that virus-directed phosphatase activity is essential for efficient herpesvirus assembly and spread, highlighting the fine balance between kinase and phosphatase activity required for optimal virus replication., Author summary Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 is a highly prevalent human virus that causes life-long infections. While the most common symptom of HSV-1 infection is orofacial lesions (‘cold sores’), HSV-1 infection can also cause fatal encephalitis and it is a leading cause of infectious blindness. The HSV-1 genome encodes many proteins that dramatically remodel the environment of infected cells to promote virus replication and spread, including enzymes that add phosphate groups (kinases) to cellular and viral proteins in order to fine-tune their function. Here we identify that pUL21 is an HSV-1 protein that binds directly to protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), a highly abundant cellular enzyme that removes phosphate groups from proteins. We demonstrate that pUL21 stimulates the specific dephosphorylation of both cellular and viral proteins, including a component of the viral nuclear egress complex that is essential for efficient assembly of new HSV-1 particles. Furthermore, our in vitro evolution experiments demonstrate that pUL21 antagonises the activity of the HSV-1 kinase pUS3. Our work highlights the precise control that herpesviruses exert upon the protein environment within infected cells, and specifically the careful balance of kinase and phosphatase activity that HSV-1 requires for optimal replication and spread.

Competitive inhibitors of galactocerebrosidase (GALC) could be candidates for pharmacological chaperone therapy of patients with Krabbe disease. The known and selective nortropane-type iminosugar galacto-noeurostegine has been found to competitively inhibit GALC with Ki = 7 μM at pH 4.6, which is 330-fold more potent than the analogous deoxynoeurostegine. It was shown through X-ray protein crystallography that galacto-noeurostegine binds to the active site of GALC in its bicyclic form.

[Image: see text] Competitive inhibitors of galactocerebrosidase (GALC) could be candidates for pharmacological chaperone therapy of patients with Krabbe disease. The known and selective nortropane-type iminosugar galacto-noeurostegine has been found to competitively inhibit GALC with K(i) = 7 μM at pH 4.6, which is 330-fold more potent than the analogous deoxynoeurostegine. It was shown through X-ray protein crystallography that galacto-noeurostegine binds to the active site of GALC in its bicyclic form.

The receptor-linked protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are key regulators of cell-cell communication through the control of cellular phosphotyrosine levels. Most human RPTPs possess an extracellular receptor domain and tandem intracellular phosphatase domains: comprising an active membrane proximal (D1) domain and an inactive distal (D2) pseudophosphatase domain. Here we demonstrate that PTPRU is unique amongst the RPTPs in possessing two pseudophosphatase domains. The PTPRU-D1 displays no detectable catalytic activity against a range of phosphorylated substrates and we show that this is due to multiple structural rearrangements that destabilise the active site pocket and block the catalytic cysteine. Upon oxidation, this cysteine forms an intramolecular disulphide bond with a vicinal “backdoor” cysteine, a process thought to reversibly inactivate related phosphatases. Importantly, despite the absence of catalytic activity, PTPRU binds substrates of related phosphatases strongly suggesting that this pseudophosphatase functions in tyrosine phosphorylation by competing with active phosphatases for the binding of substrates., Receptor-linked protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) usually contain an active membrane proximal domain and an inactive pseudophosphatase domain. Here, the authors characterize an RPTP with two pseudophosphatase domains, providing evidence that it may act as a decoy receptor for substrate sequestration.

The seminal description of cellular restriction factor APOBEC3G and its antagonism by HIV-1 Vif has underpinned two decades of research on the host-virus interaction. As well as APOBEC3G and its homologues, however, we have recently discovered that Vif is also able to degrade the PPP2R5 family of regulatory subunits of key cellular phosphatase PP2A (PPP2R5A-E) (Greenwood et al., 2016; Naamati et al., 2019). We now identify amino acid polymorphisms at positions 31 and 128 of HIV-1 Vif which selectively regulate the degradation of PPP2R5 family proteins. These residues covary across HIV-1 virusesin vivo, favouring depletion of PPP2R5A-E. Through analysis of point mutants and naturally occurring Vif variants, we further show that degradation of PPP2R5 family subunits is both necessary and sufficient for Vif-dependent G2/M cell cycle arrest. Antagonism of PP2A by HIV-1 Vif is therefore independent of APOBEC3 family proteins, and regulates cell cycle progression in HIV-infected cells.

Background: Lipid antigens are presented on the surface of cells by the CD1 family of glycoproteins, which have structural and functional similarity to MHC class I molecules. The hydrophobic lipid antigens are embedded in membranes and inaccessible to the lumenal lipid-binding domain of CD1 molecules. Therefore, CD1 molecules require lipid transfer proteins for lipid loading and editing. CD1d is loaded with lipids in late endocytic compartments, and lipid transfer proteins of the saposin family have been shown to play a crucial role in this process. However, the mechanism by which saposins facilitate lipid binding to CD1 molecules is not known and is thought to involve transient interactions between protein components to ensure CD1-lipid complexes can be efficiently trafficked to the plasma membrane for antigen presentation. Of the four saposin proteins, the importance of Saposin B (SapB) for loading of CD1d is the most well-characterised. However, a direct interaction between CD1d and SapB has yet to be described. Methods: In order to determine how SapB might load lipids onto CD1d, we used purified, recombinant CD1d and SapB and carried out a series of highly sensitive binding assays to monitor direct interactions. We performed equilibrium binding analysis, chemical cross-linking and co-crystallisation experiments, under a range of different conditions. Results: We could not demonstrate a direct interaction between SapB and CD1d using any of these binding assays. Conclusions: This work establishes comprehensively that the role of SapB in lipid loading does not involve direct binding to CD1d. We discuss the implication of this for our understanding of lipid loading of CD1d and propose several factors that may influence this process.

In PNAS, Romero et al. (1) present models of how glucocerebrosidase (GCase) interacts with saposin C (SAPC) and membranes. Unfortunately, the authors do not publish representative atomic coordinates or molecular dynamics trajectories for their models, denying researchers the opportunity to scrutinize the data Romero et al. (1) use to draw their functional conclusions. Access to these data is an important issue for structural biologists (2), and the open release of experimentally determined structural data has been the accepted practice for many years (3). Indeed, Romero et al. rely on several such publically available structures to carry out their study. Two specific issues with the Romero et al. (1) paper … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: jed55{at}cam.ac.uk. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1

Tapasin and TAPBPR are known to perform peptide editing on major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecules, however, the precise molecular mechanism(s) involved in this process remain largely enigmatic. Here, using immunopeptidomics in combination with novel cell-based assays that assess TAPBPR-mediate peptide exchange, we reveal a critical role for the K22-D35 loop of TAPBPR in mediating peptide exchange on MHC I. We identify a specific leucine within this loop that enables TAPBPR to facilitate peptide dissociation from MHC I. Moreover, we delineate the molecular features of the MHC I F pocket required for TAPBPR to promote peptide dissociation in a loop-dependent manner. These data reveal that chaperone-mediated peptide editing of MHC I can occur by different mechanisms dependent on the C-terminal residue that the MHC I accommodates in its F pocket and provide novel insights that may inform the therapeutic potential of TAPBPR manipulation to increase tumour immunogenicity.Impact StatementThis work demonstrates for the first time that the K22-D35 loop of TAPBPR is the essential region for mediating peptide exchange and peptide selection on major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.

Modified azasugar molecules have been synthesized and characterized as excellent pharmacological chaperone candidates to treat the neurodegenerative disorder Krabbe disease., Krabbe disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rapid demyelination of nerve fibers. This disease is caused by defects in the lysosomal enzyme β-galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which hydrolyzes the terminal galactose from glycosphingolipids. These lipids are essential components of eukaryotic cell membranes: substrates of GALC include galactocerebroside, the primary lipid component of myelin, and psychosine, a cytotoxic metabolite. Mutations of GALC that cause misfolding of the protein may be responsive to pharmacological chaperone therapy (PCT), whereby small molecules are used to stabilize these mutant proteins, thus correcting trafficking defects and increasing residual catabolic activity in cells. Here we describe a new approach for the synthesis of galacto-configured azasugars and the characterization of their interaction with GALC using biophysical, biochemical and crystallographic methods. We identify that the global stabilization of GALC conferred by azasugar derivatives, measured by fluorescence-based thermal shift assays, is directly related to their binding affinity, measured by enzyme inhibition. X-ray crystal structures of these molecules bound in the GALC active site reveal which residues participate in stabilizing interactions, show how potency is achieved and illustrate the penalties of aza/iminosugar ring distortion. The structure–activity relationships described here identify the key physical properties required of pharmacological chaperones for Krabbe disease and highlight the potential of azasugars as stabilizing agents for future enzyme replacement therapies. This work lays the foundation for new drug-based treatments of Krabbe disease.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus recently associated with congenital diseases and neurological complications. As for all flaviviruses, the ZIKV RNA genome is expected to encode a single polyprotein with all the enzymatic activities required for viral replication. Here, we report the discovery of multiple non-canonical open reading frames (ORFs) identified by ribosome profiling. In both mammalian and insect cells infected with Asian/American and African ZIKV strains, we observed translation of previously unrecognised upstream ORFs (uORFs) in the 5′ region. In the Asian/American ZIKV lineage, ribosomes translated uORF1 and uORF2 that initiated from non-AUG start codons, whereas in the African ZIKV lineage, these two uORFs were fused into a single uORF (African uORF). Using a reverse genetics system, we examined the impact on ZIKV fitness of the expression of single or dual uORFs by analysing a panel of mutant viruses. We found that expression of the African uORF, and more significantly, the Asian/American uORF1, modulated virus growth and tropism in human cortical neurons and 3D organoid tissue, indicating that these novel uORFs contribute to ZIKV neurotropism. Although ZIKV uORFs are expressed in mosquito cells, they did not have a detectable effect on transmission by the mosquito vectorin vivo. Our discovery of ZIKV uORFs sheds new light on ZIKV-induced neuropathogenesis and raises the question of their existence in other neurotropic flaviviruses.

Sphingolipids are essential components of cellular membranes and defects in their synthesis or degradation cause severe human diseases. The efficient degradation of sphingolipids in the lysosome requires lipid-binding saposin proteins and hydrolytic enzymes. The glycosphingolipid galactocerebroside is the primary lipid component of the myelin sheath and is degraded by the hydrolase β-galactocerebrosidase (GALC). This enzyme requires the saposin SapA for lipid processing and defects in either of these proteins causes a severe neurodegenerative disorder, Krabbe disease. Here we present the structure of a glycosphingolipid-processing complex, revealing how SapA and GALC form a heterotetramer with an open channel connecting the enzyme active site to the SapA hydrophobic cavity. This structure defines how a soluble hydrolase can cleave the polar glycosyl headgroups of these essential lipids from their hydrophobic ceramide tails. Furthermore, the molecular details of this interaction reveal how specificity of saposin binding to hydrolases is encoded.

Glycosphingolipids are ubiquitous components of mammalian cell membranes, and defects in their catabolism by lysosomal enzymes cause a diverse array of diseases. Deficiencies in the enzyme β-galactocerebrosidase (GALC) cause Krabbe disease, a devastating genetic disorder characterized by widespread demyelination and rapid, fatal neurodegeneration. Here, we present a series of high-resolution crystal structures that illustrate key steps in the catalytic cycle of GALC. We have captured a snapshot of the short-lived enzyme-substrate complex illustrating how wild-type GALC binds a bona fide substrate. We have extensively characterized the enzyme kinetics of GALC with this substrate and shown that the enzyme is active in crystallo by determining the structure of the enzyme-product complex following extended soaking of the crystals with this same substrate. We have also determined the structure of a covalent intermediate that, together with the enzyme-substrate and enzyme-product complexes, reveals conformational changes accompanying the catalytic steps and provides key mechanistic insights, laying the foundation for future design of pharmacological chaperones.

The loading of peptide Ags onto MHC class I molecules is a highly controlled process in which the MHC class I–dedicated chaperone tapasin is a key player. We recently identified a tapasin-related molecule, TAPBPR, as an additional component in the MHC class I Ag-presentation pathway. In this study, we show that the amino acid residues important for tapasin to interact with MHC class I are highly conserved on TAPBPR. We identify specific residues in the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of TAPBPR involved in associating with MHC class I. Furthermore, we demonstrate that residues on MHC class I crucial for its association with tapasin, such as T134, are also essential for its interaction with TAPBPR. Taken together, the data indicate that TAPBPR and tapasin bind in a similar orientation to the same face of MHC class I. In the absence of tapasin, the association of MHC class I with TAPBPR is increased. However, in the absence of TAPBPR, the interaction between MHC class I and tapasin does not increase. In light of our findings, previous data determining the function of tapasin in the MHC class I Ag–processing and presentation pathway must be re-evaluated.

Hunter syndrome is a rare but devastating childhood disease caused by mutations in the IDS gene encoding iduronate-2-sulfatase, a crucial enzyme in the lysosomal degradation pathway of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate. These complex glycosaminoglycans have important roles in cell adhesion, growth, proliferation and repair, and their degradation and recycling in the lysosome is essential for cellular maintenance. A variety of disease-causing mutations have been identified throughout the IDS gene. However, understanding the molecular basis of the disease has been impaired by the lack of structural data. Here, we present the crystal structure of human IDS with a covalently bound sulfate ion in the active site. This structure provides essential insight into multiple mechanisms by which pathogenic mutations interfere with enzyme function, and a compelling explanation for severe Hunter syndrome phenotypes. Understanding the structural consequences of disease-associated mutations will facilitate the identification of patients that may benefit from specific tailored therapies., Hunter syndrome is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). Here, the authors present the IDS crystal structure and give mechanistic insights into mutations that cause Hunter syndrome.

The complement system is an essential component of the innate and acquired immune system(1), and consists of a series of proteolytic cascades that are initiated by the presence of microorganisms. In health, activation of complement is precisely controlled through membrane-bound and soluble plasma-regulatory proteins including complement factor H (fH; ref.2), a 155 kDa protein composed of 20 domains (termed complement control protein repeats). Many pathogens have evolved the ability to avoid immune-killing by recruiting host complement regulators(3) and several pathogens have adapted to avoid complement-mediated killing by sequestering fH to their surface(4). Here we present the structure of a complement regulator in complex with its pathogen surface-protein ligand. This reveals how the important human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis subverts immune responses by mimicking the host, using protein instead of charged-carbohydrate chemistry to recruit the host complement regulator, fH. The structure also indicates the molecular basis of the host-specificity of the interaction between fH and the meningococcus, and informs attempts to develop novel therapeutics and vaccines.

MxiG is a single-pass membrane protein that oligomerizes within the inner membrane ring of the Shigella flexneri type III secretion system (T3SS). The MxiG N-terminal domain (MxiG-N) is the predominant cytoplasmic structure; however, its role in T3SS assembly and secretion is largely uncharacterized. We have determined the solution structure of MxiG-N residues 6-112 (MxiG-N(6-112)), representing the first published structure of this T3SS domain. The structure shows strong structural homology to forkhead-associated (FHA) domains. Canonically, these cell-signaling modules bind phosphothreonine (Thr(P)) via highly conserved residues. However, the putative phosphate-binding pocket of MxiG-N(6-112) does not align with other FHA domain structures or interact with Thr(P). Furthermore, mutagenesis of potential phosphate-binding residues has no effect on S. flexneri T3SS assembly and function. Therefore, MxiG-N has a novel function for an FHA domain. Positioning of MxiG-N(6-112) within the EM density of the S. flexneri needle complex gives insight into the ambiguous stoichiometry of the T3SS, supporting models with 24 MxiG subunits in the inner membrane ring. © 2011 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Type Three Secretion Systems (T3SSs) are essential virulence determinants of many Gram-negative bacteria. The T3SS is an injection device that can transfer bacterial virulence proteins directly into host cells. The apparatus is made up of a basal body that spans both bacterial membranes and an extracellular needle that possesses a channel that is thought to act as a conduit for protein secretion. Contact with a host-cell membrane triggers the insertion of a pore into the target membrane, and effectors are translocated through this pore into the host cell. To assemble a functional T3SS, specific substrates must be targeted to the apparatus in the correct order. Recently, there have been many developments in our structural and functional understanding of the proteins involved in the regulation of secretion. Here we review the current understanding of protein components of the system thought to be involved in switching between different stages of secretion.

The pathogenic bacterium Shigella flexneri uses a type III secretion system to inject virulence factors from the bacterial cytosol directly into host cells. The machinery that identifies secretion substrates and controls the export of extracellular components and effector proteins consists of several inner-membrane and cytoplasmic proteins. One of the inner membrane components, Spa40, belongs to a family of proteins proposed to regulate the switching of substrate specificity of the export apparatus. We show that Spa40 is cleaved within the strictly conserved amino acid sequence NPTH and substitution of the proposed autocatalytic residue abolishes cleavage. Here we also report the crystal structure of the cytoplasmic complex Spa40(C) and compare it with the recent structures of the homologues from Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. These structures reveal the tight association of the cleaved fragments and show that the conserved NPTH sequence lies on a loop which, when cleaved, swings away from the catalytic N257 residue, resulting in different surface features in this region. This structural rearrangement suggests a mechanism by which non-cleaving forms of these proteins interfere with correct substrate switching of the apparatus.

Bacteria expressing type III secretion systems (T3SS) have been responsible for the deaths of millions worldwide, acting as key virulence elements in diseases ranging from plague to typhoid fever. The T3SS is composed of a basal body, which traverses both bacterial membranes, and an external needle through which effector proteins are secreted. We report multiple crystal structures of two proteins that sit at the tip of the needle and are essential for virulence; IpaD from Shigella flexneri and BipD from Burkholderia pseudomallei. The structures reveal that the N-terminal domains of the molecules are intra-molecular chaperones that prevent premature oligomerization, as well as sharing structural homology with proteins involved in eukaryotic actin rearrangement. Crystal packing has allowed us to construct a model for the tip complex that is supported by mutations designed using the structure.

Our understanding of the antigen presentation pathway has recently been enhanced with the identification that the tapasin-related protein TAPBPR is a second major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-specific chaperone. We sought to determine whether, like tapasin, TAPBPR can also influence MHC class I peptide selection by functioning as a peptide exchange catalyst. We show that TAPBPR can catalyse the dissociation of peptides from peptide-MHC I complexes, enhance the loading of peptide-receptive MHC I molecules, and discriminate between peptides based on affinity in vitro. In cells, the depletion of TAPBPR increased the diversity of peptides presented on MHC I molecules, suggesting that TAPBPR is involved in restricting peptide presentation. Our results suggest TAPBPR binds to MHC I in a peptide-receptive state and, like tapasin, works to enhance peptide optimisation. It is now clear there are two MHC class I specific peptide editors, tapasin and TAPBPR, intimately involved in controlling peptide presentation to the immune system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09617.001, eLife digest Our immune system protects us from infections and destroys cells that are turning cancerous. A group of proteins called MHC class I molecules are essential for this protection. These molecules let the immune system know what is going on inside our cells by displaying chopped up fragments of proteins (or peptides) on the surface of the cell. If these peptides are from infectious or disease-causing agents the immune system is triggered into action and can recognise and kill the cell. There is still much to discover regarding how MHC molecules choose which peptides to display. A very complex pathway within our cells controls this displaying of peptides to the immune system. Recently, a protein called TAPBPR was identified as a new player in MHC class I biology, but its role was unclear. Hermann, van Hateren et al. now reveal that TAPBPR plays a central role in restricting which peptides are loaded onto and presented by MHC class I molecules. The results suggest that TAPBPR acts as a quality control checkpoint, closely monitoring and ensuring that the loaded peptide is stable within the MHC class I molecule. The discovery of TAPBPR's role in peptide selection increases our understanding of how peptides are chosen and stabilized, and sets the stage for learning more about how cells decide which peptides to reveal to the immune system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09617.002

A 1.8 Å resolution structure of the sphingolipid activator protein saposin A has been determined at pH 4.8, the physiologically relevant lysosomal pH for hydrolase enzyme activation and lipid-transfer activity., The saposins are essential cofactors for the normal lysosomal degradation of complex glycosphingolipids by acid hydrolase enzymes; defects in either saposin or hydrolase function lead to severe metabolic diseases. Saposin A (SapA) activates the enzyme β-galactocerebrosidase (GALC), which catalyzes the breakdown of β-d-galactocerebroside, the principal lipid component of myelin. SapA is known to bind lipids and detergents in a pH-dependent manner; this is accompanied by a striking transition from a ‘closed’ to an ‘open’ conformation. However, previous structures were determined at non-lysosomal pH. This work describes a 1.8 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure determined at the physiologically relevant lysosomal pH 4.8. In the absence of lipid or detergent at pH 4.8, SapA is observeed to adopt a conformation closely resembling the previously determined ‘closed’ conformation, showing that pH alone is not sufficient for the transition to the ‘open’ conformation. Structural alignments reveal small conformational changes, highlighting regions of flexibility.

Nuclear LIM-only (LMO) and LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) proteins have important roles in cell fate determination, organ development and oncogenesis. These proteins contain tandemly arrayed LIM domains that bind the LIM interaction domain (LID) of the nuclear adaptor protein LIM domain-binding protein-1 (Ldb1). We have determined a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of LMO4, a putative breast oncoprotein, in complex with Ldb1-LID, providing the first example of a tandem LIM:Ldb1-LID complex and the first structure of a type-B LIM domain. The complex possesses a highly modular structure with Ldb1-LID binding in an extended manner across both LIM domains of LMO4. The interface contains extensive hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions and multiple backbone–backbone hydrogen bonds. A mutagenic screen of Ldb1-LID, assessed by yeast two-hybrid and competition ELISA analysis, identified key features at the interface and revealed that the interaction is tolerant to mutation. These combined properties provide a mechanism for the binding of Ldb1 to numerous LMO and LIM-HD proteins. Furthermore, the modular extended interface may form a general mode of binding to tandem LIM domains.

LMO2 and LMO4 are members of a small family of nuclear transcriptional regulators that are important for both normal development and disease processes. LMO2 is essential for hemopoiesis and angiogenesis, and inappropriate overexpression of this protein leads to T-cell leukemias. LMO4 is developmentally regulated in the mammary gland and has been implicated in breast oncogenesis. Both proteins comprise two tandemly repeated LIM domains. LMO2 and LMO4 interact with the ubiquitous nuclear adaptor protein ldb1/NLI/CLIM2, which associates with the LIM domains of LMO and LIM homeodomain proteins via its LIM interaction domain (ldb1-LID). We report the solution structures of two LMO:ldb1 complexes (PDB: 1M3V and 1J2O) and show that ldb1-LID binds to the N-terminal LIM domain (LIM1) of LMO2 and LMO4 in an extended conformation, contributing a third strand to a beta-hairpin in LIM1 domains. These findings constitute the first molecular definition of LIM-mediated protein-protein interactions and suggest a mechanism by which ldb1 can bind a variety of LIM domains that share low sequence homology.

The nuclear LIM-only (LMO) transcription factors LMO2 and LMO4 play important roles in both normal and leukemic T-cell development. LIM domains are cysteine/histidine-rich domains that contain two structural zinc ions and that function as protein-protein adaptors; members of the LMO family each contain two closely spaced LIM domains. These LMO proteins all bind with high affinity to the nuclear protein LIM domain binding protein 1 (ldb1). The LMO-ldb1 interaction is mediated through the N-terminal LIM domain (LIM1) of LMO proteins and a 38-residue region towards the C-terminus of ldb1 [ldb1(LID)]. Unfortunately, recombinant forms of LMO2 and LMO4 have limited solubility and stability, effectively preventing structural analysis. Therefore, we have designed and constructed a fusion protein in which ldb1(LID) and LIM1 of LMO2 can form an intramolecular complex. The engineered protein, FLIN2 (fusion of the LIM interacting domain of ldb1 and the N-terminal LIM domain of LMO2) has been expressed and purified in milligram quantities. FLIN2 is monomeric, contains significant levels of secondary structure and yields a sharp and well-dispersed one-dimensional (1)H NMR spectrum. The analogous LMO4 protein, FLIN4, has almost identical properties. These data suggest that we will be able to obtain high-resolution structural information about the LMO-ldb1 interactions.

The multisubunit homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) membrane-tethering complex is required for late endosome-lysosome and autophagosome-lysosome fusion in mammals. We have determined the crystal structure of the human HOPS subunit Vps33A, confirming its identity as a Sec1/Munc18 family member. We show that HOPS subunit Vps16 recruits Vps33A to the human HOPS complex and that residues 642–736 are necessary and sufficient for this interaction, and we present the crystal structure of Vps33A in complex with Vps16(642–736). Mutations at the binding interface disrupt the Vps33A–Vps16 interaction both in vitro and in cells, preventing recruitment of Vps33A to the HOPS complex. The Vps33A–Vps16 complex provides a structural framework for studying the association between Sec1/Munc18 proteins and tethering complexes.