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Cryogenic-electron tomography enables the visualization of cellular environments in extreme detail, however, tools to analyze the full amount of information contained within these densely packed volumes are still needed. Detailed analysis of macromolecules through subtomogram averaging requires particles to first be localized within the tomogram volume, a task complicated by several factors including a low signal to noise ratio and crowding of the cellular space. Available methods for this task suffer either from being error prone or requiring manual annotation of training data. To assist in this crucial particle picking step, we present TomoTwin: an open source general picking model for cryogenic-electron tomograms based on deep metric learning. By embedding tomograms in an information-rich, high-dimensional space that separates macromolecules according to their three-dimensional structure, TomoTwin allows users to identify proteins in tomograms de novo without manually creating training data or retraining the network to locate new proteins.

Disease-causing bacteria use a variety of secreted toxins to invade and subjugate their hosts. While the machinery responsible for secretion of many smaller toxins has already been established, it remains enigmatic for larger ones such as Tc toxins from human and insect pathogens, which approach the size of a prokaryotic ribosome. In the present study, we combine targeted genomic editing, proteomic profiling and cryo-electron tomography of the insect pathogenYersinia entomophagato reveal that a specialized subset of bacterial cells produces the Tc toxin YenTc as part of a complex toxin cocktail released into the environment by controlled cell lysis using a transcriptionally-coupled, pH-dependent type 10 secretion system (T10SS). Our results dissect the process of Tc toxin export by a T10SS in hitherto unprecedented detail, identifying that T10SSs operate via a previously unknown lytic mode of action, and establishing them as crucial players in the size-insensitive release of cytoplasmically folded toxins. With T10SSs directly embedded in Tc toxin operons of major human pathogens such asYersinia pestisandSalmonella enterica, we anticipate our findings to model an important aspect of pathogenesis in bacteria with a significant impact on global human health.

Entomopathogenic nematodes are widely used as biopesticides(1,2). Their insecticidal activity depends on symbiotic bacteria such as Photorhabdus luminescens, which produces toxin complex (Tc) toxins as major virulence factors(3–6). No protein receptors are known for any Tc toxins, limiting our understanding of their specificity and pathogenesis. Here, we use genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout screening in Drosophila melanogaster S2R+ cells and identify Visgun (Vsg) as a receptor for an archetypal P. luminescens Tc toxin (pTc), which recognizes the extracellular O-glycosylated mucin-like domain of Vsg containing high density repeats of proline, threonine, and serine (HD-PTS). Vsg orthologs in mosquitoes and beetles contain HD-PTS and can function as pTc receptors, whereas orthologs without HD-PTS such as moth and human versions are not pTc receptors. Vsg is expressed in immune cells including hemocytes and fat body cells. Hemocytes from Vsg knockout (KO) Drosophila are resistant to pTc and maintain phagocytosis in the presence of pTc, and their sensitivity to pTc is restored by transgenic expression of mosquito Vsg. Lastly, Vsg KO Drosophila showed reduced bacterial loads and lethality from P. luminescens infection. Our findings identify a proteinaceous Tc toxin receptor, reveal how Tc toxins contribute to P. luminescens pathogenesis, and establish a genome-wide CRISPR screening approach for investigating insecticidal toxins and pathogens.

Toxin complex (Tc) toxins are virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria. Tcs are composed of three subunits: TcA, TcB and TcC. TcA facilitates receptor–toxin interaction and membrane permeation, TcB and TcC form a toxin-encapsulating cocoon. While the mechanisms of holotoxin assembly and pore formation have been described, little is known about receptor binding of TcAs. Here, we identify heparins/heparan sulfates and Lewis antigens as receptors for different TcAs from insect and human pathogens. Glycan array screening reveals that all tested TcAs bind negatively charged heparins. Cryo-EM structures of Morganella morganii TcdA4 and Xenorhabdus nematophila XptA1 reveal that heparins/heparan sulfates unexpectedly bind to different regions of the shell domain, including receptor-binding domains. In addition, Photorhabdus luminescens TcdA1 binds to Lewis antigens with micromolar affinity. Here, the glycan interacts with the receptor-binding domain D of the toxin. Our results suggest a glycan dependent association mechanism of Tc toxins on the host cell surface., Although Tc toxins are a major class of bacterial toxin translocation systems, little is known about their receptor binding. Here, the authors identify heparins/heparan sulfates and Lewis antigens as receptors for different Tc toxins, determine cryo-EM structures of three toxin-glycan complexes and propose a two-step cell adhesion mechanism for Tc toxins.

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are involved in receptor-operated and/or store-operated Ca2+ signaling. Inhibition of TRPCs by small molecules was shown to be promising in treating renal diseases. In cells, the channels are regulated by calmodulin (CaM). Molecular details of both CaM and drug binding have remained elusive so far. Here, we report structures of TRPC4 in complex with three pyridazinone-based inhibitors and CaM. The structures reveal that all the inhibitors bind to the same cavity of the voltage-sensing-like domain and allow us to describe how structural changes from the ligand-binding site can be transmitted to the central ion-conducting pore of TRPC4. CaM binds to the rib helix of TRPC4, which results in the ordering of a previously disordered region, fixing the channel in its closed conformation. This represents a novel CaM-induced regulatory mechanism of canonical TRP channels.

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are involved in receptor-operated and/or store-operated Ca2+ signaling. Inhibition of TRPCs by small molecules was shown to be promising in treating renal diseases. In cells, the channels are regulated by calmodulin. Molecular details of both calmodulin and drug binding have remained elusive so far. Here we report structures of TRPC4 in complex with a pyridazinone-based inhibitor and a pyridazinone-based activator and calmodulin. The structures reveal that both activator and inhibitor bind to the same cavity of the voltage-sensing-like domain and allow us to describe how structural changes from the ligand binding site can be transmitted to the central ion-conducting pore of TRPC4. Calmodulin binds to the rib helix of TRPC4, which results in the ordering of a previously disordered region, fixing the channel in its closed conformation. This represents a novel calmodulin-induced regulatory mechanism of canonical TRP channels.

Most compounds form crystals so small that scientists cannot experimentally determine their atomic structures using X-ray crystallography. Microcrystal electron diffraction now provides a unique solution for this challenge.

Toxin complex (Tc) toxins are virulence factors widespread in insect and human bacterial pathogens. Tcs are composed of three subunits: TcA, TcB and TcC. TcA facilitates receptor-toxin interaction and membrane permeation, TcB and TcC form a toxin-encapsulating cocoon. While the mechanisms of holotoxin assembly and prepore-to-pore transition have been well-described, little is known about receptor binding and cellular uptake of Tcs. Here, we identify two classes of glycans, heparins/heparan sulfates and Lewis antigens, that act as receptors for different TcAs from insect- and human pathogenic bacteria. Glycan array screening and electron cryo microscopy (cryo-EM) structures reveal that all tested TcAs bind unexpectedly with their α-helical part of the shell domain to negatively charged heparins. In addition, TcdA1 from the insect-pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens binds to Lewis antigens with micromolar affinity. A cryo-EM structure of the TcdA1-Lewis X complex reveals that the glycan interacts with the receptor-binding domain D of the toxin. Our results suggest a two-step association mechanism of Tc toxins involving glycans on the surface of host cells.

Tc toxins are bacterial protein complexes that inject cytotoxic enzymes into target cells using a syringe-like mechanism. Tc toxins are composed of a membrane translocator and a cocoon that encapsulates a toxic enzyme. The toxic enzyme varies between Tc toxins from different species and is not conserved. Here, we investigate whether the toxic enzyme can be replaced by other small proteins of different origin and properties, namely Cdc42, herpes simplex virus ICP47, Arabidopsis thaliana iLOV, Escherichia coli DHFR, Ras-binding domain of CRAF kinase, and TEV protease. Using a combination of electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and in vitro translocation assays, we demonstrate that it is possible to turn Tc toxins into customizable molecular syringes for delivering proteins of interest across membranes. We also infer the guidelines that protein cargos must obey in terms of size, charge, and fold in order to apply Tc toxins as a universal protein translocation system., Tc toxins are a major class of bacterial toxin translocation systems that inject toxic enzymes into target cells. Here the authors present functional and structural data showing that the toxic enzyme can be replaced by other small proteins and identify prerequisites required for successful translocation, which could facilitate the development of functional Tc-based protein injection devices.

Selecting particles from digital micrographs is an essential step in single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). As manual selection of complete datasets—typically comprising thousands of particles—is a tedious and time-consuming process, numerous automatic particle pickers have been developed. However, non-ideal datasets pose a challenge to particle picking. Here we present the particle picking software crYOLO which is based on the deep-learning object detection system You Only Look Once (YOLO). After training the network with 200–2500 particles per dataset it automatically recognizes particles with high recall and precision while reaching a speed of up to five micrographs per second. Further, we present a general crYOLO network able to pick from previously unseen datasets, allowing for completely automated on-the-fly cryo-EM data preprocessing during data acquisition. crYOLO is available as a standalone program under http://sphire.mpg.de/ and is distributed as part of the image processing workflow in SPHIRE., Thorsten Wagner et al. present SPHIRE-crYOLO, a particle picking software for selecting particles from digital micrographs in cryoEM data. After training, the method automatically recognizes particles with high recall and precision, simplifying data pre-processing.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms. It is required for signalling and proper functioning of a range of proteins involved in, for example, DNA binding and enzymatic catalysis1. In prokaryotes and photosynthetic eukaryotes, Zn2+-transporting P-type ATPases of class IB (ZntA) are crucial for cellular redistribution and detoxification of Zn2+ and related elements2, 3. Here we present crystal structures representing the phosphoenzyme ground state (E2P) and a dephosphorylation intermediate (E2·Pi) of ZntA from Shigella sonnei, determined at 3.2 Å and 2.7 Å resolution, respectively. The structures reveal a similar fold to Cu+-ATPases, with an amphipathic helix at the membrane interface. A conserved electronegative funnel connects this region to the intramembranous high-affinity ion-binding site and may promote specific uptake of cellular Zn2+ ions by the transporter. The E2P structure displays a wide extracellular release pathway reaching the invariant residues at the high-affinity site, including C392, C394 and D714. The pathway closes in the E2·Pi state, in which D714 interacts with the conserved residue K693, which possibly stimulates Zn2+ release as a built-in counter ion, as has been proposed for H+-ATPases. Indeed, transport studies in liposomes provide experimental support for ZntA activity without counter transport. These findings suggest a mechanistic link between PIB-type Zn2+-ATPases and PIII-type H+-ATPases and at the same time show structural features of the extracellular release pathway that resemble PII-type ATPases such as the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase4, 5 (SERCA) and Na+, K+-ATPase6. These findings considerably increase our understanding of zinc transport in cells and represent new possibilities for biotechnology and biomedicine. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms. It is required for signalling and proper functioning of a range of proteins involved in, for example, DNA binding and enzymatic catalysis1. In prokaryotes and photosynthetic eukaryotes, Zn2+-transporting P-type ATPases of class IB (ZntA) are crucial for cellular redistribution and detoxification of Zn2+ and related elements2, 3. Here we present crystal structures representing the phosphoenzyme ground state (E2P) and a dephosphorylation intermediate (E2·Pi) of ZntA from Shigella sonnei, determined at 3.2 Å and 2.7 Å resolution, respectively. The structures reveal a similar fold to Cu+-ATPases, with an amphipathic helix at the membrane interface. A conserved electronegative funnel connects this region to the intramembranous high-affinity ion-binding site and may promote specific uptake of cellular Zn2+ ions by the transporter. The E2P structure displays a wide extracellular release pathway reaching the invariant residues at the high-affinity site, including C392, C394 and D714. The pathway closes in the E2·Pi state, in which D714 interacts with the conserved residue K693, which possibly stimulates Zn2+ release as a built-in counter ion, as has been proposed for H+-ATPases. Indeed, transport studies in liposomes provide experimental support for ZntA activity without counter transport. These findings suggest a mechanistic link between PIB-type Zn2+-ATPases and PIII-type H+-ATPases and at the same time show structural features of the extracellular release pathway that resemble PII-type ATPases such as the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase4, 5 (SERCA) and Na+, K+-ATPase6. These findings considerably increase our understanding of zinc transport in cells and represent new possibilities for biotechnology and biomedicine.

P-type ATPases perform active transport of various compounds across biological membranes and are crucial for ion homeostasis and the asymmetric composition of lipid bilayers. Although their functional cycle share principles of phosphoenzyme intermediates, P-type ATPases also show subclass-specific sequence motifs and structural elements that are linked to transport specificity and mechanistic modulation. Here we provide an overview of the Cu(+)-transporting ATPases (of subclass PIB) and compare them to the well-studied sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (of subclass PIIA). Cu(+) ions in the cell are delivered by soluble chaperones to Cu(+)-ATPases, which expose a putative "docking platform" at the intracellular interface. Cu(+)-ATPases also contain heavy-metal binding domains providing a basis for allosteric control of pump activity. Database analysis of Cu(+) ligating residues questions a two-site model of intramembranous Cu(+) binding, and we suggest an alternative role for the proposed second site in copper translocation and proton exchange. The class-specific features demonstrate that topological diversity in P-type ATPases may tune a general energy coupling scheme to the translocation of compounds with remarkably different properties.

Cu+-specific P-type ATPase membrane protein transporters regulate cellular copper levels. The lack of crystal structures in Cu+-binding states has limited our understanding of how ion entry and binding are achieved. Here, we characterize the molecular basis of Cu+ entry using molecular-dynamics simulations, structural modeling, and in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Protein structural rearrangements resulting in the exposure of positive charges to bulk solvent rather than to lipid phosphates indicate a direct molecular role of the putative docking platform in Cu+ delivery. Mutational analyses and simulations in the presence and absence of Cu+ predict that the ion-entry path involves two ion-binding sites: one transient Met148-Cys382 site and one intramembranous site formed by trigonal coordination to Cys384, Asn689, and Met717. The results reconcile earlier biochemical and x-ray absorption data and provide a molecular understanding of ion entry in Cu+-transporting P-type ATPases. QC 20170120

The human copper exporters ATP7A and ATP7B contain domains common to all P-type ATPases as well as class-specific features such as six sequential heavy-metal binding domains (HMBD1–HMBD6) and a type-specific constellation of transmembrane helices. Despite the medical significance of ATP7A and ATP7B related to Menkes and Wilson diseases, respectively, structural information has only been available for isolated, soluble domains. Here we present homology models based on the existing structures of soluble domains and the recently determined structure of the homologous LpCopA from the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The models and sequence analyses show that the domains and residues involved in the catalytic phosphorylation events and copper transfer are highly conserved. In addition, there are only minor differences in the core structures of the two human proteins and the bacterial template, allowing protein-specific properties to be addressed. Furthermore, the mapping of known disease-causing missense mutations indicates that among the heavy-metal binding domains, HMBD5 and HMBD6 are the most crucial for function, thus mimicking the single or dual HMBDs found in most copper-specific P-type ATPases. We propose a structural arrangement of the HMBDs and how they may interact with the core of the proteins to achieve autoinhibition.

Understanding of the functions and mechanisms of fundamental processes in the cell requires structural information. Structural studies of membrane proteins typically necessitate large amounts of purified and preferably homogenous target protein. Here, we describe a rapid overproduction and purification strategy of a bacterial PIB-type ATPase for isolation of milligrams of target protein per liter Escherichia coli cell culture, with a final quality of the sample which is sufficient for generating high-resolution crystals.

Determining structures of membrane proteins remains a significant challenge. A technique utilizing high lipid-detergent concentrations ("HiLiDe") circumvents the major bottlenecks of current membrane protein crystallization methods. During HiLiDe, the protein-lipid-detergent ratio is varied in a controlled way in order to yield initial crystal hits, which may be subsequently optimized by variation of the crystallization conditions and/or utilizing secondary detergents. HiLiDe preserves the advantages of classical lipid-based methods, yet is compatible with both the vapor diffusion and batch crystallization techniques. The method has been applied with particular success to P-type ATPases.

Understanding of the functions and mechanisms of fundamental processes in the cell requires structural information. Structural studies of membrane proteins typically necessitate large amounts of purified and preferably homogenous target protein. Here, we describe a rapid overproduction and purification strategy of a bacterial PIB-type ATPase for isolation of milligrams of target protein per liter Escherichia coli cell culture, with a final quality of the sample which is sufficient for generating high-resolution crystals.

Determining structures of membrane proteins remains a significant challenge. A technique utilizing high lipid-detergent concentrations ("HiLiDe") circumvents the major bottlenecks of current membrane protein crystallization methods. During HiLiDe, the protein-lipid-detergent ratio is varied in a controlled way in order to yield initial crystal hits, which may be subsequently optimized by variation of the crystallization conditions and/or utilizing secondary detergents. HiLiDe preserves the advantages of classical lipid-based methods, yet is compatible with both the vapor diffusion and batch crystallization techniques. The method has been applied with particular success to P-type ATPases.

Cells regulate copper levels tightly to balance the biogenesis and integrity of copper centers in vital enzymes against toxic levels of copper. PIB-type Cu(+)-ATPases play a central role in copper homeostasis by catalyzing the selective translocation of Cu(+) across cellular membranes. Crystal structures of a copper-free Cu(+)-ATPase are available, but the mechanism of Cu(+) recognition, binding, and translocation remains elusive. Through X-ray absorption spectroscopy, ATPase activity assays, and charge transfer measurements on solid-supported membranes using wild-type and mutant forms of the Legionella pneumophila Cu(+)-ATPase (LpCopA), we identify a sulfur-lined metal transport pathway. Structural analysis indicates that Cu(+) is bound at a high-affinity transmembrane-binding site in a trigonal-planar coordination with the Cys residues of the conserved CPC motif of transmembrane segment 4 (C382 and C384) and the conserved Met residue of transmembrane segment 6 (M717 of the MXXXS motif). These residues are also essential for transport. Additionally, the studies indicate essential roles of other conserved intramembranous polar residues in facilitating copper binding to the high-affinity site and subsequent release through the exit pathway.

Proteins that contain metal cofactors are expected to be highly radiation sensitive since the degree of X-ray absorption correlates with the presence of high-atomic-number elements and X-ray energy. To explore the effects of local damage in serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX),Clostridium ferredoxinwas used as a model system. The protein contains two [4Fe–4S] clusters that serve as sensitive probes for radiation-induced electronic and structural changes. High-dose room-temperature SFX datasets were collected at the Linac Coherent Light Source of ferredoxin microcrystals. Difference electron density maps calculated from high-dose SFX and synchrotron data show peaks at the iron positions of the clusters, indicative of decrease of atomic scattering factors due to ionization. The electron density of the two [4Fe–4S] clusters differs in the FEL data, but not in the synchrotron data. Since the clusters differ in their detailed architecture, this observation is suggestive of an influence of the molecular bonding and geometry on the atomic displacement dynamics following initial photoionization. The experiments are complemented by plasma code calculations.

Transition metals, such as copper and zinc, are required by a range of different processes in life. However, because excessive levels of these micro-nutrients are also damaging to the cell, careful distribution between cellular compartments and extrusion from the cell are crucial for viability. P-type ATPases of subfamily IB (PIB-ATPases) are key regulators of copper and zinc through active transport of these and other heavy-metals, across membranes. Dysfunction of the human copper-transporting PIB-ATPases, ATP7A and ATP7B, is associated with Menkes and Wilson's disease, respectively, which might be circumvented by stabilizing compounds. On the other hand, the critical role of PIB-ATPases for heavy-metal homeostasis and detoxification in bacteria, fungi, parasites and cancer make them favorable targets for new drugs.Evidently, understanding how copper and zinc-transporting PIB-ATPases, such as the bacterial CopA and ZntA, work at the atomic level will also explain how their function is affected by disease mutations or targeted by inhibitors. Within the PIB-type ATPase subfamily, CopA is the only protein that has had its crystal structure determined (Gourdon et al. 2011) as derived from a crystal structure of the protein stabilized in lipid-detergent micelles. This structure shares the common P-Type ATPase architecture, with an additional large amphipathic helix at the cytoplasmic interface. However, knowledge of the dynamic interplay of the PIB-ATPases with intact lipid bilayers is absent in this structure. Thus, the aims of the current study is to elucidate how CopA and ZntA behave in, and depend on, the surrounding lipid bilayer by utilizing a serial multiscale molecular dynamics approach by combining coarse-grained and atomistic simulations. This approach affords insight into an otherwise evasive system.

Heavy metals in cells are typically regulated by PIB-type ATPases such as the copper transporting Cu+-ATPases. The first crystal structure of a Cu+-ATPase (LpCopA) was trapped in a transition state of dephosphorylation (E2.Pi) and inferred to be occluded. The structure revealed a PIB-specific topology and suggested a copper transport pathway across the membrane. Here we show by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that extracellular water solvates the transmembrane (TM) domain, indicative of a pathway for Cu+ release. Furthermore, a new LpCopA crystal structure determined at 2.8 Å resolution, trapped in the E2P state (which is associated with extracellular exchange in PII-type ATPases), delineates the same conduit as also further supported by site-directed mutagenesis. The E2P and E2.Pi states therefore appear equivalent and open to the extracellular side, in contrast to PII-type ATPases where the E2.Pi state is occluded. This indicates that Cu+-ATPases couple dephosphorylation differently to the conformational changes associated with ion extrusion. The ion pathway may explain why Menkes’ and Wilson’s disease mutations at the extracellular side impair protein function, and points to an accessible site for novel inhibitors targeting Cu+-ATPases of pathogens.

Cellular copper levels are carefully controlled to avoid toxic free copper while maintaining integrity of enzymatic copper centers. PIB-type ATPases transport Cu+ ions across membranes with high specificity. Here, we use a range of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques in combination with enzymatic assays and x-ray crystallography to determine the copper-transport pathway mediated by a Cu+ transporting P-type ATPase (CopA). The simulation data provide insight into transport energetics and accompanying side-chain interactions that would be hard to observe experimentally. We also observed a unique mode of ion transport, where the dephosphorylation event was not obligatory coupled to the structural rearrangements that produce an occluded intermediate state. Hence, the generalized reaction scheme based on PII-type ATPases, such as SERCA, might not apply to all P-type ATPases.Figure 1: The simulated energetics associated with copper release.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide

Cellular levels of heavy metals are carefully regulated by the PIB class of P-type ATPases in all kingdoms of life and mutations of the human members ATP7A and ATP7B are the cause of the severe Menkes' and Wilson's diseases. Recently, a crystal structure of a homologous Cu+ ATPase from Legionella pneumophila (LpCopA), trapped in a transition state of dephosphorylation (E2Pi), suggested that copper extrusion employs an intramembranous exit site, but the release pathway remained elusive and the transmembrane (TM) domain was inferred to be occluded. However, by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we find that extracellular bulk water solvates the proposed exit and high-affinity ion-binding sites deep within the membrane. This view found further support by a 2.8 resolution LpCopA crystal structure trapped in the E2P state (associated with extracellular exchange in well-known PII-type ATPases such the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, SERCA) showing a similar structure of the TM-domain, and delineating the same pathway by crystal water positions. We conclude that the E2P and E2Pi states are equally open, indicating that Cu+ ATPases couple the conformational changes associated with ion extrusion differently to dephosphorylation as compared to SERCA; in accordance with structural differences. The observed copper extrusion conduit was further validated by mutational studies and shown to involve the PIB-specific MA segment, which is absent in e.g. Co2+ ATPases and thus different unloading schemes may apply within PIB-ATPases. The pathway further explains why Menkes' and Wilson's mutations at the extracellular side impair protein function and constitutes a favorable site for novel inhibitors targeting pathogens from the extracellular environment.