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The autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) caused by dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency shares clinical features with autosomal dominant HIES because of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mutations, including recurrent infections and mucocutaneous candidiasis, which are suggestive of TWe sought to elucidate common mechanisms operating in the different forms of HIES.We analyzed the differentiation of CD4There was a profound block in the differentiation of DOCK8-deficient naive CD4DOCK8 interacts with STAT3 and regulates its activation and the outcome of STAT3-dependent T

Detection of foreign materials is the first step of successful immune responses. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) was shown to directly bind cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP), a bacterial second messenger, and to elicit strong interferon responses. Here we elucidate the structural features of the cytosolic c-di-GMP binding domain (CBD) of STING and its complex with c-di-GMP. The CBD exhibits an α + β fold and is a dimer in the crystal and in solution. Surprisingly, one c-di-GMP molecule binds to the central crevice of a STING dimer, using a series of stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. We show that STING is autoinhibited by an intramolecular interaction between the CBD and the C-terminal tail (CTT) and that c-di-GMP releases STING from this autoinhibition by displacing the CTT. The structures provide a remarkable example of pathogen-host interactions in which a unique microbial molecule directly engages the innate immune system.

The TrkH/TrkG/KtrB proteins mediate K+ uptake in bacteria and probably evolved from simple K+ channels by multiple gene duplications or fusions. Here we present the crystal structure of a TrkH from Vibrio parahaemolyticus. TrkH is a homodimer, and each protomer contains an ion permeation pathway. A selectivity filter, similar in architecture to those of K+ channels but significantly shorter, is lined by backbone and side-chain oxygen atoms. Functional studies showed that TrkH is selective for permeation of K+ and Rb+ over smaller ions such as Na+ or Li+. Immediately intracellular to the selectivity filter are an intramembrane loop and an arginine residue, both highly conserved, which constrict the permeation pathway. Substituting the arginine with an alanine significantly increases the rate of K+ flux. These results reveal the molecular basis of K+ selectivity and suggest a novel gating mechanism for this large and important family of membrane transport proteins. All living cells accumulate potassium ions, and a high intracellular potassium concentration is essential for many physiological processes. In bacteria, yeast and plants, potassium ion uptake is achieved by a superfamily of transporters, the SKT proteins. These are thought to have evolved from simple potassium channels, but the mechanism of potassium ion selectivity and transport is unknown. The crystal structure of a bacterial SKT protein, the TrkH potassium transporter from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, has now been determined. Its selectivity filter is similar to that of potassium ion channels, but it is shorter. Biochemical studies suggest that K+ selectivity depends on a novel gating mechanism that excludes smaller ions such as Na+ and Li+ in favour of the larger K+ and Rb+. Here, the X-ray crystal structure of TrkH is solved, a protein that mediates potassium uptake in Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium. The selectivity filter of the ion transporter is very similar to what is seen in (much simpler) potassium ion channels, but it is significantly shorter. Biochemical studies were performed to explore the molecular basis of K+ selectivity, and it is believed that a novel gating mechanism is involved.

The death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) formed by the death receptor Fas, the adaptor protein FADD and caspase-8 mediates the extrinsic apoptotic program. Mutations in Fas that disrupt the DISC cause autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). Here we show that the Fas-FADD death domain (DD) complex forms an asymmetric oligomeric structure composed of 5-7 Fas DD and 5 FADD DD, whose interfaces harbor ALPS-associated mutations. Structure-based mutations disrupt the Fas-FADD interaction in vitro and in living cells; the severity of a mutation correlates with the number of occurrences of a particular interaction in the structure. The highly oligomeric structure explains the requirement for hexameric or membrane-bound FasL in Fas signaling. It also predicts strong dominant negative effects from Fas mutations, which are confirmed by signaling assays. The structure optimally positions the FADD death effector domain (DED) to interact with the caspase-8 DED for caspase recruitment and higher-order aggregation.

TRAF1/2 and cIAP1/2 are members of the TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) and the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) families, respectively. They are critical for both the canonical and the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathways. Here we report the crystal structures of the TRAF2: cIAP2 and the TRAF1: TRAF2: cIAP2 complexes. A TRAF2 trimer interacts with one cIAP2 both in the crystal and in solution. Two chains of the TRAF2 trimer directly contact cIAP2 and key residues at the interface are confirmed by mutagenesis both in vitro and in cells. TRAF1 and TRAF2 preferentially form the TRAF1: (TRAF2)2 heterotrimer, which interacts with cIAP2 more strongly than TRAF2 alone. In contrast, TRAF1 alone interacts very weakly with cIAP2. Surprisingly, TRAF1 and one chain of TRAF2 in the TRAF1: (TRAF2)2: cIAP2 ternary complex mediate interaction with cIAP2. Because TRAF1 is dramatically upregulated by many stimuli, it may modulate the interaction of TRAF2 with cIAP1/2, which explains previously noted regulatory roles of TRAF1 in TNF signaling.

The crystal structure of nucleotide-free yeast F(1) ATPase has been determined at a resolution of 3.6 A. The overall structure is very similar to that of the ground state enzyme. In particular, the beta(DP) and beta(TP) subunits both adopt the closed conformation found in the ground state structure despite the absence of bound nucleotides. This implies that interactions between the gamma and beta subunits are as important as nucleotide occupancy in determining the conformational state of the beta subunits. Furthermore, this result suggests that for the mitochondrial enzyme, there is no state of nucleotide occupancy that would result in more than one of the beta subunits adopting the open conformation. The adenine-binding pocket of the beta(TP) subunit is disrupted in the apoenzyme, suggesting that the beta(DP) subunit is responsible for unisite catalytic activity.

The Shaker family voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv1) are expressed in a wide variety of cells and are essential for cellular excitability. In humans, loss-of-function mutations of Kv1 channels lead to hyperexcitability and are directly linked to episodic ataxia and atrial fibrillation. All Kv1 channels assemble with beta subunits (Kv betas), and certain Kv betas, for example Kv beta 1, have an N-terminal segment that closes the channel by the N-type inactivation mechanism. In principle, dissociation of Kv beta 1, although never reported, should eliminate inactivation and thus potentiate Kv1 current. We found that cortisone increases rat Kv1 channel activity by binding to Kv beta 1. A crystal structure of the Kv beta-cortisone complex was solved to 1.82-A resolution and revealed novel cortisone binding sites. Further studies demonstrated that cortisone promotes dissociation of Kv beta. The new mode of channel modulation may be explored by native or synthetic ligands to fine-tune cellular excitability.

The crystal structure of yeast mitochondrial F(1) ATPase contains three independent copies of the complex, two of which have similar conformations while the third differs in the position of the central stalk relative to the alpha(3)beta(3) sub-assembly. All three copies display very similar asymmetric features to those observed for the bovine enzyme, but the yeast F(1) ATPase structures provide novel information. In particular, the active site that binds ADP in bovine F(1) ATPase has an ATP analog bound and therefore this structure does not represent the ADP-inhibited form. In addition, one of the complexes binds phosphate in the nucleotide-free catalytic site, and comparison with other structures provides a picture of the movement of the phosphate group during initial binding and subsequent catalysis. The shifts in position of the central stalk between two of the three copies of yeast F(1) ATPase and when these structures are compared to those of the bovine enzyme give new insight into the conformational changes that take place during rotational catalysis.

The yeast mitochondrial ATPase has been genetically modified to include a His(6) Ni-affinity tag on the amino end of the mature beta-subunit. The modified beta-subunit is imported into the mitochondrion, properly processed to the mature form, and assembled into a mature and fully active ATP synthase. The F(1)-ATPase has been purified from submitochondrial particles after release from the membrane with chloroform, followed by Ni-chelate-affinity and gel filtration chromatography. The final enzyme is a homogeneous preparation with full activity and no apparent degradation products. This enzyme preparation has been used to obtain crystals that diffract to better than 2.8 A resolution.

L-Aspartate-beta-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH) catalyzes the reductive dephosphorylation of beta-aspartyl phosphate to L-aspartate-beta-semialdehyde in the aspartate biosynthetic pathway of plants and micro-organisms. The aspartate pathway produces fully one-quarter of the naturally occurring amino acids, but is not found in humans or other eukaryotic organisms, making ASADH an attractive target for the development of new antibacterial, fungicidal, or herbicidal compounds. We have determined the structure of ASADH from Vibrio cholerae in two states; the apoenzyme and a complex with NADP, and a covalently bound active site inhibitor, S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide. Upon binding the inhibitor undergoes an enzyme-catalyzed reductive demethylation leading to a covalently bound cysteine that is observed in the complex structure. The enzyme is a functional homodimer, with extensive intersubunit contacts and a symmetrical 4-amino acid bridge linking the active site residues in adjacent subunits that could serve as a communication channel. The active site is essentially preformed, with minimal differences in active site conformation in the apoenzyme relative to the ternary inhibitor complex. The conformational changes that do occur result primarily from NADP binding, and are localized to the repositioning of two surface loops located on the rim at opposite sides of the NADP cleft.

WOS: 000389542700018, PubMed ID: 27350570, Background: The autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) caused by dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) deficiency shares clinical features with autosomal dominant HIES because of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mutations, including recurrent infections and mucocutaneous candidiasis, which are suggestive of T(H)17 cell dysfunction. The mechanisms underlying this phenotypic overlap are unclear. Objective: We sought to elucidate common mechanisms operating in the different forms of HIES. Methods: We analyzed the differentiation of CD4(+) T-H cell subsets in control and DOCK8-deficient subjects. We also examined the role of DOCK8 in regulating STAT3 activation in T cells. T-H cell differentiation was analyzed by ELISA, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR measurements of cytokines and T-H cell transcription factors. The interaction of DOCK8 and STAT3 signaling pathways was examined by using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, coimmunoprecipitation, and gene expression analysis. Results: There was a profound block in the differentiation of DOCK8-deficient naive CD4(+) T cells into T(H)17 cells. A missense mutation that disrupts DOCK8 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity while sparing protein expression also impaired T(H)17 cell differentiation. DOCK8 constitutively associated with STAT3 independent of GEF activity, whereas it regulated STAT3 phosphorylation in a GEF activity-dependent manner. DOCK8 also promoted STAT3 translocation to the nucleus and induction of STAT3-dependent gene expression. Conclusion: DOCK8 interacts with STAT3 and regulates its activation and the outcome of STAT3-dependent TH17 differentiation. These findings might explain the phenotypic overlap between DOCK8 deficiency and autosomal dominant HIES., National Institutes of HealthUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA [5R01AI065617]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [1059B191300622], Supported by the National Institutes of Health (5R01AI065617, to T.A.C.) and a grant from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (1059B191300622 to S.K.).

Summary MALT1 cleavage activity is linked to the pathogenesis of activated B cell-like diffuse large B cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL), a chemoresistant form of DLBCL. We developed a MALT1 activity assay and identified chemically diverse MALT1 inhibitors. A selected lead compound, MI-2, featured direct binding to MALT1 and suppression of its protease function. MI-2 concentrated within human ABC-DLBCL cells and irreversibly inhibited cleavage of MALT1 substrates. This was accompanied by NF-κB reporter activity suppression, c-REL nuclear localization inhibition, and NF-κB target gene downregulation. Most notably, MI-2 was nontoxic to mice, and displayed selective activity against ABC-DLBCL cell lines in vitro and xenotransplanted ABC-DLBCL tumors in vivo. The compound was also effective against primary human non-germinal center B cell-like DLBCLs ex vivo.

SUMMARY Caspase inhibition is a promising approach for treating multiple diseases. Using a reconstituted assay and high-throughput screening, we identified a group of nonpeptide caspase inhibitors. These inhibitors share common chemical scaffolds, suggesting the same mechanism of action. They can inhibit apoptosis in various cell types induced by multiple stimuli; they can also inhibit caspase-1-mediated interleukin generation in macrophages, indicating potential anti-inflammatory application. While these compounds inhibit all the tested caspases, kinetic analysis indicates they do not compete for the catalytic sites of the enzymes. The cocrystal structure of one of these compounds with caspase-7 reveals that it binds to the dimerization interface of the caspase, another common structural element shared by all active caspases. Consistently, biochemical analysis demonstrates that the compound abates caspase-8 dimerization. Based on these kinetic, biochemical, and structural analyses, we suggest that these compounds are allosteric caspase inhibitors that function through binding to the dimerization interface of caspases.

The MALT1 paracaspase plays a critical role in the proliferation and survival of Activated B-cell like Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL), the most chemo-resistant form of DLBCL. MALT1 mediates activation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) downstream of somatic mutations in signaling components such as: CD79, CARD11, A20 or MYD88, leading to chronically activated NF-κB. MALT1 is the effector enzyme of the CARD11/Bcl10/MALT1 signalosome, a massive, high order structure that functions as an amplifier of BCR signaling to NF-κB. MALT1 is a compelling therapeutic target since: i) it is the only paracaspase in humans, ii) MALT1 knockout mice are viable, and iii) ABC-DLBCLs are biologically dependent on MALT1 activity. MALT1 is only active when forming multimeric complexes. In order to identify potential MALT1 inhibitors we biochemically engineered an obligate dimerized form of MALT1 and an enzymatic assay for high throughput screening. We screened a ∼50,000 compound chemical diversity library and identified and validated 19 distinct chemical scaffolds that inhibited MALT1 with an IC50 Given that multiple pathways contribute to ABC-DLBCL pathogenesis we hypothesized that MALT1 inhibitors would be most effective within combinatorial therapy regimens. Along these lines MI-2 strongly enhanced the activity of CHOP chemotherapy drugs against ABC-DLBCL cells. BCR signaling forms a complex network of signaling molecules beyond NF-κB, and accordingly MALT1 targeted therapy was strongly enhanced with small molecules that affect other branches of this pathway, such as PI3K inhibitors (e.g. BKM120). Finally MI-2 synergized with small molecules such as BH3 mimetics (most notably ABT-737) that target fundamental complementary survival pathways to BCR signaling in ABC-DLBCLs. In summary, we identified the first specific MALT1 inhibitor drug and demonstrated a promising role for MALT1 targeted therapy as an anchor of rational combinatorial therapy against ABC-DLBCL. Citation Format: Lorena Fontan, Chenghua Yang, Venkataraman Kabaleeswaran, Laurent Volpon, Michael Osborne, Elena Beltran, Monica Rosen, Rita Shaknovich, Shao N. Yang, Randy D. Gascoyne, Leandro Cerchietti, Jose A. Martinez-Climent, J. Fraser Glickman, Katherine Borden, Hao Wu, Ari Melnick. Harnessing MALT1 inhibition for rational combinatorial therapy of ABC-DLBCL. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2693. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2693

A genetically modified (His6-tagged) form of the mitochondrial F1-ATPase (MW = 370 kDa) has been purified from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and crystallized in the presence of polyethelene glycol (PEG) 6000 as a precipitant, 1 mM NiCl2, 1 mM Mg AMP-PNP and 50 microM Mg ADP. X-ray diffraction data were obtained on three separate occasions using synchrotron radiation, with a progression in the quality of the diffraction data, which improved from 3.3 to 3.0 to 2.8 A. On the second occasion, the diffraction was improved by a crystal-annealing procedure. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 110.6, b = 294.2, c = 190.4 A, beta = 101.6 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains three molecules of yeast F1, with a corresponding volume per protein weight (VM) of 2.8 A3 Da(-1) and a solvent content of 55%.

The Shaker type voltage-dependent K+ channels (Kv1) are expressed in a wide variety of cells and essential to regulating membrane potential and cellular excitability. All Kv1 channels assemble with cytoplasmic β subunits (Kvβ) to form a macromolecule complex. Kvβ is a functional aldo-keto reductase that utilizes NADPH as cofactor, and in addition to being a functional enzyme, certain Kvβs have an N-terminal segment that blocks the channel by the N-type inactivation mechanism. The enzymatic activity and the N-type inactivation are functionally coupled: when the Kvβ-bound NADPH is oxidized, the N-type inactivation is inhibited and channel current increases as a result. Further studies showed that loss of the N-type inactivation is not due to dissociation of Kvβ upon NADPH oxidation. To understand the structural basis of the coupling mechanism, Kvβ was co-crystallized with either NADPH or NADP+, and high-resolution data sets were collected. Since NADPH is easily oxidized, for the Kvβ-NADPH complex special cares were taken to preserve the reduced cofactor throughout the crystallization process. The redox state of the cofactor was also monitored during synchrotron data collection by a micro-spectrophotometer. Results obtained from both structural analysis and functional studies led us to propose a novel mechanism of channel modulation.