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At least 37 records · Page 2

High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) Structure and Function Proteomics (JM-DP1)

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate how the interactions between APOA1 and APOA2 on the surface of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) impact particle function by studying the effect of exogenous APOA2 on HDL structure through limited proteolysis. Interactions were investigated on HDL isolated from human blood plasma using structural proteomics tools such as chemical cross-linking and limited proteolysis (LiP). The structural proteomics data was acquired using a Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer and processed using MaxQuant software (v.1.6.17.0).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

PPI DataHub Project Data Package: High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) Structure and Function Proteomics

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate how the interactions between APOA1 and APOA2 on the surface of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) impact particle function. Interactions were investigated on HDL isolated from human blood plasma using structural proteomics tools such as chemical cross-linking and limited proteolysis (LiP). The structural proteomics data was acquired using a Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer and data was processed and compiled using MaxQuant sofware (v.1.6.17.0). Processed datasets are openly accessible from the download button (~2.8 GB) and contain secondary processed LiP and global proteomic results files and supporting metadata materials. Processed data downloads include a sample naming key, processed MaxQuant results/parameters, and protein annotated relative abundance files.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Ceruloplasmin enhances smooth muscle cell- and endothelial cell-mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation by a superoxide-dependent mechanism

Cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and endothelial cells (EC) stimulate low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by free radical-mediated, transition metal-dependent mechanisms. The physiological source(s) of metal ions is not known; however, purified ceruloplasmin, a plasma protein containing 7 coppers, oxidizes LDL in vitro. We now show that ceruloplasmin also increases LDL oxidation by vascular cells. In metal ion-free medium, human ceruloplasmin increased bovine aortic SMC- and EC-mediated LDL oxidation by up to 30- and 15-fold, respectively. The maximal response was at 100-300 microg ceruloplasmin/ml, a level at or below the unevoked physiological plasma concentration. Oxidant activity was dependent on protein structure as a specific proteolytic cleavage or removal of one of the seven ceruloplasmin copper atoms inhibited activity. Three lines of evidence indicated a critical role for cellular superoxide (O2.) in ceruloplasmin-stimulated oxidation. First, the rate of production of O2. by cells correlated with their rates of LDL oxidation. Second, superoxide dismutase effectively blocked ceruloplasmin-stimulated oxidation by both cell types. Finally, O2. production by SMC quantitatively accounted for the observed rate of LDL oxidation. To show this, the course of O2. production by SMC was simulated by repeated addition of xanthine and xanthine oxidase to culture medium under cell-free conditions. Neither ceruloplasmin nor O2. alone increased LDL oxidation, but together they completely reconstituted the oxidation rate of ceruloplasmin-stimulated SMC. These results are the first to show that ceruloplasmin stimulates EC- and SMC-mediated oxidation of LDL and that cell-derived O2. accounts quantitatively for metal-dependent, free radical-initiated oxidation of LDL by these cells.

Non-NASA Center↗

Pseudomonas aeruginosa C-Terminal Processing Protease CtpA Assembles into a Hexameric Structure That Requires Activation by a Spiral-Shaped Lipoprotein-Binding Partner

Pseudomonas aeruginosa CtpA is a carboxyl-terminal processing protease that partners with the outer membrane lipoprotein LbcA to degrade at least five cell wall-associated proteins, four of which are cell wall hydrolases. This activity plays an important role in supporting P. aeruginosa virulence in a mouse model of acute pneumonia. However, almost nothing is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying CtpA and LbcA function. Here, we used structural analysis to show that CtpA alone assembles into an inactive hexamer comprising a trimer of dimers, which limits its substrate access and prevents nonspecific degradation. The adaptor protein LbcA is a right-handed open spiral with 11 tetratricopeptide repeats, which might wrap around a substrate to deliver it to CtpA for degradation. By structure-guided mutagenesis and functional assays, we also showed that the interfaces of the CtpA trimer of dimers and an N-terminal helix of LbcA are important for LbcA-mediated substrate degradation by CtpA both in vitro and in vivo. This work improves our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the LbcA-CtpA proteolytic system and reveals some striking differences from the arrangements found in some other bacterial CTPs.

structural biology↗

A lipoprotein allosterically activates the CwlD amidase during Clostridioides difficile spore formation

Spore-forming pathogens like Clostridioides difficile depend on germination to initiate infection. During gemination, spores must degrade their cortex layer, which is a thick, protective layer of modified peptidoglycan. Cortex degradation depends on the presence of the spore-specific peptidoglycan modification, muramic-∂-lactam (MAL), which is specifically recognized by cortex lytic enzymes. In C . difficile , MAL production depends on the CwlD amidase and its binding partner, the GerS lipoprotein. To gain insight into how GerS regulates CwlD activity, we solved the crystal structure of the CwlD:GerS complex. In this structure, a GerS homodimer is bound to two CwlD monomers such that the CwlD active sites are exposed. Although CwlD structurally resembles amidase_3 family members, we found that CwlD does not bind Zn 2+ stably on its own, unlike previously characterized amidase_3 enzymes. Instead, GerS binding to CwlD promotes CwlD binding to Zn 2+ , which is required for its catalytic mechanism. Thus, in determining the first structure of an amidase bound to its regulator, we reveal stabilization of Zn 2+ co-factor binding as a novel mechanism for regulating bacterial amidase activity. Our results further suggest that allosteric regulation by binding partners may be a more widespread mode for regulating bacterial amidase activity than previously thought.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A novel assay to measure low-density lipoproteins binding to proteoglycans

Background: The binding of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to proteoglycans (PGs) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the arterial intima is a key initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. Although many techniques have been developed to assess this binding, most of the methods are labor-intensive and technically challenging to standardize across research laboratories. Thus, sensitive, and reproducible assay to detect LDL binding to PGs is needed to screen clinical populations for atherosclerosis risk. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative, and reproducible assay to evaluate the affinity of LDL towards PGs and to replicate previously published results on LDL-PG binding. Methods: Immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to visualize the binding of LDL to PGs using mouse vascular smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells. An in-cell ELISA (ICE) was also developed and optimized to quantitatively measure LDL-PG binding using fixed MOVAS cells cultured in a 96-well format. Results: We used the ICE assay to show that, despite equal APOB concentrations, LDL isolated from adults with cardiovascular disease bound to PG to a greater extent than LDL isolated from adults without cardiovascular disease (p<0.05). Conclusion: We have developed an LDL-PG binding assay that is capable of detecting differences in PG binding affinities despite equal APOB concentrations. Future work will focus on candidate apolipoproteins that enhance or diminish this interaction.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗