Guillaume Roussel

First crystal structure of an endo-inulinase, INU2, from Aspergillus ficuum: discovery of an extra-pocket in the catalytic domain responsible for its endo-activity.

Endo-inulinase is a member of glycosidase hydrolase family 32 (GH32) degrading fructans of the inulin type with an endo-cleavage mode and is an important class of industrial enzyme. In the present study, we report the first crystal structure of an endo-inulinase, INU2, from Aspergillus ficuum at 1.5 Å. It was solved by molecular replacement with the structure of exo-inulinase as search model. The 3D structure presents a bimodular arrangement common to other GH32 enzymes: a N-terminal 5-fold β-propeller catalytic domain with four β-sheets and a C-terminal β-sandwich domain organized in two β-sheets with five β-strands. The structural analysis and comparison with other GH32 enzymes reveal the presence of an extra pocket in the INU2 catalytic site, formed by two loops and the conserved motif W-M(I)-N-D(E)-P-N-G. This cavity would explain the endo-activity of the enzyme, the critical role of Trp40 and particularly the cleavage at the third unit of the inulin(-like) substrates. Crystal structure at 2.1 Å of INU2 complexed with fructosyl molecules, experimental digestion data and molecular modelling studies support these hypotheses.

Polypyrrole-Supported Membrane Proteins for Bio-Inspired Ion Channels

Biomedical platforms constructed by immobilizing membrane proteins in matrixes made of synthetic organic polymers is a challenge because the structure and function of these proteins are affected by environmental conditions. In this work, an operative composite that regulates the diffusion of alkali ions has been prepared by functionalizing a supporting matrix made of poly(N-methylpyrrole) (PNMPy) with a β-barrel membrane protein (Omp2a) that forms channels and pores. The protein has been unequivocally identified in the composite, and its structure has been shown to remain unaltered. The PNMPy-Omp2a platform fulfills properties typically associated with functional bio-interfaces with biomedical applications (e.g., biocompatibility, biodegrabadility, and hydrophilicity). The functionality of the immobilized protein has been examined by studying the passive ion transport response in the presence of electrolytic solutions with Na(+) and K(+) concentrations close to those found in blood. Although the behavior of PNMPy and PNMPy-Omp2a is very similar for solutions with very low concentration, the resistance of the latter decreases drastically when the concentration of ions increases to ∼100 mM. This reduction reflects an enhanced ion exchange between the biocomposite and the electrolytic medium, which is not observed in PNMPy, evidencing that PNMPy-Omp2a is particularly well suited to prepare bioinspired channels and smart biosensors.

Towards a universal method for protein refolding: The trimeric beta barrel membrane Omp2a as a test case

It has recently been reported that 2‐methyl‐2,4‐pentanediol (MPD) can modulate the protein‐binding properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), turning it into a non‐denaturing detergent. Indeed both alpha (the lysozyme) and beta (the carbonic anhydrase II) soluble enzymes, as well as a beta membrane protein (PagP) have been successfully refolded into their native form by using this amphiphatic alcohol. In order to support the universal character of our MPD‐based technique, we have extended its transferability to the Omp2a trimeric membrane porin. The far‐UV circular dichroism signature of Omp2a refolded with our original procedure is identical to that obtained by classical techniques, clearly indicating a proper refolding. Moreover, we show that the optimal SDS/MPD ratio for refolding Omp2a is similar to what has been observed for other types of proteins. While the protocol allows refolding at higher protein concentration (up to 4 mg/mL) and ionic strength (up to 1 M NaCl) than other refolding methods, it is also more efficient at basic pH values and medium temperature (20–40°C). Finally, the key role of the cosolvent was highlighted by a thorough study of the efficiency of MPD analogues, and a high variability was observed, as they can be able or unable to induce refolding at low or high salt concentrations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 417–423.

Multiscale molecular dynamics simulations of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles: from coarse-grained to all-atom resolution

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is a well-known anionic detergent widely used in both experimental and theoretical investigations. Many molecular dynamics (MD) simulation have been performed on the SDS molecule at coarse-grained (CG), united-atom (UA), and all-atom (AA) resolutions. However, these simulations are usually based on general parameters determined from large sets of molecules, and as a result, peculiar molecular specificities are often poorly represented. In addition, the parameters (ideal bond lengths, angles, dihedrals and charge distribution) differ according to the resolution, highlighting a lack of coherence. We therefore propose a new set of parameters for CG, UA, and AA resolutions based on a high quantum mechanics (QM) level optimization of the detergent structure and the charge distribution. For the first time, QM-optimized parameters were directly applied to build the AA, UA, and CG model of the SDS molecule, leading to a more coherent description. As a test case, MD simulations were then performed on SDS preformed micelles as previous experimental and theoretical investigations allow direct comparison with our new sets of parameters. While all three models yield similar macromolecular properties (size, shape, and accessible surface) perfectly matching previous results, the attribution of more coherent parameters to SDS enables the description of the specific interactions inside and outside the micelle. These more consistent parameters can now be used to accurately describe new multi-scale systems involving the SDS molecule.

Purification, refolding and characterization of the trimeric Omp2a outer membrane porin from Brucella melitensis.

Brucella melitensis is a gram-negative bacteria known to cause brucellosis and to produce severe infections in humans. Whilst brucellas outer membrane proteins have been extensively studied due to their potential role as antigens or virulence factors, their function is still poorly understood at the structural level, as the 3D structure of Brucella β-barrel membrane proteins are still unknown. In this context, the B. melitensis trimeric Omp2a porin has been overexpressed and refolded in n-dodecyl-β-d-maltopyranoside. We here show that this refolding process is insensitive to urea but is temperature- and ionic strength-dependent. Reassembled species were characterized by fluorescence, size-exclusion chromatography and circular dichroism. A refolding mechanism is proposed, suggesting that Omp2a first refolds under a monomeric form and then self-associates into a trimeric state. This first complete in vitro refolding of a membrane protein from B. melitensis shall eventually lead to functional and 3D structure determination.

Refolding of SDS-denatured proteins using amphipathic cosolvents and osmolytes.

Currently, the investigation of protein refolding processes involves several time‐consuming stages that require large amounts of protein and costly chemicals. Consequently, there is great interest in developing new approaches to the study of protein renaturation that are more technically and economically feasible. It has recently been reported that certain cosolvents are able to modulate the denaturing properties of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and induce the refolding of proteins. This unit presents a protocol to study and follow the renaturation of a protein (membrane or soluble) starting from a native or SDS‐unfolded state using a variety of candidate cosolvents and osmolytes. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 72:28.5.1‐28.5.9.

Stochastic simulation of structural properties of natively unfolded and denatured proteins.

A new simulation strategy based on a stochastic process has been developed and tested to study the structural properties of the unfolded state of proteins at the atomistic level. The procedure combines a generation algorithm to produce representative uncorrelated atomistic microstructures and an original relaxation method to minimize repulsive non-bonded interactions. Using this methodology, a set of 14 unfolded proteins, including seven natively unfolded proteins as well as seven “classical” proteins experimentally described in denaturation conditions, has been investigated. Comparisons between the calculated and available experimental values of several properties, at hydrodynamic and atomic level, used to describe the unfolded state, such as the radius of gyration, the maximum length, the hydrodynamic radius, the diffusion coefficient, the sedimentation coefficient, and the NMR chemical shifts, reflect a very good agreement. Furthermore, our results indicate that the relationship between the radius of gyration and the hydrodynamic radius deviates from the Zimm’s theory of polymer dynamics for random coils, as was recently observed using single-molecule fluorescent methods. Simulations reveal that the interactions between atoms separated by three chemical bonds (1–4 interactions) play a crucial role in the generation process, suggesting that the unfolded state is essentially governed by bonding and short-range non-bonding interactions.

Peptide-surfactant interactions: A combined spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation approach

In the present contribution, we report a combined spectroscopic and computational approach aiming to unravel at atomic resolution the effect of the anionic SDS detergent on the structure of two model peptides, the α-helix TrpCage and the β-stranded TrpZip. A detailed characterization of the specific amino acids involved is performed. Monomeric (single molecules) and micellar SDS species differently interact with the α-helix and β-stranded peptides, emphasizing the different mechanisms occurring below and above the critical aggregation concentration (CAC). Below the CAC, the α-helix peptide is fully unfolded, losing its hydrophobic core and its Asp-Arg salt bridge, while the β-stranded peptide keeps its native structure with its four Trp well oriented. Above the CAC, the SDS micelles have the same effect on both peptides, that is, destabilizing the tertiary structure while keeping their secondary structure. Our studies will be helpful to deepen our understanding of the action of the denaturant SDS on peptides and proteins.