Marc Jamin

A Crescent-Shaped ALIX Dimer Targets ESCRT-III CHMP4 Filaments

ALIX recruits ESCRT-III CHMP4 and is involved in membrane remodeling during endosomal receptor sorting, budding of some enveloped viruses, and cytokinesis. We show that ALIX dimerizes via the middle domain (ALIX(-V)) in solution. Structural modeling based on small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data reveals an elongated crescent-shaped conformation for dimeric ALIX lacking the proline-rich domain (ALIX(BRO1-V)). Mutations at the dimerization interface prevent dimerization and induce an open elongated monomeric conformation of ALIX(-V) as determined by SAXS modeling. ALIX dimerizes in vivo and dimeric ALIX colocalizes with CHMP4B upon coexpression. We show further that ALIX dimerization affects HIV-1 budding. C-terminally truncated activated CHMP4B retaining the ALIX binding site forms linear, circular, and helical filaments in vitro, which can be bridged by ALIX. Our data suggest that dimeric ALIX represents the active form that interacts with ESCRT-III CHMP4 polymers and functions as a scaffolding protein during membrane remodeling processes.

Structural basis for autoinhibition of ESCRT-III CHMP3.

Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT-0, ESCRT-I, ESCRT-II, and ESCRT-III) are selectively recruited to cellular membranes to exert their function in diverse processes, such as multivesicular body biogenesis, enveloped virus budding, and cytokinesis. ESCRT-III is composed of members of the charged multivesicular body protein (CHMP) family--cytosolic proteins that are targeted to membranes via yet unknown signals. Membrane targeting is thought to result in a membrane-associated protein network that presumably acts at a late budding step. Here we provide structural evidence based on small-angle X-ray scattering data that ESCRT-III CHMP3 can adopt two conformations in solution: a closed globular form that most likely represents the cytosolic conformation and an open extended conformation that might represent the activated form of CHMP3. Both the closed and open conformations of CHMP3 interact with AMSH with high affinity. Although the C-terminal region of CHMP3 is required for AMSH interaction, a peptide thereof reveals only weak binding to AMSH, suggesting that other regions of CHMP3 contribute to the high-affinity interaction. Thus, AMSH, including its MIT (microtubule interacting and transport) domain, interacts with ESCRT-III CHMP3 differently from reported Vps4 MIT domain-CHMP protein interactions.

Modular Organization of Rabies Virus Phosphoprotein

A phosphoprotein (P) is found in all viruses of the Mononegavirales order. These proteins form homo-oligomers, fulfil similar roles in the replication cycles of the various viruses, but differ in their length and oligomerization state. Sequence alignments reveal no sequence similarity among proteins from viruses belonging to the same family. Sequence analysis and experimental data show that phosphoproteins from viruses of the Paramyxoviridae contain structured domains alternating with intrinsically disordered regions. Here, we used predictions of disorder of secondary structure, and an analysis of sequence conservation to predict the domain organization of the phosphoprotein from Sendai virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and rabies virus (RV P). We devised a new procedure for combining the results from multiple prediction methods and locating the boundaries between disordered regions and structured domains. To validate the proposed modular organization predicted for RV P and to confirm that the putative structured domains correspond to autonomous folding units, we used two-hybrid and biochemical approaches to characterize the properties of several fragments of RV P. We found that both central and C-terminal domains can fold in isolation, that the central domain is the oligomerization domain, and that the C-terminal domain binds to nucleocapsids. Our results suggest a conserved organization of P proteins in the Rhabdoviridae family in concatenated functional domains resembling that of the P proteins in the Paramyxoviridae family.

Structure of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus N0-P Complex

Replication of non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses requires the continuous supply of the nucleoprotein (N) in the form of a complex with the phosphoprotein (P). Here, we present the structural characterization of a soluble, heterodimeric complex between a variant of vesicular stomatitis virus N lacking its 21 N-terminal residues (NΔ21) and a peptide of 60 amino acids (P60) encompassing the molecular recognition element (MoRE) of P that binds RNA-free N (N0). The complex crystallized in a decameric circular form, which was solved at 3.0 Å resolution, reveals how the MoRE folds upon binding to N and competes with RNA binding and N polymerization. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiment and NMR spectroscopy on the soluble complex confirms the binding of the MoRE and indicates that its flanking regions remain flexible in the complex. The structure of this complex also suggests a mechanism for the initiation of viral RNA synthesis.

Solution Structure of the C-Terminal Nucleoprotein-RNA Binding Domain of the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Phosphoprotein.

Beyond common features in their genome organization and replication mechanisms, the evolutionary relationships among viruses of the Rhabdoviridae family are difficult to decipher because of the great variability in the amino acid sequence of their proteins. The phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an essential component of the RNA transcription and replication machinery; in particular, it contains binding sites for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and for the nucleoprotein. Here, we devised a new method for defining boundaries of structured domains from multiple disorder prediction algorithms, and we identified an autonomous folding C-terminal domain in VSV P (P(CTD)). We show that, like the C-terminal domain of rabies virus (RV) P, VSV P(CTD) binds to the viral nucleocapsid (nucleoprotein-RNA complex). We solved the three-dimensional structure of VSV P(CTD) by NMR spectroscopy and found that the topology of its polypeptide chain resembles that of RV P(CTD). The common part of both proteins could be superimposed with a backbone RMSD from mean atomic coordinates of 2.6 A. VSV P(CTD) has a shorter N-terminal helix (alpha(1)) than RV P(CTD); it lacks two alpha-helices (helices alpha(3) and alpha(6) of RV P), and the loop between strands beta(1) and beta(2) is longer than that in RV. Dynamical properties measured by NMR relaxation revealed the presence of fast motions (below the nanosecond timescale) in loop regions (amino acids 209-214) and slower conformational exchange in the N- and C-terminal helices. Characterization of a longer construct indicated that P(CTD) is preceded by a flexible linker. The results presented here support a modular organization of VSV P, with independent folded domains separated by flexible linkers, which is conserved among different genera of Rhabdoviridae and is similar to that proposed for the P proteins of the Paramyxoviridae.

Atomic Resolution Description of the Interaction between the Nucleoprotein and Phosphoprotein of Hendra Virus.

Hendra virus (HeV) is a recently emerged severe human pathogen that belongs to the Henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. The HeV genome is encapsidated by the nucleoprotein (N) within a helical nucleocapsid. Recruitment of the viral polymerase onto the nucleocapsid template relies on the interaction between the C-terminal domain, NTAIL, of N and the C-terminal X domain, XD, of the polymerase co-factor phosphoprotein (P). Here, we provide an atomic resolution description of the intrinsically disordered NTAIL domain in its isolated state and in intact nucleocapsids using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Using electron microscopy, we show that HeV nucleocapsids form herringbone-like structures typical of paramyxoviruses. We also report the crystal structure of XD of P that consists of a three-helix bundle. We study the interaction between NTAIL and XD using NMR titration experiments and provide a detailed mapping of the reciprocal binding sites. We show that the interaction is accompanied by α-helical folding of the molecular recognition element of NTAIL upon binding to a hydrophobic patch on the surface of XD. Finally, using solution NMR, we investigate the interaction between intact nucleocapsids and XD. Our results indicate that monomeric XD binds to NTAIL without triggering an additional unwinding of the nucleocapsid template. The present results provide a structural description at the atomic level of the protein-protein interactions required for transcription and replication of HeV, and the first direct observation of the interaction between the X domain of P and intact nucleocapsids in Paramyxoviridae.

The N0‐binding region of the vesicular stomatitis virus phosphoprotein is globally disordered but contains transient α‐helices

The phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) interacts with nascent nucleoprotein (N), forming the N0–P complex that is indispensable for the correct encapsidation of newly synthesized viral RNA genome. In this complex, the N‐terminal region (PNTR) of P prevents N from binding to cellular RNA and keeps it available for encapsidating viral RNA genomes. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), we show that an isolated peptide corresponding to the 60 first N‐terminal residues of VSV P (P60) and encompassing PNTR has overall molecular dimensions and a dynamic behavior characteristic of a disordered protein but transiently populates conformers containing α‐helices. The modeling of P60 as a conformational ensemble by the ensemble optimization method using SAXS data correctly reproduces the α‐helical content detected by NMR spectroscopy and suggests the coexistence of subensembles of different compactness. The populations and overall dimensions of these subensembles are affected by the addition of stabilizing (1M trimethylamine‐N‐oxide) or destabilizing (6M guanidinium chloride) cosolvents. Our results are interpreted in the context of a scenario whereby VSV PNTR constitutes a molecular recognition element undergoing a disorder‐to‐order transition upon binding to its partner when forming the N0–P complex.

Role of DegP for two-partner secretion in Bordetella.

Sorting of proteins destined to the surface or the extracellular milieu is mediated by specific machineries, which guide the protein substrates towards the proper route of secretion and determine the compartment in which folding occurs. In Gram‐negative bacteria, the two‐partner secretion (TPS) pathway is dedicated to the secretion of large proteins rich in β‐helical structure. The secretion of the filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), a 230 kDa adhesin of Bordetella pertussis, represents a model TPS system. FHA is exported by the Sec machinery and transits through the periplasm in an extended conformation. From there it is translocated across the outer membrane by its dedicated transporter FhaC to finally fold into a long β‐helix at the cell surface in a progressive manner. In this work, we show that B. pertussis lacking the periplasmic chaperone/protease DegP has a strong growth defect at 37°C, and the integrity of its outer membrane is compromised. While both phenotypes are significantly aggravated by the presence of FHA, the chaperone activity of DegP markedly alleviates the periplasmic stress. In vitro, DegP binds to non‐native FHA with high affinity. We propose that DegP chaperones the extended FHA polypeptide in the periplasm and is thus involved in the TPS pathway.

Binding of rabies virus polymerase cofactor to recombinant circular nucleoprotein-RNA complexes.

In rabies virus, the attachment of the L polymerase (L) to the viral nucleocapsids (NCs)-a nucleoprotein (N)-RNA complex that serves as template for RNA transcription and replication-is mediated by the polymerase cofactor, the phosphoprotein (P). P forms dimers (P(2)) that bind through their C-terminal domains (P(CTD)) to the C-terminal region of the N. Recombinant circular N(m)-RNA complexes containing 9 to 12 protomers of N (hereafter, the subscript m denotes the number of N protomers) served here as model systems for studying the binding of P to NC-like N(m)-RNA complexes. Titration experiments show that there are only two equivalent and independent binding sites for P dimers on the N(m)-RNA rings and that each P dimer binds through a single P(CTD). A dissociation constant in the nanomolar range (160+/-20 nM) was measured by surface plasmon resonance, indicating a strong interaction between the two partners. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data and small-angle neutron scattering data showed that binding of two P(CTD) had almost no effect on the size and shape of the N(m)-RNA rings, whereas binding of two P(2) significantly increased the size of the complexes. SAXS data and molecular modeling were used to add flexible loops (N(NTD) loop, amino acids 105-118; N(CTD) loop, amino acids 376-397) missing in the recently solved crystal structure of the circular N(11)-RNA complex and to build a model for the N(10)-RNA complex. Structural models for the N(m)-RNA-(P(CTD))(2) complexes were then built by docking the known P(CTD) structure onto the completed structures of the circular N(10)-RNA and N(11)-RNA complexes. A multiple-stage flexible docking procedure was used to generate decoys, and SAXS and biochemical data were used for filtering the models. In the refined model, the P(CTD) is bound to the C-terminal top of one N protomer (N(i)), with the C-terminal helix (alpha(6)) of P(CTD) lying on helix alpha(14) of N(i). By an induced-fit mechanism, the N(CTD) loop of the same protomer (N(i)) and that of the adjacent one (N(i)(-1)) mold around the P(CTD), making extensive protein-protein contacts that could explain the strong affinity of P for its template. The structural model is in agreement with available biochemical data and provides new insights on the mechanism of attachment of the polymerase complex to the NC template.

Structural insights into the rhabdovirus transcription/replication complex

The rhabdoviruses have a non-segmented single stranded negative-sense RNA genome. Their multiplication in a host cell requires three viral proteins in addition to the viral RNA genome. The nucleoprotein (N) tightly encapsidates the viral RNA, and the N-RNA complex serves as the template for both transcription and replication. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a two subunit complex that consists of a large subunit, L, and a non-catalytic cofactor, the phosphoprotein, P. P also acts as a chaperone of nascent RNA-free N by forming a N(0)-P complex that prevents N from binding to cellular RNAs and from polymerizing in the absence of RNA. Here, we discuss the recent molecular and structural studies of individual components and multi-molecular complexes that are involved in the transcription/replication complex of these viruses with regard to their implication in viral transcription and replication.