Structural Biology – Wand style
With the invention of the reverse micelle encapsulation strategy (see Wand et al. (1998) PNAS) we have taken a keen interest in applying this novel sample approach to problems in structural biology that it may uniquely be able to solve. More conventional structure determinations generally arise through collaborators (see Collaborators). The reverse micelle encapsulation technology is somewhat involved and is still in its infancy (see NMR Methods). Nevertheless, we have been able to show that we can successfully encapsulate soluble proteins as large as 100 kDa with high structural fidelity and obtain high performance multidimensional NMR data without the benefit of TROSY or extensive deuteration. The lack of a requirement for deuteration (to optimize the TROSY effect) means that the full 1H-1H NOE contact map is available and maintains access to truly high resolution structures. Very high resolution structures, such as that of ubiquitin shown on the right figure, can result (see Babu et al. (2001) JACS).
Even large proteins can be studied using traditional NMR methods; no deuteration or TROSY necessary.
The pressures required for using ethane are those that induce structural transition in proteins.
For 30 sites in eGFP (54kDa) the average T2 in ethane (76 ms) is nearly two-fold longer than in water (39ms)!
Some advantages:
Following an old result by Montal with rhodopsin, we have been trying to adapt the reverse micelle encapsulation strategy to solution NMR of integral membrane proteins. Our initial efforts have been with the ~50 kDa construct of the KcsA potassium channel, which is a relatively stable, easily produced homotetramer. Our view of this reverse micelle assembly is quite different from that envisaged for soluble proteins where the protein is completely encapsulated. We believe that the protein-reverse micelle complex is dumbbell in shape (see below figure). The dilemma that had to be overcome was how to transition an integral membrane protein from detergent micelles in water to reverse micelles in an alkane. A graduate student (Joe Kielec) realized that one should use a hybrid detergent that could act as an aqueous detergent and then, in the presence of a cosurfactant, could form reverse micelles (see left figure below). After a comprehensive screen for encapsulation conditions (right figure below), a functionally active (i.e. binds K+ selectively over an excess background of Na+) preparation was obtained (figure below).
See Kielec et al. (2009) for more information.
- extraction into hybrid surfactant in water
- controlled dehydration
- addition of converting co-surfactant & alkane
Membrane Protein Encapsulation Strategy
Much to our surprise, it turns out that despite the fact that several percent of the human proteome is lipidated at any given time, there are very few structures of lipidated proteins in the membrane anchored conformation i.e. with the lipid group exposed. Common lipid modifications include myristoylation and palmititation. The former is often involved in triggered structural transitions of the protein from the lipid sequestered state to a state where the lipid moiety is extruded from the protein and capable of anchoring to the membrane. Recoverin is the classic example where binding of the calcium second messenger results in the binding of the protein to the membrane. Another example is the HIV matrix protein, which assists in the assembly of the immature virion at the plasma membrane. We are studying these proteins with Professor Jim Ames (UC, Davis) and Professor Mike Summers (UMBC & HHMI), respectively. The paucity of structural information in the lipid extruded states is clearly due to the poor solution properties of the protein. The reverse micelle provides an excellent vehicle to support the extruded state by providing a membrane mimic for the lipid group to enter. The superior spectroscopic performance of preparations of encapsulated myristoylated proteins is impressive.
See Valentine et al. (2010) for more detail.
Functional selectivity filter confirms proper KcsA structure
Remarkably, perhaps 30% of expressed proteins are predicted to be unfolded. It is clear that a significant fraction of these is true “intrinsically” unfolded but are simply unstable suggesting that they have evolved to take advantage of the stabilization provided excluded volume effects due to the tight packing of macromolecules in the cellular milieu. Obviously, this makes it difficult to study the structural properties of these proteins in vitro, particularly in the NMR tube. Using the defined internal volume of the reverse micelle, we have developed this as a means to impart additional stability to an otherwise only marginally stable protein. The internal volume of a reverse micelle can be largely controlled by the amount of water that is provided. The nice thing about this approach is that in principle the native folded state is not only the best packed but also, through the thermodynamic hypothesis, the most stable.
Thus a properly sized reverse micelle will leave the free energy and structure of the native state alone but will destabilize the more extensive partially unfolded states causing the population to shift towards the desired folded native state. We have demonstrated this idea with a purposefully destabilized three-helix bundle where the internal core is left unperturbed (i.e. can fold) but the helical propensity is decreased by surface mutations. Decreasing the water content (“loading”) and corresponding decreasing the internal volume available to the protein causes it to fold (below figure).
See Peterson et al. (2004) JACS for more detail.
High resolution solution NMR of the myristoylated proteins in the extruded state is enabled by reverse micelle encapsulation
Forced folding by confinement:
Assuming:
- Thermodynamic hypothesis for protein folding
- The (almost) perfect packing of native proteins
Forced folding by confinement:
Assuming:
- Thermodynamic hypothesis for protein folding
- The (almost) perfect packing of native proteins