Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mtb encodes a huge repertoire of toxin antitoxin TA systems many of which remain uncharacterized Here we report the crystal structures of the VapC toxin and VapBC TA complex at a resolution of and respectively We show that VapC adopts a unique open dimeric conformation and inhibits mycobacterial ...More |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encodes a huge repertoire of toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems, many of which remain uncharacterized. Here, we report the crystal structures of the VapC52 toxin and VapBC52 TA complex at a resolution of 2.6 and 3.2 Å, respectively. We show that VapC52 adopts a unique open dimeric conformation and inhibits mycobacterial growth by cleaving tRNA at the variable or anticodon loop region. Structure reveals that VapB52 adopts a distinct structural architecture and binds VapC52 with a 1:2 stoichiometry, respectively. Interestingly, binding of ssDNA activates VapB52 peptidase domain, resulting in auto-cleavage of VapB52 N-terminal domain which is critical for VapBC complex formation and neutralization. In addition to VapB52, co-expression of several other non-cognate VapB antitoxins abrogates the growth inhibition associated with VapC52 overexpression in Mycobacterium smegmatis (Msm) suggesting crosstalk among VapBC TA systems. Further, we demonstrate that the vapBC52 locus is dispensable for in vitro growth but essential for Mtb intracellular growth in macrophages and guinea pigs. Notably, VapC52 also cleaves mycobacteriophage D29 encoded tRNAs and confers resistance to phage infection in Msm. Taken together, we show that VapBC52 adopts a unique structural architecture, plays role in pathogenesis, and is possibly involved in mycobacterial antiphage defense mechanisms. Less |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

Chemical topology has emerged as a unique dimension in protein engineering motivating the pursuit of topologically nontrivial protein architectures for functional advantages such as enhanced stability and rich dynamics However the structural diversity of artificial mechanically interlocked proteins remains limited Here we report the computational design and cellular synthesis of ...More |Related Solutions: NT8^®

Chemical topology has emerged as a unique dimension in protein engineering, motivating the pursuit of topologically nontrivial protein architectures for functional advantages, such as enhanced stability and rich dynamics. However, the structural diversity of artificial mechanically interlocked proteins remains limited. Here, we report the computational design and cellular synthesis of a pair of topological isomers via symmetric assembly of orthogonal entangling motifs. By fusing two C2 symmetric entangling motifs, i.e., p53dim and HP0242, in specific arrangements, we programmed the formation of multiple crossings, which upon cyclization yielded a protein Solomon link and a protein three-twist knot. The fusion patterns and linker lengths were systematically optimized to direct the formation of the intended topologies. Their successful cellular synthesis was validated through biophysical and structural analyses, including sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Notably, we report the crystal structure of an artificial protein three-twist knot. Both the Solomon link and the three-twist knot displayed increased structural compactness and stability relative to their controls with lower topological complexity (e.g., Hopf link, trefoil knot, and linear forms), as evidenced by their superior thermal stability and resistance to chemical denaturation. This modular design strategy provides a rational and extensible route to diverse mechanically interlocked proteins and could be generalized to access even more complex architectures, such as protein chainmail-like nanocages and woven protein frameworks. Less |Related Solutions: NT8^®

EV-A has been responsible for recent severe HFMD outbreaks We report structures for potently neutralizing human anti EV-A monoclonal antibody Fabs alone and complexed with virus Most recognize the native antigenic state with epitopes that span interfaces together covering of the capsid surface The majority of bind the canyon while ...More |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

EV-A71 has been responsible for recent severe HFMD outbreaks. We report structures for 12 potently neutralizing human anti–EV-A71 monoclonal antibody Fabs, alone and complexed with virus. Most recognize the native antigenic state with epitopes that span interfaces, together covering 85% of the capsid surface. The majority (8 of 12) bind the canyon, while the others cluster around the icosahedral two- and threefold axes. Blocking SCARB2 receptor binding likely contributes to neutralization for all, and a subset induces empty particles. A predominant gene family (IGHV4-39) does not dictate a common binding pose. Long CDR-H3 loops are frequently key to binding, especially at the canyon, suggesting that antigenicity data based on antibodies with shorter CDR3s (e.g., murine) may be misleading. This dataset reveals neutralization mechanisms for recently circulating EV-A71 genotypes, which will inform immunotherapies. We demonstrate synergy in vitro between canyon binding and both two- and threefold binding antibodies to increase neutralization potency. Less |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

Ribosome stalling caused by polyproline PPs motifs is common Their translation is enhanced by accessory proteins such as YebC in bacteria whose homolog TRANSLATIONAL ACTIVATOR OF CYTOCHROME C OXIDASE TACO aids the translation of mitochondria-encoded proteins The prevalence of PP motifs across plastid-encoded genes and their impact on the translation ...More |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

Ribosome stalling caused by polyproline (PPs) motifs is common. Their translation is enhanced by accessory proteins such as YebC in bacteria, whose homolog, TRANSLATIONAL ACTIVATOR OF CYTOCHROME C OXIDASE 1 (TACO1), aids the translation of mitochondria-encoded proteins. The prevalence of PP motifs across plastid-encoded genes and their impact on the translation of photosynthesis-relevant proteins remains unexplored. Equally, a translation-enhancer of PP motifs equivalent to TACO1 for plastid ribosomes has not been reported. Here, we show that plastid genomes encode 24 proteins with a minimum of one PP motif on average, half of which are conserved in their cyanobacterial homologs, and that the vast majority of eukaryotes, including plants, encode a single TACO1 that we demonstrate to be dually targeted to mitochondria and plastids of Marchantia polymorpha. We resolved the MpTACO1 structure at 2.34 Å by X-ray crystallography and the flexibility by small-angle X-ray scattering. Through modelling, we demonstrate that MpTACO1 can fit into the peptidyl transfer centre of plant chlororibosomes in a similar manner as human TACO1 in the mitoribosome. The identification and structure determination of the first plastid-targeted YebC/TACO1 allows us to sketch a unified model for the function and evolution of this ancient family of ribosomal accessory proteins, underscoring their indispensable role in the translation of bioenergetic membrane proteins reaching back almost 4 billion years. Less |Related Solutions: Rock Imager^®

Structural biology has fundamentally influenced pharmaceutical research and development at Merck Sharp Dohme LLC Rahway New Jersey USA progressing from pioneering macromolecular crystallography in the s to a fully integrated platform that today encompasses X-ray crystallography cryo-electron microscopy micro-electron diffraction and cryo-electron tomography In this review we present a comprehensive ...More |Related Solutions: NT8^®

Structural biology has fundamentally influenced pharmaceutical research and development at Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, New Jersey, USA, progressing from pioneering macromolecular crystallography in the 1980s to a fully integrated platform that today encompasses X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, micro-electron diffraction and cryo-electron tomography. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of how these complementary methods have advanced drug discovery across diverse therapeutic areas. We illustrate how atomic to cellular structural insights inform drug discovery and development, from target identification and validation, hit finding, lead identification through lead optimization and clinical progression. Furthermore, we describe how structural biology techniques aid in formulation strategies of antibodies and vaccines. Finally, we highlight the growing integration of ex situ and in situ approaches as a paradigm shift towards elucidating drug mechanisms in native cellular contexts, a transition poised to accelerate the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics. Less |Related Solutions: NT8^®