担当区分：筆頭著者,　責任著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

Synthetic binding proteins that have the ability to bind with molecules can be generated using various protein domains as non-antibody scaffolds. These designer proteins have been used widely in research studies, as their properties overcome the disadvantages of using antibodies. Here, we describe the first application of a phage display to generate synthetic binding proteins using a sweet protein, monellin, as a non-antibody scaffold. Single-chain monellin (scMonellin), in which two polypeptide chains of natural monellin are connected by a short linker, has two loops on one side of the molecule. We constructed phage display libraries of scMonellin, in which the amino acid sequence of the two loops is diversified. To validate the performance of these libraries, we sorted them against the folding mutant of the green fluorescent protein variant (GFPuv) and yeast small ubiquitin-related modifier. We successfully obtained scMonellin variants exhibiting moderate but significant affinities for these target proteins. Crystal structures of one of the GFPuv-binding variants in complex with GFPuv revealed that the two diversified loops were involved in target recognition. scMonellin, therefore, represents a promising non-antibody scaffold in the design and generation of synthetic binding proteins. We termed the scMonellin-derived synthetic binding proteins 'SWEEPins'.

DOI： 10.1093/jb/mvaa147

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

The large, secreted glycoprotein reelin regulates embryonic brain development as well as adult brain functions. Although reelin binds to its receptors via its central part, the N-terminal region directs multimer formation and is critical for efficient signal transduction. In fact, the inhibitory antibody CR-50 interacts with the N-terminal region and prevents higher-order multimerization and signalling. Reelin is a multidomain protein in which the central part is composed of eight characteristic repeats, named reelin repeats, each of which is further divided by insertion of a epidermal growth factor (EGF) module into two subrepeats. In contrast, the N-terminal region shows unique 'irregular' domain architecture since it comprises three consecutive subrepeats without the intervening EGF module. Here, we determined the crystal structure of the murine reelin fragment named RX-R1 including the irregular region and the first reelin repeat at 2.0-Å resolution. The overall structure of RX-R1 has a branched Y-shaped form. Interestingly, two incomplete subrepeats cooperatively form one entire subrepeat structure, though an additional subrepeat is inserted between them. We further reveal that Arg335 of RX-R1 is crucial for binding CR-50. A possible self-association mechanism via the N-terminal region is proposed based on our results.

DOI： 10.1093/jb/mvaa144

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0218909

PubMed

researchmap

その他リンク： http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7117-3070

担当区分：筆頭著者,　責任著者  

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-019-41309-8

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：WILEY  

Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) is a close homologue of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) that mediates the endocytosis of ligands, including LDL particles. LDLR family members have been presumed to explore a large conformational space to capture ligands in the extended conformation at the cell surface. Ligands are subsequently released through a pH-titrated structural transition to a self-docked, contracted-closed conformation. In addition to lipoprotein uptake, ApoER2 is implicated in signal transduction during brain development through capture of the extracellular protein reelin. From crystallographic analysis, we determine that the full-length ApoER2 ectodomain adopts an intermediate contracted-open conformation when complexed with the signaling-competent reelin fragment, and we identify a previously unappreciated auxiliary low-affinity binding interface. Based on mutational analyses, we propose that the pH shift during endocytosis weakens the affinity of the auxiliary interface and destabilizes the ligand-receptor complex. Furthermore, this study elucidates that the contracted-open conformation of ligand-bound ApoER2 at neutral pH resembles the contracted-closed conformation of ligand-unbound LDLR at acidic pH in a manner suggestive of being primed for ligand release even prior to internalization.

DOI： 10.15252/embr.201643521

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

The taste receptor type 1 (T1r) family perceives 'palatable' tastes. These receptors function as T1r2-T1r3 and T1r1-T1r3 heterodimers to recognize a wide array of sweet and umami (savory) tastes in sugars and amino acids. Nonetheless, it is unclear how diverse tastes are recognized by so few receptors. Here we present crystal structures of the extracellular ligand-binding domains (LBDs), the taste recognition regions of the fish T1r2-T1r3 heterodimer, bound to different amino acids. The ligand-binding pocket in T1r2LBD is rich in aromatic residues, spacious and accommodates hydrated percepts. Biophysical studies show that this binding site is characterized by a broad yet discriminating chemical recognition, contributing for the particular trait of taste perception. In contrast, the analogous pocket in T1r3LBD is occupied by a rather loosely bound amino acid, suggesting that the T1r3 has an auxiliary role. Overall, we provide a structural basis for understanding the chemical perception of taste receptors.

DOI： 10.1038/ncomms15530

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：Humana Press Inc.  

Plexins are type I membrane proteins that function as receptors for semaphorins. All of the known plexins contain a large globular domain, termed the sema domain, in the N-terminal extracellular region, which interacts with semaphorins during signal transduction. Here, we describe procedures for protein production and purification that we utilized in the crystallographic study of the mouse Plexin A2 (mPlxnA2) extracellular fragment, including the sema domain. A mutant mammalian cell line, HEK293S GnTI−, was used as an expression host for the production of a crystallizable-quality mPlxnA2 fragment, which contains several N-glycosylation sites and disulfide bonds.

DOI： 10.1007/978-1-4939-6448-2_4

Scopus

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Sweet and umami tastes are perceived by T1r taste receptors in oral cavity. T1rs are class C G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), and the extracellular ligand binding domains (LBDs) of T1r1/T1r3 and T1r2/T1r3 heterodimers are responsible for binding of chemical substances eliciting umami or sweet taste. However, molecular analyses of T1r have been hampered due to the difficulties in recombinant expression and protein purification, and thus little is known about mechanisms for taste perception. Here we show the first molecular view of reception of a taste substance by a taste receptor, where the binding of the taste substance elicits a different conformational state of T1r2/T1r3 LBD heterodimer. Electron microscopy has showed a characteristic dimeric structure. Forster resonance energy transfer and X-ray solution scattering have revealed the transition of the dimerization manner of the ligand binding domains, from a widely spread to compactly organized state upon taste substance binding, which may correspond to distinct receptor functional states.

DOI： 10.1038/srep25745

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：CELL PRESS  

Cell signaling depends on dynamic protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, often assembled through modular domains each interacting with multiple peptide motifs. This complexity raises a conceptual challenge, namely to define whether a particular cellular response requires assembly of the complete PPI network of interest or can be driven by a specific interaction. To address this issue, we designed variants of the Grb2 SH2 domain ("pY-clamps'') whose specificity is highly biased toward a single phosphotyrosine (pY) motif among many potential pYXNX Grb2-binding sites. Surprisingly, directing Grb2 predominantly to a single pY site of the Ptpn11/Shp2 phosphatase, but not other sites tested, was sufficient for differentiation of the essential primitive endoderm lineage from embryonic stem cells. Our data suggest that discrete connections within complex PPI networks can underpin regulation of particular biological events. We propose that this directed wiring approach will be of general utility in functionally annotating specific PPIs.

DOI： 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.05.002

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATL ACAD SCIENCES  

The dysregulated tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL causes chronic myelogenous leukemia in humans and forms a large multiprotein complex that includes the Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2). The expression of SHP2 is necessary for BCR-ABL-dependent oncogenic transformation, but the precise signaling mechanisms of SHP2 are not well understood. We have developed binding proteins, termed monobodies, for the N- and C-terminal SH2 domains of SHP2. Intracellular expression followed by interactome analysis showed that the monobodies are essentially monospecific to SHP2. Two crystal structures revealed that the monobodies occupy the phosphopeptide-binding sites of the SH2 domains and thus can serve as competitors of SH2-phosphotyrosine interactions. Surprisingly, the segments of both monobodies that bind to the peptide-binding grooves run in the opposite direction to that of canonical phosphotyrosine peptides, which may contribute to their exquisite specificity. When expressed in cells, monobodies targeting the N-SH2 domain disrupted the interaction of SHP2 with its upstream activator, the Grb2-associated binder 2 adaptor protein, suggesting decoupling of SHP2 from the BCR-ABL protein complex. Inhibition of either N-SH2 or C-SH2 was sufficient to inhibit two tyrosine phosphorylation events that are critical for SHP2 catalytic activity and to block ERK activation. In contrast, targeting the N-SH2 or C-SH2 revealed distinct roles of the two SH2 domains in downstream signaling, such as the phosphorylation of paxillin and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5. Our results delineate a hierarchy of function for the SH2 domains of SHP2 and validate monobodies as potent and specific antagonists of protein-protein interactions in cancer cells.

DOI： 10.1073/pnas.1303640110

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD  

Antibodies directed against histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are critical tools in epigenetics research, particularly in the widely used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments. However, a lack of quantitative methods for characterizing such antibodies has been a major bottleneck in accurate and reproducible analysis of histone modifications. Here, we report a simple and sensitive method for quantitatively characterizing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for histone PTMs in a ChIP-like format. Importantly, it determines the apparent dissociation constants for the interactions of an antibody with peptides harboring cognate or off-target PTMs. Analyses of commercial antibodies revealed large ranges of affinity, specificity and binding capacity as well as substantial lot-to-lot variations, suggesting the importance of quantitatively characterizing each antibody intended to be used in ChIP experiments and optimizing experimental conditions accordingly. Furthermore, using this method, we identified additional factors potentially affecting the interpretation of ChIP experiments. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.09.022

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC  

Reelin is a 3461-residue secreted glycoprotein that plays a critical role in brain development through its action on target neurons. Although it is known that functional reelin protein exists as multimer formed by interchain disulfide bond(s) as well as through non-covalent interactions, the chemical nature of the multimer assembly has been elusive. In the present study, we identified, among 122 cysteines present in full-length reelin, the single critical cysteine residue (Cys(2101)) responsible for the covalent multimerization. C2101A mutant reelin failed to assemble into disulfide-bonded multimers, whereas it still exhibited non-covalently associated high molecular weight oligomeric states in solution. Detailed analysis of tryptic fragments produced from the purified reelin proteins revealed that the minimum unit of the multimer is a homodimeric reelin linked via Cys(2101) present in the central region and that this cysteine does not connect to the N-terminal region of reelin, which had been postulated as the primary oligomerization domain. A surface plasmon resonance binding assay confirmed that C2101A mutant reelin retained binding capability toward two neuronal receptors apolipoprotein E receptor 2 and very low density lipoprotein receptor. However, it failed to show signaling activity in the assay using the cultured neurons. These results indicate that an intact higher order architecture of reelin multimer maintained by both Cys(2101)-mediated homodimerization and other non-covalent association present elsewhere in the reelin primary structure are essential for exerting its full biological activity.

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M111.242719

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）  

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0019411

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：International Union of Crystallography (IUCr)  

DOI： 10.1107/s1744309110048153

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

Semaphorins and their receptor plexins constitute a pleiotropic cell-signalling system that is used in a wide variety of biological processes, and both protein families have been implicated in numerous human diseases(1-4). The binding of soluble or membrane-anchored semaphorins to the membrane-distal region of the plexin ecto-domain activates plexin's intrinsic GTPase-activating protein (GAP) at the cytoplasmic region, ultimately modulating cellular adhesion behaviour(5). However, the structural mechanism underlying the receptor activation remains largely unknown. Here we report the crystal structures of the semaphorin 6A (Sema6A) receptor-binding fragment and the plexin A2 (PlxnA2) ligand-binding fragment in both their pre-signalling (that is, before binding) and signalling (after complex formation) states. Before binding, the Sema6A ectodomain was in the expected 'face-to-face' homodimer arrangement, similar to that adopted by Sema3A and Sema4D, whereas PlxnA2 was in an unexpected 'head-on' homodimer arrangement. In contrast, the structure of the Sema6A-PlxnA2 signalling complex revealed a 2:2 heterotetramer in which the two PlxnA2 monomers dissociated from one another and docked onto the top face of the Sema6A homodimer using the same interface as the head-on homodimer, indicating that plexins undergo 'partner exchange'. Cell-based activity measurements using mutant ligands/receptors confirmed that the Sema6A face-to-face dimer arrangement is physiologically relevant and is maintained throughout signalling events. Thus, homodimer-to-heterodimer transitions of cell-surface plexin that result in a specific orientation of its molecular axis relative to the membrane may constitute the structural mechanism by which the ligand-binding 'signal' is transmitted to the cytoplasmic region, inducing GAP domain rearrangements and activation.

DOI： 10.1038/nature09473

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：CELL PRESS  

Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) and very-low-density lipoprotein receptor, members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) protein family, function as neuronal receptors for a secreted glycoprotein reelin during brain development. In both receptors, the first LDLR class A (LA1) module is sufficient to bind reelin. Analysis of a 2.6 angstrom crystal structure of the reelin receptor-binding fragment in complex with the LA1 of ApoER2 revealed that Lys2467 of reelin is recognized by both a conserved Trp residue and calcium-coordinating acidic residues from LA1, which together with Lys2360 plays a critical role in the interaction. This "double-Lys" recognition mode is, in fact, shared among other LDLR family proteins in ligand binding. The interface between reelin and LA1 covers a small surface area of similar to 350 angstrom(2) on each side, which ensures a stable complex formation under physiological conditions. An examination of structure-guided mutagenesis on interface residues revealed key features of this interaction.

DOI： 10.1016/j.str.2010.01.010

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV  

LRP6 is a cell surface molecule that plays a critical role in the Wnt signaling pathway, and is implicated in numerous human diseases. Studies of cellular signaling mediated by LRP6 have relied on overexpression experiments, due to the lack of good monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) reactive with native LRP6 ectodomain. By using native recombinant LRP6 ectodomain fragment produced in mammalian expression system, we succeeded in developing a panel of anti-human LRP6 mAbs. Selected mAbs were capable of staining endogenous LRP6 on cell surface by using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy, and enriching detergent-solubilized LRP6 from cell lysate by immunoprecipitation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jim.2009.11.016

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：JOHN WILEY & SONS INC  

Biologically important human proteins often require mammalian cell expression for structural studies, presenting technical and economical problems in the production/purification processes. We introduce a novel affinity peptide tagging system that uses a low affinity anti-peptide monoclonal antibody. Concatenation of the short recognition sequence enabled the successful engineering of an 18-residue affinity tag with ideal solution binding kinetics, providing a low-cost purification means when combined with nondenaturing elution by water-miscible organic solvents. Three-dimensional information provides a firm structural basis for the antibody-peptide interaction, opening opportunities for further improvements/modifications.

DOI： 10.1110/ps.038299.108

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語  

F-spondin is a secreted and extracellular matrix-attached protein that has been implicated in axonal pathfinding during neural development as well as in vascular remodelling in adult tissues. F-spondin is composed of a reeler, a spondin and six thrombospondin type 1 repeat domains. The reeler domain shares homology with the amino-terminal domain of reelin, a large secreted glycoprotein that guides migrating neurons during cortical development. Crystal structures of the F-spondin reeler domain were determined at 1.45 and 2.70 A resolution. The structure revealed a nine-stranded antiparallel beta-sandwich fold similar to the immunoglobulin or fibronectin type III domains, but with a unique extra beta-hairpin. Moreover, an amino-terminal extension which is anchored at its beginning via a conserved disulfide bond loosely packs against one face of the beta-sandwich, making a major contribution to the surface features of the domain. Structural comparison among the different molecules contained in two different crystals reveals an unusual conformational plasticity of the amino-terminal loop, suggesting its role in molecular interactions.

DOI： 10.1107/S0907444908028308

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATL ACAD SCIENCES  

Reelin, a large secreted protein implicated in the cortical development of the mammalian brain, is composed of eight tandem concatenations of "reelin repeats" and binds to neuronal receptors belonging to the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene family. We found that both receptor-binding and subsequent Dab 1 phosphorylation occur solely in the segment spanning the fifth and sixth reelin repeats(R5-6). Monomeric fragment exhibited a suboptimal level of signaling activity and artificial oligomerization resulted in a 10-fold increase in activity, indicating the critical importance of higher-order multimerization in physiological reelin. A 2.0-angstrom crystal structure from the R5-6 fragment revealed not only a unique domain arrangement wherein two repeats were aligned side by side with the same orientation, but also the unexpected presence of bound Zn ions. Structure-guided alanine mutagenesis of R5-6 revealed that two Lys residues (Lys-2360 and Lys-2467) constitute a central binding site for the low-density lipoprotein receptor class A module in the receptor, indicating a strong similarity to the ligand recognition mode shared among the endocytic lipoprotein receptors.

DOI： 10.1073/pnas.0700438104

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP  

The large extracellular glycoprotein reelin directs neuronal migration during brain development and plays a fundamental role in layer formation. It is composed of eight tandem repeats of an similar to 380-residue unit, termed the reelin repeat, which has a central epidermal growth factor (EGF) module flanked by two homologous subrepeats with no obvious sequence similarity to proteins of known structure. The 2.05 angstrom crystal structure of the mouse reelin repeat 3 reveals that the subrepeat assumes a beta-jelly-roll fold with unexpected structural similarity to carbohydrate-binding domains. Despite the interruption by the EGF module, the two subdomains make direct contact, resulting in a compact overall structure. Electron micrographs of a four-domain fragment encompassing repeats 3-6, which is capable of inducing Disabled-1 phosphorylation in neurons, show a rod-like shape. Furthermore, a three-dimensional molecular envelope of the fragment obtained by single-particle tomography can be fitted with four concatenated repeat 3 atomic structures, providing the first glimpse of the structural unit for this important signaling molecule.

DOI： 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601240

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE  

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is the most potent endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis in age-related macular degeneration and tumors. However, the molecular mechanism of the anti-angiogenic activity of PEDF is poorly understood. PEDF interacts with the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of the motif for ECM interaction in the anti-angiogenic activity of PEDF. The growth rates of HeLa cells in culture were not affected by transfection of PEDF, indicating that PEDF did not suppress tumor cell growth directly. In tumor xenografts, the overexpression of wild-type PEDF significantly suppressed tumor growth, whereas a mutant of the collagen I-binding site of PEDF (Col-mut PEDF) did not inhibit tumor growth. A mutant of the heparin-binding site of PEDF (Hep-mut PEDF) suppressed tumor growth. Histological analysis showed that the density and area of microvasculatures in either PEDF or Hep-mut PEDF were suppressed when compared with those in either vector or Col-mut PEDF. Our data indicate that PEDF inhibits tumor growth via its anti-angiogenic activity, and the collagen I-binding motif of PEDF is involved in the biological activity. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.07.140

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：AMER CHEMICAL SOC  

DOI： 10.1021/ja038148g

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：英語   掲載種別：研究論文（学術雑誌）   出版者・発行元：AMER CHEMICAL SOC  

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) superfamily, possesses anti-angiogenic and neurotrophic activities. PEDF has been reported to bind to extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagens and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). In this study, to determine the binding sites for collagens and GAGs, we analyzed the interaction of recombinant mouse PEDF (rPEDF) with collagen I and heparin. By utilizing residue-specific chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis techniques, we revealed that the acidic amino acid residues on PEDF (Asp(255), Asp(257), and Asp(299)) are critical to collagen binding, and three clustered basic amino acid residues (Arg(145). Lys(146), and Arg(148)) are necessary for heparin binding. Mapping of these residues on the crystal structure of human PEDF (Simonovic, M., Gettins, P. G. W., and Volz, K. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 11131-11135) demonstrated that the collagen-binding site is oriented toward the opposite side of the highly basic surface where the heparin-binding site is localized. These results indicate that PEDF possesses dual binding sites for different ECM components, and this unique localization of ECM-binding sites implies that the binding to ECM components could regulate PEDF activities.

DOI： 10.1021/bi0206558

Web of Science

PubMed

researchmap

担当区分：筆頭著者   記述言語：日本語   出版者・発行元：一般社団法人日本生物物理学会  

DOI： 10.2142/biophys.48.235

CiNii Article

CiNii Books

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap

researchmap