Most proteins conform to the classical view that a polypeptide chain populates a single, stable native state. However, the phenomenon of fold switching, where protein sequences can exist at the interface between completely different folds, creates serious challenges to our understanding of how amino acid sequence encodes 3D structure. Additionally, it has many implications for understanding how proteins evolve, how mutation is related to disease, and how function is annotated to sequences of unknown structure. Here, the overall objective is to determine experimentally how amino acid sequences migrate through fold space. We will determine the generality of fold switching and define its common principles by designing, engineering and analyzing a number of strategic protein switches. Our proposed studies employ small proteins that are widely used in experimental and computational folding studies, connecting our future results to a large body of knowledge.
We aim to show that: 1) many folds can switch into other completely different topologies; 2) such switches can be designed/evolved; 3) structures and energetics of switches can be understood; 4) understanding can lead to prediction of other switches. Previous examination of both natural and engineered fold switches has shown that three conditions are generally necessary for a fold switch: 1) low stability of both folds; 2) compatibility of hydrophobic cores between folds; and 3) long range interactions in one fold which can override local interactions in the other. Methodical studies of fold switching require design and selection methods robust enough to create multiple examples of switches. To create different switches, we have chosen a series of origin folds that represent a range of common topologies (orthogonal bundle, 3-helix bundle, - grasp, SH3 barrel) that will be switched into different context-driven, destination folds (/ plait, / sandwich, Rossman-like). This approach allows us to satisfy the three general conditions of switching mentioned above. It also mimics evolutionary migration of sub-domains through fold space. Selection through the use of phage display methods will produce heteromorphic and bi-functional proteins that will be used for structural and energetic analysis. These proteins will be studied by a variety of physical methods including microcalorimetry, CD and NMR. Detailed structural and thermodynamic analysis will give important insights into the physicochemical basis for fold switching. The energetic and structural results will reveal how multiple folds are connected through short mutational pathways. These mutational connectivities in fold space will create networks of probable fold migrations. Our results will also enable computational biologists to use these data in folding simulations, fold network studies, and for further development and refinement of stability and structure prediction algorithms.

Public Health Relevance

The overall objective is to determine experimentally how amino acid sequences migrate through fold space. Our proposed studies have many implications for understanding how proteins evolve, how mutation is related to disease, and how function is annotated to sequences of unknown structure. Our results will also enable computational biologists to use these data in folding simulations, fold network studies, and for further development and refinement of stability and structure prediction algorithms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM062154-12
Application #
8826132
Study Section
Macromolecular Structure and Function B Study Section (MSFB)
Program Officer
Smith, Ward
Project Start
2002-03-01
Project End
2016-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-01
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Maryland College Park
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
University-Wide
DUNS #
790934285
City
College Park
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20742
Kulkarni, Prakash; Solomon, Tsega L; He, Yanan et al. (2018) Structural metamorphism and polymorphism in proteins on the brink of thermodynamic stability. Protein Sci 27:1557-1567
Jolly, Mohit Kumar; Kulkarni, Prakash; Weninger, Keith et al. (2018) Phenotypic Plasticity, Bet-Hedging, and Androgen Independence in Prostate Cancer: Role of Non-Genetic Heterogeneity. Front Oncol 8:50
Lin, Xingcheng; Roy, Susmita; Jolly, Mohit Kumar et al. (2018) PAGE4 and Conformational Switching: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Implications for Prostate Cancer. J Mol Biol 430:2422-2438
Kulkarni, Prakash; Jolly, Mohit Kumar; Jia, Dongya et al. (2017) Phosphorylation-induced conformational dynamics in an intrinsically disordered protein and potential role in phenotypic heterogeneity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:E2644-E2653
He, Yanan; Chen, Yihong; Mooney, Steven M et al. (2015) Phosphorylation-induced Conformational Ensemble Switching in an Intrinsically Disordered Cancer/Testis Antigen. J Biol Chem 290:25090-102
Porter, Lauren L; He, Yanan; Chen, Yihong et al. (2015) Subdomain interactions foster the design of two protein pairs with ?80% sequence identity but different folds. Biophys J 108:154-62
Bryan, Philip N; Orban, John (2013) Implications of protein fold switching. Curr Opin Struct Biol 23:314-6
He, Yanan; Chen, Yihong; Alexander, Patrick A et al. (2012) Mutational tipping points for switching protein folds and functions. Structure 20:283-91
Morrone, Angela; McCully, Michelle E; Bryan, Philip N et al. (2011) The denatured state dictates the topology of two proteins with almost identical sequence but different native structure and function. J Biol Chem 286:3863-72
Shen, Yang; Bryan, Philip N; He, Yanan et al. (2010) De novo structure generation using chemical shifts for proteins with high-sequence identity but different folds. Protein Sci 19:349-56

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