Biology subjects

Bui, T. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Bui, T. H..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Neprilysin mediated cleavage of phospholamban dysregulates SERCA in heart failure

BackgroundNeprilysin (NEP) is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease targeted in heart failure therapy to prevent it degrading circulating cardioprotective vasoactive peptides. NEP can also cleave sarcolipin (SLN), the skeletal- and atrial muscle-specific micropeptide regulator of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). A direct pathophysiological role of NEP in ventricular muscle has not been established. MethodsProteomics and immunoblot analysis of human myocardial specimens were used to quantify NEP abundance in failing and non-failing hearts. Heterologous protein expression and biochemical binding assays assessed NEP-mediated cleavage of phospholamban (PLB) and its impact on PLB-SERCA interactions. Functional consequences of NEP expression or inhibition were evaluated in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and in a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) model of heart failure. ResultsWe observed increased NEP abundance in failing human myocardium relative to non-failing controls. We demonstrated that NEP cleaves phospholamban (PLB), disrupting PLB-SERCA interactions. Mutation of PLB (V49A), prevented NEP cleavage and preserved PLB-SERCA binding, indicating V49 is critical for NEP substrate recognition. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, NEP expression was associated with faster Ca2+ transient decay kinetics and increased SR Ca2+ load, consistent with reduced SERCA inhibition. Inhibition of NEP in a hiPSC-CM heart failure model attenuated the hypertrophic transcriptional responses and reversed Ca2+-transport dysregulation. ConclusionsThese findings implicate increased NEP expression in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiomyocytes as previously unrecognized maladaptive consequence of heart failure contributing to cardiac dysfunction. In this novel pathophysiological mechanism, increased NEP results in PLB cleavage and loss of regulation of SERCA. While this may relieve SERCA inhibition and augment cellular Ca2+ handling, loss of PLB chronically disrupts hearts dynamic response to adrenergic stress, changing heart rate, or other physiological challenges. The data provide new insight into the cardioprotective effects of pharmacological NEP inhibition in clinical practice, reveal a novel mechanism of action of neprilysin inhibition in cardiomyocytes and may help inform future therapeutic strategies for patients with heart failure. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=118 SRC="FIGDIR/small/732949v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (49K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5ddc5dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2e746corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1dd8273org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f5635_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

physiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Supramolecular assembly of collagen mimetic peptide D-periodic fibrils and nanoassemblies

The collagen triple helix assembles hierarchically into bundled oligomers, solvated networks and fibers. Synthetic peptide assemblies, driven by supramolecular interactions, can form single triple helices through intrahelical amino acid pairs, but the principles guiding interhelical associations into higher-order structures remain unclear. Here, we incorporate cation-{pi} and electrostatic charge pairs to probe interhelical interactions and elucidate the mechanisms driving triple helix assembly into fibrils, nanotubes, and nanosheets. Introducing cation-{pi} pairs into a fibrillating collagen mimetic resulted in D-periodic fibrils with pH-sensitive gelation. Modifying the presentation of interhelical interactions also enabled the characterization of another D-periodic fibril resembling cartilage collagens, featuring inner and outer triple helix layers. Enhancing electrostatic charge pairs promoted antiparallel assembly, leading to the formation of nanotubes and nanosheets. The packing behavior of triple helices correlates with the interhelical interactions, where parallel associations favor fibril formation, and antiparallel interactions drive nanotube and nanosheet assembly.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2024

Covalent Stabilization of Collagen Mimetic Triple Helices and Assemblies by Dopa Crosslinking

Creating thermally stable collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) is a persistent challenge. Nature leverages covalent crosslinkings to stabilize collagens signature triple helical tertiary structure and higher-order assemblies. Herein, we demonstrate that crosslinkings between levodopa (Dopa) and lysine, amino acids present in native collagen, can covalently stabilize the triple helix in collagen mimetic peptides. Since alkaline conditions catalyze the oxidation of the catechol on Dopa to a benzoquinone, while being in proximity to the nucleophilic lysine, we hypothesized that this reaction could be a facile method to covalently capture the supramolecular structure of CMPs by simply increasing the pH of the aqueous solvent with the addition of sodium hydroxide. This covalent capture strategy successfully stabilizes CMP homotrimers and a de novo designed ABC-type heterotrimer demonstrating that the Lysine-Dopa covalent bond is best templated by a supramolecular, axial cation-{pi} pairwise interaction. In nature, collagen can hierarchically assemble into fibers. This behavior can be mimicked with the self-assembly of CMPs, but the resulting nanofibers typically exhibit thermal stability below body temperature. In a final application, we demonstrate that Dopa-Lysine covalent capture also enhances the thermal stability of CMP nanofibers well above 37 {degrees}C. This biomimetic covalent capture strategy can stabilize a wide variety of CMP systems and potentially enable the biomedical application of these materials.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2024

Beyond the Triple Helix: Exploration of the Hierarchical Assembly Space of Collagen-like Peptides

The de novo design of self-assembling peptides has garnered significant attention in scientific research. While alpha-helical assemblies have been extensively studied, exploration of polyproline type II (PPII) helices, such as those found in collagen, remains relatively limited. In this study, we focused on understanding the sequence-structure relationship in hierarchical assemblies of collagen-like peptides, using defense collagen SP-A as a model. By dissecting the sequence derived from SP-A and synthesizing short collagen-like peptides, we successfully constructed a discrete bundle of hollow triple helices. Mutation studies pinpointed amino acid sequences, including hydrophobic and charged residues that are critical for oligomer formation. These insights guided the de novo design of collagen-like peptides, resulting in the formation of diverse quaternary structures, including discrete and heterogenous bundled oligomers, 2D nanosheets, and pH-responsive nanoribbons. Our study represents a significant advancement in the understanding and harnessing of collagen higher-order assemblies beyond the triple helix.

biophysics↗