Biology subjects

Lettl, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Lettl, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins provide insights into the structure and function of CagI and are potent inhibitors of CagA translocation by the Helicobacter pylori type IV secretion system

The bacterial human pathogen Helicobacter pylori produces a type IV secretion system (cagT4SS) to inject the oncoprotein CagA into gastric cells. The cagT4SS external pilus mediates attachment of the apparatus to the target cell and the delivery of CagA. While the composition of the pilus is unclear, CagI is present at the surface of the bacterium and required for pilus formation. Here, we have investigated the properties of CagI by an integrative structural biology approach. Using Alpha Fold 2 and Small Angle X-ray scattering, it was found that CagI forms elongated dimers mediated by rod-shaped N-terminal domains (CagIN) and prolonged by globular C-terminal domains (CagIC). Three Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins) K2, K5 and K8 selected against CagI interacted with CagIC with subnanomolar affinities. The crystal structures of the CagI:K2 and CagI:K5 complexes were solved and identified the interfaces between the molecules, thereby providing a structural explanation for the difference in affinity between the two binders. Purified CagI and CagIC were found to interact with adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cells, induced cell spreading and the interaction was inhibited by K2. The same DARPin inhibited CagA translocation by up to 65% in AGS cells while inhibition levels were 40% and 30% with K8 and K5, respectively. Our study suggests that CagIC plays a key role in cagT4SS-mediated CagA translocation and that DARPins targeting CagI represent potent inhibitors of the cagT4SS, a crucial risk factor for gastric cancer development. Author summaryHelicobacter pylori is a bacterial pathogen that colonises the human stomach in half of the worlds population. The most virulent strains use the cag- type IV secretion system (cagT4SS), a molecular nanomachine capable of injecting the oncoprotein CagA into gastric cells. How CagA is delivered is unknown, but the cagT4SS produces an external appendage referred to as pilus, which interacts with host cell receptors, mediating CagA translocation from the cytoplasm of the bacteria to the inner membrane of the host cell. In this study we have investigated the structural and functional properties of CagI, a protein long-thought to be associated with the cagT4SS pilus but with yet unknown function. We found that CagI displays a unique dimeric structure and that its C-terminal domain is involved in interaction with the host cell. Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins were selected against CagI and found to interact with its C-terminal moiety with high affinity. DARPin binding was able to prevent CagI interaction with the host cell and inhibited CagA translocation by H. pylori. Our study reveals the role of CagI in cagT4SS interaction with gastric cells and provides a first example of a small protein binder inhibiting the cagT4SS activity.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Heavy metal sensitivities of gene deletion strains for ITT1 and RPS1A connect their activities to the expression of URE2, a key gene involved in metal detoxification in yeast

Heavy metal and metalloid contaminations are among the most concerning types of pollutant in the environment. Consequently, it is important to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cellular responses and detoxification pathways for these compounds in living organisms. To date, a number of genes have been linked to the detoxification process. The expression of these genes can be controlled at both transcriptional and translational levels. In bakers yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, resistance to a wide range of toxic metals is regulated by glutathione S-transferases. Yeast URE2 encodes for a protein that has glutathione peroxidase activity and is homologous to mammalian glutathione S-transferases. The URE2 expression is critical to cell survival under heavy metal stress. Here, we report on the finding of two genes, ITT1, an inhibitor of translation termination, and RPS1A, a small ribosomal protein, that when deleted yeast cells exhibit similar metal sensitivity phenotypes to gene deletion strain for URE2. Neither of these genes were previously linked to metal toxicity. Our gene expression analysis illustrates that these two genes affect URE2 mRNA expression at the level of translation.\n\nSummary statementWe identified two yeast genes, ITT1 and RPS1A, that when deleted, results in yeast cells sensitivity to heavy metals and metalloids. Further investigation indicated that they influence the expression of URE2 gene, a key player in metal detoxification, by upregulating its translation. Our findings suggest that ITT1 and RPS1A play an indirect role in responding to toxic metal stress.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Designing Anti-Zika Virus Peptides Derived from Predicted Human-Zika Virus Protein-Protein Interactions

The production of anti-Zika virus (ZIKV) therapeutics has become increasingly important as the propagation of the devastating virus continues largely unchecked. Notably, a causal relationship between ZIKV infection and neurodevelopmental abnormalities has been widely reported, yet a specific mechanism underlying impaired neurological development has not been identified. Here, we report on the design of several synthetic competitive inhibitory peptides against key pathogenic ZIKV proteins through the prediction of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Often, PPIs between host and viral proteins are crucial for infection and pathogenesis, making them attractive targets for therapeutics. Using two complementary sequence-based PPI prediction tools, we first produced a comprehensive map of predicted human-ZIKV PPIs (involving 209 human protein candidates). We then designed several peptides intended to disrupt the corresponding host-pathogen interactions thereby acting as anti-ZIKV therapeutics. The data generated in this study constitute a foundational resource to aid in the multi-disciplinary effort to combat ZIKV infection, including the design of additional synthetic proteins.

synthetic biology↗