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Munoz, E. N.

Publications and source records attributed to Munoz, E. N..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

ATP-dependent reorientation on a nucleosome primes INO80 for DNA translocation

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes play central roles in genome regulation by mobilizing nucleosomes. All remodelers except for one, position their core ATPase at an internal nucleosome location, superhelical location (SHL) 2, and translocate DNA from this site to alter nucleosome conformation. The exception, the remodeler INO80, positions its core ATPase, Ino80, near the DNA exit/entry site, SHL -6. This major architectural difference has raised the question of whether INO80 acts by a fundamentally different mechanism from other remodelers. Here, using cryogenic electron microscopy we capture a new conformation of INO80 that is substantially enriched upon ATP hydrolysis and has Ino80 positioned at an internal nucleosomal location. Comprehensive conformational landscape analysis further uncovers an ATP hydrolysis dependent continuum of additional INO80 conformational states on a nucleosome that were not previously detected. Our studies provide compelling evidence to support a model where INO80 initially engages nucleosomes near SHL -6, followed by a dramatic ATP hydrolysis dependent ~180{degrees} reorientation around the nucleosome to place its Ino80 near SHL -2 from where DNA is translocated. INO80s unique reorientation has broad implications for understanding how ATP-dependent steps that precede nucleosome mobilization can increase the fidelity of remodeling by being responsive to nucleosomal cues.

biophysics↗

Functionalized graphene-oxide grids enable high-resolution cryo-EM structures of the SNF2h-nucleosome complex without crosslinking

Single-particle cryo-EM is widely used to determine enzyme-nucleosome complex structures. However, cryo-EM sample preparation remains challenging and inconsistent due to complex denaturation at the air-water interface (AWI). To address this issue, we developed graphene-oxide-coated EM grids functionalized with either single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or thiol-poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) (TAASTY) co-polymer. These grids protect complexes between the chromatin remodeler SNF2h and nucleosomes from the AWI and facilitated collection of high-quality micrographs of intact SNF2h-nucleosome complexes in the absence of crosslinking. The data yields maps ranging from 2.3 to 3 [A] in resolution. 3D variability analysis reveals nucleotide-state linked conformational changes in SNF2h bound to a nucleosome. In addition, the analysis provides structural evidence for asymmetric coordination between two SNF2h protomers acting on the same nucleosome. We envision these grids will enable similar detailed structural analyses for other enzyme-nucleosome complexes and possibly other protein-nucleic acid complexes in general.

biochemistry↗

PIKfyve inhibition blocks endolysosomal escape of α-synuclein fibrils and spread of α-synuclein aggregation

The inter-cellular prion-like propagation of -synuclein aggregation is emerging as an important mechanism driving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsons disease and multiple system atrophy (MSA). To discover therapeutic strategies reducing the spread of -synuclein aggregation, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR interference screen in a human cell-based model. We discovered that inhibiting PIKfyve dramatically reduced -synuclein aggregation induced with both recombinant -synuclein fibrils and fibrils isolated from MSA patient brain. While PIKfyve inhibition did not affect fibril uptake or -synuclein clearance or secretion, it reduced -synuclein trafficking from the early endosome to the lysosome, thereby limiting fibril escape from the lysosome and reducing the amount of fibrils that reach cytosolic -synuclein to induce aggregation. These findings point to the endolysosomal transport of fibrils as a critical step in the propagation of -synuclein aggregation and a potential therapeutic target.

cell biology↗