Next-generation sequencing allows the analysis of genomes, including those representing disease states. However, the causes of most disorders are multifactorial, and systems-level approaches, ...including the analysis of proteomes, are required for a more comprehensive understanding. The proteome is extremely multifaceted owing to splicing and protein modifications, and this is further amplified by the interconnectivity of proteins into complexes and signalling networks that are highly divergent in time and space. Proteome analysis heavily relies on mass spectrometry (MS). MS-based proteomics is starting to mature and to deliver through a combination of developments in instrumentation, sample preparation and computational analysis. Here we describe this emerging next generation of proteomics and highlight recent applications.
Kinesin-1 is responsible for microtubule-based transport of numerous cellular cargoes. Here, we explored the regulation of kinesin-1 by MAP7 proteins. We found that all four mammalian MAP7 family ...members bind to kinesin-1. In HeLa cells, MAP7, MAP7D1, and MAP7D3 act redundantly to enable kinesin-1-dependent transport and microtubule recruitment of the truncated kinesin-1 KIF5B-560, which contains the stalk but not the cargo-binding and autoregulatory regions. In vitro, purified MAP7 and MAP7D3 increase microtubule landing rate and processivity of kinesin-1 through transient association with the motor. MAP7 proteins promote binding of kinesin-1 to microtubules both directly, through the N-terminal microtubule-binding domain and unstructured linker region, and indirectly, through an allosteric effect exerted by the kinesin-binding C-terminal domain. Compared with MAP7, MAP7D3 has a higher affinity for kinesin-1 and a lower affinity for microtubules and, unlike MAP7, can be cotransported with the motor. We propose that MAP7 proteins are microtubule-tethered kinesin-1 activators, with which the motor transiently interacts as it moves along microtubules.
ASPM (known as Asp in fly and ASPM-1 in worm) is a microcephaly-associated protein family that regulates spindle architecture, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we show that ...ASPM forms a complex with another protein linked to microcephaly, the microtubule-severing ATPase katanin. ASPM and katanin localize to spindle poles in a mutually dependent manner and regulate spindle flux. X-ray crystallography revealed that the heterodimer formed by the N- and C-terminal domains of the katanin subunits p60 and p80, respectively, binds conserved motifs in ASPM. Reconstitution experiments demonstrated that ASPM autonomously tracks growing microtubule minus ends and inhibits their growth, while katanin decorates and bends both ends of dynamic microtubules and potentiates the minus-end blocking activity of ASPM. ASPM also binds along microtubules, recruits katanin and promotes katanin-mediated severing of dynamic microtubules. We propose that the ASPM-katanin complex controls microtubule disassembly at spindle poles and that misregulation of this process can lead to microcephaly.
Increasing peptide sequence coverage by tandem mass spectrometry improves confidence in database search-based peptide identification and facilitates mapping of post-translational modifications and de ...novo sequencing. Inducing 2-fold fragmentation by combining electron-transfer and higher-energy collision dissociation (EThcD) generates dual fragment ion series and facilitates extensive peptide backbone fragmentation. After an initial electron-transfer dissociation step, all ions including the unreacted precursor ions are subjected to collision induced dissociation which yields b/y- and c/z-type fragment ions in a single spectrum. This new fragmentation scheme provides richer spectra and substantially increases the peptide sequence coverage and confidence in peptide identification.
The cross-talk between dynamic microtubules and integrin-based adhesions to the extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in cell polarity and migration. Microtubules regulate the turnover of ...adhesion sites, and, in turn, focal adhesions promote the cortical microtubule capture and stabilization in their vicinity, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Here, we show that cortical microtubule stabilization sites containing CLASPs, KIF21A, LL5β and liprins are recruited to focal adhesions by the adaptor protein KANK1, which directly interacts with the major adhesion component, talin. Structural studies showed that the conserved KN domain in KANK1 binds to the talin rod domain R7. Perturbation of this interaction, including a single point mutation in talin, which disrupts KANK1 binding but not the talin function in adhesion, abrogates the association of microtubule-stabilizing complexes with focal adhesions. We propose that the talin-KANK1 interaction links the two macromolecular assemblies that control cortical attachment of actin fibers and microtubules.
The axon initial segment (AIS) is a unique neuronal compartment that plays a crucial role in the generation of action potential and neuronal polarity. The assembly of the AIS requires membrane, ...scaffolding, and cytoskeletal proteins, including Ankyrin-G and TRIM46. How these components cooperate in AIS formation is currently poorly understood. Here, we show that Ankyrin-G acts as a scaffold interacting with End-Binding (EB) proteins and membrane proteins such as Neurofascin-186 to recruit TRIM46-positive microtubules to the plasma membrane. Using in vitro reconstitution and cellular assays, we demonstrate that TRIM46 forms parallel microtubule bundles and stabilizes them by acting as a rescue factor. TRIM46-labeled microtubules drive retrograde transport of Neurofascin-186 to the proximal axon, where Ankyrin-G prevents its endocytosis, resulting in stable accumulation of Neurofascin-186 at the AIS. Neurofascin-186 enrichment in turn reinforces membrane anchoring of Ankyrin-G and subsequent recruitment of TRIM46-decorated microtubules. Our study reveals feedback-based mechanisms driving AIS assembly.
•Ankyrin-G in complex with EBs recruits microtubule bundles to the plasma membrane•TRIM46 is a rescue factor that forms stable parallel microtubule bundles•TRIM46-bound microtubules direct Neurofascin-186 trafficking to the proximal axon•Ankyrin-G controls Neurofascin-186 retention in the axon initial segment
Fréal et al. report the molecular mechanisms involved in axon initial segment (AIS) assembly. This study describes in detail how feedback-driven coupling between AIS membrane proteins and axonal microtubules allows for the formation and maintenance of a functional AIS.
Breast milk contains several macromolecular components with distinctive functions, whereby milk fat globules and casein micelles mainly provide nutrition to the newborn, and whey contains molecules ...that can stimulate the newborn's developing immune system and gastrointestinal tract. Although extracellular vesicles (EV) have been identified in breast milk, their physiological function and composition has not been addressed in detail. EV are submicron sized vehicles released by cells for intercellular communication via selectively incorporated lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Because of the difficulty in separating EV from other milk components, an in-depth analysis of the proteome of human milk-derived EV is lacking. In this study, an extensive LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis was performed of EV that had been purified from breast milk of seven individual donors using a recently established, optimized density-gradient-based EV isolation protocol. A total of 1963 proteins were identified in milk-derived EV, including EV-associated proteins like CD9, Annexin A5, and Flotillin-1, with a remarkable overlap between the different donors. Interestingly, 198 of the identified proteins are not present in the human EV database Vesiclepedia, indicating that milk-derived EV harbor proteins not yet identified in EV of different origin. Similarly, the proteome of milk-derived EV was compared with that of other milk components. For this, data from 38 published milk proteomic studies were combined in order to construct the total milk proteome, which consists of 2698 unique proteins. Remarkably, 633 proteins identified in milk-derived EV have not yet been identified in human milk to date. Interestingly, these novel proteins include proteins involved in regulation of cell growth and controlling inflammatory signaling pathways, suggesting that milk-derived EVs could support the newborn's developing gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Overall, this study provides an expansion of the whole milk proteome and illustrates that milk-derived EV are macromolecular components with a unique functional proteome.
To maintain cellular structure and integrity during division, Gram-negative bacteria must carefully coordinate constriction of a tripartite cell envelope of inner membrane, peptidoglycan (PG), and ...outer membrane (OM). It has remained enigmatic how this is accomplished. Here, we show that envelope machines facilitating septal PG synthesis (PBP1B-LpoB complex) and OM constriction (Tol system) are physically and functionally coordinated via YbgF, renamed CpoB (Coordinator of PG synthesis and OM constriction, associated with PBP1B). CpoB localizes to the septum concurrent with PBP1B-LpoB and Tol at the onset of constriction, interacts with both complexes, and regulates PBP1B activity in response to Tol energy state. This coordination links PG synthesis with OM invagination and imparts a unique mode of bifunctional PG synthase regulation by selectively modulating PBP1B cross-linking activity. Coordination of the PBP1B and Tol machines by CpoB contributes to effective PBP1B function in vivo and maintenance of cell envelope integrity during division.
Although protein acetylation is widely observed, it has been associated with few specific regulatory functions making it poorly understood. To interrogate its functionality, we analyzed the acetylome ...in Escherichia coli knockout mutants of cobB, the only known sirtuin‐like deacetylase, and patZ, the best‐known protein acetyltransferase. For four growth conditions, more than 2,000 unique acetylated peptides, belonging to 809 proteins, were identified and differentially quantified. Nearly 65% of these proteins are related to metabolism. The global activity of CobB contributes to the deacetylation of a large number of substrates and has a major impact on physiology. Apart from the regulation of acetyl‐CoA synthetase, we found that CobB‐controlled acetylation of isocitrate lyase contributes to the fine‐tuning of the glyoxylate shunt. Acetylation of the transcription factor RcsB prevents DNA binding, activating flagella biosynthesis and motility, and increases acid stress susceptibility. Surprisingly, deletion of patZ increased acetylation in acetate cultures, which suggests that it regulates the levels of acetylating agents. The results presented offer new insights into functional roles of protein acetylation in metabolic fitness and global cell regulation.
Synopsis
An integrated analysis of proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolic flux data reveals functional roles of protein acetylation in E. coli. Acetylation regulates protein function directly, by modulating metabolic enzyme activity, or indirectly by affecting transcriptional regulators.
Protein acetylation is analyzed under four different growth conditions and is found to be highly context‐dependent.
The global activity of the lysine deacetylase CobB contributes to the deacetylation of a large number of substrates and affects physiology and metabolism.
Acetylation of the transcription factor RcsB prevents DNA binding, impairs flagella biosynthesis and motility and increases acid stress susceptibility.
Deletion of the lysine acetyltransferase patZ increases acetylation in acetate cultures, suggesting that PatZ regulates the levels of acetylating agents.
An integrated analysis of proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolic flux data reveals functional roles of protein acetylation in E. coli. Acetylation regulates protein function directly, by modulating metabolic enzyme activity, or indirectly by affecting transcriptional regulators.
The Golgi apparatus controls the formation of non-centrosomal microtubule arrays important for Golgi organization, polarized transport, cell motility, and cell differentiation. Here, we show that ...CAMSAP2 stabilizes and attaches microtubule minus ends to the Golgi through a complex of AKAP450 and myomegalin. CLASPs stabilize CAMSAP2-decorated microtubules but are not required for their Golgi tethering. AKAP450 is also essential for Golgi microtubule nucleation, and myomegalin and CDK5RAP2 but not CAMSAP2 contribute to this function. In the absence of centrosomes, AKAP450- and CAMSAP2-dependent pathways of microtubule minus-end organization become dominant, and the presence of at least one of them is needed to maintain microtubule density. Strikingly, a compact Golgi can be assembled in the absence of both centrosomal and Golgi microtubules. However, CAMSAP2- and AKAP450-dependent Golgi microtubules facilitate Golgi reorientation and cell invasion in a 3D matrix. We propose that Golgi-anchored microtubules are important for polarized cell movement but not for coalescence of Golgi membranes.
•CAMSAP2 stabilizes microtubule minus ends at the Golgi•A complex of AKAP450 and myomegalin recruits CAMSAP2-bound microtubules to the Golgi•A single Golgi can be maintained in the absence of centrosome and Golgi microtubules•Golgi microtubules facilitate cell reorientation and migration in 3D matrix
Wu et al. describe how a microtubule minus-end-binding protein, CAMSAP2, acts together with Golgi-associated proteins AKAP450 and myomegalin to promote microtubule organization at the Golgi. They also show how these proteins affect cell migration and describe the redundancy between the centrosome-dependent and -independent pathways in microtubule minus-end stabilization.