Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is a multifunctional phospho-protein with critical roles in ribosome biogenesis, tumor suppression, and nucleolar stress response. Here we show that the N-terminal oligomerization domain of NPM1 (Npm-N) exhibits structural polymorphism by populating conformational states ranging from a highly ordered, folded pentamer to a highly disordered monomer. The monomerpentamer equilibrium is modulated by posttranslational modification and protein binding. Phosphorylation drives the equilibrium in favor of monomeric forms, and this effect can be reversed by Npm-N binding to its interaction partners. We have identified a short, arginine-rich linear motif in NPM1 binding partners that mediates Npm-N oligomerization. We propose that the diverse functional repertoire associated with NPM1 is controlled through a regulated unfolding mechanism signaled through posttranslational modifications and intermolecular interactions.NMR | X-ray crystallography N ucleophosmin (NPM1) is a highly abundant nucleolar phosphoprotein with functions associated with ribosome biogenesis (1, 2), maintenance of genome stability (1), nucleolar stress response (3), modulation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway (4), and regulation of apoptosis (5). Importantly, genetic alterations that affect the NPM1 protein sequence or expression level are associated with oncogenesis. For example, NPM1 overexpression was observed in a variety of solid tumors, and mutations within the protein and genetic translocations involving NPM1 are associated with hematological malignancies (reviewed in ref. 6).NPM1 primarily resides in the nucleolus which is a membraneless compartment and the site of rRNA synthesis, processing, and assembly with ribosomal proteins (7). In the nucleolus, NPM1 is involved in processing preribosomal RNA (4), chaperoning the nucleolar entry of ribosomal (1, 8) and viral (9) proteins, and stabilizing the alternate reading frame (ARF) tumor suppressor protein (4, 5, 10, 11), while also playing a role in the shuttling of preribosomal particles assembled in the nucleolus to the cytoplasm (12-14).NPM1 is a member of the nucleoplasmin protein family, which includes the histone chaperones NPM2 and NPM3. These proteins share a conserved N-terminal oligomerization domain that mediates homopentamerization (15). Disruption of NPM1 oligomerization by a small molecule (16) or an RNA aptamer (17) causes exclusive nucleoplasmic localization, loss of colocalization with ARF, and induction of p53-dependent apoptosis (16, 17). These observations suggest that changes in the oligomeric state of NPM1 may influence its biological functions. However, although it is hypothesized (1) that NPM1 function is modulated through control of its oligomeric state, experimental data are currently lacking. Intriguingly, NPM1 exhibits 40 putative phosphorylation sites, the majority of which are evolutionarily conserved (18,19). Modification of these sites that is influenced by subcellular localization and cell cycle phase (20, 21) modulates the biological function...

Following DNA damage, nuclear p53 induces the expression of PUMA, a BH3-only protein that binds and inhibits the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 repertoire, including BCL-xL. PUMA, unique amongst BH3-only proteins, disrupts the interaction between cytosolic p53 and BCL-xL, allowing p53 to promote apoptosis via direct activation of the BCL-2 effector molecules, BAX and BAK. Structural investigations using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography revealed that PUMA binding induced partial unfolding of two α-helices within BCL-xL. Wild-type PUMA or a PUMA mutant incapable of causing binding-induced unfolding of BCL-xL equivalently inhibited the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 repertoire to sensitize for death receptor (DR)-activated apoptosis, but only wild-type PUMA promoted p53-dependent, DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Our data suggest that PUMA-induced partial unfolding of BCL-xL disrupts interactions between cytosolic p53 and BCL-xL, releasing the bound p53 to initiate apoptosis. We propose that regulated unfolding of BCL-xL provides a mechanism to promote PUMA-dependent signaling within the apoptotic pathways.

AnsA is the cytoplasmic asparaginase from Escherichia coli involved in intracellular asparagine utilization. Analytical ultracentifugation and X-ray crystallography reveal that AnsA forms a tetrameric structure as a dimer of two intimate dimers. Kinetic analysis of the enzyme reveals that AnsA is positively cooperative, displaying a sigmoidal substrate dependence curve with an [S](0.5) of 1 mM L-asparagine and a Hill coefficient (n(H)) of 2.6. Binding of L-asparagine to an allosteric site was observed in the crystal structure concomitant with a reorganization of the quarternary structure, relative to the apo enzyme. The carboxyl group of the bound asparagine makes salt bridges and hydrogen bonds to Arg240, while the N(delta2) nitrogen interacts with Thr162. Mutation of Arg240 to Ala increases the [S](0.5) value to 5.9 mM, presumably by reducing the affinity of the site for L-asparagine, although the enzyme retains cooperativity. Mutation of Thr162 to Ala results in an active enzyme with no cooperativity. Transmission of the signal from the allosteric site to the active site appears to involve subtle interactions at the dimer-dimer interface and relocation of Gln118 into the vicinity of the active site to position the probable catalytic water molecule. These data define the structural basis for the cooperative regulation of the intracellular asparaginase that is required for proper functioning within the cell.

Pantothenate kinase (PANK) is a metabolic enzyme that regulates cellular coenzyme A (CoA) levels. There are three human PANK genes, and inactivating mutations in PANK2 lead to pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Here we performed a library screen followed by chemical optimization to produce PZ-2891, an allosteric PANK activator that crosses the blood brain barrier. PZ-2891 occupies the pantothenate pocket and engages the dimer interface to form a PANK•ATP•Mg2+•PZ-2891 complex. The binding of PZ-2891 to one protomer locks the opposite protomer in a catalytically active conformation that is refractory to acetyl-CoA inhibition. Oral administration of PZ-2891 increases CoA levels in mouse liver and brain. A knockout mouse model of brain CoA deficiency exhibited weight loss, severe locomotor impairment and early death. Knockout mice on PZ-2891 therapy gain weight, and have improved locomotor activity and life span establishing pantazines as novel therapeutics for the treatment of PKAN.

p27 Kip1 is an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) that inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)/cyclin complexes (e.g., Cdk2/cyclin A), causing cell cycle arrest. Cell division progresses when stably Cdk2/cyclin A-bound p27 is phosphorylated on one or two structurally occluded tyrosine residues and a distal threonine residue (T187), triggering degradation of p27. Here, using an integrated biophysical approach, we show that Cdk2/cyclin A-bound p27 samples lowly-populated conformations that provide access to the non-receptor tyrosine kinases, BCR-ABL and Src, which phosphorylate Y88 or Y88 and Y74, respectively, thereby promoting intra-assembly phosphorylation (of p27) on distal T187. Even when tightly bound to Cdk2/cyclin A, intrinsic flexibility enables p27 to integrate and process signaling inputs, and generate outputs including altered Cdk2 activity, p27 stability, and, ultimately, cell cycle progression. Intrinsic dynamics within multi-component assemblies may be a general mechanism of signaling by regulatory IDPs, which can be subverted in human disease.

Pantothenate kinase catalyzes the key regulatory step in CoA biosynthesis in bacteria and mammals (1-3). In mammals, there are four distinct kinases that exhibit tissue-specific expression as follows: PANK1␣ and PANK1␤ are splice variants of the PANK1 gene, and PANK2 and PANK3 are encoded by the PANK2 and PANK3 genes, respectively (4, 5). The kinase isoforms possess almost identical catalytic cores but differ in their amino termini that direct the enzymes to different subcellular compartments (6). Isoform 1␣ is targeted to the nucleus, whereas isoform 1␤ is associated with endosomes in humans and mice. Isoform 2 of mice is cytosolic, but the PANK2 gene in humans encodes a protein with both nuclear localization and mitochondrial targeting sequences. Isoform 3 is cytosolic in both species. All pantothenate kinases operate by a compulsory ordered mechanism with ATP⅐Mg 2ϩ as the leading substrate followed by pantothenate ( Fig. 1) (7). The principal mechanism for controlling mammalian pantothenate kinase activity is through feedback inhibition by acetyl-CoA, and the isoforms differ in their sensitivity to this regulator ( Fig. 1) (4, 8, 9). The 1␣ and 1␤ isoforms are least sensitive to inhibition, whereas isoforms 2 and 3 are more potently inhibited by acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA inhibition is competitive with ATP⅐Mg 2ϩ , but acetyl-CoA binds far more tightly than ATP (10). Acyl-carnitines antagonize the inhibition of pantothenate kinases by acetyl-CoA (8).The importance of pantothenate kinase to mammalian physiology is highlighted by the phenotypes of knock-out mice and their connection to human disease. Isoform 1 is most highly expressed in the liver, and Pank1 Ϫ/Ϫ mice have lower total hepatic CoA and exhibit fatty acid ␤-oxidation and glucose homeostasis defects in the fasted state (11). In addition, Pank1 Ϫ/Ϫ Lep Ϫ/Ϫ mice have dramatically lower blood glucose and insulin levels compared with their diabetic Lep Ϫ/Ϫ counterparts, which highlights the connection between isoform 1 and glucose homeostasis (12). Consistent with this, an association between polymorphisms in the PANK1 gene and insulin levels was uncovered in a cohort of individuals in Finland (13). It has also been shown that the severe neurodegenerative disease pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration arises from mutations in the human PANK2 gene (14). Unfortunately, Pank2 Ϫ/Ϫ mice do not recapitulate the pantothenate kinaseassociated neurodegeneration disease phenotype (15,16), and this may be due either to differences in the levels of isoform expression in mouse and human brains or to the fact that human PANK2 accumulates in the intra-membrane space in mitochondria, whereas mouse isoform 2 is cytosolic (9). Finally, Pank1 Ϫ/Ϫ Pank2 Ϫ/Ϫ double knock-out mice are unable to metabolize fats and ketones resulting in early postnatal death (16), and Pank1 Ϫ/Ϫ Pank3 Ϫ/Ϫ and Pank2 Ϫ/Ϫ Pank3 Ϫ/Ϫ double knock-out mice are both embryonic lethal. A chemical knockout of all pantothenate kinases in adult mice resulted in an 80% reduction in hepatic CoA levels a...

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Targeting cereblon (CRBN) is currently one of the most frequently reported proteolysis-targeting chimera (PRO-TAC) approaches,o wingt of avorable drug-like properties of CRBN ligands,i mmunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). However,I MiDs are knownt ob ei nherently unstable,r eadily undergoing hydrolysis in body fluids.H ere we showt hat IMiDs and IMiD-based PROTACs rapidly hydrolyze in commonly utilized cell media, which significantly affects their cell efficacy.W ed esigned novel CRBN binders,p henyl glutarimide (PG) analogues,a nd showed that they retained affinity for CRBN with high ligand efficiency (LE > 0.48) and displayed improved chemical stability.O ur efforts led to the discovery of PG PROTAC 4c (SJ995973), au niquely potent degrader of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins that inhibited the viability of human acute myeloid leukemia MV4-11 cells at lowp icomolar concentrations (IC 50 = 3pM; BRD4 DC 50 = 0.87 nM). These findings strongly support the utility of PG derivatives in the design of CRBN-directed PROTACs.