No abstract

Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) controls the daily rhythm in melatonin synthesis. When isolated from tissue, AANAT copurifies with isoforms epsilon and zeta of 14-3-3. We have determined the structure of AANAT bound to 14-3-3zeta, an association that is phosphorylation dependent. AANAT is bound in the central channel of the 14-3-3zeta dimer, and is held in place by extensive interactions both with the amphipathic phosphopeptide binding groove of 14-3-3zeta and with other parts of the central channel. Thermodynamic and activity measurements, together with crystallographic analysis, indicate that binding of AANAT by 14-3-3zeta modulates AANAT's activity and affinity for its substrates by stabilizing a region of AANAT involved in substrate binding.

No abstract

Direct interactions between proteins are essential for the regulation of their functions in biological pathways. Targeting the complex network of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) has now been widely recognized as an attractive means to therapeutically intervene in disease states. Even though this is a challenging endeavor and PPIs have long been regarded as “undruggable” targets, the last two decades have seen an increasing number of successful examples of PPI modulators, resulting in growing interest in this field. PPI modulation requires novel approaches and the integrated efforts of multiple disciplines to be a fruitful strategy. This perspective focuses on the hub-protein 14-3-3, which has several hundred identified protein interaction partners, and is therefore involved in a wide range of cellular processes and diseases. Here, we aim to provide an integrated overview of the approaches explored for the modulation of 14-3-3 PPIs and review the examples resulting from these efforts in both inhibiting and stabilizing specific 14-3-3 protein complexes by small molecules, peptide mimetics, and natural products.

The daily rhythm in melatonin levels is controlled by cAMP through actions on the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine N -acetyltransferase (AANAT; serotonin N -acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.87 ). Results presented here describe a regulatory/binding sequence in AANAT that encodes a cAMP-operated binding switch through which cAMP-regulated protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation [RRHTLPAN → RRHpTLPAN] promotes formation of a complex with 14-3-3 proteins. Formation of this AANAT/14-3-3 complex enhances melatonin production by shielding AANAT from dephosphorylation and/or proteolysis and by decreasing the K m for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). Similar switches could play a role in cAMP signal transduction in other biological systems.

The FOXO subgroup of forkhead transcription factors plays a central role in cell-cycle control, differentiation, metabolism control, stress response and apoptosis. Therefore, the function of these important molecules is tightly controlled by a wide range of protein-protein interactions and posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation, acetylation and ubiquitination. The mechanisms by which these processes regulate FOXO activity are mostly elusive. This review focuses on recent advances in structural studies of forkhead transcription factors and the insights they provide into the mechanism of DNA recognition. On the basis of these data, we discuss structural aspects of protein-protein interactions and posttranslational modifications that target the forkhead domain and the nuclear localization signal of FOXO proteins.

The 14-3-3 proteins, a family of dimeric regulatory proteins, are involved in many biologically important processes. The common feature of 14-3-3 proteins is their ability to bind to other proteins in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Through these binding interactions, 14-3-3 proteins work as molecular scaffolds, modulating the biological functions of their partners. 14-3-3 proteins recognize short motifs containing a phosphorylated serine or threonine residue. In this study, we have quantitatively characterized the in vitro interactions among 14-3-3, the Forkhead transcription factor FOXO4, and its target DNA, the insulin response element. Phosphorylation of FOXO4 (residues 11-213) by protein kinase B at Thr-28 and Ser-193 creates two 14-3-3 binding motifs. Analytical gel filtration and sedimentation equilibrium experiments indicate that doubly phosphorylated FOXO4 and 14-3-3zeta form a complex with 1:2 molar stoichiometry and a K(D) of less than 30 nM. In contrast, singly phosphorylated FOXO4 mutants bind 14-3-3zeta with significantly lower affinity while retaining the ability to bind DNA. An active role for 14-3-3 in the disassembly of the FOXO4/DNA complex is demonstrated by the fact that, in the presence of 14-3-3, two phosphorylated 14-3-3 binding motifs are needed for the complete inhibition of FOXO4 binding to its target DNA.

Ivermectin (IVM), a large macrocyclic lactone, specifically enhances P2X(4) receptor-channel function by interacting with residues of transmembrane (TM) helices in the open conformation state. In this paper, we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of rat P2X(4)-TMs to identify and map residues of potential importance for channel gating and interaction with IVM. The receptor function was unchanged by mutations in 29 different residues, and among them, the IVM effects were altered in Gln(36), Leu(40), Val(43), Val(47), Trp(50), Asn(338), Gly(342), Leu(346), Ala(349), and Ile(356) mutants. The substitution-sensitive Arg(33) and Cys(353) mutants could also be considered as IVM-sensitive hits. The pattern of these 12 residues was consistent with helical topology of both TMs, with every third or fourth amino acid affected by substitution. These predominantly hydrophobic-nonpolar residues are also present in the IVM-sensitive Schistosoma mansoni P2X subunit. They lie on the same side of their helices and could face lipids in the open conformation state and provide the binding pocket for IVM. In contrast, the IVM-independent hits Met(31), Tyr(42), Gly(45), Val(49), Gly(340), Leu(343), Ala(344), Gly(347), Thr(350), Asp(354), and Val(357) map on the opposite side of their helices, probably facing the pore of receptor or protein and playing important roles in gating.