Directional copper trafficking: In vitro and in vivo studies of metal binding and transfer
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Inst for Cell and Molecular Biosciences
Abstract
A protein is a biological polymer with a complex three-dimensional structure. Many proteins bind metal ions which are usually essential for both structure and function even though the metals constitute typically less than 0.5 % of the total mass of the molecule (approximately one third of all proteins contain metals and these molecules are called metalloproteins). Metal ions have to be incorporated into the correct proteins within cells, and systems (networks of proteins) are emerging via which this is achieved. These regulatory networks of proteins also prevent the potentially damaging effects of the uncontrolled reactivity of metal ions and when these systems are impaired various diseases can result. The proposed studies aim to investigate the proteins which are responsible for ensuring that copper is supplied to the correct destination in a relatively simple model organism. Metal affinities of all of the proteins involved will be determined as will their ability to transfer copper. The effects of designed alterations to the protein structure on metal binding and transfer, protein interactions as well as the influence on physiological activity in the model organism will all be assessed. A detailed appreciation of the factors regulating this important biological process will be obtained.
Technical Summary
Homeostatic proteins ensure that metal ions reach the correct location within cells. In doing this they prevent binding at inappropriate sites and any adverse reactivity of the free metal ion. Redox-active metals such as copper can give rise to extremely damaging radicals and therefore regulation in these cases is particularly important. The proposed investigations are aimed at elucidating the molecular features which regulate copper import to the thylakoid of a cyanobacterium; arguably the ideal model system for such studies. Many of the copper binding sites involved in this pathway are similar and thus the factors driving metal transfer in the desired direction are not clear. Whether copper trafficking to its final location is controlled by relative binding constants and protein abundances (simple thermodynamics) or is substantially regulated and activated by protein interactions will be investigated. In order to realise the objectives complementary in vitro and in vivo studies will be performed. The determination of the metal binding constants of all of the proteins involved in copper trafficking, and the effect of site-directed mutations around the active sites, along with the quantification of the proteins in the cell, will provide vital information about thermodynamic factors controlling copper import. Metal transfer between wild type and mutated proteins, analysed in vitro, along with the influence of the same mutations on in vivo interactions assessed using a bacterial two-hybrid assay, will demonstrate the nature and extent of the involvement of intermolecular protein contacts in regulating copper import. The ability to also analyse the effect of these mutations in the cyanobacterium provides an added dimension to the studies which will advance understanding of the factors controlling copper homeostasis in a cell. Crystallographic studies will be used to assess the structural reasons underlying the effects observed with mutated proteins.
Organisations
Publications
Badarau A
(2011)
Copper trafficking mechanism of CXXC-containing domains: insight from the pH-dependence of their Cu(I) affinities.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Badarau A
(2013)
Crosstalk between Cu(I) and Zn(II) homeostasis via Atx1 and cognate domains.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Allen S
(2012)
Cu(I) affinities of the domain 1 and 3 sites in the human metallochaperone for Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase.
in Biochemistry
Badarau A
(2008)
FutA2 is a ferric binding protein from Synechocystis PCC 6803.
in The Journal of biological chemistry
Badarau A
(2013)
Investigating the role of zinc and copper binding motifs of trafficking sites in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803.
in Biochemistry
Allen S
(2013)
The influence of protein folding on the copper affinities of trafficking and target sites.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Badarau A
(2011)
Thermodynamics of copper and zinc distribution in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Badarau A
(2010)
Visualizing the metal-binding versatility of copper trafficking sites .
in Biochemistry
Description | In this grant we made the following discoveries about copper homeostasis: Copper transfer to the thylakoid compartments of cyanobacteria is not driven by thermodynamics. We also provided a thorough analysis of the thermodynamics of copper and zinc distribution in this organism. The influence of pH on the Cu(I) affinity of copper trafficking proteins was used to provide important mechanistic information about Cu(I) trafficking involving CXXC-containing domains. The thermodynamic factors that influence copper transfer between superoxide dismutase and its copper metallochaperone CCS were determined. The influence of protein folding on copper affinity was established. The possibility of crosstalk between copper and zinc homeostasis in simple prokaryotes and also in humans was identified. The importance of CXXC-containing motifs on the ability of domains to differentiate between copper and zinc was uncovered. We found that the cyanobacterial protein FutA2 is a typical ferric binding protein. |
Exploitation Route | Understanding how metals, and in this case copper, are trafficked safely to the correct destinations in a cell has a range of potentially important applications. Many biotechnologically useful proteins and biopharmaceuticals are metalloproteins and their recombinant production requires correct metallation. Furthermore, in synthetic biology approaches, the production of modified organisms with a gain of function acquired through the addition of a particular metalloprotein, would require this protein to be correctly metallated. Copper-containing compounds are widely used for their ability to prevent the growth of a range of organisms in various applications, including the addition of copper to anti-fouling paints, the use of copper along with silver to disinfect water, the use of copper in hospital fixtures to reduce transmission of nosocomial infections, and copper-based agrochemicals. Additionally, copper mis-handling is associated with a range of diseases. |
Sectors | Healthcare |
Description | Findings have been used primarily for publications in high impact journals. These publications have advanced understanding and about copper homeostasis in a range of organisms. Understanding how copper is trafficked safely to the correct destinations in a cell has numerous potentially important applications. For example, copper mis-handling is associated with a range of diseases. Furthermore, copper-containing compounds are widely used for their ability to prevent the growth of microorganisms in various applications. I originally ticked societal as a type of impact below, as this is what may arise from these data in the future. However, no such impacts have yet arisen and I tried to deselect this but the system does not allow me. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Copper homeostasis in yeast |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 1223855 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 09/2015 |