What AlphaFold tells us about cohesin's retention on and release from chromosomes.

Cohesin is a trimeric complex containing a pair of SMC proteins (Smc1 and Smc3) whose ATPase domains at the end of long coiled coils (CC) are interconnected by Scc1. During interphase, it organizes chromosomal DNA topology by extruding loops in a manner dependent on Scc1's association with two large hook-shaped proteins called SA (yeast: Scc3) and Nipbl (Scc2). The latter's replacement by Pds5 recruits Wapl, which induces release from chromatin via a process requiring dissociation of Scc1's N-terminal domain (NTD) from Smc3. If blocked by Esco (Eco)-mediated Smc3 acetylation, cohesin containing Pds5 merely maintains pre-existing loops, but a third fate occurs during DNA replication, when Pds5-containing cohesin associates with Sororin and forms structures that hold sister DNAs together. How Wapl induces and Sororin blocks release has hitherto remained mysterious. In the 20 years since their discovery, not a single testable hypothesis has been proposed as to their role. Here, AlphaFold 2 (AF) three-dimensional protein structure predictions lead us to propose formation of a quarternary complex between Wapl, SA, Pds5, and Scc1's NTD, in which the latter is juxtaposed with (and subsequently sequestered by) a highly conserved cleft within Wapl's C-terminal domain. AF also reveals how Scc1's dissociation from Smc3 arises from a distortion of Smc3's CC induced by engagement of SMC ATPase domains, how Esco acetyl transferases are recruited to Smc3 by Pds5, and how Sororin prevents release by binding to the Smc3/Scc1 interface. Our hypotheses explain the phenotypes of numerous existing mutations and are highly testable.

Structural insights into ClpP protease side exit pore-opening by a pH drop coupled with substrate hydrolysis.

The ClpP serine peptidase is a tetradecameric degradation molecular machine involved in many physiological processes. It becomes a competent ATP-dependent protease when coupled with Clp-ATPases. Small chemical compounds, acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs), are known to cause the dysregulation and activation of ClpP without ATPases and have potential as novel antibiotics. Previously, structural studies of ClpP from various species revealed its structural details, conformational changes, and activation mechanism. Although product release through side exit pores has been proposed, the detailed driving force for product release remains elusive. Herein, we report crystal structures of ClpP from Bacillus subtilis (BsClpP) in unforeseen ADEP-bound states. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of BsClpP revealed various conformational states under different pH conditions. To understand the conformational change required for product release, we investigated the relationship between substrate hydrolysis and the pH-lowering process. The production of hydrolyzed peptides from acidic and basic substrates by proteinase K and BsClpP lowered the pH values. Our data, together with those of previous findings, provide insight into the molecular mechanism of product release by the ClpP self-compartmentalizing protease.

Clamping of DNA shuts the condensin neck gate.

SignificanceDNA needs to be compacted to fit into nuclei and during cell division, when dense chromatids are formed for their mechanical segregation, a process that depends on the protein complex condensin. It forms and enlarges loops in DNA through loop extrusion. Our work resolves the atomic structure of a DNA-bound state of condensin in which ATP has not been hydrolyzed. The DNA is clamped within a compartment that has been reported previously in other structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes, including Rad50, cohesin, and MukBEF. With the caveat of important differences, it means that all SMC complexes cycle through at least some similar states and undergo similar conformational changes in their head modules, while hydrolyzing ATP and translocating DNA.

Folding of cohesin's coiled coil is important for Scc2/4-induced association with chromosomes.

Cohesin's association with and translocation along chromosomal DNAs depend on an ATP hydrolysis cycle driving the association and subsequent release of DNA. This involves DNA being 'clamped' by Scc2 and ATP-dependent engagement of cohesin's Smc1 and Smc3 head domains. Scc2's replacement by Pds5 abrogates cohesin's ATPase and has an important role in halting DNA loop extrusion. The ATPase domains of all SMC proteins are separated from their hinge dimerisation domains by 50-nm-long coiled coils, which have been observed to zip up along their entire length and fold around an elbow, thereby greatly shortening the distance between hinges and ATPase heads. Whether folding exists in vivo or has any physiological importance is not known. We present here a cryo-EM structure of the apo form of cohesin that reveals the structure of folded and zipped-up coils in unprecedented detail and shows that Scc2 can associate with Smc1's ATPase head even when it is fully disengaged from that of Smc3. Using cysteine-specific crosslinking, we show that cohesin's coiled coils are frequently folded in vivo, including when cohesin holds sister chromatids together. Moreover, we describe a mutation (SMC1D588Y) within Smc1's hinge that alters how Scc2 and Pds5 interact with Smc1's hinge and that enables Scc2 to support loading in the absence of its normal partner Scc4. The mutant phenotype of loading without Scc4 is only explicable if loading depends on an association between Scc2/4 and cohesin's hinge, which in turn requires coiled coil folding.

Transport of DNA within cohesin involves clamping on top of engaged heads by Scc2 and entrapment within the ring by Scc3.

In addition to extruding DNA loops, cohesin entraps within its SMC-kleisin ring (S-K) individual DNAs during G1 and sister DNAs during S-phase. All three activities require related hook-shaped proteins called Scc2 and Scc3. Using thiol-specific crosslinking we provide rigorous proof of entrapment activity in vitro. Scc2 alone promotes entrapment of DNAs in the E-S and E-K compartments, between ATP-bound engaged heads and the SMC hinge and associated kleisin, respectively. This does not require ATP hydrolysis nor is it accompanied by entrapment within S-K rings, which is a slower process requiring Scc3. Cryo-EM reveals that DNAs transported into E-S/E-K compartments are 'clamped' in a sub-compartment created by Scc2's association with engaged heads whose coiled coils are folded around their elbow. We suggest that clamping may be a recurrent feature of cohesin complexes active in loop extrusion and that this conformation precedes the S-K entrapment required for sister chromatid cohesion.

Cryo-EM structures of holo condensin reveal a subunit flip-flop mechanism.

Complexes containing a pair of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) family proteins are fundamental for the three-dimensional (3D) organization of genomes in all domains of life. The eukaryotic SMC complexes cohesin and condensin are thought to fold interphase and mitotic chromosomes, respectively, into large loop domains, although the underlying molecular mechanisms have remained unknown. We used cryo-EM to investigate the nucleotide-driven reaction cycle of condensin from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our structures of the five-subunit condensin holo complex at different functional stages suggest that ATP binding induces the transition of the SMC coiled coils from a folded-rod conformation into a more open architecture. ATP binding simultaneously triggers the exchange of the two HEAT-repeat subunits bound to the SMC ATPase head domains. We propose that these steps result in the interconversion of DNA-binding sites in the catalytic core of condensin, forming the basis of the DNA translocation and loop-extrusion activities.

A folded conformation of MukBEF and cohesin.

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC)-kleisin complexes organize chromosomal DNAs in all domains of life, with key roles in chromosome segregation, DNA repair and regulation of gene expression. They function through the entrapment and active translocation of DNA, but the underlying conformational changes are largely unclear. Using structural biology, mass spectrometry and cross-linking, we investigated the architecture of two evolutionarily distant SMC-kleisin complexes: MukBEF from Escherichia coli, and cohesin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that both contain a dynamic coiled-coil discontinuity, the elbow, near the middle of their arms that permits a folded conformation. Bending at the elbow brings into proximity the hinge dimerization domain and the head-kleisin module, situated at opposite ends of the arms. Our findings favour SMC activity models that include a large conformational change in the arms, such as a relative movement between DNA contact sites during DNA loading and translocation.

Scc2 Is a Potent Activator of Cohesin's ATPase that Promotes Loading by Binding Scc1 without Pds5.

Cohesin organizes DNA into chromatids, regulates enhancer-promoter interactions, and confers sister chromatid cohesion. Its association with chromosomes is regulated by hook-shaped HEAT repeat proteins that bind Scc1, namely Scc3, Pds5, and Scc2. Unlike Pds5, Scc2 is not a stable cohesin constituent but, as shown here, transiently replaces Pds5. Scc1 mutations that compromise its interaction with Scc2 adversely affect cohesin's ATPase activity and loading. Moreover, Scc2 mutations that alter how the ATPase responds to DNA abolish loading despite cohesin's initial association with loading sites. Lastly, Scc2 mutations that permit loading in the absence of Scc4 increase Scc2's association with chromosomal cohesin and reduce that of Pds5. We suggest that cohesin switches between two states: one with Pds5 bound that is unable to hydrolyze ATP efficiently but is capable of release from chromosomes and another in which Scc2 replaces Pds5 and stimulates ATP hydrolysis necessary for loading and translocation from loading sites.

Structural basis for dual specificity of yeast N-terminal amidase in the N-end rule pathway.

The first step of the hierarchically organized Arg/N-end rule pathway of protein degradation is deamidation of the N-terminal glutamine and asparagine residues of substrate proteins to glutamate and aspartate, respectively. These reactions are catalyzed by the N-terminal amidase (Nt-amidase) Nta1 in fungi such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and by the glutamine-specific Ntaq1 and asparagine-specific Ntan1 Nt-amidases in mammals. To investigate the dual specificity of yeast Nta1 (yNta1) and the importance of second-position residues in Asn/Gln-bearing N-terminal degradation signals (N-degrons), we determined crystal structures of yNta1 in the apo state and in complex with various N-degron peptides. Both an Asn-peptide and a Gln-peptide fit well into the hollow active site pocket of yNta1, with the catalytic triad located deeper inside the active site. Specific hydrogen bonds stabilize interactions between N-degron peptides and hydrophobic peripheral regions of the active site pocket. Key determinants for substrate recognition were identified and thereafter confirmed by using structure-based mutagenesis. We also measured affinities between yNta1 (wild-type and its mutants) and specific peptides, and determined KM and kcat for peptides of each type. Together, these results elucidate, in structural and mechanistic detail, specific deamidation mechanisms in the first step of the N-end rule pathway.

Crystal Structure of the Cohesin Gatekeeper Pds5 and in Complex with Kleisin Scc1.

Sister chromatid cohesion is mediated by cohesin, whose Smc1, Smc3, and kleisin (Scc1) subunits form a ring structure that entraps sister DNAs. The ring is opened either by separase, which cleaves Scc1 during anaphase, or by a releasing activity involving Wapl, Scc3, and Pds5, which bind to Scc1 and open its interface with Smc3. We present crystal structures of Pds5 from the yeast L. thermotolerans in the presence and absence of the conserved Scc1 region that interacts with Pds5. Scc1 binds along the spine of the Pds5 HEAT repeat fold and is wedged between the spine and C-terminal hook of Pds5. We have isolated mutants that confirm the observed binding mode of Scc1 and verified their effect on cohesin by immunoprecipitation and calibrated ChIP-seq. The Pds5 structure also reveals architectural similarities to Scc3, the other large HEAT repeat protein of cohesin and, most likely, Scc2.

Rapid degradation of replication-dependent histone mRNAs largely occurs on mRNAs bound by nuclear cap-binding proteins 80 and 20.

The translation of mammalian messenger RNAs (mRNAs) can be driven by either cap-binding proteins 80 and 20 (CBP80/20) or eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)4E. Although CBP80/20-dependent translation (CT) is known to be coupled to an mRNA surveillance mechanism termed nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), its molecular mechanism and biological role remain obscure. Here, using a yeast two-hybrid screening system, we identify a stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) that binds to a stem-loop structure at the 3'-end of the replication-dependent histone mRNA as a CT initiation factor (CTIF)-interacting protein. SLBP preferentially associates with the CT complex of histone mRNAs, but not with the eIF4E-depedent translation (ET) complex. Several lines of evidence indicate that rapid degradation of histone mRNA on the inhibition of DNA replication largely takes place during CT and not ET, which has been previously unappreciated. Furthermore, the ratio of CBP80/20-bound histone mRNA to eIF4E-bound histone mRNA is larger than the ratio of CBP80/20-bound polyadenylated ß-actin or eEF2 mRNA to eIF4E-bound polyadenylated ß-actin or eEF2 mRNA, respectively. The collective findings suggest that mRNAs harboring a different 3'-end use a different mechanism of translation initiation, expanding the repertoire of CT as a step for determining the fate of histone mRNAs.

Structures of the ribosome-inactivating protein from barley seeds reveal a unique activation mechanism.

Ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), a defence protein found in various plants, possesses different chain architectures and activation mechanisms. The RIP from barley (bRIP) is a type I RIP and has sequence features that are divergent from those of type I and type II RIPs from dicotyledonous plants and even the type III RIP from maize. This study presents the first crystal structure of an RIP from a cereal crop, barley, in free, AMP-bound and adenine-bound states. For phasing, a codon-optimized synthetic brip1 gene was used and a vector was constructed to overexpress soluble bRIP fusion proteins; such expression has been verified in a number of cases. The overall structure of bRIP shows folding similar to that observed in other RIPs but also shows significant differences in specific regions, particularly in a switch region that undergoes a structural transition between a 3(10)-helix and a loop depending on the liganded state. The switch region is in a position equivalent to that of a proteolytically susceptible and putative ribosome-binding site in type III RIPs. Thus, the bRIP structure confirms the detailed enzymatic mechanism of this N-glycosidase and reveals a novel activation mechanism for type I RIPs from cereal crops.

Structural insights into the conformational diversity of ClpP from Bacillus subtilis.

ClpP is a cylindrical protease that is tightly regulated by Clp-ATPases. The activation mechanism of ClpP using acyldepsipeptide antibiotics as mimics of natural activators showed enlargement of the axial entrance pore for easier processing of incoming substrates. However, the elimination of degradation products from inside the ClpP chamber remains unclear since there is no exit pore for releasing these products in all determined ClpP structures. Here we report a new crystal structure of ClpP from Bacillus subtilis, which shows a significantly compressed shape along the axial direction. A portion of the handle regions comprising the heptameric ring-ring contacts shows structural transition from an ordered to a disordered state, which triggers the large conformational change from an extended to an overall compressed structure. Along with this structural change, 14 side pores are generated for product release and the catalytic triad adopts an inactive orientation. We have also determined B. subtilis ClpP inhibited by diisopropylfluoro-phosphate and analyzed the active site in detail. Structural information pertaining to several different conformational steps such as those related to extended, ADEP-activated, DFP-inhibited and compressed forms of ClpP from B. subtilis is available. Structural comparisons suggest that functionally important regions in the ClpP-family such as N-terminal segments for the axial pore, catalytic triads, and handle domains for the product releasing pore exhibit intrinsically dynamic and unique structural features. This study provides valuable insights for understanding the enigmatic cylindrical degradation machinery of ClpP as well as other related proteases such as HslV and the 20S proteasome.

Structures of ClpP in complex with acyldepsipeptide antibiotics reveal its activation mechanism.

Clp-family proteins are prototypes for studying the mechanism of ATP-dependent proteases because the proteolytic activity of the ClpP core is tightly regulated by activating Clp-ATPases. Nonetheless, the proteolytic activation mechanism has remained elusive because of the lack of a complex structure. Acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs), a recently discovered class of antibiotics, activate and disregulate ClpP. Here we have elucidated the structural changes underlying the ClpP activation process by ADEPs. We present the structures of Bacillus subtilis ClpP alone and in complex with ADEP1 and ADEP2. The structures show the closed-to-open-gate transition of the ClpP N-terminal segments upon activation as well as conformational changes restricted to the upper portion of ClpP. The direction of the conformational movement and the hydrophobic clustering that stabilizes the closed structure are markedly different from those of other ATP-dependent proteases, providing unprecedented insights into the activation of ClpP.

A role for a menthone reductase in resistance against microbial pathogens in plants.

Plants elaborate a vast array of enzymes that synthesize defensive secondary metabolites in response to pathogen attack. Here, we isolated the pathogen-responsive CaMNR1 [menthone: (+)-(3S)-neomenthol reductase] gene, a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily, from pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that purified CaMNR1 and its ortholog AtSDR1 from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) catalyze a menthone reduction with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate as a cofactor to produce neomenthol with antimicrobial activity. CaMNR1 and AtSDR1 also possess a significant catalytic activity for neomenthol oxidation. We examined the cellular function of the CaMNR1 gene by virus-induced gene silencing and ectopic overexpression in pepper and Arabidopsis plants, respectively. CaMNR1-silenced pepper plants were significantly more susceptible to Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria and Colletotrichum coccodes infection and expressed lower levels of salicylic acid-responsive CaBPR1 and CaPR10 and jasmonic acid-responsive CaDEF1. CaMNR1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants exhibited enhanced resistance to the hemibiotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 and the biotrophic pathogen Hyaloperonospora parasitica isolate Noco2, accompanied by the induction of AtPR1 and AtPDF1.2. In contrast, mutation in the CaMNR1 ortholog AtSDR1 significantly enhanced susceptibility to both pathogens. Together, these results indicate that the novel menthone reductase gene CaMNR1 and its ortholog AtSDR1 positively regulate plant defenses against a broad spectrum of pathogens.

Structural and functional insights into Dom34, a key component of no-go mRNA decay.

The yeast protein Dom34 is a key component of no-go decay, by which mRNAs with translational stalls are endonucleolytically cleaved and subsequently degraded. However, the identity of the endoribonuclease is unknown. Homologs of Dom34, called Pelota, are broadly conserved in eukaryotes and archaea. To gain insights into the structure and function of Dom34/Pelota, we have determined the structure of Pelota from Thermoplasma acidophilum (Ta Pelota) and investigated the ribonuclease activity of Dom34/Pelota. The structure of Ta Pelota is tripartite, and its domain 1 has the RNA-binding Sm fold. We have discovered that Ta Pelota has a ribonuclease activity and that its domain 1 is sufficient for the catalytic activity. We also demonstrate that domain 1 of Dom34 has an endoribonuclease activity against defined RNA substrates containing a stem loop, which supports a direct catalytic role of yeast Dom34 in no-go mRNA decay.

Structural basis of SspB-tail recognition by the zinc binding domain of ClpX.

The degradation of ssrA(AANDENYALAA)-tagged proteins in the bacterial cytosol is carried out by the ClpXP protease and is markedly stimulated by the SspB adaptor protein. It has previously been reported that the amino-terminal zinc-binding domain of ClpX (ZBD) is involved in complex formation with the SspB-tail (XB: ClpX-binding motif). In an effort to better understand the recognition of SspB by ClpX and the mechanism of delivery of ssrA-tagged substrates to ClpXP, we have determined the structures of ZBD alone at 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 A resolution in each different crystal form and also in complex with XB peptide at 1.6 A resolution. The XB peptide forms an antiparallel beta-sheet with two beta-strands of ZBD, and the structure shows a 1:1 stoichiometric complex between ZBD and XB, suggesting that there are two independent SspB-tail-binding sites in ZBD. The high-resolution ZBD:XB complex structure, in combination with biochemical analyses, can account for key determinants in the recognition of the SspB-tail by ClpX and sheds light on the mechanism of delivery of target proteins to the prokaryotic degradation machine.