Project description:The chromatin remodeller ATRX interacts with the histone chaperone DAXX, to deposit the histone variant H3.3 at sites of nucleosome turnover. ATRX is known to bind repetitive, heterochromatic regions of the genome including telomeres, ribosomal DNA and pericentric repeats many of which are putative G-quadruplex forming sequences (PQS). At these sites ATRX plays an ancillary role in a wide range of nuclear processes facilitating replication, chromatin modification and transcription. Here, using an improved protocol for chromatin immunoprecipitation, we show that ATRX also binds active regulatory elements in euchromatin. Mutations in ATRX lead to perturbation of gene expression associated with a reduction in chromatin accessibility, histone modification, transcription factor binding and deposition of H3.3 at the sequences to which it normally binds. In erythroid cells where down regulation of a-globin expression is a hallmark of ATR-X syndrome, perturbation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression occurs in only a subset of cells. The stochastic nature of this process suggests that ATRX acts as a general facilitator of cell specific transcriptional and epigenetic programmes, both in heterochromatin and euchromatin.
Project description:The chromatin remodeller ATRX interacts with the histone chaperone DAXX, to deposit the histone variant H3.3 at sites of nucleosome turnover. ATRX is known to bind repetitive, heterochromatic regions of the genome including telomeres, ribosomal DNA and pericentric repeats many of which are putative G-quadruplex forming sequences (PQS). At these sites ATRX plays an ancillary role in a wide range of nuclear processes facilitating replication, chromatin modification and transcription. Here, using an improved protocol for chromatin immunoprecipitation, we show that ATRX also binds active regulatory elements in euchromatin. Mutations in ATRX lead to perturbation of gene expression associated with a reduction in chromatin accessibility, histone modification, transcription factor binding and deposition of H3.3 at the sequences to which it normally binds. In erythroid cells where down regulation of a-globin expression is a hallmark of ATR-X syndrome, perturbation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression occurs in only a subset of cells. The stochastic nature of this process suggests that ATRX acts as a general facilitator of cell specific transcriptional and epigenetic programmes, both in heterochromatin and euchromatin.
Project description:Some molecular chaperones are involved not only in assisting the folding of proteins but also, given appropriate conditions, in their degradation. This is the case of Hsp70 and Hsp90, which in concert with the cochaperone CHIP –an E3 ligase–, direct their bound substrate to degradation through ubiquitination. We have generated complexes between the chaperone (Hsp70 or Hsp90), the cochaperone CHIP and, as substrate, a p53 variant containing the GST protein (p53-TMGST). The two ternary complexes (Hsp70:p53-TMGST:CHIP and Hsp90:p53-TMGST:CHIP) ubiquitinate the substrate, and this is done with a higher efficiency than in the absence of the chaperones. The 3D structures of the two complexes, obtained using a combination of cryoelectron microscopy and crosslinking mass spectrometry, show the substrate located between the chaperone and the cochaperone, which suggests an ubiquitination mechanism. Both complexes are extremely flexible, which is crucial for the ubiquitination process.
Project description:Acidic residues (Asp and Glu) have a high prevalence on protein surfaces, but cross-linking reactions targeting these residues are limited. Existing methods either require high-concentration coupling reagents or have low structural compatibility. Here we extended our previously reported “plant-and-cast” strategy to develop two heterobifunctional cross-linkers DE1 and OPAAZ. These cross-linking reaction proceeds at neutral pH and room temperature without coupling reagents.
Project description:Cross-linking mass spectrometry has developed into an important method to study protein structures and interactions. The in-solution cross-linking workflows involve time and sample consuming steps and do not provide sensible solutions for differentiating cross-links obtained from co-occurring protein oligomers, complexes, or conformers. Here we developed a cross-linking workflow combining blue native PAGE with in-gel cross-linking mass spectrometry (IGX-MS). This workflow circumvents steps, such as buffer exchange and cross-linker concentration optimization. Additionally, IGX-MS enables the parallel analysis of co-occurring protein complexes using only small amounts of sample. Another benefit of IGX-MS observed by experiments on GroEL and purified bovine heart mitochondria, is the substantial reduction of artificial over-length cross-links when compared to in-solution cross-linking. We next used IGX-MS to investigate the complement components C5, C6, and their hetero-dimeric C5b6 complex. The obtained cross-links were used to generate a refined structural model of the complement component C6, resembling C6 in its inactivated state. This finding shows that IGX-MS can be used to provide new insights into the initial stages of the terminal complement pathway.
Project description:In the quick cross-linking ligation and sequencing of hybrids (qCLASH) protocol, RNA-protein (RNP) complexes of interest are UV cross-linked in living cells. The protein of interest is purified by immunoprecipitation (in this case, AGO bound to the miRNA and the target gene). The two interacting RNA molecules (e.g. miRNA-mRNA) are physically bound to each other by intermolecular RNA-RNA ligation, followed by library preparation and sequencing oh hybrids.
Project description:Dynamic proteins and multi-protein complexes govern most biological processes. Cross-linking/mass spectrometry (CLMS) is increasingly successful in providing residue- resolution data on static proteinaceous structures. Here we investigate the technical feasibility of recording dynamic processes using isotope-labelling for quantitation. We cross-linked human serum albumin (HSA) with the readily available cross-linker BS3-d0/4 in different heavy/light ratios. Wefound two limitations. First, isotope labelling reduced the number of identified cross-links. This is in line with similar findings when identifying proteins. Second, standard quantitative proteomics software was not suitable for work with cross-linking. To ameliorate this we wrote a basic open source application, XiQ. Using XiQ we could establish that quantitative CLMS was technically feasible. Biological significance Cross-linking/mass spectrometry (CLMS) has become a powerful tool for providing residue- resolution data on static proteinaceous structures. Adding quantitation to CLMS will extend its ability of recording dynamic processes. Here we introduce a cross-linking specific quantitation strategy by using isotope labelled cross-linkers. Using a model system, we demonstrate the principle and feasibility of quantifying cross-linking data and discuss challenges one may encounter while doing so.We then provide a basic open source application, XiQ, to carry out automated quantitation of CLMS data. Ourwork lays the foundations of studying themolecular details of biological processes at greater ease than this could be done so far.