title: Structure-based optimization of salt-bridge network across the complex interface of PTPN4 PDZ domain with its peptide ligands in neuroglioma.
abstract: The PTP non-receptor type 4 (PTPN4) is an important regulator protein in learning, spatial memory and cerebellar synaptic plasticity; targeting the PDZ domain of PTPN4 has become as attractive therapeutic strategy for human neuroglioma. Here, we systematically examined the complex crystal structures of PTPN4 PDZ domain with its known peptide ligands; a number of charged amino acid residues were identified in these ligands and in the peptide-binding pocket of PDZ domain, which can constitute a complicated salt-bridge network across the complex interface. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, binding free energy calculations and continuum model analysis revealed that the electrostatic effect plays a predominant role in domain-peptide binding, while other noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces are also responsible for the binding. The computational findings were then used to guide structure-based optimization of the interfacial salt-bridge network. Consequently, five peptides were rationally designed using the high-affinity binder Cyto8-RETEV (RETEV-COOH) as template, including four single-point mutants (i.e. Cyto8-mtxe0: RETEE-COOH, Cyto8-mtxd-1: RETDV-COOH, Cyto8-mtxd-3: RDTEV-COOHand Cyto8-mtxk-4: KETEV-COOH) and one double-point mutant (i.e. Cyto8-mtxd-1k-4: KETDV-COOH). Binding assays confirmed that three (Cyto8-mtxd-1, Cyto8-mtxk-4and Cyto8-mtxd-1k-4) out of the five designed peptides exhibit moderately or considerably increased affinity as compared to the native peptide Cyto8-RETEV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Qiang-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular, Thyroid, and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, PR China.
authors.forename: Li-Yan
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Song-Qing
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Ai-Hua
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, No. 422 Hospital of PLA, Zhanjiang 524005, PR China.
authors.forename: Yu-Jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, PR China. Electronic address: xiaox79@126.com.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005910:Glioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D054731:PDZ Domains; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D054590:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 4 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D010455:Peptides; C516658:PTPN4 protein, human; D054590:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 4
keywords: Neuroglioma; PTPN4 PDZ domain; Peptide ligand; Salt bridge