XLOS-observed mutations of MID1 Bbox1 domain cause domain unfolding

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 12;9(9):e107537. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107537. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

MID1 catalyzes the ubiquitination of the protein alpha4 and the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A. Mutations within the MID1 Bbox1 domain are associated with X-linked Opitz G syndrome (XLOS). Our functional assays have shown that mutations of Ala130 to Val or Thr, Cys142 to Ser and Cys145 to Thr completely disrupt the polyubiquitination of alpha4. Using NMR spectroscopy, we characterize the effect of these mutations on the tertiary structure of the Bbox1 domain by itself and in tandem with the Bbox2 domain. The mutation of either Cys142 or Cys145, each of which is involved in coordinating one of the two zinc ions, results in the collapse of signal dispersion in the HSQC spectrum of the Bbox1 domain indicating that the mutant protein structure is unfolded. Each mutation caused the coordination of both zinc ions, which are ∼ 13 Å apart, to be lost. Although Ala130 is not involved in the coordination of a zinc ion, the Ala130Thr mutant Bbox1 domain yields a poorly dispersed HSQC spectrum similar to those of the Cys142Ser and Cys145Thr mutants. Interestingly, neither cysteine mutation affects the structure of the adjacent Bbox2 domain when the two Bbox domains are engineered in their native tandem Bbox1-Bbox2 protein construct. Dynamic light scattering measurements suggest that the mutant Bbox1 domain has an increased propensity to form aggregates compared to the wild type Bbox1 domain. These studies provide insight into the mechanism by which mutations observed in XLOS affect the structure and function of the MID1 Bbox1 domain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cleft Palate / genetics*
  • Esophagus / abnormalities*
  • Esophagus / chemistry
  • Genetic Diseases, X-Linked / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hypertelorism / genetics*
  • Hypospadias / genetics*
  • Male
  • Microtubule Proteins / chemistry*
  • Microtubule Proteins / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation*
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / chemistry
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Ubiquitination / genetics
  • Zinc / chemistry

Substances

  • Microtubule Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • MID1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Zinc

Supplementary concepts

  • Opitz GBBB Syndrome, X-Linked

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (Award 1052520). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.