Legionnaires' disease is caused by infection with the intracellularly replicating Gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This pathogen uses an unconventional way of ubiquitinating host... Show moreLegionnaires' disease is caused by infection with the intracellularly replicating Gram-negative bacterium Legionella pneumophila. This pathogen uses an unconventional way of ubiquitinating host proteins by generating a phosphoribosyl linkage between substrate proteins and ubiquitin by making use of an ADPribosylated ubiquitin (Ub(ADPr)) intermediate. The family of SidE effector enzymes that catalyze this reaction is counteracted by Legionella hydrolases, which are called Dups. This unusual ubiquitination process is important for Legionella proliferation and understanding these processes on a molecular level might prove invaluable in finding new treatments. Herein, a modular approach is used for the synthesis of triazole-linked Ub(ADPr), and analogues thereof, and their affinity towards the hydrolase DupA is determined and hydrolysis rates are compared to natively linked Ub(ADPr). The inhibitory effects of modified Ub on the canonical eukaryotic E1-enzyme Uba1 are investigated and rationalized in the context of a high-resolution crystal structure reported herein. Finally, it is shown that synthetic Ub(ADPr) analogues can be used to effectively pull-down overexpressed DupA from cell lysate. Show less
Es, D. van der; Berni, F.; Hogendorf, W.F.J.; Meeuwenoord, N.; Laverde, D.; Diepen, A. van; ... ; Codee, J.D.C. 2018
The new ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(dcbpy)(Hmte)](PF(6) )(2) ([2](PF(6) )(2) ; dcbpy=6,6'-dichloro-2,2'-bipyridine, terpy=2,2';6',2"-terpyridine, Hmte=2-(methylthio)ethanol) was synthesized. In... Show moreThe new ruthenium complex [Ru(terpy)(dcbpy)(Hmte)](PF(6) )(2) ([2](PF(6) )(2) ; dcbpy=6,6'-dichloro-2,2'-bipyridine, terpy=2,2';6',2"-terpyridine, Hmte=2-(methylthio)ethanol) was synthesized. In the crystal structure, this complex is highly distorted, revealing steric congestion between dcbpy and Hmte. In water, [2](2+) forms spontaneously by reacting Hmte and the aqua complex [Ru(terpy)(dcbpy)(OH(2) )](2+) ([1](2+) ), with a second-order rate constant of 0.025 s(-1) M(-1) at 25 °C. In the dark, the RuS bond of [2](2+) is thermally unstable and partially hydrolyzes; in fact, [1](2+) and [2](2+) are in an equilibrium characterized by an equilibrium constant K of 151 M(-1) . When exposed to visible light, the RuS bond is selectively broken to release [1](2+) , that is, the equilibrium is shifted by visible-light irradiation. The light-induced equilibrium shifts were repeated four times without major signs of degradation; the RuS coordination bond in [2](2+) can be described as a robust, light-sensitive, supramolecular bond in water. To demonstrate the potential of this system in supramolecular chemistry, a new thioether-cholesterol conjugate (4), which inserts into lipid bilayers through its cholesterol moiety and coordinates to ruthenium through its sulfur atom, was synthesized. Thioether-functionalized, anionic, dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG), lipid vesicles, to which aqua complex [1](2+) efficiently coordinates, were prepared. Upon exposure of the Ru-decorated vesicles to visible light, the RuS bond is selectively broken, thus releasing [1](2+) that stays at the water-bilayer interface. When the light is switched off, the metal complex spontaneously coordinates back to the membrane-embedded thioether ligands without a need to heat the system. This process was repeated four times at 35 °C, thus achieving light-triggered hopping of the metal complex at the water-bilayer interface. Show less
Kapoerchan, V.V.; Knijnenburg, A.D.; Niamat, M.; Spalburg, E.; Neeling, A.J. de; Nibbering, P.H.; ... ; Overhand, M. 2010
The cyclic cationic antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S (GS) is an effective topical antibacterial agent that is toxic for human red blood cells (hemolysis). Herein, we present a series of... Show moreThe cyclic cationic antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S (GS) is an effective topical antibacterial agent that is toxic for human red blood cells (hemolysis). Herein, we present a series of amphiphilic derivatives of GS with either two or four positive charges and characteristics ranging between very polar and very hydrophobic. Screening of this series of peptide derivatives identified a compound that combines effective antibacterial activity with virtually no toxicity within the same concentration range. This peptide acts against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including several MRSA strains, and represents an interesting lead for the development of a broadly applicable antibiotic. Show less
