维生素K驱动的γ-羧化在膜界面的分子基础

Molecular basis of vitamin-K-driven γ-carboxylation at the membrane interface

作者信息Qing Cao, Aaron Ammerman, Mierxiati Saimi, Zongtao Lin, Guomin Shen, Huaping Chen, Jie Sun, Mengqi Chai, Shixuan Liu, Fong-Fu Hsu, Andrzej M Krezel, Michael L Gross, Jinbin Xu, Benjamin A Garcia, Bin Liu, Weikai Li
PMID39880037
期刊Nature
发布时间2025-03
DOI10.1038/s41586-025-08648-1

实验完整度

包含冷冻电镜结构解析、体外酶活实验、细胞水平功能验证及质谱分析等多层级证据。

主要模型

人VKGC蛋白 TMG2-BRIL-VKGC融合蛋白 FIX-BRIL-VKGC融合蛋白 HEK 293T细胞 HEK 293S GnTI-细胞

重点核对

VKGC与底物蛋白的复合物结构 KH2 epoxidation与γ-carboxylation的偶联机制 propeptide结合诱导的变构调控 关键残基突变对酶活的影响

摘要

The γ-carboxylation of glutamate residues enables Ca2+-mediated membrane assembly of protein complexes that support broad physiological functions, including haemostasis, calcium homeostasis, immune response and endocrine regulation1-4. Modulating γ-carboxylation levels provides prevalent treatments for haemorrhagic and thromboembolic diseases5. This unique post-translational modification requires vitamin K hydroquinone (KH2) to drive highly demanding reactions6 catalysed by the membrane-integrated γ-carboxylase (VKGC). Here, to decipher the underlying mechanisms, we determined cryo-electron microscopy structures of human VKGC in unbound form, with KH2 and four haemostatic and non-haemostatic proteins possessing propeptides and glutamate-rich domains in different carboxylation states. VKGC recognizes substrate proteins through knob-and-hole interactions with propeptides, thereby bringing tethered glutamate-containing segments for processive carboxylation within a large chamber that provides steric control. Propeptide binding also triggers a global conformational change to signal VKGC activation. Through sequential deprotonation and KH2 epoxidation, VKGC generates a free hydroxide ion as an exceptionally strong base that is required to deprotonate the γ-carbon of glutamate for CO2 addition. The diffusion of this superbase-protected and guided by a sealed hydrophobic tunnel-elegantly resolves the challenge of coupling KH2 epoxidation to γ-carboxylation across the membrane interface. These structural insights and extensive functional experiments advance membrane enzymology and propel the development of treatments for γ-carboxylation disorders.

实验结论

提炼研究问题、关键发现与证据,快速把握文章的核心贡献。

研究问题
VKGC如何通过维生素K氢醌驱动谷氨酸残基的γ-羧化,并实现底物识别、反应偶联与变构调控?
核心机制
VKGC通过propeptide的knob-and-hole识别底物,诱导全局构象变化激活环氧酶活性;KH2在K218和D263作用下脱质子生成KH⁻,经环氧化产生OH⁻超强碱,通过疏水隧道扩散至γ-碳位点实现脱质子进而羧化。
主要证据
冷冻电镜结构(分辨率3.3-4.4 Å)显示底物结合、KH2结合及隧道结构;突变实验表明K218A、D263A等显著降低环氧化和羧化活性;F299S等密封残基突变导致偶联解耦。
研究意义
研究揭示了VKGC催化机制的分子基础,为理解γ-羧化缺陷相关疾病及开发靶向治疗策略提供了结构框架。

研究路径

按研究推进顺序梳理实验设计、验证步骤与关键观察。

1

结构解析

确定VKGC及其与底物和KH2复合物的高分辨率结构

通过冷冻电镜解析人VKGC未结合、结合KH2及四种VKDPs(FIX、FX、TMG2、PC)Propeptide-Glu区域的结构,以及部分羧化的FIX复合物结构。

2

活性验证

验证融合蛋白保留VKGC的γ-羧化和环氧化活性

通过体外14C掺入实验检测FLEEL肽的γ-羧化活性;通过放射性自显影检测融合蛋白自身14CO2掺入;通过HPLC检测KH2转化为KO的环氧化活性。

3

底物识别验证

验证propeptide结合位点及关键残基对底物识别和γ-羧化的影响

通过丙氨酸扫描突变FIX propeptide关键位点(V-17A/F-16A/L-15A、I-7A/L-6A等)并检测细胞γ-羧化活性;通过测定warfarin敏感性细胞实验评估临床相关突变的影响。

4

机制验证

验证KH2结合位点、隧道残基及关键残基在催化中的作用

通过突变K218、D263、N290等残基检测环氧化和羧化活性;通过突变隧道密封残基(I296A、F299A等)观察解耦现象。

研究方法

按研究目的归类文中使用的方法,便于定位所需技术。

结构生物学方法
分子相互作用分析

产品清单

实验环节名称品牌货号
pEG BacMam载体----
Xfect转染试剂Takara--
Freestyle培养基Thermo Fisher--
Sf-900 II SFM培养基----
GDN去垢剂Anatrace--
Superose 6 Increase 10/300凝胶过滤柱Cytiva--
GST树脂Cytiva--
Quantifoil R1.2/1.3铜网Quantifoil--
EM GP2自动 plunge freezerLeica--
Titan Krios透射电子显微镜Thermo Fisher Scientific--
K3 Summit直接电子探测器Gatan--
FLEEL五肽----
NaH14CO3----
维生素K氢醌----
POPC----
CHAPS----
抗VKGC抗体Proteintech16209-1-AP
抗Gla抗体Mathieu Ferron gift--
抗β-actin抗体Santa Cruzsc-47778
抗FIX Gla结构域抗体Green Mountain AntibodiesGMA001
HRP标记的FIX多克隆抗体Affinity BiologicalsGAFIX-APHRP
ABTS底物SeraCare--
HRP标记的蛋白C多克隆抗体Affinity BiologicalsSAPC-HRP
Opti-MEM培养基Thermo Fisher--
维生素K1Hospira--
华法林----
双琥珀酰亚胺辛二酸酯----
FITC标记的proFIX18----
Triton X-100----
SDS-PAGE----
PVDF膜----
Beta Imager成像系统Biospace Lab--
Beta-Vision Plus软件Biospace Lab--
Sep-Pak C18 Vac小柱Waters--
Accuflex LSC-8000液体闪烁计数器Hitachi--
BCA蛋白定量试剂盒Pierce--
Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid质谱仪Thermo Fisher Scientific--
timsTOF Pro2质谱仪Bruker Daltonics--
NanoElute 2超高效液相色谱Bruker Daltonics--
LTQ Orbitrap Velos质谱仪Thermo Fisher Scientific--
Microcon离心过滤器Millipore Sigma30 kDa cutoff
胰蛋白酶----
三(2-羧乙基)膦----
ProteaseMax----
PEI MAX转染试剂Polysciences--
Xfect转染试剂Takara--
Bac-to-Bac系统Invitrogen--
Cellfectin II转染试剂Gbico--
Sf-900 II SFM培养基----

关键环节

汇总复现实验时建议重点确认的条件及原文阅读提示。

环节核对要点
蛋白表达与纯化
融合蛋白构建:TMG2-BRIL-VKGC;表达宿主:HEK 293S GnTI-细胞;诱导条件:5% P4病毒,10 mM丁酸钠,30°C,48-60 h;纯化缓冲液:含0.005% GDN
阅读提示:Methods: Constructs / Protein expression and purification
cryo-EM结构测定
样品浓度:~10 mg/mL;KH2浓度:50 μM;NaHCO3浓度:0.2 mM;网格:Quantifoil R1.2/1.3 Cu;blot条件:2.5 s,10°C,95%湿度;数据收集像素尺寸:0.664 Å(高倍)或1.1 Å(低倍)
阅读提示:Methods: Cryo-EM sample preparation and data acquisition / Cryo-EM data processing
体外γ-羧化活性检测
FLEEL底物浓度:3.6 mM;KH2浓度:222 μM;NaH14CO3:0.688 mM (5 μCi);蛋白浓度:10 nM;POPC和CHAPS浓度各0.16%;反应时间:10 min;温度:25°C
阅读提示:Methods: In vitro γ-carboxylation assays
环氧化活性检测
KH2浓度:55 μM;蛋白浓度:2 μM;POPC和CHAPS浓度各0.16%;反应时间:2 h;温度:25°C;HPLC分析:C18柱,甲醇流动相,检测波长250 nm
阅读提示:Methods: Epoxidase assay
细胞水平γ-羧化检测
细胞系:HEK 293T;转染试剂:PEI MAX;维生素K1浓度:100 nM (FIX) 或0.2 μM (VKGC突变);处理时间:36-48 h;ELISA检测抗体:GMA001、GAFIX-APHRP
阅读提示:Methods: Cell-based γ-carboxylation assays