Selected publications

1. Pletneva N.V., Pletnev V.Z., Lukyanov K.A., Gurskaya N.G., Goryacheva E.A., Martynov V.I., Wlodawer A., Dauter Z., Pletnev S. (2010). Structural evidence for a dehydrated intermediate in green fluorescent protein chromophore biosynthesis. J. Biol. Chem. 285 (21), 15978–84 [+]

   The acGFPL is the first-identified member of a novel, colorless and non-fluorescent group of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like proteins. Its mutant aceGFP, with Gly replacing the invariant catalytic Glu-222, demonstrates a relatively fast maturation rate and bright green fluorescence (lambda(ex) = 480 nm, lambda(em) = 505 nm). The reverse G222E single mutation in aceGFP results in the immature, colorless variant aceGFP-G222E, which undergoes irreversible photoconversion to a green fluorescent state under UV light exposure. Here we present a high resolution crystallographic study of aceGFP and aceGFP-G222E in the immature and UV-photoconverted states. A unique and striking feature of the colorless aceGFP-G222E structure is the chromophore in the trapped intermediate state, where cyclization of the protein backbone has occurred, but Tyr-66 still stays in the native, non-oxidized form, with C(alpha) and C(beta) atoms in the sp(3) hybridization. This experimentally observed immature aceGFP-G222E structure, characterized by the non-coplanar arrangement of the imidazolone and phenolic rings, has been attributed to one of the intermediate states in the GFP chromophore biosynthesis. The UV irradiation (lambda = 250-300 nm) of aceGFP-G222E drives the chromophore maturation further to a green fluorescent state, characterized by the conventional coplanar bicyclic structure with the oxidized double Tyr-66 C(alpha)=C(beta) bond and the conjugated system of pi-electrons. Structure-based site-directed mutagenesis has revealed a critical role of the proximal Tyr-220 in the observed effects. In particular, an alternative reaction pathway via Tyr-220 rather than conventional wild type Glu-222 has been proposed for aceGFP maturation.

2. Pletnev S., Gurskaya N.G., Pletneva N.V., Lukyanov K.A., Chudakov D.M., Martynov V.I., Popov V.O., Kovalchuk M.V., Wlodawer A., Dauter Z., Pletnev V. (2009). Structural basis for phototoxicity of the genetically encoded photosensitizer KillerRed. J. Biol. Chem. 284 (46), 32028–39 [+]

   KillerRed is the only known fluorescent protein that demonstrates notable phototoxicity, exceeding that of the other green and red fluorescent proteins by at least 1,000-fold. KillerRed could serve as an instrument to inactivate target proteins or to kill cell populations in photodynamic therapy. However, the nature of KillerRed phototoxicity has remained unclear, impeding the development of more phototoxic variants. Here we present the results of a high resolution crystallographic study of KillerRed in the active fluorescent and in the photobleached non-fluorescent states. A unique and striking feature of the structure is a water-filled channel reaching the chromophore area from the end cap of the beta-barrel that is probably one of the key structural features responsible for phototoxicity. A study of the structure-function relationship of KillerRed, supported by structure-based, site-directed mutagenesis, has also revealed the key residues most likely responsible for the phototoxic effect. In particular, Glu(68) and Ser(119), located adjacent to the chromophore, have been assigned as the primary trigger of the reaction chain.

3. Pletnev S., Shcherbo D., Chudakov D.M., Pletneva N., Merzlyak E.M., Wlodawer A., Dauter Z., Pletnev V. (2008). A crystallographic study of bright far-red fluorescent protein mKate reveals pH-induced cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore. J. Biol. Chem. 283 (43), 28980–7 [+]

   The far-red fluorescent protein mKate (lambda(ex), 588 nm; lambda(em), 635 nm; chromophore-forming triad Met(63)-Tyr(64)-Gly(65)), originating from wild-type red fluorescent progenitor eqFP578 (sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor), is monomeric and characterized by the pronounced pH dependence of fluorescence, relatively high brightness, and high photostability. The protein has been crystallized at a pH ranging from 2 to 9 in three space groups, and four structures have been determined by x-ray crystallography at the resolution of 1.75-2.6 A. The pH-dependent fluorescence of mKate has been shown to be due to reversible cis-trans isomerization of the chromophore phenolic ring. In the non-fluorescent state at pH 2.0, the chromophore of mKate is in the trans-isomeric form. The weakly fluorescent state of the protein at pH 4.2 is characterized by a mixture of trans and cis isomers. The chromophore in a highly fluorescent state at pH 7.0/9.0 adopts the cis form. Three key residues, Ser(143), Leu(174), and Arg(197) residing in the vicinity of the chromophore, have been identified as being primarily responsible for the far-red shift in the spectra. A group of residues consisting of Val(93), Arg(122), Glu(155), Arg(157), Asp(159), His(169), Ile(171), Asn(173), Val(192), Tyr(194), and Val(216), are most likely responsible for the observed monomeric state of the protein in solution.

4. Pletneva N., Pletnev V., Tikhonova T., Pakhomov A.A., Popov V., Martynov V.I., Wlodawer A., Dauter Z., Pletnev S. (2007). Refined crystal structures of red and green fluorescent proteins from the button polyp Zoanthus. Acta Crystallogr. D Biol. Crystallogr. 63 (Pt 10), 1082–93 [+]

   Atomic-resolution structures of z2FP574 and its mutants at different stages of protein maturation are described, revealing the structural basis for fluorescence transition from green to red.