Effects of oxidative post-translational modifications on structural stability and self-assembly of λ6 immunoglobulin light chain

July 28, 2017

Title

Effects of oxidative post-translational modifications on structural stability and self-assembly of λ6 immunoglobulin light chain

Author

Ximena Zottig, Mathieu Laporte Wolwertz, Makan Golizeh, Leanne Ohlund, Lekha Sleno, Steve Bourgault

Year

2016

Journal

Biophysical Chemistry

Abstract

Light chain amyloidosis (AL) originates from the deposition of immunoglobulin light chains (LCs) as amyloid fibrils in the extracellular space of vital organs. Although non-enzymatic post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been shown to contribute to protein misfolding diseases, little is known about their contributions to LC amyloidogenicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of three oxidative PTMs, carbonylation by hydroxynonenal (HNE), oxidation and nitration, on the structure, thermodynamic stability and self-assembly propensity of a LC variable domain from the λ6 germline, Wil. We initially identified the specific residues that are susceptible to oxidative chemical modifications. HNE-conjugation at specific His residues and nitration of Tyr side chains modulated the conformational conversion driving Wil self-assembly and fibrillar aggregates formation. This study reinforces the notion that not only the thermodynamic stability, but also the chemical and structural properties, should be considered when evaluating the amyloidogenic potential of a LC.

Instrument

J-815

Keywords

Circular dichroism, Secondary structure, Tertiary structure, Thermal stability, Thermodynamics, Aggregation, Biochemistry