Biology subjects

Ballet, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Ballet, S..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Identification and characterization of nanobodies acting as molecular chaperones for glucocerebrosidase through a novel allosteric mechanism

The enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) catalyses the hydrolysis of glucosylceramide to glucose and ceramide within lysosomes. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the GCase-sencoding GBA1 gene cause the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease, while heterozygous mutations are the most frequent genetic risk factor for Parkinsons disease. These mutations commonly affect GCase stability, trafficking or activity. Here, we report the development and characterization of nanobodies (Nbs) targeting and acting as chaperones for GCase. We identified several Nb families that bind with nanomolar affinity to GCase. Based on biochemical characterization, we grouped the Nbs in two classes: Nbs that improve the activity of the enzyme and Nbs that increase GCase stability in vitro. A selection of the most promising Nbs was shown to improve GCase function in cell models and positively impact the activity of the N370S mutant GCase. These results lay the foundation for the development of new therapeutic routes.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2023

Structural Basis of μ-Opioid Receptor-Targeting by a Nanobody Antagonist

The -opioid receptor (OR), a prototypical member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, is the molecular target of opioid analgesics such as morphine and fentanyl. Due to the limitations and severe side effects of currently available opioid drugs, there is considerable interest in developing novel modulators of OR function. Most GPCR ligands today are small molecules, however biologics, including antibodies and nanobodies, are emerging as alternative therapeutics with clear advantages such as affinity and target selectivity. Here, we describe the nanobody NbE, which selectively binds to the OR and acts as an antagonist. We functionally characterize NbE as an extracellular and genetically encoded {micro}OR ligand and uncover the molecular basis for {micro}OR antagonism by solving the cryo-EM structure of the NbE-{micro}OR complex. NbE displays a unique ligand binding mode and achieves {micro}OR selectivity by interactions with the orthosteric pocket and extracellular receptor loops. Based on a {beta}-hairpin loop formed by NbE that deeply inserts into the {micro}OR and centers most binding contacts, we design short peptide analogues that retain {micro}OR antagonism. The work illustrates the potential of nanobodies to uniquely engage with GPCRs and describes novel OR ligands that can serve as a basis for therapeutic developments.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Identification of small molecule antivirals against HTLV-1 by targeting the hDLG1-Tax-1 protein-protein interaction

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the first pathogenic retrovirus discovered in human. Although HTLV-1-induced diseases are well characterized and linked to the encoded Tax-1 oncoprotein, there is currently no strategy to target Tax-1 functions with small molecules. Here, we analysed the binding of Tax-1 to the human homolog of the drosophila discs large tumor suppressor (hDLG1/SAP97), a multi-domain scaffolding protein involved in Tax-1-transformation ability. We have solved the structures of the PDZ binding motif (PBM) of Tax-1 in complex with the PDZ1 and PDZ2 domains of hDLG1 and assessed the binding of 10 million molecules by virtual screening. Among the 19 experimentally confirmed compounds, one systematically inhibited the Tax-1-hDLG1 interaction in different biophysical and cellular assays, as well as HTLV-1 cell-to-cell transmission in a T-cell model. Thus, our work demonstrates that interactions involving Tax-1 PDZ-domains are amenable to small-molecule inhibition, which provides a framework for the design of targeted therapies for HTLV-1-induced diseases.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Nanobody CDR3 mimetics enhance SOS1-catalyzed nucleotide exchange on RAS

RAS proteins control various intracellular signaling networks. Mutations at specific locations were shown to stabilize their active GTP-bound state, which is associated with the development of multiple cancers. An attractive approach to modulate RAS signaling is through its regulatory guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) son of sevenless 1 (SOS1). With the recent discovery of Nanobody14, which potently enhances SOS1-catalyzed nucleotide exchange on RAS, we explored the feasibility of developing peptide mimetics by structurally mimicking the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3). Guided by a biochemical GEF assay and X-ray co-crystal structures, successive rounds of optimization and gradual conformational rigidification led to CDR3 mimetics showing half of the maximal activation potential of the native nanobody. Altogether, this study provides the first proof-of-concept that peptides able to functionally modulate a protein-protein interaction can be obtained by structural mimicry of a nanobody paratope.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2022

ChILL & DisCO to discover competitive, connective and allosteric Nanobodies that modulate the SOS1-RAS protein-protein interactions and tune the nucleotide exchange rate

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are central in cell metabolism but research tools for the structural and functional characterization of these PPIs are often missing. Here we introduce novel and broadly applicable immunization (Cross-link PPIs and immunize llamas, ChILL) and selection strategies (Display and co-selection, DisCO) for the discovery of diverse Nanobodies that either stabilize or disrupt PPIs in a single experiment. We applied ChILL and DisCO to identify competitive, connective or fully allosteric Nanobodies that inhibit or facilitate the formation of the SOS1*RAS complex and modulate the nucleotide exchange rate on this pivotal GTPase in vitro and RAS signalling in cellulo. One of these connective Nanobodies fills a cavity that was previously identified as the binding pocket for a series of therapeutic lead compounds. The long complementarity-determining region (CDR3) that penetrates this binding pocket serves as an innovative pharmacophore for extending the repertoire of potential leads.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2021

Antimicrobial activity of a repurposed harmine-derived compound on extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates

SynopsisO_ST_ABSObjectivesC_ST_ABSThe spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria is an important threat for human healthcare. Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria impose one of the major issues, as multidrug- to pandrug-resistant strains have been found, rendering some infections untreatable. In addition, A. baumannii is a champion in surviving in harsh environments, being capable of resisting to disinfectants and to persist prolonged periods of desiccation. Due to the high degree of variability found in A. baumannii isolates, the search for new antibacterials is challenging. Here, we screened a compound library to identify compounds active against recent isolates of A. baumannii bacteria. MethodsA repurposing drug screen was undertaken to identify A. baumannii growth inhibitors. One hit was further characterized by determining its IC50 and testing its activity on 43 recent clinical A. baumannii isolates, amongst which 40 are extensively drug- and carbapenem-resistant strains. ResultsThe repurposing screen led to the identification of a harmine-derived compound, called HDC1, which proved to have bactericidal activity on the multidrug-resistant AB5075-VUB reference strain with an IC50 of 48.23 {micro}M. In addition, HDC1 impairs growth of all 43 recent clinical A. baumannii isolates. ConclusionsWe identified a compound with inhibitory activity on all tested, extensively drug-resistant clinical A. baumannii isolates.

microbiology↗