Capturing protein communities by structural proteomics in a thermophilic eukaryote

Mol Syst Biol. 2017 Jul 25;13(7):936. doi: 10.15252/msb.20167412.

Abstract

The arrangement of proteins into complexes is a key organizational principle for many cellular functions. Although the topology of many complexes has been systematically analyzed in isolation, their molecular sociology in situ remains elusive. Here, we show that crude cellular extracts of a eukaryotic thermophile, Chaetomium thermophilum, retain basic principles of cellular organization. Using a structural proteomics approach, we simultaneously characterized the abundance, interactions, and structure of a third of the C. thermophilum proteome within these extracts. We identified 27 distinct protein communities that include 108 interconnected complexes, which dynamically associate with each other and functionally benefit from being in close proximity in the cell. Furthermore, we investigated the structure of fatty acid synthase within these extracts by cryoEM and this revealed multiple, flexible states of the enzyme in adaptation to its association with other complexes, thus exemplifying the need for in situ studies. As the components of the captured protein communities are known-at both the protein and complex levels-this study constitutes another step forward toward a molecular understanding of subcellular organization.

Keywords: computational modeling; cryo‐electron microscopy; fatty acid synthase; interaction proteomics; metabolon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellular Microenvironment
  • Chaetomium / metabolism*
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Fatty Acid Synthase, Type II / chemistry
  • Fatty Acid Synthase, Type II / metabolism
  • Fatty Acid Synthase, Type II / ultrastructure
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Fungal Proteins / ultrastructure
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Multiprotein Complexes / ultrastructure
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Interaction Maps
  • Proteomics
  • Subcellular Fractions / chemistry
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Systems Biology

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Fatty Acid Synthase, Type II