Cryo-EM, X-ray diffraction, and atomistic simulations reveal determinants for the formation of a supramolecular myelin-like proteolipid lattice

J Biol Chem. 2020 Jun 26;295(26):8692-8705. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA120.013087. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Abstract

Myelin protein P2 is a peripheral membrane protein of the fatty acid-binding protein family that functions in the formation and maintenance of the peripheral nerve myelin sheath. Several P2 gene mutations cause human Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy, but the mature myelin sheath assembly mechanism is unclear. Here, cryo-EM of myelin-like proteolipid multilayers revealed an ordered three-dimensional (3D) lattice of P2 molecules between stacked lipid bilayers, visualizing supramolecular assembly at the myelin major dense line. The data disclosed that a single P2 layer is inserted between two bilayers in a tight intermembrane space of ∼3 nm, implying direct interactions between P2 and two membrane surfaces. X-ray diffraction from P2-stacked bicelle multilayers revealed lateral protein organization, and surface mutagenesis of P2 coupled with structure-function experiments revealed a role for both the portal region of P2 and its opposite face in membrane interactions. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of P2 on model membrane surfaces suggested that Arg-88 is critical for P2-membrane interactions, in addition to the helical lid domain. Negatively charged lipid headgroups stably anchored P2 on the myelin-like bilayer surface. Membrane binding may be accompanied by opening of the P2 β-barrel structure and ligand exchange with the apposing bilayer. Our results provide an unprecedented view into an ordered, multilayered biomolecular membrane system induced by the presence of a peripheral membrane protein from human myelin. This is an important step toward deciphering the 3D assembly of a mature myelin sheath at the molecular level.

Keywords: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; membrane bilayer; membrane biophysics; membrane protein; membrane structure; molecular dynamics; myelin; neuropathy; protein structure; proteolipid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Myelin P2 Protein / chemistry*
  • Myelin P2 Protein / genetics
  • Myelin P2 Protein / metabolism
  • Myelin P2 Protein / ultrastructure*
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Myelin P2 Protein
  • Cholesterol

Associated data

  • PDB/4D6B
  • PDB/4BVM