Structural biology of post-translational modifications of proteins

Abstract

A majority of proteins encoded in genomes of limited size are post-translationally diversified by covalent modifications such as glycosylation and ubiquitination. Although recent advances in structural proteomics have enabled highthroughput structure determination of proteins, structural analyses of post-translationally modified proteins remain challenging because of the lack of appropriate determination methods. Therefore, we developed methodologies for characterizing the post-translational modifications of proteins from the structural viewpoint, focusing especially on glycosylation and ubiquitination. For instance, we established a systematic method for structural glycomics to address broader issues, including glycosylation profiling and 3D structure analyses of glycoproteins. Our stable-isotope-assisted NMR techniques in conjunction with X-ray crystallographic approach provide valuable information at the atomic level on conformations, dynamics, and interactions of glycoproteins such as antibody and proteins involved in the ubiquitinproteasome system. These studies provide the structural basis for improved efficacy of therapeutic antibodies on defucosylation of their Fc glycans and mechanistic insights into ubiquitination reactions in glycoprotein-fate determination in cells. These approaches will allow new possibilities for structural studies on post-translationally modified proteins of clinical, pathological, and pharmaceutical interests. © 2012 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.