<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Acharya, Nirbhik</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Evidence for dry molten globule-like domains in the pH-induced equilibrium folding intermediate of a multidomain protein</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2016</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">JAN</style></date></pub-dates></dates><number><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1</style></number><publisher><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">AMER CHEMICAL SOC</style></publisher><pub-location><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA</style></pub-location><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">7</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">173-179</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;The role of van der Waals (vdW) packing interactions compared to the hydrophobic effect in stabilizing the functional structure of proteins is poorly understood. Here we show, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, dynamic fluorescence quenching, red-edge excitation shift, and near- and far-UV circular dichroism, that the pH-induced structural perturbation of a multidomain protein leads to the formation of a state in which two out of the three domains have characteristics of dry molten globules, that is, the domains are expanded compared to the native protein with disrupted packing interactions but have dry cores. We quantitatively estimate the energetic contribution of vdW interactions and show that they play an important role in the stability of the native state and cooperativity of its structural transition, in addition to the hydrophobic effect. Our results also indicate that during the pH-induced unfolding, side-chain unlocking and hydrophobic solvation occur in two distinct steps and not in concerted manner, as commonly believed&lt;/p&gt;</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1</style></issue><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">8.539</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Alternatively packed dry molten globule-like intermediate in the native state ensemble of a multidomain protein</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry B</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2017</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">OCT</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">121</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">9336-9347</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">It has been difficult to quantify the degree of side-chain conformational heterogeneity in the native (N) state ensemble of proteins and the relative energetic contributions of the side-chain packing and the hydrophobic effect in protein stability. Here, we show using multiple site specific spectroscopic probes and tools of thermodynamics that the N state ensemble of a multidomain protein contains an equilibrium intermediate (I) whose interdomain region resembles a dry molten globule. In the I state, a tryptophan residue in the interdomain region is alternatively packed, but its secondary structure and intradomain packing are N-like. The I state also has a larger interdomain distance, but the domain-domain interface is dry and molten. Our results indicate that hydrophobic desolvation and side-chain packing are decoupled during protein folding and that interdomain packing interactions have an important energetic contribution in protein stability. Dynamic interconversion between alternatively packed N-like states could be important for multiple allosteric and ligand binding functions of this protein.</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">40</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Foreign</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">3.177</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Acharya, Nirbhik</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dry molten globule-like intermediate during the base-induced unfolding of a multidomain protein</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2017</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">NOV</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">19</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">30207-30216</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The nature of the initial structural events during the base-induced unfolding of the native (N) state of proteins is poorly understood. Combining site-specific fluorescence resonance energy transfer, size exclusion chromatography, dynamic fluorescence quenching, red-edge excitation shift and circular dichroism spectroscopy, we show here that an early intermediate during the base-induced unfolding of a multidomain protein, i.e., the B form, has features of a dry molten globule. We show that the N (sic) B transition involves protein expansion and loosening of packing of inter-domain helices near domains I and II without the disruption of intra-domain packing or any change in hydration of the inter-domain region which resembles a molten hydrocarbon. Surprisingly, the disruption of inter-domain packing accounts for 40-45% of the total change in free energy of complete unfolding. Our results show that the disruption of van der Waals packing can be decoupled in different regions of a protein and could occur prior to hydrophobic solvation during base-induced unfolding, challenging the existing notion.</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">44</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Foreign</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">4.449</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Acharya, Nirbhik</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dry molten globule-like intermediate during the base-induced unfolding of a multidomain protein (vol 19, pg 20307, 2017)</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2019</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">SEP</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">21</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">20499-20499</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">36</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Correction</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;LrzXr kno-fv&quot;&gt;3.567&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Folding and aggregation energy landscapes of tethered RRM domains of human TDP-43 are coupled via a metastable molten globule-like oligomer</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2019</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">FEB </style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">58</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">608-620</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Stress-induced misfolding and intraneuronal aggregation of the highly conserved nucleic acid binding protein TDP-43 (transactive response DNA binding protein 43 kDa) and its fragments have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and several other neurodegenerative diseases. However, the physicochemical mechanism of its misfolding from the functional folded state is poorly understood. TDP-43 is a four-domain protein and performs the essential nucleic acid binding function with the help of its two tandem RNA recognition motif domains naturally tethered by a linker (called here the tethered RRM domain of TDP-43 or TDP-43(tRRM)). Here, we show that the monomeric native form of TDP-43(tRRM) remains in a pH-dependent and reversible thermodynamic equilibrium with a protonated, nanosized, 40-merit form (the A form). Under the stress-like low-pH condition, the A form becomes predominantly populated. In the A form, protein molecules have restricted dynamics of surface side-chain residues but native-like secondary structure. This self-assembled form possesses a loosely packed core in which the intrinsically disordered and aggregation-prone regions are in the proximity. The A form is metastable and swiftly aggregates into a highly stable amyloid-like protofibrillar form (beta form) mediated by the disorder-to-order transition of intrinsically disordered regions upon small environmental perturbations. Interestingly, the A form and the beta form are not formed when TDP-43(tRRM) is bound to DNA, indicating that the nucleic acid binding regions of the protein participate in their formation. Our results reveal how the energy landscapes of folding and aggregation of TDP-43(tRRM) are coupled by a metastable molten-globule like oligomeric form and modulated by stress-like conditions.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">6</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;2.952&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Slow motion protein dance visualized using red-edge excitation shift of a buried fluorophore</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry B</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2019</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">FEB</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">123</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1256-1264</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;It has been extremely challenging to detect protein structures with a dynamic core, such as dry molten globules, that remain in equilibrium with the tightly packed native (N) state and that are important for a myriad of entropy-driven protein functions. Here, we detect the higher entropy conformations of a human serum protein, using red-edge excitation shift experiments. We covalently introduced a fluorophore inside the protein core and observed that in a subset of native population, the side chains of the polar and buried residues have different spatial arrangements than the mean population and that they solvate the fluorophore on a timescale much slower than the nanosecond timescale of fluorescence. Our results provide direct evidence for the dense fluidity of protein core and show that alternate side-chain packing arrangements exist in the core that might be important for multiple binding functions of this protein.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">6</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;2.923&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Early metastable assembly during the stress-induced formation of worm-like amyloid fibrils of nucleic acid binding domains of TDP-43</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2020</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">JAN</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">59</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">315-328</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;TDP-43 protein travels between the cytosol and the nucleus to perform its nucleic acid binding functions through its two tandem RNA recognition motif domains (TDP-43(tRRM)). When exposed to various environmental stresses, it forms abnormal aggregates in the cytosol of neurons, which are the hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other TDP-43 proteinopathies. However, the nature of early structural changes upon stress sensing and the consequent steps during the course of aggregation are not well understood. In this study, we show that under low-pH conditions, mimicking starvation stress, TDP-43(tRRm) undergoes a conformational opening reaction linked to the protonation of buried ionizable residues and grows into a metastable oligomeric assembly (called the ``low-pH form'' or the ``L form''). In the L form, the protein molecules have disrupted tertiary structure, solvent-exposed hydrophobic patches, and mobile side chains but the native-like secondary structure remains intact. The L form structure is held by weak interactions and has a steep dependence on ionic strength. In the presence of as little as 15 mM KCl, it fully misfolds and further oligomerizes to form a beta-sheet rich ``beta form'' in at least two distinct steps. The beta form has an ordered, stable structure that resembles worm-like amyloid fibrils. The unstructured regions of the protein gain structure during L (sic) beta conversion. Our results suggest that TDP-43(tRRm) could function as a stress sensor and support a recent model in which stress sensing during neurodegeneration occurs by assembly of proteins into metastable assemblies that are precursors to the solid aggregates.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">3</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;2.865&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patni, Divya</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">pH-dependent protein stability switch coupled to the perturbed pKa of a single ionizable residue</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biophysical Chemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">electrostatic interactions</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Fluorescence spectroscopy</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Thermodynamic stability</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Unfolded proteins</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2021</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">JUL</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">274</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">106591</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;The contribution of electrostatic interactions in protein stability has not been fully understood. Burial of an ionizable amino acid inside the hydrophobic protein core can affect its ionization equilibrium and shift its pKa differentially in the native (N) and unfolded (U) states of a protein and this coupling between the folding/ unfolding cycle and the ionization equilibria of the ionizable residue can substantially influence the protein stability. Here, we studied the coupling of the folding/unfolding cycle with the ionization of a buried ionizable residue in a multi-domain protein, Human Serum Albumin (HSA) using fluorescence spectroscopy. A pHdependent change in the stability of HSA was observed in the near native pH range (pH 6.0-9.0). The protonation-deprotonation equilibrium of a single thiol residue that is buried in the protein structure was identified to give rise to the pH-dependent protein stability. We quantified the pKa of the thiol residue in the N and the U states. The mean pKa of the thiol in the N state was upshifted by 0.5 units to 8.7 due to the burial of the thiol in the protein structure. Surprisingly, the mean pKa of the thiol in the U state was observed to be downshifted by 1.3 units to 6.9. These results indicate that some charged residues are spatially proximal to the thiol group in the U state. Our results suggest that, in addition to the N state, electrostatic interactions in the U state are important determinants of protein stability.&lt;/p&gt;</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2.352</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patni, Divya</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Protonation-deprotonation switch controls the amyloid-like misfolding of nucleic-acid-binding domains of TDP-43</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry B</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2021</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">AUG </style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">125</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">8383-8394</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Nutrient starvation stress acidifies the cytosol and leads to the formation of large protein assemblies and misfolded aggregates. However, how starvation stress is sensed at the molecular level and leads to protein misfolding is poorly understood. TDP-43 is a vital protein, which, under stress-like conditions, associates with stress granule proteins via its functional nucleic-acid-binding domains (TDP-43(t)(RRM)) and misfolds to form aberrant aggregates. Here, we show that the monomeric N form of TDP-43(t)(RRM) forms a misfolded amyloid-like protein assembly, beta form, in a pH-dependent manner and identified the critical protein side-chain residue whose protonation triggers its misfolding. We systematically mutated the three buried ionizable residues, D105, H166, and H256, to neutral amino acids to block the pH-dependent protonation-deprotonation titration of their side chain and studied their effect on the N-to-beta transition. We observed that D105A and H2S6Q resembled TDP-43(t)(RRM) in their pH-dependent misfolding behavior. However, H166Q retains the N-like secondary structure under low-pH conditions and does not show pH-dependent misfolding to the beta form. These results indicate that H166 is the critical side-chain residue whose protonation triggers the misfolding of TDP-43(t)(RRM) and shed light on how stress-induced misfolding of proteins during neurodegeneration could begin from site-specific triggers.</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">30</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Foreign</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2.991</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Acharya, Nirbhik</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dry molten globule-like intermediates in protein folding, function, and disease</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry B</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2022</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">NOV</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">126</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">8614-8622</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	The performance of a protein depends on its correct folding to the final functional native form. Hence, understanding the process of protein folding has remained an important field of research for the scientific community for the past five decades. Two important intermediate states, namely, wet molten globule (WMG) and dry molten globule (DMG), have emerged as critical milestones during protein folding-unfolding reactions. While much has been discussed about WMGs as a common unfolding intermediate, the evidence for DMGs has remained elusive owing to their near-native features, which makes them difficult to probe using global structural probes. This Review puts together the available literature and new evidence on DMGs to give a broader perspective on the universality of DMGs and discuss their significance in protein folding, function, and disease.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">43</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Review</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	3.466&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Mishra, Prajna</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Native state conformational heterogeneity in the energy landscape of protein folding</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biophysical Chemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Conformational heterogeneity</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dry molten globules</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Energy landscape model</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Native state</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Side-chain packing</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2022</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">APR</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">283</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">106761</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The native structure of proteins is central to various functions performed by cells. A vital part of the structure-function paradigm of proteins is their inherent flexibility and dynamics. The dynamic interconversion between the conformational substates in the heterogeneous native state basin of the energy landscape enables a single protein molecule to perform multiple functions. The dynamics among the substates are assisted by the motion of different structural elements of a protein out of which side-chains of amino acids hold a significant position due to their involvement in various functions such as molecular recognition and dynamic allostery. This review briefly describes the origin of conformational heterogeneity in the native state ensemble and the motions of different structural modules that assist the equilibrium dynamics of the conformational substates. The review then centers the discussion on conformational heterogeneity due to side-chain movements in proteins, the experimental methods to detect and characterize them and their role in performing multiple functions.</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Foreign</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2.352</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Das, Atanu</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Electrostatic modulation of intramolecular and intermolecular interactions during the formation of an amyloid-like assembly</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2023</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">MAY</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">62</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1890-1905</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	The mechanism of protein aggregation can be broadly viewedas ashift from the native-state stabilizing intramolecular to the aggregated-phasesustaining intermolecular interactions. Understanding the role ofelectrostatic forces on the extent of modulation of this switch hasrecently evolved as a topic of monumental significance as proteinaggregation has lately been connected to charge modifications of anaging proteome. To decipher the distinctive role of electrostaticforces on the extremely complicated phase separation landscape, weopted for a combined in vitro-in silico approach to ascertainthe structure-dynamics-stability-aggregabilityrelationship of the functional tandem RRM domains of the ALS-relatedprotein TDP-43 (TDP-43(tRRM)), under a bivariate solutioncondition in terms of pH and salt concentration. Under acidic pH conditions,the native TDP-43(tRRM) protein creates an aggregation-proneentropically favorable partially unfolded conformational landscapedue to enthalpic destabilization caused by the protonation of theburied ionizable residues and consequent overwhelming fluctuationsof selective segments of the sequence leading to anti-correlated movementsof the two domains of the protein. The evolved fluffy ensemble witha comparatively exposed backbone then easily interacts with incomingprotein molecules in the presence of salt via typical amyloid-aggregate-likeintermolecular backbone hydrogen bonds with a considerable contributionoriginating from the dispersion forces. Subsequent exposure to excesssalt at low pH conditions expedites the aggregation process via anelectrostatic screening mechanism where salt shows preferential bindingto the positively charged side chain. The applied target observable-specificapproach complementarity unveils the hidden information landscapeof an otherwise complex process with unquestionable conviction.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">12</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	3.321&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Multistep molecular mechanism of amyloid-like aggregation of nucleic acid-binding domain of TDP-43</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Proteins- Structure Function and Bioinformatics</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">aggregation pathway</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">amyloid-like assembly</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">conformational conversion</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">kinetics</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">oligomers</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2023</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">MAY</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">91</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">649-664</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	TDP-43 protein is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases and has been shown to adopt various oligomeric and fibrillar states. However, a detailed kinetic understanding of the structural transformation of the native form of the protein to the fibrillar state is missing. In this study, we delineate the temporal sequence of structural events during the amyloid-like assembly of the functional nucleic acid-binding domain of TDP-43. We kinetically mapped the aggregation process using multiple probes such as tryptophan and thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) targeting different structural events. Our data reveal that aggregation occurs in four distinct steps-very fast, fast, slow, and very slow. The ``very fast'' change results in partially unfolded forms that undergo conformational conversion, oligomerization and bind to ThT in the ``fast step'' to form higher order intermediates (HOI). The temporal sequence of the formation of ThT binding sites and conformational conversion depends upon the protein concentration. The HOI further undergoes structural rearrangement to form protofibrils in the ``slow'' step, which, consequently, assembles in the ``very slow'' step to form an amyloid-like assembly. The spectroscopic properties of the amyloid-like assembly across the protein concentration remain similar. Additionally, we observe no lag phase across protein concentration for all the probes studied, suggesting that the aggregation process follows a linear polymerization reaction. Overall, our study demonstrates that the amyloid-like assembly forms in multiple steps, which is also supported by the temperature dependence of the kinetics.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">5</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	2.9&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Doke, Abhilasha A.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Shapeshifter TDP-43: molecular mechanism of structural polymorphism, aggregation, phase separation and their modulators</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biophysical Chemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Amyloid versus non-amyloid</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Coacervation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Environmental conditions</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Prion-like seeding</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Structural heterogeneity</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Thermodynamic and kinetic mechanism</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2023</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">APR</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">295</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">106972</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	TDP-43 is a nucleic acid-binding protein that performs physiologically essential functions and is known to un-dergo phase separation and aggregation during stress. Initial observations have shown that TDP-43 forms het-erogeneous assemblies, including monomer, dimer, oligomers, aggregates, phase-separated assemblies, etc. However, the significance of each assembly of TDP-43 concerning its function, phase separation, and aggregation is poorly known. Furthermore, how different assemblies of TDP-43 are related to each other is unclear. In this review, we focus on the various assemblies of TDP-43 and discuss the plausible origin of the structural het-erogeneity of TDP-43. TDP-43 is involved in multiple physiological processes like phase separation, aggregation, prion-like seeding, and performing physiological functions. However, the molecular mechanism behind the physiological process performed by TDP-43 is not well understood. The current review discusses the plausible molecular mechanism of phase separation, aggregation, and prion-like propagation of TDP-43.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Review</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	3.628&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patni, Divya</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Thermodynamic modulation of folding and aggregation energy landscape by DNA binding of functional domains of TDP-43</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-Proteins and Proteomics</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Amyloid-like aggregation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Nucleic acid binding</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">RNA recognition motifs (RRMs)</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">TDP-43</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Thermodynamic stability</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2023</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">JUL </style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1871</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">140916</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	TDP-43 is a vital nucleic acid binding protein which forms stress-induced aberrant aggregates in around 97% cases of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. The functional tandem RRM domain of the protein (TDP-43tRRM) has been shown to undergo amyloid-like aggregation under stress in a pH-dependent fashion. However, the underlying thermodynamic and molecular basis of aggregation and how the energy landscape of folding, stability, and aggregation are coupled and modulated by nucleic acid binding is poorly understood. Here, we show that the pH stress thermodynamically destabilizes the native protein and systematically populates the unfoldedlike aggregation-prone molecules which leads to amyloid-like aggregation. We observed that specific DNA binding inhibits aggregation and populates native-like compact monomeric state even under low-pH stress as measured by circular dichroism, ANS binding, size exclusion chromatography, and transmission electron microscopy. We show that DNA-binding thermodynamically stabilizes and populates the native state even under stress and reduces the population of unfolded-like aggregation-prone molecules which leads to systematic aggregation inhibition. Our results suggest that thermodynamic modulation of the folding and aggregation energy landscape by nucleic-acid-like molecules could be a promising approach for effective therapeutic intervention in TDP-43-associated proteinopathies.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">4</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	3.2&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Conformational enigma of TDP-43 misfolding in neurodegenerative disorders</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">ACS OMEGA</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">DNA-BINDING PROTEIN</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">FRONTOTEMPORAL LOBAR DEGENERATION</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">SEP</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">9</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">40286-40297</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Review</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;4.1&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Tammara, Vaishnavi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Doke, Abhilasha A.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Das, Atanu</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Deciphering the monomeric and dimeric conformational landscapes of the full-length TDP-43 and the impact of the C-terminal domain</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">ACS Chemical Neuroscience</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">chain collapsibility</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">domain-wisefluctuation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">electrostatic dominance</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">hydrogen bond switchability</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">long-range crosstalk</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">persistent beta-character</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">protagonistic C-terminal domain</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">rugged phase space</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">NOV</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">15</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">4305-4321</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	The aberrant aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) in cells leads to the pathogenesis of multiple fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Decoding the proposed initial transition between its functional dimeric and aggregation-prone monomeric states can potentially design a viable therapeutic strategy, which is presently limited by the lack of structural detail of the full-length TDP-43. To achieve a complete understanding of such a delicate phase space, we employed a multiscale simulation approach that unearths numerous crucial features, broadly summarized in two categories: (1) state-independent features that involve inherent chain collapsibility, rugged polymorphic landscape dictated by the terminal domains, high beta-sheet propensity, structural integrity preserved by backbone-based intrachain hydrogen bonds and electrostatic forces, the prominence of the C-terminal domain in the intrachain cross-domain interfaces, and equal participation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic (charged and polar) residues in cross-domain interfaces; and (2) dimerization-modulated characteristics that encompass slower collapsing dynamics, restricted polymorphic landscape, the dominance of side chains in interchain hydrogen bonds, the appearance of the N-terminal domain in the dimer interface, and the prominence of hydrophilic (specifically polar) residues in interchain homo- and cross-domain interfaces. In our work, the ill-known C-terminal domain appears as the most crucial structure-dictating domain, which preferably populates a compact conformation with a high beta-sheet propensity in its isolated state stabilized by intrabackbone hydrogen bonds, and these signatures are comparatively faded in its integrated form. Validation of our simulated observables by a complementary spectroscopic approach on multiple counts ensures the robustness of the computationally predicted features of the TDP-43 aggregation landscape.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	5&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patni, Divya</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patil, Anjali D.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Kirmire, Mona S.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Anjali</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">DNA-mediated formation of phase-separated coacervates of the nucleic acid-binding domain of TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) prevents its amyloid-like misfolding</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">ACS Chemical Neuroscience</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">amyloid-likeaggregation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">complex coacervation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">DNA-protein interactions</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dynamics</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">pH stress</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">TDP-43</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">OCT </style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">15</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">4105-4122</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Sequestration of protein molecules and nucleic acids to stress granules is one of the most promising strategies that cells employ to protect themselves from stress. In vitro, studies suggest that the nucleic acid-binding domain of TDP-43 (TDP-43tRRM) undergoes amyloid-like aggregation to beta-sheet-rich structures in low pH stress. In contrast, we observed that the TDP-43tRRM undergoes complex coacervation in the presence of ssDNA to a dense and light phase, preventing its amyloid-like aggregation. The soluble light phase consists of monomeric native-like TDP-43tRRM. The microscopic data suggest that the dense phase consists of spherical coacervates with limited internal dynamics. We performed multiparametric analysis by employing various biophysical techniques and found that complex coacervation depends on the concentration and ratio of the participating biomolecules and is driven by multivalent interactions. The modulation of these forces due to environmental conditions or disease mutations regulates the extent of coacervation, and the weakening of interactions between TDP-43tRRM and ssDNA leads to amyloid-like aggregation of TDP-43tRRM. Our results highlight a competition among the native state, amyloid-like aggregates, and complex coacervates tuned by various environmental factors. Together, our results illuminate an alternate function of TDP-43tRRM in response to pH stress in the presence of the ssDNA.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">22</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	5&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Doke, Abhilasha A.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Electrostatics choreographs the aggregation dynamics of full-length TDP-43 via a monomeric amyloid precursor</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">MAY</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">63</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1553-1568</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	TDP-43 is a ubiquitously expressed, multidomain functional protein that is distinctively known to form aggregates in many fatal neurodegenerative disorders. However, the information for arresting TDP-43 aggregation is missing due to a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanism of the aggregation and structural properties of TDP-43. TDP-43 is inherently prone to aggregation and has minimal protein solubility. Multiple studies have been performed on the smaller parts of TDP-43 or the full-length protein attached to a large solubilization tag. However, the presence of co-solutes or solubilization tags is observed to interfere with the molecular properties and aggregation mechanism of full-length TDP-43. Notably, this study populated and characterized the native, dimeric state of TDP-43 without the interference of co-solutes or protein modifications. We observed that the electrostatics of the local environment is capable of the partial unfolding and monomerization of the native dimeric state of TDP-43 into an amyloidogenic molten globule. By employing the tools of thermodynamics and kinetics, we reveal the structural characteristics and temporal order of the early intermediates and transition states during the transition of the molten globule to beta-rich, amyloid-like aggregates of TDP-43, which is governed by the electrostatics of the environment. The current advanced understanding of the nature of native and early aggregation-prone intermediates, early steps, and the influence of electrostatics in TDP-43 aggregation is essential for drug design.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">12</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	2.9&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Doke, Abhilasha A.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Identification of a hidden, highly aggregation-prone intermediate of full-length TDP-43 that triggers its misfolding and amyloid aggregation</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Biochemistry</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">NOV</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">63</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">3100-3113</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	In cells, TDP-43 is a crucial protein that can form harmful amyloid aggregates linked to fatal and incurable human neurodegenerative disorders. Normally, TDP-43 exists in a smaller soluble native state that prevents aggregation. However, aging and stress can destabilize this native state, leading to the formation of disease-causing amyloid aggregates via the formation of partially unfolded, high-energy intermediates with a greater tendency to aggregate. These intermediates are crucial in the early stages of amyloid formation and are challenging to study due to their low stability. Understanding the structure of these early aggregation-prone states of TDP-43 is essential for designing effective treatments for TDP-43 proteinopathies. Targeting these initial intermediates could be more effective than focusing on fully formed amyloid aggregates. By disrupting the aggregation process at this early stage, we may be able to prevent the progression of diseases related to TDP-43 aggregation. Hence, we decided to uncover the hidden, high-energy intermediates in equilibrium with the native states of TDP-43 by modulating the thermodynamic stability of the soluble native dimer (N form) and monomeric molten globular state (MG form) of full-length TDP-43. The thermodynamic modulation performed in the current study successfully revealed the highly aggregation-prone intermediate of full-length TDP-43, i.e., PUF. Moreover, we observed that along with high aggregation propensity, the aggregation kinetics and mechanisms of PUF differ from previously identified intermediates of full-length TDP-43 (the MG and I forms). The information regarding the initial aggregation-prone state of full-length TDP-43 could lead to therapies for amyloid diseases by halting early protein aggregation.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">23</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	2.9&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">More, Sonal R.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Multi-site red-edge excitation shift reveals the residue-specific solvation dynamics during the native to amyloid-like transition of an amyloidogenic protein</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of Physical Chemistry B</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">DEC</style></date></pub-dates></dates><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Changes in water-protein interactions are crucial for proteins to achieve functional and nonfunctional conformations during structural transitions by modulating local stability. Amyloid-like protein aggregates in deteriorating neurons are hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders. These aggregates form through significant structural changes, transitioning from functional native conformations to supramolecular cross-beta-sheet structures via misfolded and oligomeric intermediates in a multistep process. However, the site-specific dynamics of water molecules from the native to misfolded conformations and further to oligomeric and compact amyloid structures remain poorly understood. In this study, we used the fluorescence method known as red-edge excitation shift (REES) to investigate the solvation dynamics at specific sites in various equilibrium conformations en route to the misfolding and aggregation of the functional domain of the TDP-43 protein (TDP-43tRRM). We generated three single tryptophan-single cysteine mutants of TDP-43tRRM, with the cysteines at different positions and tryptophan at a fixed position. Each sole cysteine was fluorescently labeled and used as a site-specific fluorophore along with the single tryptophan, creating four monitorable sites for REES studies. By investigating the site-specific extent of REES, we developed a residue-specific solvation dynamics map of TDP-43tRRM during its misfolding and aggregation. Our observations revealed that solvation dynamics progressively became more rigid and heterogeneous to varying extents at different sites during the transition from native to amyloid-like conformations.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article; Early Access</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	3.3&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pillai, Meenakshi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Patil, Anjali D.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Das, Atanu</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Pathological mutations D169G and P112H electrostatically aggravate the amyloidogenicity of the functional domain of TDP-43</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">ACS Chemical Neuroscience</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">amyloid fibrils</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">conformational changes</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">disease mutations</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">electrostatics</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Protein aggregation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">stability</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2024</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">NOV</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">15</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">4267-4283</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Aggregation of TDP-43 is linked to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Notably, electrostatic point mutations such as D169G and P112H, located within the highly conserved functional tandem RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains of the TDP-43 protein (TDP-43tRRM), have been identified in diseased patients as well. In this study, we address how the electrostatic mutations alter both the native state stability and aggregation propensity of TDP-43tRRM. The mutants D169G and P112H show increased chemical stability compared to the TDP-43tRRM at physiological pH. However, at low pH, both the mutants undergo a conformational change to form amyloid-like fibrils, though with variable rates-the P112H mutant being substantially faster than the other two sequences (TDP-43tRRM and D169G mutant) showing comparable rates. Moreover, among the three sequences, only the P112H mutant undergoes a strong ionic strength-dependent aggregability trend. These observations signify the substantial contribution of the excess charge of the P112H mutant to its unique aggregation process. Complementary simulated observables with atomistic resolution assign the experimentally observed sequence-, pH-, and ionic strength-dependent aggregability pattern to the degree of thermal lability of the mutation site-containing RRM1 domain and its extent of dynamical anticorrelation with the RRM2 domain whose combination eventually dictate the extent of generation of aggregation-prone partially unfolded conformational ensembles. Our choice of a specific charge-modulated pathogenic mutation-based experiment-simulation-combination approach unravels the otherwise hidden residue-wise contribution to the individual steps of this extremely complicated multistep aggregation process.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">23</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	5&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Doke, Abhilasha A.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Kirmire, Mona S.</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Anjali</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Jha, Santosh Kumar</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Structural and mechanistic heterogeneity of the phase separation and aggregation of full-length TDP-43 is governed by environmental conditions</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">ACS Chemical Neuroscience</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Amyloid-like aggregation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">molecular mechanism of phase separation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">native-like phase separation</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Self-assembly</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2026</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">APR</style></date></pub-dates></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">17</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">1362-1374</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is an essential physiological protein implicated in several fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Interestingly, the nature of TDP-43 aggregates varies across patients and disease conditions, suggesting an underlying heterogeneity in its self-assembly behavior. In this study, we investigated two native-like states of full-length TDP-43: the native dimer (N form) and the native-like oligomer (O form). These are compact, folded states with similar secondary structures but differ in size. We found that the N and O forms respond differently to external perturbations and form distinct self-assemblies under stress conditions. Under electrostatic stress, both N and O forms undergo phase separation but produce condensates with markedly different morphologies and dynamics. The underlying mechanisms driving their phase separation are different. Under thermal stress, both forms convert into amyloid aggregates, but again with clearly different morphologies, biochemical properties, and aggregation pathways. These results demonstrate that multiple conformations of TDP-43 respond to distinct perturbations by assembling into structurally and mechanistically different higher-order assemblies. Our findings highlight how the interplay among the structural state, solvation environment, and self-assembly mechanism governs the heterogeneity of TDP-43 assemblies, offering new insights into their physiological roles and pathological relevance. This study suggests that the heterogeneity observed in patients associated with TDP-43 aggregation may arise from differences in the cellular stresses experienced by the protein and the corresponding assembly mechanisms engaged.&lt;/p&gt;
</style></abstract><issue><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">7</style></issue><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Article</style></work-type><custom3><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	Foreign&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom3><custom4><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">&lt;p&gt;
	4.0&lt;/p&gt;
</style></custom4></record></records></xml>