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   https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddaa191  

   Sirois, Carissa L; Bloom, Judy E; Fink, James J; Gorka, Dea; Keller, Steffen; Germain, Noelle D; Levine, Eric S; Chamberlain, Stormy J (August 2020, Human Molecular Genetics)

   null (Ed.)

   Abstract Loss of UBE3A expression, a gene regulated by genomic imprinting, causes Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The UBE3A gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase with three known protein isoforms in humans. Studies in mouse suggest that the human isoforms may have differences in localization and neuronal function. A recent case study reported mild AS phenotypes in individuals lacking one specific isoform. Here we have used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate isogenic human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that lack the individual protein isoforms. We demonstrate that isoform 1 accounts for the majority of UBE3A protein in hESCs and neurons. We also show that UBE3A predominantly localizes to the cytoplasm in both wild type and isoform-null cells. Finally, we show that neurons lacking isoform 1 display a less severe electrophysiological AS phenotype. 

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4. FXYD protein isoforms differentially modulate human Na/K pump function

   https://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.202012660  

   Meyer, Dylan J.; Bijlani, Sharan; de Sautu, Marilina; Spontarelli, Kerri; Young, Victoria C.; Gatto, Craig; Artigas, Pablo (November 2020, Journal of General Physiology)

   Tight regulation of the Na/K pump is essential for cellular function because this heteromeric protein builds and maintains the electrochemical gradients for Na+ and K+ that energize electrical signaling and secondary active transport. We studied the regulation of the ubiquitous human α1β1 pump isoform by five human FXYD proteins normally located in muscle, kidney, and neurons. The function of Na/K pump α1β1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes with or without FXYD isoforms was evaluated using two-electrode voltage clamp and patch clamp. Through evaluation of the partial reactions in the absence of K+ but presence of Na+ in the external milieu, we demonstrate that each FXYD subunit alters the equilibrium between E1P(3Na) and E2P, the phosphorylated conformations with Na+ occluded and free from Na+, respectively, thereby altering the apparent affinity for Na+. This modification of Na+ interaction shapes the small effects of FXYD proteins on the apparent affinity for external K+ at physiological Na+. FXYD6 distinctively accelerated both the Na+-deocclusion and the pump-turnover rates. All FXYD isoforms altered the apparent affinity for intracellular Na+ in patches, an effect that was observed only in the presence of intracellular K+. Therefore, FXYD proteins alter the selectivity of the pump for intracellular ions, an effect that could be due to the altered equilibrium between E1 and E2, the two major pump conformations, and/or to small changes in ion affinities that are exacerbated when both ions are present. Lastly, we observed a drastic reduction of Na/K pump surface expression when it was coexpressed with FXYD1 or FXYD6, with the former being relieved by injection of PKA's catalytic subunit into the oocyte. Our results indicate that a prominent effect of FXYD1 and FXYD6, and plausibly other FXYDs, is the regulation of Na/K pump trafficking. 

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5. Protein-Solvent Interfaces in Human Y145Stop Prion Protein Amyloid Fibrils Probed by Paramagnetic Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2018.04.002  

   Aucoin, Darryl; Xia, Yongjie; Theint, Theint; Nadaud, Philippe S.; Surewicz, Krystyna; Surewicz, Witold K.; Jaroniec, Christopher P. (April 2018, Journal of Structural Biology)