Protein S-nitrosylation is a reversible redox-based post-translational modification that plays an important role in cell signaling by modulating protein function and stability. At the molecular level, S-nitrosylation consists of the formation of a nitrosothiol (-SNO) and is primarily induced by the trans-nitrosylating agent nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), which catalyzes the interconversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, has been identified as a putative target of S-nitrosylation in both plant and non-plant systems. Here we investigate the molecular basis for GSNO-dependent regulation of chloroplast TPI from the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrTPI). Molecular modelling identified Cys14 and Cys219 as potential sites for interaction with GSNO, though crystallography of GSNO-treated CrTPI revealed S-nitrosylation only at Cys14. To disclose GSNO target sites, we generated and characterized Cys-to-Ser variants for Cys14 and Cys219, identifying Cys219 as a key residue mediating the GSNO-dependent modulation of CrTPI activity. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed the stabilizing interactions of S-nitrosylated cysteines with their local environments. Overall, our results indicate that CrTPI catalysis is modulated by GSNO through a redox-based mechanism involving Cys219, which highlights a conserved regulatory strategy shared with human TPI.
Meloni, M., Mattioli, E.J., Fanti, S., Peppi, G.M.E., Bin, T., Gabellini, G., et al. (2026). Molecular and structural basis for nitrosoglutathione-dependent redox regulation of triosephosphate isomerase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. PLANT SCIENCE, 362, 1-12 [10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112768].
Molecular and structural basis for nitrosoglutathione-dependent redox regulation of triosephosphate isomerase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Meloni M.Primo
Investigation
;Mattioli E. J.Investigation
;Peppi G. M. E.Investigation
;Bin T.Investigation
;Gabellini G.Investigation
;Trost P.Writing – Review & Editing
;Calvaresi M.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Fermani S.Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;Zaffagnini M.Supervision
2026
Abstract
Protein S-nitrosylation is a reversible redox-based post-translational modification that plays an important role in cell signaling by modulating protein function and stability. At the molecular level, S-nitrosylation consists of the formation of a nitrosothiol (-SNO) and is primarily induced by the trans-nitrosylating agent nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), which catalyzes the interconversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, has been identified as a putative target of S-nitrosylation in both plant and non-plant systems. Here we investigate the molecular basis for GSNO-dependent regulation of chloroplast TPI from the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrTPI). Molecular modelling identified Cys14 and Cys219 as potential sites for interaction with GSNO, though crystallography of GSNO-treated CrTPI revealed S-nitrosylation only at Cys14. To disclose GSNO target sites, we generated and characterized Cys-to-Ser variants for Cys14 and Cys219, identifying Cys219 as a key residue mediating the GSNO-dependent modulation of CrTPI activity. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed the stabilizing interactions of S-nitrosylated cysteines with their local environments. Overall, our results indicate that CrTPI catalysis is modulated by GSNO through a redox-based mechanism involving Cys219, which highlights a conserved regulatory strategy shared with human TPI.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
