Robert T. Sauer

Protein function and folding studied using biochemistry and biophysics, structural biology, protein design and engineering, and molecular genetics. Mechanisms of protein unfolding and degradation by AAA+ molecular machines. Allosteric control of PDZ-protease systems that signal between cellular compartments.

Clp


We study the relationships between protein structure, function, sequence, and folding, focusing on molecular machines that degrade or remodel proteins and cellular factors that target proteins for these ATP-dependent reactions. Our experimental tools include biochemistry and single-molecule biophysics, structural biology, protein design and engineering, and molecular genetics.

Protein quality control is an essential cellular function in all kingdoms of life. Proteins that are misfolded, damaged, inactive, or no longer necessary are remodeled and/or degraded. For example, all organisms contain proteolytic machines that consist of an AAA+ ATPase and a compartmentalized peptidase. The AAA+ domains of these multimeric machines form a hexameric ring with a narrow central pore or channel. This hexamer recognizes protein substrates, uses cycles of ATP hydrolysis to unfold these molecules, and translocates the unfolded polypeptide into a sequestered proteolytic chamber for degradation. In some cases, AAA+ enzymes also function as molecular chaperones by mechanisms that are still poorly understood. In collaboration with Tania Baker’s lab, we study a number of different AAA+ proteases and/or chaperones that function in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. These enzymes include ClpX and ClpXP, ClpA and ClpAP, HslU and HslUV, Lon, and Cdc48 and Cdc48•20S. We are probing the rules of substrate recognition, studying regulatory factors that enhance or inhibit recognition of specific substrates, and dissecting the mechanisms by which these energy-dependent enzymes catalyze the mechanical unfolding, translocation, and remodeling of protein substrates.


Cordova, J.C, Olivares, A.O., Shin, Y., Stinson, B.M., Calmat, S., Schmitz, K.R., Aubin-Tam, M-E. Baker, T.A., Lang, M.J., & Sauer R.T. (2014) Stochastic but highly coordinated protein unfolding and translocation by the ClpXP proteolytic machine. Cell 158, 647-658.

Schmitz, K.R. & Sauer, R.T. (2014) Substrate delivery by the AAA+ ClpX and ClpC1 unfoldases activates the mycobacterial ClpP1P2 peptidase. Mol. Micro. 93, 617-628.

Kim, S. & Sauer, R.T. (2014) Distinct regulatory mechanisms balance DegP proteolysis to maintain cellular fitness during heat stress. Genes Dev. 28, 902-911.

Lima, S., Guo, M.S., Chaba. R., Gross, C.A. & Sauer, R.T. (2013) Dual molecular signals mediate the bacterial response to outer-membrane stress. Science 340, 837-841.

Stinson, B.M., Nager, A.R., Glynn, S.E., Schmitz, K.R., Baker, T.A, and Sauer, R.T. (2013) Nucleotide binding and conformational switching in the hexameric ring of a AAA+ machine. Cell 153, 628-639.

Mauldin, R.V. & Sauer, R.T. (2013) Allosteric regulation of DegS protease subunits though a shared energy landscape. Nat. Chem. Biol. 9, 90-96.

Barthelme, D. & Sauer, R.T. (2012) Identification of the Cdc48•20S proteasome as an ancient AAA+ proteolytic machine. Science 337, 843-846.

Glynn, S.E., Nager, A.R., Baker, T.A. & Sauer, R.T. (2012) Dynamic and static components power unfolding in topologically closed rings of a AAA+ proteolytic machine. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 19, 616-622.