Journal: Plant Commun / Year: 2026 Title: Cryo-EM structural analyses reveal plant-specific adaptations of the CDC48 unfoldase. Authors: Brandon Huntington / Anandsukeerthi Sandholu / Jun Wang / Junrui Zhang / Lingyun Zhao / Bilal M Qureshi / Umar F Shahul Hameed / Stefan T Arold / Abstract: Targeted protein degradation through the CDC48 unfoldase enables the maintenance and rapid adaptation of proteomes across eukaryotes. However, the substantial differences among animals, fungi, and ...Targeted protein degradation through the CDC48 unfoldase enables the maintenance and rapid adaptation of proteomes across eukaryotes. However, the substantial differences among animals, fungi, and plants presumably drove extensive adaptation of CDC48-mediated degradation. Although animal and fungal CDC48 systems have shown structural and functional preservation, comparable analysis has been lacking for plants. We determined the structural and functional characteristics of Arabidopsis thaliana CDC48A in multiple states and in complex with the target-identifying cofactors UFD1 and NPL4. Our analysis revealed several features that distinguish AtCDC48A from its animal and yeast counterparts despite 80% sequence identity. Key findings include that AtCDC48A exhibits distinct domain dynamics and engages AtNPL4 in a unique manner. Moreover, AtNPL4 and AtUFD1 do not form an obligate heterodimer; instead, AtNPL4 can independently bind to AtCDC48A and mediate target degradation, although their combined action is synergistic. An evolutionary analysis indicates that these Arabidopsis features are conserved across plants and represent the ancestral state of eukaryotic CDC48 systems. Collectively, our findings suggest that plant CDC48 retains a more modular and combinatorial mode of cofactor usage, highlighting a specific adaptation of targeted protein degradation in plants.
UniProtKB: Cell division control protein 48 homolog A
-
Experimental details
-
Structure determination
Method
cryo EM
Processing
single particle reconstruction
Aggregation state
particle
-
Sample preparation
Concentration
2.0 mg/mL
Buffer
pH: 7.5 Component:
Concentration
Formula
Name
20.0 mM
HEPES
HEPES
150.0 mM
NaCl
Sodium Chloride
1.0 mM
TCEP
TCEP
Grid
Model: C-flat-1.2/1.3 / Material: COPPER / Mesh: 300 / Support film - Material: CARBON / Support film - topology: HOLEY / Pretreatment - Type: GLOW DISCHARGE
Vitrification
Cryogen name: ETHANE / Chamber humidity: 100 % / Chamber temperature: 295 K / Instrument: FEI VITROBOT MARK IV
-
Electron microscopy
Microscope
TFS KRIOS
Specialist optics
Energy filter - Name: GIF Bioquantum
Image recording
Film or detector model: GATAN K2 SUMMIT (4k x 4k) / Detector mode: SUPER-RESOLUTION / Number grids imaged: 1 / Number real images: 1263 / Average exposure time: 5.6 sec. / Average electron dose: 50.0 e/Å2
Electron beam
Acceleration voltage: 300 kV / Electron source: FIELD EMISSION GUN
In the structure databanks used in Yorodumi, some data are registered as the other names, "COVID-19 virus" and "2019-nCoV". Here are the details of the virus and the list of structure data.
Jan 31, 2019. EMDB accession codes are about to change! (news from PDBe EMDB page)
EMDB accession codes are about to change! (news from PDBe EMDB page)
The allocation of 4 digits for EMDB accession codes will soon come to an end. Whilst these codes will remain in use, new EMDB accession codes will include an additional digit and will expand incrementally as the available range of codes is exhausted. The current 4-digit format prefixed with “EMD-” (i.e. EMD-XXXX) will advance to a 5-digit format (i.e. EMD-XXXXX), and so on. It is currently estimated that the 4-digit codes will be depleted around Spring 2019, at which point the 5-digit format will come into force.
The EM Navigator/Yorodumi systems omit the EMD- prefix.
Related info.:Q: What is EMD? / ID/Accession-code notation in Yorodumi/EM Navigator
Yorodumi is a browser for structure data from EMDB, PDB, SASBDB, etc.
This page is also the successor to EM Navigator detail page, and also detail information page/front-end page for Omokage search.
The word "yorodu" (or yorozu) is an old Japanese word meaning "ten thousand". "mi" (miru) is to see.
Related info.:EMDB / PDB / SASBDB / Comparison of 3 databanks / Yorodumi Search / Aug 31, 2016. New EM Navigator & Yorodumi / Yorodumi Papers / Jmol/JSmol / Function and homology information / Changes in new EM Navigator and Yorodumi