Structural recognition and stabilization of tyrosine hydroxylase by the J-domain protein DNAJC12
Pathogenic variants of the J-domain protein DNAJC12 cause parkinsonism, which is associated with a defective interaction of DNAJC12 with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. In this work, we characterize the formation of the TH:DNAJC12 complex, showing that DNAJC12 binding stabilizes both TH and the variant TH-p.R202H, associated with TH deficiency. This binding delays their time-dependent aggregation in an Hsp70-independent manner, while preserving TH activity and feedback regulatory inhibition by dopamine. DNAJC12 alone barely activates Hsc70 but synergistically stimulates Hsc70 ATPase activity when complexed with TH. Cryo-electron microscopy supported by crosslinking-mass spectroscopy reveals two DNAJC12 monomers bound per TH tetramer, each embracing one of the two regulatory domain dimers, leaving the active sites available for substrate, cofactor and inhibitory dopamine interaction. Our results also reveal the key role of the C-terminal region of DNAJC12 in TH binding, explaining the pathogenic mechanism of the DNAJC12 disease variant p.W175Ter.
Authors
- Gloria Gamiz-Arco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9883-3542)
- Aurora Martı́nez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1643-6506)
- José Valpuesta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7468-8053)
- Mary Dayne S. Tai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5963-6500)
- Kunwar Jung‐KC
- Marte I. Flydal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4070-8367)
- Lorea Velasco‐Carneros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1296-9498)
- David Gil‐Cantero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7761-2687)
- Jorge Cuéllar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7789-807X)
- Arturo Muga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0345-6882)
- Juha P. Kallio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3092-4012)
- Fernando Moro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3568-3388)
- César Santiago (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5149-1722)
- Miguel Marcilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9171-5076)
- Jimena Muntaner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8353-5007)
- Lissette Ochoa‐Ibarrola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9594-3735)
Institutions
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (ES)
- University of the Basque Country (ES)
- Haukeland University Hospital (NO)
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (ES)
- University of Bergen (NO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-03-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57733-6
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.03
Funders
- Aarhus Universitet
- Stiftelsen Kristian Gerhard Jebsen
- Fundació la Marató de TV3
- European Commission
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
- Eusko Jaurlaritza
- Universitetet i Bergen
- Norges Forskningsråd
- L. Meltzers Høyskolefond
- Stockholms Universitet
- Science for Life Laboratory
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología