Probing the 14-3-3 Isoform-Specificity Profile of Protein-Protein Interactions Stabilized by Fusicoccin A

Fusicoccin A (FC) is a fungal phytotoxin that stabilizes protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between 14-3-3 adapter proteins and their phosphoprotein interaction partners. Recently, FC has emerged as an important chemical probe of human 14-3-3 PPIs involved in cancer and neurobiology. These previous studies have established the structural requirements for FC-induced stabilization of 14-3-3·client phosphoprotein complexes; however, the effect of 14-3-3 isoforms on FC activity remains underexplored. This is a relevant question for the continued development of FC variants because there are seven isoforms of 14-3-3 in humans. Despite their sequence and structural similarities, a growing body of experimental evidence supports both tissue-specific expression of 14-3-3 isoforms and isoform-specific functions in vivo. Herein, we interrogate the isoform-specificity profile of FC in vitro using recombinant 14-3-3 isoforms and a library of fluorescein-labeled hexaphosphopeptides mimicking the C-terminal recognition domains of client proteins that are characterized targets of FC in vivo. Our results reveal modest isoform preferences for individual client phospholigands and demonstrate that FC differentially stabilizes PPIs involving 14-3-3σ. Together, these data support the feasibility of developing FC variants with enhanced isoform selectivity.