Suppressor Mutations in LptF Bypass Essentiality of LptC by Forming a Six-Protein Transenvelope Bridge That Efficiently Transports Lipopolysaccharide

Dynamic basis of lipopolysaccharide export by LptB2FGC

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) confer resistance against harsh conditions, including antibiotics, in Gram-negative bacteria. The lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) complex, consisting of seven proteins (A-G), exports LPS across the cellular envelope. LptB2FG forms an ATP-binding cassette transporter that transfers LPS to LptC. How LptB2FG couples ATP binding and hydrolysis with LPS transport to LptC remains unclear. We observed the conformational heterogeneity of LptB2FG and LptB2FGC in micelles and/or proteoliposomes using pulsed dipolar electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, we monitored LPS binding and release using laser-induced liquid bead ion desorption mass spectrometry. The β-jellyroll domain of LptF stably interacts with the LptG and LptC β-jellyrolls in both the apo and vanadate-trapped states. ATP binding at the cytoplasmic side is allosterically coupled to the selective opening of the periplasmic LptF β-jellyroll domain. In LptB2FG, ATP binding closes the nucleotide binding domains, causing a collapse of the first lateral gate as observed in structures. However, the second lateral gate, which forms the putative entry site for LPS, exhibits a heterogeneous conformation. LptC binding limits the flexibility of this gate to two conformations, likely representing the helix of LptC as either released from or inserted into the transmembrane domains. Our results reveal the regulation of the LPS entry gate through the dynamic behavior of the LptC transmembrane helix, while its β-jellyroll domain is anchored in the periplasm. This, combined with long-range ATP-dependent allosteric gating of the LptF β-jellyroll domain, may ensure efficient and unidirectional transport of LPS across the periplasm.

Determination of Initial Rates of Lipopolysaccharide Transport

Nonvesicular lipid trafficking pathways are an important process in every domain of life. The mechanisms of these processes are poorly understood in part due to the difficulty in kinetic characterization. One important class of glycolipids, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), are the primary lipidic component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. LPS are synthesized in the inner membrane and then trafficked to the cell surface by the lipopolysaccharide transport proteins, LptB2FGCADE. By characterizing the interaction of a fluorescent probe and LPS, we establish a quantitative assay to monitor the flux of LPS between proteoliposomes on the time scale of seconds. We then incorporate photocaged ATP into this system, which allows for light-based control of the initiation of LPS transport. This control allows us to measure the initial rate of LPS transport (3.0 min-1 per LptDE). We also find that the rate of LPS transport by the Lpt complex is independent of the structure of LPS. In contrast, we find the rate of LPS transport is dependent on the proper function of the LptDE complex. Mutants of the outer membrane Lpt components, LptDE, that cause defective LPS assembly in live cells display attenuated transport rates and slower ATP hydrolysis compared to wild type proteins. Analysis of these mutants reveals that the rates of ATP hydrolysis and LPS transport are correlated such that 1.2 ± 0.2 ATP are hydrolyzed for each LPS transported. This correlation suggests a model where the outer membrane components ensure the coupling of ATP hydrolysis and LPS transport by stabilizing a transport-active state of the Lpt bridge.

Conformational investigation of the asymmetric periplasmic domains of E. coli LptB2FGC using SDSL CW EPR spectroscopy

The majority of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria benefit from intrinsic antibiotic resistance, attributed primarily to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coating of the bacterial envelope. To effectively coat the bacterial cell envelope, LPS is transported from the inner membrane by the LPS transport (Lpt) system, which comprises seven distinct Lpt proteins, LptA-G, that form a stable protein bridge spanning the periplasm to connect the inner and outer membranes. The driving force of this process, LptB2FG, is an asymmetric ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter with a novel architecture and function that ejects LPS from the inner membrane and facilitates transfer to the periplasmic bridge. Here, we utilize site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to probe conformational differences between the periplasmic domains of LptF and LptG. We show that LptC solely interacts with the edge β-strand of LptF and does not directly interact with LptG. We also quantify the interaction of periplasmic LptC with LptF. Additionally, we show that LPS cannot enter the protein complex externally, supporting the unidirectional LPS transport model. Furthermore, we present our findings that the presence of LPS within the LptB2FGC binding cavity and the membrane reconstitution environment affect the structural orientation of the periplasmic domains of LptF and LptG, but overall are relatively fixed with respect to one another. This study will provide insight into the structural asymmetry associated with the newly defined type VI ABC transporter class.

ABC Transporters in Bacterial Nanomachineries

Members of the superfamily of ABC transporters are found in all domains of life. Most of these primary active transporters act as isolated entities and export or import their substrates in an ATP-dependent manner across biological membranes. However, some ABC transporters are also part of larger protein complexes, so-called nanomachineries that catalyze the vectorial transport of their substrates. Here, we will focus on four bacterial examples of such nanomachineries: the Mac system providing drug resistance, the Lpt system catalyzing vectorial LPS transport, the Mla system responsible for phospholipid transport, and the Lol system, which is required for lipoprotein transport to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. For all four systems, we tried to summarize the existing data and provide a structure-function analysis highlighting the mechanistical aspect of the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to substrate translocation.