Cougnoux A, Gibold L, Robin F, Dubois D, Pradel N, Darfeuille-Michaud A, Dalmasso G, Delmas J, Bonnet R. Analysis of structure-function relationships in the colibactin-maturating enzyme ClbP.
J Mol Biol 2012;
424:203-14. [PMID:
23041299 DOI:
10.1016/j.jmb.2012.09.017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
pks genomic island of Escherichia coli is involved in the synthesis of the non-ribosomal peptide-type genotoxin colibactin, which has been suggesting as affecting the host immune response and having an impact on cancer development. The pks-encoded enzyme ClbP is an atypical peptidase that contributes to the synthesis of colibactin. In this work, we identified key features of ClbP. Bacterial fractionation and Western-blot analysis revealed the docking of ClbP to the bacterial inner membrane via a C-terminal domain harboring three predicted transmembrane helices. Whereas only one helix was necessary for the location in the inner membrane, the complete sequence of the C-terminal domain was necessary for ClbP bioactivity. In addition, the N-terminal sequence of ClbP allowed the SRP/Sec/YidC- and MreB-dependent translocation of the enzymatic domain in the periplasmic compartment, a feature also essential for ClbP bioactivity. Finally, the comparison of ClbP structure with that of the paralogs FmtA-like and AmpC revealed at an extremity of the catalytic groove a negative electrostatic potential surface characteristic of ClbP. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments identified in this zone two aspartic residues that were important for ClbP bioactivity. Overall, these results suggest a model for precolibactin activation by ClbP and pave a way for the design of inhibitors targeting colibactin production.
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