Bimodular architecture of bacterial effector SAP05 that drives ubiquitin-independent targeted protein degradation

In eukaryotes, targeted protein degradation (TPD) typically depends on a series of interactions among ubiquitin ligases that transfer ubiquitin molecules to substrates leading to degradation by the 26S proteasome. We previously identified that the bacterial effector protein SAP05 mediates ubiquitin-independent TPD. SAP05 forms a ternary complex via interactions with the von Willebrand Factor Type A (vWA) domain of the proteasomal ubiquitin receptor Rpn10 and the zinc-finger (ZnF) domains of the SQUAMOSA-PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) and GATA BINDING FACTOR (GATA) transcription factors (TFs). This leads to direct TPD of the TFs by the 26S proteasome. Here, we report the crystal structures of the SAP05-Rpn10vWA complex at 2.17 Å resolution and of the SAP05-SPL5ZnF complex at 2.20 Å resolution. Structural analyses revealed that SAP05 displays a remarkable bimodular architecture with two distinct nonoverlapping surfaces, a "loop surface" with three protruding loops that form electrostatic interactions with ZnF, and a "sheet surface" featuring two β-sheets, loops, and α-helices that establish polar interactions with vWA. SAP05 binding to ZnF TFs involves single amino acids responsible for multiple contacts, while SAP05 binding to vWA is more stable due to the necessity of multiple mutations to break the interaction. In addition, positioning of the SAP05 complex on the 26S proteasome points to a mechanism of protein degradation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate how a small bacterial bimodular protein can bypass the canonical ubiquitin-proteasome proteolysis pathway, enabling ubiquitin-independent TPD in eukaryotic cells. This knowledge holds significant potential for the creation of TPD technologies.

Allelic compatibility in plant immune receptors facilitates engineering of new effector recognition specificities

Engineering the plant immune system offers genetic solutions to mitigate crop diseases caused by diverse agriculturally significant pathogens and pests. Modification of intracellular plant immune receptors of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptor superfamily for expanded recognition of pathogen virulence proteins (effectors) is a promising approach for engineering disease resistance. However, engineering can cause NLR autoactivation, resulting in constitutive defense responses that are deleterious to the plant. This may be due to plant NLRs associating in highly complex signaling networks that coevolve together, and changes through breeding or genetic modification can generate incompatible combinations, resulting in autoimmune phenotypes. The sensor and helper NLRs of the rice (Oryza sativa) NLR pair Pik have coevolved, and mismatching between noncoevolved alleles triggers constitutive activation and cell death. This limits the extent to which protein modifications can be used to engineer pathogen recognition and enhance disease resistance mediated by these NLRs. Here, we dissected incompatibility determinants in the Pik pair in Nicotiana benthamiana and found that heavy metal-associated (HMA) domains integrated in Pik-1 not only evolved to bind pathogen effectors but also likely coevolved with other NLR domains to maintain immune homeostasis. This explains why changes in integrated domains can lead to autoactivation. We then used this knowledge to facilitate engineering of new effector recognition specificities, overcoming initial autoimmune penalties. We show that by mismatching alleles of the rice sensor and helper NLRs Pik-1 and Pik-2, we can enable the integration of synthetic domains with novel and enhanced recognition specificities. Taken together, our results reveal a strategy for engineering NLRs, which has the potential to allow an expanded set of integrations and therefore new disease resistance specificities in plants.

Stabilisation of the RirA [4Fe-4S] cluster results in loss of iron-sensing function

RirA is a global iron regulator in diverse Alphaproteobacteria that belongs to the Rrf2 superfamily of transcriptional regulators, which can contain an iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster. Under iron-replete conditions, RirA contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster, enabling high-affinity binding to RirA-regulated operator sequences, thereby causing the repression of cellular iron uptake. Under iron deficiency, one of the cluster irons dissociates, generating an unstable [3Fe-4S] form that subsequently degrades to a [2Fe-2S] form and then to apo RirA, resulting in loss of high-affinity DNA-binding. The cluster is coordinated by three conserved cysteine residues and an unknown fourth ligand. Considering the lability of one of the irons and the resulting cluster fragility, we hypothesized that the fourth ligand may not be an amino acid residue. To investigate this, we considered that the introduction of an amino acid residue that could coordinate the cluster might stabilize it. A structural model of RirA, based on the Rrf2 family nitrosative stress response regulator NsrR, highlighted residue 8, an Asn in the RirA sequence, as being appropriately positioned to coordinate the cluster. Substitution of Asn8 with Asp, the equivalent, cluster-coordinating residue of NsrR, or with Cys, resulted in proteins that contained a [4Fe-4S] cluster, with N8D RirA exhibiting spectroscopic properties very similar to NsrR. The variant proteins retained the ability to bind RirA-regulated DNA, and could still act as repressors of RirA-regulated genes in vivo. However, they were significantly more stable than wild-type RirA when exposed to O2 and/or low iron. Importantly, they exhibited reduced capacity to respond to cellular iron levels, even abolished in the case of the N8D version, and thus were no longer iron sensing. This work demonstrates the importance of cluster fragility for the iron-sensing function of RirA, and more broadly, how a single residue substitution can alter cluster coordination and functional properties in the Rrf2 superfamily of regulators.

Exploring the 5-Substituted 2-Aminobenzothiazole-Based DNA Gyrase B Inhibitors Active against ESKAPE Pathogens

We present a new series of 2-aminobenzothiazole-based DNA gyrase B inhibitors with promising activity against ESKAPE bacterial pathogens. Based on the binding information extracted from the cocrystal structure of DNA gyrase B inhibitor A, in complex with Escherichia coli GyrB24, we expanded the chemical space of the benzothiazole-based series to the C5 position of the benzothiazole ring. In particular, compound E showed low nanomolar inhibition of DNA gyrase (IC₅₀ < 10 nM) and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against pathogens belonging to the ESKAPE group, with the minimum inhibitory concentration < 0.03 μg/mL for most Gram-positive strains and 4-16 μg/mL against Gram-negative E. coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. To understand the binding mode of the synthesized inhibitors, a combination of docking calculations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and MD-derived structure-based pharmacophore modeling was performed. The computational analysis has revealed that the substitution at position C5 can be used to modify the physicochemical properties and antibacterial spectrum and enhance the inhibitory potency of the compounds. Additionally, a discussion of challenges associated with the synthesis of 5-substituted 2-aminobenzothiazoles is presented.

Global Effects of the Developmental Regulator BldB in Streptomyces venezuelae

In Streptomyces, the Bld (Bald) regulators control formation of the reproductive aerial hyphae. The functions of some of these regulators have been well characterized, but BldB has remained enigmatic. In addition to the bldB gene itself, Streptomyces venezuelae has 10 paralogs of bldB that sit next to paralogs of whiJ and abaA. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that loss of BldB function causes the dramatic transcriptional upregulation of the abaA paralogs and a novel inhibitor of sporulation, iosA, and that cooverexpression of just two of these genes, iosA and abaA6, was sufficient to recapitulate the bldB mutant phenotype. Further RNA-seq analysis showed that the transcription factor WhiJ9 is required for the activation of iosA seen in the bldB mutant, and biochemical studies showed that WhiJ9 mediates the activation of iosA expression by binding to direct repeats in the iosA-whiJ9 intergenic region. BldB and BldB9 hetero-oligomerize, providing a potential link between BldB and the iosA-whiJ9-bldB9 locus. This work greatly expands our overall understanding of the global effects of the BldB developmental regulator. IMPORTANCE To reproduce and disperse, the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces develops specialized reproductive structures called aerial hyphae. The formation of these structures is controlled by the bld (bald) genes, many of which encode transcription factors whose functions have been characterized. An exception is BldB, a protein whose biochemical function is unknown. In this study, we gain insight into the global effects of BldB function by examining the genome-wide transcriptional effects of deleting bldB. We identify a small set of genes that are dramatically upregulated in the absence of BldB. We show that their overexpression causes the bldB phenotype and characterize a transcription factor that mediates the upregulation of one of these target genes. Our results provide new insight into how BldB influences Streptomyces development.

Effector target-guided engineering of an integrated domain expands the disease resistance profile of a rice NLR immune receptor

A subset of plant intracellular NLR immune receptors detect effector proteins, secreted by phytopathogens to promote infection, through unconventional integrated domains which resemble the effector's host targets. Direct binding of effectors to these integrated domains activates plant defenses. The rice NLR receptor Pik-1 binds the Magnaporthe oryzae effector AVR-Pik through an integrated heavy metal-associated (HMA) domain. However, the stealthy alleles AVR-PikC and AVR-PikF avoid interaction with Pik-HMA and evade host defenses. Here, we exploited knowledge of the biochemical interactions between AVR-Pik and its host target, OsHIPP19, to engineer novel Pik-1 variants that respond to AVR-PikC/F. First, we exchanged the HMA domain of Pikp-1 for OsHIPP19-HMA, demonstrating that effector targets can be incorporated into NLR receptors to provide novel recognition profiles. Second, we used the structure of OsHIPP19-HMA to guide the mutagenesis of Pikp-HMA to expand its recognition profile. We demonstrate that the extended recognition profiles of engineered Pikp-1 variants correlate with effector binding in planta and in vitro, and with the gain of new contacts across the effector/HMA interface. Crucially, transgenic rice producing the engineered Pikp-1 variants was resistant to blast fungus isolates carrying AVR-PikC or AVR-PikF. These results demonstrate that effector target-guided engineering of NLR receptors can provide new-to-nature disease resistance in crops.

Resurrection of plant disease resistance proteins via helper NLR bioengineering

Parasites counteract host immunity by suppressing helper nucleotide binding and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins that function as central nodes in immune receptor networks. Understanding the mechanisms of immunosuppression can lead to strategies for bioengineering disease resistance. Here, we show that a cyst nematode virulence effector binds and inhibits oligomerization of the helper NLR protein NRC2 by physically preventing intramolecular rearrangements required for activation. An amino acid polymorphism at the binding interface between NRC2 and the inhibitor is sufficient for this helper NLR to evade immune suppression, thereby restoring the activity of multiple disease resistance genes. This points to a potential strategy for resurrecting disease resistance in crop genomes.

New Dual Inhibitors of Bacterial Topoisomerases with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity and In Vivo Efficacy against Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus

A new series of dual low nanomolar benzothiazole inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV were developed. The resulting compounds show excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial activities against Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and multidrug resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus strains [best compound minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs): range, <0.03125-0.25 μg/mL] and against the Gram-negatives Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae (best compound MICs: range, 1-4 μg/mL). Lead compound 7a was identified with favorable solubility and plasma protein binding, good metabolic stability, selectivity for bacterial topoisomerases, and no toxicity issues. The crystal structure of 7a in complex with Pseudomonas aeruginosa GyrB24 revealed its binding mode at the ATP-binding site. Expanded profiling of 7a and 7h showed potent antibacterial activity against over 100 MDR and non-MDR strains of A. baumannii and several other Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Ultimately, in vivo efficacy of 7a in a mouse model of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus thigh infection was also demonstrated.

Structural insights into the mechanism of adaptive ribosomal modification by Pseudomonas RimK

Bacteria are equipped with a diverse set of regulatory tools that allow them to quickly adapt to their environment. The RimK system allows for Pseudomonas spp. to adapt through post-transcriptional regulation by altering the ribosomal subunit RpsF. RimK is found in a wide range of bacteria with a conserved amino acid sequence, however, the genetic context and the role of this protein is highly diverse. By solving and comparing the structures of RimK homologs from two related but functionally divergent systems, we uncovered key structural differences that likely contribute to the different activity levels of each of these homologs. Moreover, we were able to clearly resolve the active site of this protein for the first time, resolving binding of the glutamate substrate. This work advances our understanding of how subtle differences in protein sequence and structure can have profound effects on protein activity, which can in turn result in widespread mechanistic changes.

Genomics and biochemical analyses reveal a metabolon key to β-L-ODAP biosynthesis in Lathyrus sativus

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a rich source of protein cultivated as an insurance crop in Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Its resilience to both drought and flooding makes it a promising crop for ensuring food security in a changing climate. The lack of genetic resources and the crop's association with the disease neurolathyrism have limited the cultivation of grass pea. Here, we present an annotated, long read-based assembly of the 6.5 Gbp L. sativus genome. Using this genome sequence, we have elucidated the biosynthetic pathway leading to the formation of the neurotoxin, β-L-oxalyl-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (β-L-ODAP). The final reaction of the pathway depends on an interaction between L. sativus acyl-activating enzyme 3 (LsAAE3) and a BAHD-acyltransferase (LsBOS) that form a metabolon activated by CoA to produce β-L-ODAP. This provides valuable insight into the best approaches for developing varieties which produce substantially less toxin.

Discovery and Hit-to-Lead Optimization of Benzothiazole Scaffold-Based DNA Gyrase Inhibitors with Potent Activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We have developed compounds with a promising activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are both on the WHO priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Starting from DNA gyrase inhibitor 1, we identified compound 27, featuring a 10-fold improved aqueous solubility, a 10-fold improved inhibition of topoisomerase IV from A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, a 10-fold decreased inhibition of human topoisomerase IIα, and no cross-resistance to novobiocin. Cocrystal structures of 1 in complex with Escherichia coli GyrB24 and (S)-27 in complex with A. baumannii GyrB23 and P. aeruginosa GyrB24 revealed their binding to the ATP-binding pocket of the GyrB subunit. In further optimization steps, solubility, plasma free fraction, and other ADME properties of 27 were improved by fine-tuning of lipophilicity. In particular, analogs of 27 with retained anti-Gram-negative activity and improved plasma free fraction were identified. The series was found to be nongenotoxic, nonmutagenic, devoid of mitochondrial toxicity, and possessed no ion channel liabilities.

Expansion of the Catalytic Repertoire of Alcohol Dehydrogenases in Plant Metabolism

Medium-chain alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) comprise a highly conserved enzyme family that catalyse the reversible reduction of aldehydes. However, recent discoveries in plant natural product biosynthesis suggest that the catalytic repertoire of ADHs has been expanded. Here we report the crystal structure of dihydroprecondylocarpine acetate synthase (DPAS), an ADH that catalyses the non-canonical 1,4-reduction of an α,β-unsaturated iminium moiety. Comparison with structures of plant-derived ADHs suggest the 1,4-iminium reduction does not require a proton relay or the presence of a catalytic zinc ion in contrast to canonical 1,2-aldehyde reducing ADHs that require the catalytic zinc and a proton relay. Furthermore, ADHs that catalysed 1,2-iminium reduction required the presence of the catalytic zinc and the loss of the proton relay. This suggests how the ADH active site can be modified to perform atypical carbonyl reductions, providing insight into how chemical reactions are diversified in plant metabolism.

Perception of structurally distinct effectors by the integrated WRKY domain of a plant immune receptor

Plants use intracellular nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing immune receptors (NLRs) to detect pathogen-derived effector proteins. The Arabidopsis NLR pair RRS1-R/RPS4 confers disease resistance to different bacterial pathogens by perceiving the structurally distinct effectors AvrRps4 from Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi and PopP2 from Ralstonia solanacearum via an integrated WRKY domain in RRS1-R. How the WRKY domain of RRS1 (RRS1WRKY) perceives distinct classes of effector to initiate an immune response is unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of the in planta processed C-terminal domain of AvrRps4 (AvrRps4C) in complex with RRS1WRKY Perception of AvrRps4C by RRS1WRKY is mediated by the β2-β3 segment of RRS1WRKY that binds an electronegative patch on the surface of AvrRps4C Structure-based mutations that disrupt AvrRps4C-RRS1WRKY interactions in vitro compromise RRS1/RPS4-dependent immune responses. We also show that AvrRps4C can associate with the WRKY domain of the related but distinct RRS1B/RPS4B NLR pair, and the DNA-binding domain of AtWRKY41, with similar binding affinities and how effector binding interferes with WRKY-W-box DNA interactions. This work demonstrates how integrated domains in plant NLRs can directly bind structurally distinct effectors to initiate immunity.

CTP regulates membrane-binding activity of the nucleoid occlusion protein Noc

ATP- and GTP-dependent molecular switches are extensively used to control functions of proteins in a wide range of biological processes. However, CTP switches are rarely reported. Here, we report that a nucleoid occlusion protein Noc is a CTPase enzyme whose membrane-binding activity is directly regulated by a CTP switch. In Bacillus subtilis, Noc nucleates on 16 bp NBS sites before associating with neighboring non-specific DNA to form large membrane-associated nucleoprotein complexes to physically occlude assembly of the cell division machinery. By in vitro reconstitution, we show that (1) CTP is required for Noc to form the NBS-dependent nucleoprotein complex, and (2) CTP binding, but not hydrolysis, switches Noc to a membrane-active state. Overall, we suggest that CTP couples membrane-binding activity of Noc to nucleoprotein complex formation to ensure productive recruitment of DNA to the bacterial cell membrane for nucleoid occlusion activity.

CTP regulates membrane-binding activity of the nucleoid occlusion protein Noc

ATP- and GTP-dependent molecular switches are extensively used to control functions of proteins in a wide range of biological processes. However, CTP switches are rarely reported. Here, we report that a nucleoid occlusion protein Noc is a CTPase enzyme whose membrane-binding activity is directly regulated by a CTP switch. In Bacillus subtilis, Noc nucleates on 16 bp NBS sites before associating with neighboring non-specific DNA to form large membrane-associated nucleoprotein complexes to physically occlude assembly of the cell division machinery. By in vitro reconstitution, we show that (1) CTP is required for Noc to form the NBS-dependent nucleoprotein complex, and (2) CTP binding, but not hydrolysis, switches Noc to a membrane-active state. Overall, we suggest that CTP couples membrane-binding activity of Noc to nucleoprotein complex formation to ensure productive recruitment of DNA to the bacterial cell membrane for nucleoid occlusion activity.

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CTP is required for Noc to form a higher-order nucleoprotein complex on DNA

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CTP binding switches DNA-entrapped Noc to a membrane-active state

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CTP hydrolysis likely reverses the association between Noc-DNA and the membrane

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The membrane-targeting helix adopts an autoinhibitory conformation in apo-Noc

Base-pair resolution analysis of the effect of supercoiling on DNA flexibility and major groove recognition by triplex-forming oligonucleotides

In the cell, DNA is arranged into highly-organised and topologically-constrained (supercoiled) structures. It remains unclear how this supercoiling affects the detailed double-helical structure of DNA, largely because of limitations in spatial resolution of the available biophysical tools. Here, we overcome these limitations, by a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, to resolve structures of negatively-supercoiled DNA minicircles at base-pair resolution. We observe that negative superhelical stress induces local variation in the canonical B-form DNA structure by introducing kinks and defects that affect global minicircle structure and flexibility. We probe how these local and global conformational changes affect DNA interactions through the binding of triplex-forming oligonucleotides to DNA minicircles. We show that the energetics of triplex formation is governed by a delicate balance between electrostatics and bonding interactions. Our results provide mechanistic insight into how DNA supercoiling can affect molecular recognition, that may have broader implications for DNA interactions with other molecular species.

Potent DNA gyrase inhibitors bind asymmetrically to their target using symmetrical bifurcated halogen bonds

Novel bacterial type II topoisomerase inhibitors (NBTIs) stabilize single-strand DNA cleavage breaks by DNA gyrase but their exact mechanism of action has remained hypothetical until now. We have designed a small library of NBTIs with an improved DNA gyrase-binding moiety resulting in low nanomolar inhibition and very potent antibacterial activity. They stabilize single-stranded cleavage complexes and, importantly, we have obtained the crystal structure where an NBTI binds gyrase–DNA in a single conformation lacking apparent static disorder. This directly proves the previously postulated NBTI mechanism of action and shows that they stabilize single-strand cleavage through asymmetric intercalation with a shift of the scissile phosphate. This crystal stucture shows that the chlorine forms a halogen bond with the backbone carbonyls of the two symmetry-related Ala68 residues. To the best of our knowledge, such a so-called symmetrical bifurcated halogen bond has not been identified in a biological system until now.

The mechanism of DNA gyrase inhibitor stabilization of single-strand DNA cleavage breaks by DNA gyrase has been hypothetical. Here, the authors show experimental evidence of the mechanism using a library of inhibitors with improved binding and employ crystal analysis to show bifurcated halogen bonding.

Analysis of Protein-DNA Interactions Using Surface Plasmon Resonance and a ReDCaT Chip

The recognition of specific DNA sequences by proteins is crucial to fundamental biological processes such as DNA replication, transcription, and gene regulation. The technique of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is ideally suited for the measurement of these interactions because it is quantitative, simple to implement, reproducible, can be automated, and requires very little sample. This typically involves the direct capture of biotinylated DNA to a streptavidin (SA) chip before flowing over the protein of interest and monitoring the interaction. However, once the DNA has been immobilized on the chip, it cannot be removed without damaging the chip surface. Moreover, if the protein-DNA interaction is strong, then it may not be possible to remove the protein from the DNA without damaging the chip surface. Given that the chips are costly, this will limit the number of samples that can be tested. Therefore, we have developed a Reusable DNA Capture Technology, or ReDCaT chip, that enables a single streptavidin chip to be used multiple times making the technique simple, quick, and cost effective. The general steps to prepare the ReDCaT chip, run a simple binding experiment, and analysis of data will be described in detail. Some additional applications will also be introduced.

Exploring the Chemical Space of Benzothiazole-Based DNA Gyrase B Inhibitors

We designed and synthesized a series of inhibitors of the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV, based on our recently published benzothiazole-based inhibitor bearing an oxalyl moiety. To improve the antibacterial activity and retain potent enzymatic activity, we systematically explored the chemical space. Several strategies of modification were followed: varying substituents on the pyrrole carboxamide moiety, alteration of the central scaffold, including variation of substitution position and, most importantly, modification of the oxalyl moiety. Compounds with acidic, basic, and neutral properties were synthesized. To understand the mechanism of action and binding mode, we have obtained a crystal structure of compound 16a, bearing a primary amino group, in complex with the N-terminal domain of E. coli gyrase B (24 kDa) (PDB: 6YD9). Compound 15a, with a low molecular weight of 383 Da, potent inhibitory activity on E. coli gyrase (IC₅₀ = 9.5 nM), potent antibacterial activity on E. faecalis (MIC = 3.13 μM), and efflux impaired E. coli strain (MIC = 0.78 μM), is an important contribution for the development of novel gyrase and topoisomerase IV inhibitors in Gram-negative bacteria.

Structural and mechanistic analysis of ATPase inhibitors targeting mycobacterial DNA gyrase

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of two novel compounds against mycobacteria and determine the molecular basis of their action on DNA gyrase using structural and mechanistic approaches.

METHODS

Redx03863 and Redx04739 were tested in antibacterial assays, and also against their target, DNA gyrase, using DNA supercoiling and ATPase assays. X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structure of the gyrase B protein ATPase sub-domain from Mycobacterium smegmatis complexed with the aminocoumarin drug novobiocin, and structures of the same domain from Mycobacterium thermoresistibile complexed with novobiocin, and also with Redx03863.

RESULTS

Both compounds, Redx03863 and Redx04739, were active against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, with Redx03863 being the more potent, and Redx04739 showing selectivity against M. smegmatis. Both compounds were potent inhibitors of the supercoiling and ATPase reactions of DNA gyrase, but did not appreciably affect the ATP-independent relaxation reaction. The structure of Redx03863 bound to the gyrase B protein ATPase sub-domain from M. thermoresistibile shows that it binds at a site adjacent to the ATP- and novobiocin-binding sites. We found that most of the mutations that we made in the Redx03863-binding pocket, based on the structure, rendered gyrase inactive.

CONCLUSIONS

Redx03863 and Redx04739 inhibit gyrase by preventing the binding of ATP. The fact that the Redx03863-binding pocket is distinct from that of novobiocin, coupled with the lack of activity of resistant mutants, suggests that such compounds could have potential to be further exploited as antibiotics.

In vitro Assessment of Pathogen Effector Binding to Host Proteins by Surface Plasmon Resonance

The mechanisms of virulence and immunity are often governed by molecular interactions between pathogens and host proteins. The study of these interactions has major implications on understanding virulence activities, and how the host immune system recognizes the presence of pathogens to initiate an immune response. Frequently, the association between pathogen molecules and host proteins are assessed using qualitative techniques. As small differences in binding affinity can have a major biological effect, in vitro techniques that can quantitatively compare the binding between different proteins are required. However, these techniques can be manually intensive and often require large amounts of purified proteins. Here we present a simplified Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) protocol that allows a reproducible side-by-side quantitative comparison of the binding between different proteins, even in cases where the binding affinity cannot be confidently calculated. We used this method to assess the binding of virulence proteins (termed effectors) from the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, to a domain of a host immune receptor. This approach represents a rapid and quantitative way to study how pathogen molecules bind to host proteins, requires only limited quantities of proteins, and is highly reproducible. Although this method requires the use of an SPR instrument, these can often be accessed through shared scientific services at many institutions. Thus, this technique can be implemented in any study that aims to understand host-pathogen interactions, irrespective of the expertise of the investigator.

Structure of the Mycobacterium smegmatis α-maltose-1-phosphate synthase GlgM

Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces glycogen (also known as α-glucan) to help evade human immunity. This pathogen uses the GlgE pathway to generate glycogen rather than the more well known glycogen synthase GlgA pathway, which is absent in this bacterium. Thus, the building block for this glucose polymer is α-maltose-1-phosphate rather than an NDP-glucose donor. One of the routes to α-maltose-1-phosphate is now known to involve the GlgA homologue GlgM, which uses ADP-glucose as a donor and α-glucose-1-phosphate as an acceptor. To help compare GlgA (a GT5 family member) with GlgM enzymes (GT4 family members), the X-ray crystal structure of GlgM from Mycobacterium smegmatis was solved to 1.9 Å resolution. While the enzymes shared a GT-B fold and several residues responsible for binding the donor substrate, they differed in some secondary-structural details, particularly in the N-terminal domain, which would be expected to be largely responsible for their different acceptor-substrate specificities.

Structural basis of cycloaddition in biosynthesis of iboga and aspidosperma alkaloids

Cycloaddition reactions generate chemical complexity in a single step. Here we report the crystal structures of three homologous plant-derived cyclases involved in the biosynthesis of iboga and aspidosperma alkaloids. These enzymes act on the same substrate, named angryline, to generate three distinct scaffolds. Mutational analysis reveals how these highly similar enzymes control regio- and stereo-selectivity.

New insights into the binding mode of pyridine-3-carboxamide inhibitors of E. coli DNA gyrase

Previously we have reported on a series of pyridine-3-carboxamide inhibitors of DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV that were designed using a computational de novo design approach and which showed promising antibacterial properties. Herein we describe the synthesis of additional examples from this series aimed specifically at DNA gyrase, along with crystal structures confirming the predicted mode of binding and in vitro ADME data which describe the drug-likeness of these compounds.

The structure of a GH149 β-(1 → 3) glucan phosphorylase reveals a new surface oligosaccharide binding site and additional domains that are absent in the disaccharide-specific GH94 glucose-β-(1 → 3)-glucose (laminaribiose) phosphorylase

Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs) with specificity for β-(1 → 3)-gluco-oligosaccharides are potential candidate biocatalysts for oligosaccharide synthesis. GPs with this linkage specificity are found in two families thus far-glycoside hydrolase family 94 (GH94) and the recently discovered glycoside hydrolase family 149 (GH149). Previously, we reported a crystallographic study of a GH94 laminaribiose phosphorylase with specificity for disaccharides, providing insight into the enzyme's ability to recognize its' sugar substrate/product. In contrast to GH94, characterized GH149 enzymes were shown to have more flexible chain length specificity, with preference for substrate/product with higher degree of polymerization. In order to advance understanding of the specificity of GH149 enzymes, we herein solved X-ray crystallographic structures of GH149 enzyme Pro_7066 in the absence of substrate and in complex with laminarihexaose (G6). The overall domain organization of Pro_7066 is very similar to that of GH94 family enzymes. However, two additional domains flanking its catalytic domain were found only in the GH149 enzyme. Unexpectedly, the G6 complex structure revealed an oligosaccharide surface binding site remote from the catalytic site, which, we suggest, may be associated with substrate targeting. As such, this study reports the first structure of a GH149 phosphorylase enzyme acting on β-(1 → 3)-gluco-oligosaccharides and identifies structural elements that may be involved in defining the specificity of the GH149 enzymes.

Architecture of Microcin B17 Synthetase: An Octameric Protein Complex Converting a Ribosomally Synthesized Peptide into a DNA Gyrase Poison

The introduction of azole heterocycles into a peptide backbone is the principal step in the biosynthesis of numerous compounds with therapeutic potential. One of them is microcin B17, a bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor whose activity depends on the conversion of selected serine and cysteine residues of the precursor peptide to oxazoles and thiazoles by the McbBCD synthetase complex. Crystal structures of McbBCD reveal an octameric B₄C₂D₂ complex with two bound substrate peptides. Each McbB dimer clamps the N-terminal recognition sequence, while the C-terminal heterocycle of the modified peptide is trapped in the active site of McbC. The McbD and McbC active sites are distant from each other, which necessitates alternate shuttling of the peptide substrate between them, while remaining tethered to the McbB dimer. An atomic-level view of the azole synthetase is a starting point for deeper understanding and control of biosynthesis of a large group of ribosomally synthesized natural products.

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Azole synthetase McbBCD is co-crystallized with its product, microcin B17

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Crystal structure of McbBCD reveals an octameric assembly of B₄C₂D₂

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Two McbB subunits within each asymmetric unit interact to recognize a peptide

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Formation of each azole ring requires shuttling of peptide between two active centers

Unravelling the Specificity of Laminaribiose Phosphorylase from Paenibacillus sp. YM-1 towards Donor Substrates Glucose/Mannose 1-Phosphate by Using X-ray Crystallography and Saturation Transfer Difference NMR Spectroscopy

Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs) carry out a reversible phosphorolysis of carbohydrates into oligosaccharide acceptors and the corresponding sugar 1-phosphates. The reversibility of the reaction enables the use of GPs as biocatalysts for carbohydrate synthesis. Glycosyl hydrolase family 94 (GH94), which only comprises GPs, is one of the most studied GP families that have been used as biocatalysts for carbohydrate synthesis, in academic research and in industrial production. Understanding the mechanism of GH94 enzymes is a crucial step towards enzyme engineering to improve and expand the applications of these enzymes in synthesis. In this work with a GH94 laminaribiose phosphorylase from Paenibacillus sp. YM-1 (PsLBP), we have demonstrated an enzymatic synthesis of disaccharide 1 (β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→3)-d-glucopyranose) by using a natural acceptor glucose and noncognate donor substrate α-mannose 1-phosphate (Man1P). To investigate how the enzyme recognises different sugar 1-phosphates, the X-ray crystal structures of PsLBP in complex with Glc1P and Man1P have been solved, providing the first molecular detail of the recognition of a noncognate donor substrate by GPs, which revealed the importance of hydrogen bonding between the active site residues and hydroxy groups at C2, C4, and C6 of sugar 1-phosphates. Furthermore, we used saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy to support crystallographic studies on the sugar 1-phosphates, as well as to provide further insights into the PsLBP recognition of the acceptors and disaccharide products.

Discovery of a Short-Chain Dehydrogenase from Catharanthus roseus that Produces a New Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid

Plant monoterpene indole alkaloids, a large class of natural products, derive from the biosynthetic intermediate strictosidine aglycone. Strictosidine aglycone, which can exist as a variety of isomers, can be reduced to form numerous different structures. We have discovered a short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase (SDR) from plant producers of monoterpene indole alkaloids (Catharanthus roseus and Rauvolfia serpentina) that reduce strictosidine aglycone and produce an alkaloid that does not correspond to any previously reported compound. Here we report the structural characterization of this product, which we have named vitrosamine, as well as the crystal structure of the SDR. This discovery highlights the structural versatility of the strictosidine aglycone biosynthetic intermediate and expands the range of enzymatic reactions that SDRs can catalyse. This discovery further highlights how a sequence-based gene mining discovery approach in plants can reveal cryptic chemistry that would not be uncovered by classical natural product chemistry approaches.

Cellodextrin phosphorylase from Ruminiclostridium thermocellum: X-ray crystal structure and substrate specificity analysis

The GH94 glycoside hydrolase cellodextrin phosphorylase (CDP, EC 2.4.1.49) produces cellodextrin oligomers from short β-1→4-glucans and α-D-glucose 1-phosphate. Compared to cellobiose phosphorylase (CBP), which produces cellobiose from glucose and α-D-glucose 1-phosphate, CDP is biochemically less well characterised. Herein, we investigate the donor and acceptor substrate specificity of recombinant CDP from Ruminiclostridium thermocellum and we isolate and characterise a glucosamine addition product to the cellobiose acceptor with the non-natural donor α-D-glucosamine 1-phosphate. In addition, we report the first X-ray crystal structure of CDP, along with comparison to the available structures from CBPs and other closely related enzymes, which contributes to understanding of the key structural features necessary to discriminate between monosaccharide (CBP) and oligosaccharide (CDP) acceptor substrates.

The Origins of Specificity in the Microcin-Processing Protease TldD/E

TldD and TldE proteins are involved in the biosynthesis of microcin B17 (MccB17), an Escherichia coli thiazole/oxazole-modified peptide toxin targeting DNA gyrase. Using a combination of biochemical and crystallographic methods we show that E. coli TldD and TldE interact to form a heterodimeric metalloprotease. TldD/E cleaves the N-terminal leader sequence from the modified MccB17 precursor peptide, to yield mature antibiotic, while it has no effect on the unmodified peptide. Both proteins are essential for the activity; however, only the TldD subunit forms a novel metal-containing active site within the hollow core of the heterodimer. Peptide substrates are bound in a sequence-independent manner through β sheet interactions with TldD and are likely cleaved via a thermolysin-type mechanism. We suggest that TldD/E acts as a “molecular pencil sharpener”: unfolded polypeptides are fed through a narrow channel into the active site and processively truncated through the cleavage of short peptides from the N-terminal end.

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E. coli proteins TldD and TldE form a heterodimeric metalloprotease

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Binding of peptides within the active-site cleft is not sequence-specific

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Specificity is controlled through the access of substrates via a narrow channel

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Peptides enter the channel N-terminus first and are processively digested

One ligand, two regulators and three binding sites: How KDPG controls primary carbon metabolism in Pseudomonas

Effective regulation of primary carbon metabolism is critically important for bacteria to successfully adapt to different environments. We have identified an uncharacterised transcriptional regulator; RccR, that controls this process in response to carbon source availability. Disruption of rccR in the plant-associated microbe Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibits growth in defined media, and compromises its ability to colonise the wheat rhizosphere. Structurally, RccR is almost identical to the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway regulator HexR, and both proteins are controlled by the same ED-intermediate; 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG). Despite these similarities, HexR and RccR control entirely different aspects of primary metabolism, with RccR regulating pyruvate metabolism (aceEF), the glyoxylate shunt (aceA, glcB, pntAA) and gluconeogenesis (pckA, gap). RccR displays complex and unusual regulatory behaviour; switching repression between the pyruvate metabolism and glyoxylate shunt/gluconeogenesis loci depending on the available carbon source. This regulatory complexity is enabled by two distinct pseudo-palindromic binding sites, differing only in the length of their linker regions, with KDPG binding increasing affinity for the 28 bp aceA binding site but decreasing affinity for the 15 bp aceE site. Thus, RccR is able to simultaneously suppress and activate gene expression in response to carbon source availability. Together, the RccR and HexR regulators enable the rapid coordination of multiple aspects of primary carbon metabolism, in response to levels of a single key intermediate.

Here we show how Pseudomonas controls multiple different primary carbon metabolism pathways by sensing levels of KDPG, an Entner Doudoroff (ED) pathway intermediate. KDPG binds to two highly similar transcription factors; the ED regulator HexR and the previously uncharacterised protein RccR. RccR inversely controls the glyoxylate shunt, gluconeogenesis and pyruvate metabolism, suppressing the first two pathways as pyruvate metabolism genes are expressed, and vice versa. This complex regulation is enabled by two distinct RccR-binding consensus sequences in the RccR regulon promoters. KDPG binding simultaneously increases RccR affinity for the glyoxylate shunt and gluconeogenesis promoters, and releases repression of pyruvate metabolism. This elegant two-regulator circuit allows Pseudomonas to rapidly respond to carbon source availability by sensing a single key intermediate, KDPG.

Identification of new DNA i-motif binding ligands through a fluorescent intercalator displacement assay

This work describes a new way to screen for i-motif binding compounds and several new families of ligands with potential for use in experiments into the structure and function of i-motif DNA.

i-Motifs are quadruplex DNA structures formed from sequences rich in cytosine and held together by intercalated, hemi-protonated cytosine–cytosine base pairs. These sequences are prevalent in gene promoter regions and may play a role in gene transcription. Targeting these structures with ligands could provide a novel way to target genetic disease but there are very few ligands which have been shown to interact with i-motif DNA. Fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assays are a simple way to screen ligands against DNA secondary structures. Here we characterise how thiazole orange interacts with i-motif DNA and assess its ability for use in a FID assay. Additionally, we report FID-based ligand screening using thiazole orange against the i-motif forming sequence from the human telomere to reveal new i-motif binding compounds which have the potential for further development.

Mitoxantrone and Analogues Bind and Stabilize i-Motif Forming DNA Sequences

There are hundreds of ligands which can interact with G-quadruplex DNA, yet very few which target i-motif. To appreciate an understanding between the dynamics between these structures and how they can be affected by intervention with small molecule ligands, more i-motif binding compounds are required. Herein we describe how the drug mitoxantrone can bind, induce folding of and stabilise i-motif forming DNA sequences, even at physiological pH. Additionally, mitoxantrone was found to bind i-motif forming sequences preferentially over double helical DNA. We also describe the stabilisation properties of analogues of mitoxantrone. This offers a new family of ligands with potential for use in experiments into the structure and function of i-motif forming DNA sequences.

Structural characterization of EasH (Aspergillus japonicus) - an oxidase involved in cycloclavine biosynthesis

Aj_EasH is a non-heme iron- and α-keto-glutarate-dependent oxidase that is responsible for an unusual cyclopropyl ring formation in the biosynthesis of the fungal ergot alkaloid cycloclavine. The three dimensional structure of Aj_EasH (2.2 Å resolution) reported here provides insight into the mechanism of this unusual and complex reaction.

The Production and Utilization of GDP-glucose in the Biosynthesis of Trehalose 6-Phosphate by Streptomyces venezuelae

Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase OtsA from streptomycetes is unusual in that it uses GDP-glucose as the donor substrate rather than the more commonly used UDP-glucose. We now confirm that OtsA from Streptomyces venezuelae has such a preference for GDP-glucose and can utilize ADP-glucose to some extent too. A crystal structure of the enzyme shows that it shares twin Rossmann-like domains with the UDP-glucose-specific OtsA from Escherichia coli. However, it is structurally more similar to Streptomyces hygroscopicus VldE, a GDP-valienol-dependent pseudoglycosyltransferase enzyme. Comparison of the donor binding sites reveals that the amino acids associated with the binding of diphosphoribose are almost all identical in these three enzymes. By contrast, the amino acids associated with binding guanine in VldE (Asn, Thr, and Val) are similar in S. venezuelae OtsA (Asp, Ser, and Phe, respectively) but not conserved in E. coli OtsA (His, Leu, and Asp, respectively), providing a rationale for the purine base specificity of S. venezuelae OtsA. To establish which donor is used in vivo, we generated an otsA null mutant in S. venezuelae. The mutant had a cell density-dependent growth phenotype and accumulated galactose 1-phosphate, glucose 1-phosphate, and GDP-glucose when grown on galactose. To determine how the GDP-glucose is generated, we characterized three candidate GDP-glucose pyrophosphorylases. SVEN_3027 is a UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, SVEN_3972 is an unusual ITP-mannose pyrophosphorylase, and SVEN_2781 is a pyrophosphorylase that is capable of generating GDP-glucose as well as GDP-mannose. We have therefore established how S. venezuelae can make and utilize GDP-glucose in the biosynthesis of trehalose 6-phosphate.

Substrate-Assisted Catalysis in Polyketide Reduction Proceeds via a Phenolate Intermediate

SimC7 is a polyketide ketoreductase involved in biosynthesis of the angucyclinone moiety of the gyrase inhibitor simocyclinone D8 (SD8). SimC7, which belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily, catalyzes reduction of the C-7 carbonyl of the angucyclinone, and the resulting hydroxyl is essential for antibiotic activity. SimC7 shares little sequence similarity with characterized ketoreductases, suggesting it might have a distinct mechanism. To investigate this possibility, we determined the structures of SimC7 alone, with NADP⁺, and with NADP⁺ and the substrate 7-oxo-SD8. These structures show that SimC7 is distinct from previously characterized polyketide ketoreductases, lacking the conserved catalytic triad, including the active-site tyrosine that acts as central acid-base catalyst in canonical SDR proteins. Taken together with functional analyses of active-site mutants, our data suggest that SimC7 catalyzes a substrate-assisted, two-step reaction for reduction of the C-7 carbonyl group involving intramolecular transfer of a substrate-derived proton to generate a phenolate intermediate.

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SimC7 catalyzes reduction of the C-7 carbonyl of the angucyclinone of simocyclinone

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SimC7 lacks the conserved catalytic triad characteristic of canonical ketoreductases

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SimC7 reduces the C-7 carbonyl via a substrate-assisted, two-step reaction

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This involves intramolecular transfer of a substrate proton to generate a phenolate

Ligand-bound Structures and Site-directed Mutagenesis Identify the Acceptor and Secondary Binding Sites of Streptomyces coelicolor Maltosyltransferase GlgE

GlgE is a maltosyltransferase involved in α-glucan biosynthesis in bacteria that has been genetically validated as a target for tuberculosis therapies. Crystals of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis enzyme diffract at low resolution so most structural studies have been with the very similar Streptomyces coelicolor GlgE isoform 1. Although the donor binding site for α-maltose 1-phosphate had been previously structurally defined, the acceptor site had not. Using mutagenesis, kinetics, and protein crystallography of the S. coelicolor enzyme, we have now identified the +1 to +6 subsites of the acceptor/product, which overlap with the known cyclodextrin binding site. The sugar residues in the acceptor subsites +1 to +5 are oriented such that they disfavor the binding of malto-oligosaccharides that bear branches at their 6-positions, consistent with the known acceptor chain specificity of GlgE. A secondary binding site remote from the catalytic center was identified that is distinct from one reported for the M. tuberculosis enzyme. This new site is capable of binding a branched α-glucan and is most likely involved in guiding acceptors toward the donor site because its disruption kinetically compromises the ability of GlgE to extend polymeric substrates. However, disruption of this site, which is conserved in the Streptomyces venezuelae GlgE enzyme, did not affect the growth of S. venezuelae or the structure of the polymeric product. The acceptor subsites +1 to +4 in the S. coelicolor enzyme are well conserved in the M. tuberculosis enzyme so their identification could help inform the design of inhibitors with therapeutic potential.

Structural investigation of heteroyohimbine alkaloid synthesis reveals active site elements that control stereoselectivity

Plants produce an enormous array of biologically active metabolites, often with stereochemical variations on the same molecular scaffold. These changes in stereochemistry dramatically impact biological activity. Notably, the stereoisomers of the heteroyohimbine alkaloids show diverse pharmacological activities. We reported a medium chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) from Catharanthus roseus that catalyses formation of a heteroyohimbine isomer. Here we report the discovery of additional heteroyohimbine synthases (HYSs), one of which produces a mixture of diastereomers. The crystal structures for three HYSs have been solved, providing insight into the mechanism of reactivity and stereoselectivity, with mutation of one loop transforming product specificity. Localization and gene silencing experiments provide a basis for understanding the function of these enzymes in vivo. This work sets the stage to explore how MDRs evolved to generate structural and biological diversity in specialized plant metabolism and opens the possibility for metabolic engineering of new compounds based on this scaffold.

The stereochemistry of the plant heteroyohimbine alkaloids is a key factor determining their diverse biological activities. Here, the authors carry out structural, localization and genetic experiments to understand the mechanism of stereoselectivity for three heteroyohimbine synthases and to identify their function in vivo.

Structural determinants of reductive terpene cyclization in iridoid biosynthesis

The carbon skeleton of ecologically and pharmacologically important iridoid monoterpenes is formed in a reductive cyclization reaction unrelated to canonical terpene cyclization. Here we report the crystal structure of the recently discovered iridoid cyclase (from Catharanthus roseus) bound to a mechanism-inspired inhibitor that illuminates substrate binding and catalytic function of the enzyme. Key features that distinguish iridoid synthase from its close homolog progesterone 5β-reductase are highlighted.

Structural Dissection of the Maltodextrin Disproportionation Cycle of the Arabidopsis Plastidial Disproportionating Enzyme 1 (DPE1)

The degradation of transitory starch in the chloroplast to provide fuel for the plant during the night requires a suite of enzymes that generate a series of short chain linear glucans. However, glucans of less than four glucose units are no longer substrates for these enzymes, whereas export from the plastid is only possible in the form of either maltose or glucose. In order to make use of maltotriose, which would otherwise accumulate, disproportionating enzyme 1 (DPE1; a 4-α-glucanotransferase) converts two molecules of maltotriose to a molecule of maltopentaose, which can now be acted on by the degradative enzymes, and one molecule of glucose that can be exported. We have determined the structure of the Arabidopsis plastidial DPE1 (AtDPE1), and, through ligand soaking experiments, we have trapped the enzyme in a variety of conformational states. AtDPE1 forms a homodimer with a deep, long, and open-ended active site canyon contained within each subunit. The canyon is divided into donor and acceptor sites with the catalytic residues at their junction; a number of loops around the active site adopt different conformations dependent on the occupancy of these sites. The "gate" is the most dynamic loop and appears to play a role in substrate capture, in particular in the binding of the acceptor molecule. Subtle changes in the configuration of the active site residues may prevent undesirable reactions or abortive hydrolysis of the covalently bound enzyme-substrate intermediate. Together, these observations allow us to delineate the complete AtDPE1 disproportionation cycle in structural terms.

Structural basis of pathogen recognition by an integrated HMA domain in a plant NLR immune receptor

Plants have evolved intracellular immune receptors to detect pathogen proteins known as effectors. How these immune receptors detect effectors remains poorly understood. Here we describe the structural basis for direct recognition of AVR-Pik, an effector from the rice blast pathogen, by the rice intracellular NLR immune receptor Pik. AVR-PikD binds a dimer of the Pikp-1 HMA integrated domain with nanomolar affinity. The crystal structure of the Pikp-HMA/AVR-PikD complex enabled design of mutations to alter protein interaction in yeast and in vitro, and perturb effector-mediated response both in a rice cultivar containing Pikp and upon expression of AVR-PikD and Pikp in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. These data reveal the molecular details of a recognition event, mediated by a novel integrated domain in an NLR, which initiates a plant immune response and resistance to rice blast disease. Such studies underpin novel opportunities for engineering disease resistance to plant pathogens in staple food crops.

Bacterial rotary export ATPases are allosterically regulated by the nucleotide second messenger cyclic-di-GMP

The widespread second messenger molecule cyclic di-GMP (cdG) regulates the transition from motile and virulent lifestyles to sessile, biofilm-forming ones in a wide range of bacteria. Many pathogenic and commensal bacterial-host interactions are known to be controlled by cdG signaling. Although the biochemistry of cyclic dinucleotide metabolism is well understood, much remains to be discovered about the downstream signaling pathways that induce bacterial responses upon cdG binding. As part of our ongoing research into the role of cdG signaling in plant-associated Pseudomonas species, we carried out an affinity capture screen for cdG binding proteins in the model organism Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25. The flagella export AAA+ ATPase FliI was identified as a result of this screen and subsequently shown to bind specifically to the cdG molecule, with a KD in the low micromolar range. The interaction between FliI and cdG appears to be very widespread. In addition to FliI homologs from diverse bacterial species, high affinity binding was also observed for the type III secretion system homolog HrcN and the type VI ATPase ClpB2. The addition of cdG was shown to inhibit FliI and HrcN ATPase activity in vitro. Finally, a combination of site-specific mutagenesis, mass spectrometry, and in silico analysis was used to predict that cdG binds to FliI in a pocket of highly conserved residues at the interface between two FliI subunits. Our results suggest a novel, fundamental role for cdG in controlling the function of multiple important bacterial export pathways, through direct allosteric control of export ATPase proteins.

Crystal structure of a novel two domain GH78 family α-rhamnosidase from Klebsiella oxytoca with rhamnose bound

The crystal structure of the GH78 family α-rhamnosidase from Klebsiella oxytoca (KoRha) has been determined at 2.7 Å resolution with rhamnose bound in the active site of the catalytic domain. Curiously, the putative catalytic acid, Asp 222, is preceded by an unusual non-proline cis-peptide bond which helps to project the carboxyl group into the active centre. This KoRha homodimeric structure is significantly smaller than those of the other previously determined GH78 structures. Nevertheless, the enzyme displays α-rhamnosidase activity when assayed in vitro, suggesting that the additional structural domains found in the related enzymes are dispensible for function. Proteins 2015; 83:1742–1749. © 2015 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structural insight into how Streptomyces coelicolor maltosyl transferase GlgE binds α-maltose 1-phosphate and forms a maltosyl-enzyme intermediate

GlgE (EC 2.4.99.16) is an α-maltose 1-phosphate:(1→4)-α-d-glucan 4-α-d-maltosyltransferase of the CAZy glycoside hydrolase 13_3 family. It is the defining enzyme of a bacterial α-glucan biosynthetic pathway and is a genetically validated anti-tuberculosis target. It catalyzes the α-retaining transfer of maltosyl units from α-maltose 1-phosphate to maltooligosaccharides and is predicted to use a double-displacement mechanism. Evidence of this mechanism was obtained using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis of Streptomyces coelicolor GlgE isoform I, substrate analogues, protein crystallography, and mass spectrometry. The X-ray structures of α-maltose 1-phosphate bound to a D394A mutein and a β-2-deoxy-2-fluoromaltosyl-enzyme intermediate with a E423A mutein were determined. There are few examples of CAZy glycoside hydrolase family 13 members that have had their glycosyl-enzyme intermediate structures determined, and none before now have been obtained with a 2-deoxy-2-fluoro substrate analogue. The covalent modification of Asp394 was confirmed using mass spectrometry. A similar modification of wild-type GlgE proteins from S. coelicolor and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was also observed. Small-angle X-ray scattering of the M. tuberculosis enzyme revealed a homodimeric assembly similar to that of the S. coelicolor enzyme but with slightly differently oriented monomers. The deeper understanding of the structure–function relationships of S. coelicolor GlgE will aid the development of inhibitors of the M. tuberculosis enzyme.

The X-ray crystal structure of APR-B, an atypical adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase from Physcomitrella patens

Sulfonucleotide reductases catalyse the first reductive step of sulfate assimilation. Their substrate specificities generally correlate with the requirement for a [Fe4S4] cluster, where adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductases possess a cluster and 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductases do not. The exception is the APR-B isoform of APS reductase from the moss Physcomitrella patens, which lacks a cluster. The crystal structure of APR-B, the first for a plant sulfonucleotide reductase, is consistent with a preference for APS. Structural conservation with bacterial APS reductase rules out a structural role for the cluster, but supports the contention that it enhances the activity of conventional APS reductases.

Investigation of DNA sequence recognition by a streptomycete MarR family transcriptional regulator through surface plasmon resonance and X-ray crystallography

Consistent with their complex lifestyles and rich secondary metabolite profiles, the genomes of streptomycetes encode a plethora of transcription factors, the vast majority of which are uncharacterized. Herein, we use Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) to identify and delineate putative operator sites for SCO3205, a MarR family transcriptional regulator from Streptomyces coelicolor that is well represented in sequenced actinomycete genomes. In particular, we use a novel SPR footprinting approach that exploits indirect ligand capture to vastly extend the lifetime of a standard streptavidin SPR chip. We define two operator sites upstream of sco3205 and a pseudopalindromic consensus sequence derived from these enables further potential operator sites to be identified in the S. coelicolor genome. We evaluate each of these through SPR and test the importance of the conserved bases within the consensus sequence. Informed by these results, we determine the crystal structure of a SCO3205-DNA complex at 2.8 Å resolution, enabling molecular level rationalization of the SPR data. Taken together, our observations support a DNA recognition mechanism involving both direct and indirect sequence readout.

High resolution crystal structure of Sco5413, a widespread actinomycete MarR family transcriptional regulator of unknown function

The crystal structure of Sco5413 from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) has been determined at 1.25 Å resolution, the highest resolution reported for a MarR family transcriptional regulator. Putative orthologs are encoded by the majority of sequenced actinomycete genomes, and may play roles in regulating growth and antibiotic production, but they have yet to be assigned a precise function. Sco5413 forms a homodimer and, through comparisons with other MarR family protein structures, we postulate that it adopts a conformation compatible with DNA binding, and that a channel at the dimer interface, lined by well-conserved residues, is the binding site of an unidentified effector ligand.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Pac17 from the pacidamycin-biosynthetic cluster of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus

Pac17 is an uncharacterized protein from the pacidamycin gene cluster of the soil bacterium Streptomyces coeruleorubidus. It is implicated in the biosynthesis of the core diaminobutyric acid residue of the antibiotic, although its precise role is uncertain at present. Given that pacidamycins inhibit translocase I of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a clinically unexploited antibiotic target, they offer new hope in the search for antibacterial agents directed against this important pathogen. Crystals of Pac17 were grown by vapour diffusion and X-ray data were collected at a synchrotron to a resolution of 1.9 Å from a single crystal. The crystal belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 214.12, b = 70.88, c = 142.22 Å, β = 92.96°. Preliminary analysis of these data suggests that the asymmetric unit consists of one Pac17 homotetramer, with an estimated solvent content of 49.0%.