Structural characterization reveals that a PilZ domain protein undergoes substantial conformational change upon binding to cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate

PA4608 is a single PilZ domain protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that binds to cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP). Although the monomeric structure of unbound PA4608 has been studied in detail, the molecular details of c-di-GMP binding to this protein are still uncharacterized. Hence, we determined the solution structure of c-di-GMP bound PA4608. We found that PA4608 undergoes conformational changes to expose the c-di-GMP binding site by ejection of the C-terminal 3(10) helix. A dislocation of the C-terminal tail in the presence of c-di-GMP implies that this region acts as a lid that alternately covers and exposes the hydrophobic surface of the binding site. In addition, mutagenesis and NOE data for PA4608 revealed that conserved residues are in contact with the c-di-GMP molecule. The unique structural characteristics of PA4608, including its monomeric state and its ligand binding characteristics, yield insight into its function as a c-di-GMP receptor.     

NMR structure and binding studies confirm that PA4608 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a PilZ domain and a c-di-GMP binding protein

PA4608 is a 125 residue protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a recent identification as a PilZ domain and putative bis-(3'-5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) adaptor protein that plays a role in bacterial second-messenger regulated processes. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of PA4608 has been determined and c-di-GMP binding has been confirmed by NMR titration studies. The monomeric core structure of PA4608 contains a six-stranded anti-parallel beta barrel flanked by three helices. Conserved surface residues among PA4608 homologs suggest the c-di-GMP binding site is at one end of the barrel and includes residues in the helices as well as in the unstructured N-terminus. Chemical shift changes in PA4608 resonances upon titration with c-di-GMP confirm binding. This evidence supports the hypothesis that proteins containing PilZ domains are the long-sought c-di-GMP adaptor proteins.     

The structural basis of cyclic diguanylate signal transduction by PilZ domains

The second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) controls the transition between motile and sessile growth in eubacteria, but little is known about the proteins that sense its concentration. Bioinformatics analyses suggested that PilZ domains bind c-di-GMP and allosterically modulate effector pathways. We have determined a 1.9 A crystal structure of c-di-GMP bound to VCA0042/PlzD, a PilZ domain-containing protein from Vibrio cholerae. Either this protein or another specific PilZ domain-containing protein is required for V. cholerae to efficiently infect mice. VCA0042/PlzD comprises a C-terminal PilZ domain plus an N-terminal domain with a similar beta-barrel fold. C-di-GMP contacts seven of the nine strongly conserved residues in the PilZ domain, including three in a seven-residue long N-terminal loop that undergoes a conformational switch as it wraps around c-di-GMP. This switch brings the PilZ domain into close apposition with the N-terminal domain, forming a new allosteric interaction surface that spans these domains and the c-di-GMP at their interface. The very small size of the N-terminal conformational switch is likely to explain the facile evolutionary diversification of the PilZ domain.     

Structure of PP4397 Reveals the Molecular Basis for Different c-di-GMP Binding Modes by Pilz Domain Proteins

Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is a global regulator that modulates pathogen virulence and biofilm formation in bacteria. Although a bioinformatic study revealed that PilZ domain proteins are the long-sought c-di-GMP binding proteins, the mechanism by which c-di-GMP regulates them is uncertain. Pseudomonas putida PP4397 is one such protein that contains YcgR-N and PilZ domains and the apo-PP4397 structure was solved earlier by the Joint Center for Structural Genomics. We determined the crystal structure of holo-PP4397 and found that two intercalated c-di-GMPs fit into the junction of its YcgR-N and PilZ domains. Moreover, c-di-GMP binding induces PP4397 to undergo a dimer-to-monomer transition. Interestingly, another PilZ domain protein, VCA0042, binds to a single molecule of c-di-GMP, and both its apo and holo forms are dimeric. Mutational studies and the additional crystal structure of holo-VCA0042 (L135R) showed that the Arg122 residue of PP4397 is crucial for the recognition of two molecules of c-di-GMP. Thus, PilZ domain proteins exhibit different c-di-GMP binding stoichiometry and quaternary structure, and these differences are expected to play a role in generating diverse forms of c-di-GMP-mediated regulation.     

The PilZ domain is a receptor for the second messenger c-di-GMP: the PilZ domain protein YcgR controls motility in enterobacteria

The ubiquitous bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP controls exopolysaccharide synthesis, flagella- and pili-based motility, gene expression, and interactions of bacteria with eukaryotic hosts. With the exception of bacterial cellulose synthases, the identities of c-di-GMP receptors and end targets have remained unknown. Recently, Amikam and Galperin (Amikam, D., and Galperin, M. (2006) Bioinformatics 22, 3-6) hypothesized that the PilZ domains present in the BcsA subunits of bacterial cellulose synthases function in c-di-GMP binding. This hypothesis has been tested here using the Escherichia coli PilZ domain protein YcgR, its individual PilZ domain and the PilZ domain from Gluconacetobacter xylinus BcsA. YcgR was purified and found to bind c-di-GMP tightly and specifically, Kd 0.84 microm. Individual PilZ domains from YcgR and BcsA also bound c-di-GMP, albeit with lesser affinity, indicating that PilZ is sufficient for binding. The site-directed mutagenesis performed on YcgR implicated the most conserved residues in the PilZ domain directly in c-di-GMP binding. It is suggested that c-di-GMP binding to PilZ brings about conformational changes in the protein that stabilize the bound ligand and initiate the downstream signal transduction cascade. While the identity of the downstream partner(s) of YcgR remains unknown, it is shown that YcgR regulates flagellum-based motility in a c-di-GMP-dependent manner. The inactivation of ycgR improves swimming and swarming motility of the poorly motile yhjH mutants of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium UMR1. Therefore, biochemical and genetic evidence presented here establishes PilZ as a long sought after c-di-GMP-binding domain and YcgR as a c-di-GMP receptor affecting motility in enterobacteria.     

SadC合成的c-di-GMP信号通过PilZ和FlgZ调节铜绿假单胞菌的泳动能力

【目的】探究铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)鸟苷酸环化酶(diguanylate cyclase,DGC)SadC合成的环二鸟苷酸(cyclicdi-GMP,c-di-GMP)信号与PilZ结构域受体间的信号传递关系,分析鉴定出特定PilZ结构域受体的调控功能和机制。【方法】SadC突变株和过表达菌株的构建及泳动能力分析;SadC过表达背景下,PilZ结构域受体突变各菌株的泳动表型分析和筛选;基因敲除和过表达解析筛选出的PilZ结构域受体功能;定点突变和遗传互补检测筛选出的PilZ结构域受体是否参与SadC合成c-di-GMP对泳动能力的调控。【结果】SadC通过影响鞭毛功能而非鞭毛形成抑制铜绿假单胞菌的泳动能力;PilZ结构域受体突变菌株筛选发现PilZ、FlgZ这2个受体参与了SadC介导的泳动能力抑制;功能分析发现ΔpilZ或ΔflgZ的泳动能力相比野生型PA14显著增强,而过表达PilZ或FlgZ则抑制了泳动能力;定点突变和回补实验发现PilZ第10位和FlgZ第140位氨基酸R对其介导SadC负调控泳动能力至关重要,多序列比对分析表明这些位点是其保...     

Structural basis of outer membrane protein biogenesis in bacteria

In Escherichia coli, a multicomponent BAM (β-barrel assembly machinery) complex is responsible for recognition and assembly of outer membrane β-barrel proteins. The functionality of BAM in protein biogenesis is mainly orchestrated through the presence of two essential components, BamA and BamD. Here, we present crystal structures of four lipoproteins (BamB-E). Monomeric BamB and BamD proteins display scaffold architectures typically implied in transient protein interactions. BamB is a β-propeller protein comprising eight WD40 repeats. BamD shows an elongated fold on the basis of five tetratricopeptide repeats, three of which form the scaffold for protein recognition. The rod-shaped BamC protein has evolved through the gene duplication of two conserved domains known to mediate protein interactions in structurally related complexes. By contrast, the dimeric BamE is formed through a domain swap and indicates fold similarity to the β-lactamase inhibitor protein family, possibly integrating cell wall stability in BAM function. Structural and biochemical data show evidence for the specific recognition of amphipathic sequences through the tetratricopeptide repeat architecture of BamD. Collectively, our data advance the understanding of the BAM complex and highlight the functional importance of BamD in amphipathic outer membrane β-barrel protein motif recognition and protein delivery.     

The second messenger bis-(3'-5')-cyclic-GMP and its PilZ domain-containing receptor Alg44 are required for alginate biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The ubiquitous bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP regulates the expression of various virulence determinants in a wide range of bacterial pathogens. Several studies have suggested that proteins with a PilZ domain function as c-di-GMP receptors. We have identified in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome eight genes encoding for PilZ orhologues and demonstrated binding of c-di-GMP to all but one of these proteins in a direct ligand binding assay. One protein with the PilZ domain, Alg44, is involved in biosynthesis of the extracellular polysaccharide alginate. We have shown that increasing c-di-GMP levels by overexpression of highly active diguanylate cyclases, or hydrolysis of c-di-GMP by phosphodiesterases, enhanced or reduced formation of alginate in mucoid strains, respectively. We have engineered substitutions in several conserved residues of the PilZ domain of Alg44 determined that they resulted in simultaneous loss of c-di-GMP binding and the ability to support production of alginate in P. aeruginosa. A 6xHis-tagged Alg44 fusion was also shown to localize in the membrane fraction of P. aeruginosa independently from its ability to bind c-di-GMP. Alg44 appears to be an essential component of the alginate biosynthetic apparatus, where, following binding of c-di-GMP, it controls polymerization or transport of the polysaccharide.     

Crystal structure of β-barrel assembly machinery BamCD protein complex

The β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex of Escherichia coli is a multiprotein machine that catalyzes the essential process of assembling outer membrane proteins. The BAM complex consists of five proteins: one membrane protein, BamA, and four lipoproteins, BamB, BamC, BamD, and BamE. Here, we report the first crystal structure of a Bam lipoprotein complex: the essential lipoprotein BamD in complex with the N-terminal half of BamC (BamC(UN) (Asp(28)-Ala(217)), a 73-residue-long unstructured region followed by the N-terminal domain). The BamCD complex is stabilized predominantly by various hydrogen bonds and salt bridges formed between BamD and the N-terminal unstructured region of BamC. Sequence and molecular surface analyses revealed that many of the conserved residues in both proteins are found at the BamC-BamD interface. A series of truncation mutagenesis and analytical gel filtration chromatography experiments confirmed that the unstructured region of BamC is essential for stabilizing the BamCD complex structure. The unstructured N terminus of BamC interacts with the proposed substrate-binding pocket of BamD, suggesting that this region of BamC may play a regulatory role in outer membrane protein biogenesis.     

PilZ domain proteins bind cyclic diguanylate and regulate diverse processes in Vibrio cholerae

Cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is an allosteric activator and second messenger implicated in the regulation of a variety of biological processes in diverse bacteria. In Vibrio cholerae, c-di-GMP has been shown to inversely regulate biofilm-specific and virulence gene expression, suggesting that c-di-GMP signaling is important for the transition of V. cholerae from the environment to the host. However, the mechanism behind this regulation remains unknown. Recently, it was proposed that the PilZ protein domain represents a c-di-GMP-binding domain. Here we show that V. cholerae PilZ proteins bind c-di-GMP specifically and are involved in the regulation of biofilm formation, motility, and virulence. These findings confirm a role for PilZ proteins as c-di-GMP-sensing proteins within the c-di-GMP signaling network.     

XC1028 from Xanthomonas campestris adopts a PilZ domain‐like structure without a c‐di‐GMP switch

The crystal structure of XC1028 from Xanthomonas campestris has been determined to a resolution of 2.15 Å using the multiple anomalous dispersion approach. It bears significant sequence identity and similarity values of 64.10% and 70.09%, respectively, with PA2960, a protein indispensable for type IV pilus‐mediated twitching motility, after which the PilZ motif was first named. However, both XC1028 and PA2960 lack detectable c‐di‐GMP binding capability. Although XC1028 adopts a structure comprising a five‐stranded β‐barrel core similar to other canonical PilZ domains with robust c‐di‐GMP binding ability, considerable differences are observed in the N‐terminal motif; XC1028 assumes a compact five‐stranded β‐barrel without an extra long N‐terminal motif, whereas other canonical PilZ domains contain a long N‐terminal sequence embedded with an essential “c‐di‐GMP switch” motif. In addition, a β‐strand (β1) in the N‐terminal motif, running in exactly opposite polarity to that of XC1028, is found inserted into the parallel β3/β1′ strands, forming a completely antiparallel β4↓β3↑β1↓β1′↑ sheet in the canonical PilZ domains. Such dramatic structural differences at the N‐terminus may account for the diminished c‐di‐GMP binding capability of XC1028, and suggest that interactions with additional proteins are necessary to bind c‐di‐GMP for type IV fimbriae assembly. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A novel tetrameric PilZ domain structure from xanthomonads

PilZ domain is one of the key receptors for the newly discovered secondary messenger molecule cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). To date, several monomeric PilZ domain proteins have been identified. Some exhibit strong c-di-GMP binding activity, while others have barely detectable c-di-GMP binding activity and require an accessory protein such as FimX to indirectly respond to the c-di-GMP signal. We now report a novel tetrameric PilZ domain structure of XCC6012 from the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc). It is one of the four PilZ domain proteins essential for Xcc pathogenicity. Although the monomer adopts a structure similar to those of the PilZ domains with very weak c-di-GMP binding activity, it is nevertheless interrupted in the middle by two extra long helices. Four XCC6012 proteins are thus self-assembled into a tetramer via the extra heptad repeat α3 helices to form a parallel four-stranded coiled-coil, which is further enclosed by two sets of inclined α2 and α4 helices. We further generated a series of XCC6012 variants and measured the unfolding temperatures and oligomeric states in order to investigate the nature of this novel tetramer. Discovery of this new PilZ domain architecture increases the complexity of c-di-GMP-mediated regulation.     

Structural determinants of processing and secretion of the Haemophilus influenzae Hap protein

Haemophilus influenzae elaborates a surface protein called Hap, which is associated with the capacity for intimate interaction with cultured epithelial cells. Expression of hap results in the production of three protein species: outer membrane proteins of approximately 155 kDa and 45 kDa and an extracellular protein of approximately 110 kDa. The 155 kDa protein corresponds to full-length mature Hap (without the signal sequence), and the 110 kDa extracellular protein represents the N-terminal portion of mature Hap (designated Hap_s). In the present study, we examined the mechanism of processing and secretion of Hap. Site-directed mutagenesis suggested that Hap is a serine protease that undergoes autoproteolytic cleavage to generate the 110 kDa extracellular protein and the 45 kDa outer membrane protein. Biochemical analysis confirmed this conclusion and established that cleavage occurs on the bacterial cell surface. Determination of N-terminal amino acid sequence and mutagenesis studies revealed that the 45 kDa protein corresponds to the C-terminal portion of Hap, starting at N1037. Analysis of the secondary structure of this protein (designated Hap_β) predicted formation of a β-barrel with an N-terminal transmembrane α-helix followed by 14 transmembrane β-strands. Additional analysis revealed that the final β-strand contains an amino acid motif common to other β-barrel outer membrane proteins. Upon deletion of this entire C-terminal consensus motif, Hap could no longer be detected in the outer membrane, and secretion of Hap_s was abolished. Deletion or complete alteration of the final three amino acid residues had a similar but less dramatic effect, suggesting that this terminal tripeptide is particularly important for outer membrane localization and/or stability of the protein. In contrast, isolated point mutations that disrupted the amphipathic nature of the consensus motif or eliminated the C-terminal tryptophan had no effect on outer membrane localization of Hap or secretion of Hap_s. These results provide insight into a growing family of Gram-negative bacterial exoproteins that are secreted by an IgA1 protease-like mechanism; in addition, they contribute to a better understanding of the structural determinants of targeting of β-barrel proteins to the bacterial outer membrane.     

Binding of cyclic diguanylate in the non-catalytic EAL domain of FimX induces a long-range conformational change

FimX is a multidomain signaling protein required for type IV pilus biogenesis and twitching motility in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. FimX is localized to the single pole of the bacterial cell, and the unipolar localization is crucial for the correct assembly of type IV pili. FimX contains a non-catalytic EAL domain that lacks cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) phosphodiesterase activity. It was shown that deletion of the EAL domain or mutation of the signature EVL motif affects the unipolar localization of FimX. However, it was not understood how the C-terminal EAL domain could influence protein localization considering that the localization sequence resides in the remote N-terminal region of the protein. Using hydrogen/deuterium exchange-coupled mass spectrometry, we found that the binding of c-di-GMP to the EAL domain triggers a long-range (∼ca. 70 Å) conformational change in the N-terminal REC domain and the adjacent linker. In conjunction with the observation that mutation of the EVL motif of the EAL domain abolishes the binding of c-di-GMP, the hydrogen/deuterium exchange results provide a molecular explanation for the mediation of protein localization and type IV pilus biogenesis by c-di-GMP through a remarkable allosteric regulation mechanism.     

短短芽孢杆菌GZDF3中PilZ结构域基因的挖掘和糖基转移酶的原核表达

【背景】PilZ结构域是最早发现的环二鸟苷酸(Cyclic diguanylate,c-di-GMP)受体信号分子,与c-di-GMP结合后可以调控目标基因或者蛋白的活性,在细菌的生长过程中发挥着至关重要的作用,而短短芽孢杆菌中PilZ结构域的研究相对缺乏。【目的】挖掘短短芽孢杆菌GZDF3菌株中的PilZ结构域蛋白基因,并进行重组表达,为研究其功能奠定基础。【方法】从Pfam数据库中下载PilZ结构域模型,HMMScan软件扫描GZDF3全基因组序列,在保守结构域数据库(Conserved domain database,CDD)中分析蛋白保守结构域,Protein BLAST比对分析;采用ExPASy在线软件预测蛋白的基本理化性质;构建重组表达载体进行蛋白重组表达。【结果】GZDF3基因中存在5个含有PilZ结构域的蛋白编码基因,其中命名为Gene4836的基因经Protein BLAST比对分析显示其编码糖基转移酶,Gene1423为YcgR超家族蛋白编码基因,Gene1723编码透明质酸合成酶,属于糖基转移酶超家族2,其余Gene2571、Gene2956编码假定蛋白;Gene4836的编码产物分子量为24.08 kD,等电点为6.39,为酸性亲水性蛋白;C端有一个PilZ结构域;0.5 mmol/L乳糖诱导、30°C培养20 h,表达出一大小约为25kD的重组蛋白,与生物信息学预测结果相符。【结论】首次对短短芽孢杆菌含有PilZ结构域蛋白编码基因进行原核表达,并成功纯化出重组蛋白,为后续研究其功能奠定了基础。     

Protein aggregates are recruited to aggresome by histone deacetylase 6 via unanchored ubiquitin C termini

The aggresome pathway is activated when proteasomal clearance of misfolded proteins is hindered. Misfolded polyubiquitinated protein aggregates are recruited and transported to the aggresome via the microtubule network by a protein complex consisting of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) and the dynein motor complex. The current model suggests that HDAC6 recognizes protein aggregates by binding directly to polyubiquitinated proteins. Here, we show that there are substantial amounts of unanchored ubiquitin in protein aggregates with solvent-accessible C termini. The ubiquitin-binding domain (ZnF-UBP) of HDAC6 binds exclusively to the unanchored C-terminal diglycine motif of ubiquitin instead of conjugated polyubiquitin. The unanchored ubiquitin C termini in the aggregates are generated in situ by aggregate-associated deubiquitinase ataxin-3. These results provide structural and mechanistic bases for the role of HDAC6 in aggresome formation and further suggest a novel ubiquitin-mediated signaling pathway, where the exposure of ubiquitin C termini within protein aggregates enables HDAC6 recognition and transport to the aggresome.     

Characterization of fatty acid binding and transfer from ∆98∆, a functional all-β abridged form of IFABP

Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) is an intracellular lipid binding protein whose specific functions within the cell are still uncertain. An abbreviated version of IFABP encompassing residues 29–126, dubbed Δ98Δ is a stable product of limited proteolysis with clostripain of holo-IFABP. Cumulative evidence shows that Δ98Δ adopts a stable, monomeric and functional fold, with compact core and loose periphery. In agreement with previous results, this abridged variant indicates that the helical domain is not necessary to preserve the general topology of IFABP's β-barrel and that the helix-turn-helix motif is a fundamental element of the portal region involved in ligand binding and protein–membrane interactions. Results presented here suggest that Δ98Δ binds fatty acids with affinities lower than IFABP but higher than those shown by previous helix-less variants, shows a ‘diffusional’ fatty acid transfer mechanism and it interacts with artificial membranes. This work highlights the importance of the β-barrel of IFABP for its specific functions.     

PilZ domain is part of the bacterial c-di-GMP binding protein

Recent studies identified c-di-GMP as a universal bacterial secondary messenger regulating biofilm formation, motility, production of extracellular polysaccharide and multicellular behavior in diverse bacteria. However, except for cellulose synthase, no protein has been shown to bind c-di-GMP and the targets for c-di-GMP action remain unknown. Here we report identification of the PilZ ("pills") domain (Pfam domain PF07238) in the sequences of bacterial cellulose synthases, alginate biosynthesis protein Alg44, proteins of enterobacterial YcgR and firmicute YpfA families, and other proteins encoded in bacterial genomes and present evidence indicating that this domain is (part of) the long-sought c-di-GMP-binding protein. Association of the PilZ domain with a variety of other domains, including likely components of bacterial multidrug secretion system, could provide clues to multiple functions of the c-di-GMP in bacterial pathogenesis and cell development.     

Apo- and cellopentaose-bound structures of the bacterial cellulose synthase subunit BcsZ

Cellulose, a very abundant extracellular polysaccharide, is synthesized in a finely tuned process that involves the activity of glycosyl-transferases and hydrolases. The cellulose microfibril consists of bundles of linear β-1,4-glucan chains that are synthesized inside the cell; however, the mechanism by which these polymers traverse the cell membrane is currently unknown. In Gram-negative bacteria, the cellulose synthase complex forms a trans-envelope complex consisting of at least four subunits. Although three of these subunits account for the synthesis and translocation of the polysaccharide, the fourth subunit, BcsZ, is a periplasmic protein with endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity. BcsZ belongs to family eight of glycosyl-hydrolases, and its activity is required for optimal synthesis and membrane translocation of cellulose. In this study we report two crystal structures of BcsZ from Escherichia coli. One structure shows the wild-type enzyme in its apo form, and the second structure is for a catalytically inactive mutant of BcsZ in complex with the substrate cellopentaose. The structures demonstrate that BcsZ adopts an (α/α)(6)-barrel fold and that it binds four glucan moieties of cellopentaose via highly conserved residues exclusively on the nonreducing side of its catalytic center. Thus, the BcsZ-cellopentaose structure most likely represents a posthydrolysis state in which the newly formed nonreducing end has already left the substrate binding pocket while the enzyme remains attached to the truncated polysaccharide chain. We further show that BcsZ efficiently degrades β-1,4-glucans in in vitro cellulase assays with carboxymethyl-cellulose as substrate.