The topography of transmembrane segment six is altered during the catalytic cycle of P-glycoprotein

Structural evidence has demonstrated that P-glycoprotein (P-gp) undergoes considerable conformational changes during catalysis, and these alterations are important in drug interaction. Knowledge of which regions in P-gp undergo conformational alterations will provide vital information to elucidate the locations of drug binding sites and the mechanism of coupling. A number of investigations have implicated transmembrane segment six (TM6) in drug-P-gp interactions, and a cysteine-scanning mutagenesis approach was directed to this segment. Introduction of cysteine residues into TM6 did not disturb basal or drug-stimulated ATPase activity per se. Under basal conditions the hydrophobic probe coumarin maleimide readily labeled all introduced cysteine residues, whereas the hydrophilic fluorescein maleimide only labeled residue Cys-343. The amphiphilic BODIPY-maleimide displayed a more complex labeling profile. The extent of labeling with coumarin maleimide did not vary during the catalytic cycle, whereas fluorescein maleimide labeling of F343C was lost after nucleotide binding or hydrolysis. BODIPY-maleimide labeling was markedly altered during the catalytic cycle and indicated that the adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imino)triphosphate-bound and ADP/vanadate-trapped intermediates were conformationally distinct. Our data are reconciled with a recent atomic scale model of P-gp and are consistent with a tilting of TM6 in response to nucleotide binding and ATP hydrolysis.     

Nucleotide binding, ATP hydrolysis, and mutation of the catalytic carboxylates of human P-glycoprotein cause distinct conformational changes in the transmembrane segments

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) transports a variety of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds out of the cell. Each homologous half of P-gp has a transmembrane (TM) domain containing six TM segments and a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and is joined by a linker region. It has been postulated that binding of two ATP molecules at the NBD interface to form a "nucleotide sandwich" induces drug efflux by altering packing of the TM segments that make up the drug-binding pocket. To test if ATP binding alone could alter packing of the TM segments, we introduced catalytic carboxylate mutations (E556Q in NBD1 and E1201Q in NBD2) into double-cysteine mutants that exhibited ATP-dependent cross-linking so that the mutants could bind but not hydrolyze ATP. It was found that ATP binding alone could alter disulfide cross-linking between the TM segments. For example, ATP inhibited cross-linking of mutant L339C(TM6)/V982C(TM12)/E556Q(NBD1)/E1201Q(NBD2) but promoted cross-linking of mutant F343C(TM6)/V982C(TM12)/E556Q(NBD1)/E1201Q(NBD2). Cross-linking of some mutants, however, appeared to require ATP hydrolysis as introduction of the catalytic carboxylate mutations into mutant L332C(TM6)/L975C(TM12) inhibited ATP-dependent cross-linking. Cross-linking between cysteines in the TM segments also could be altered via introduction of a single catalytic carboxylate mutation into mutant L332C(TM6)/L975C(TM12) or by using the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, AMP.PNP. The results show that the TM segments are quite sensitive to changes within the ATP-binding sites because different conformations could be detected in the presence of ATP, AMP.PNP, during ATP hydrolysis or through mutation of the catalytic carboxylates.     

High resolution crystal structures of human Rab4a in its active and inactive conformations

The Ras-related human GTPase Rab4a is involved in the regulation of endocytosis through the sorting and recycling of early endosomes. Towards further insight, we have determined the three-dimensional crystal structure of human Rab4a in its GppNHp-bound state to 1.6 Angstroms resolution and in its GDP-bound state to 1.8 Angstroms resolution, respectively. Despite the similarity of the overall structure with other Rab proteins, Rab4a displays significant differences. The structures are discussed with respect to the recently determined structure of human Rab5a and its complex with the Rab5-binding domain of the bivalent effector Rabaptin-5. The Rab4 specific residue His39 modulates the nucleotide binding pocket giving rise to a reduced rate for nucleotide hydrolysis and exchange. In comparison to Rab5, Rab4a has a different GDP-bound conformation within switch 1 region and displays shifts in position and orientation of the hydrophobic triad. The observed differences at the S2-L3-S3 region represent a new example of structural plasticity among Rab proteins and may provide a structural basis to understand the differential binding of similar effector proteins.     

Structure-function analysis of a novel member of the LIV-1 subfamily of zinc transporters, ZIP14

Here, we report the first investigation of a novel member of the LZT (LIV-1 subfamily of ZIP zinc Transporters) subfamily of zinc influx transporters. LZT subfamily sequences all contain a unique and highly conserved metalloprotease motif (HEXPHEXGD) in transmembrane domain V with both histidine residues essential for zinc transport by ZIP (Zrt-, Irt-like Proteins) transporters. We investigate here whether ZIP14 (SLC39A14), lacking the initial histidine in this motif, is still able to transport zinc. We demonstrate that this plasma membrane located glycosylated protein functions as a zinc influx transporter in a temperature-dependant manner.     

Substrate selectivity of the melibiose permease (MelY) from Enterobacter cloacae

We have examined the substrate selectivity of the melibiose permease (MelY) from Enterobacter cloacae in comparison with that of the lactose permease (LacY) from Escherichia coli. Both proteins catalyze active transport of lactose or melibiose with comparable affinity and capacity. However, MelY does not transport the analogue methyl-1-thio-β,d-galactopyranoside (TMG), which is a very efficient substrate in LacY. We show that MelY binds TMG and conserves Cys148 (helix V) as a TMG binding residue but fails to transport this ligand. Based on homology modeling, organization of the putative MelY sugar binding site is the same as that in LacY and residues irreplaceable for the symport mechanism are conserved. Moreover, only 15% of the residues where a single-Cys mutant is inactivated by site-directed alkylation differ in MelY. Using site-directed mutagenesis at these positions and engineered cross-homolog chimeras, we show that Val367, at the periplasmic end of transmembrane helix XI, contributes in defining the substrate selectivity profile. Replacement of Val367 with the MelY residue (Ala) leads to impairment of TMG uptake. Exchanging domains N6 and C6 between LacY and MelY also leads to impairment of TMG uptake. TMG uptake activity is restored by the re-introduction of a Val367 in the background of chimera N6(LacY)-C6(MelY). Much less prominent effects are found with the same mutants and chimeras for the transport of lactose or melibiose.     

Hydrogen-bond formation of the residue in H-loop of the nucleotide binding domain 2 with the ATP in this site and/or other residues of multidrug resistance protein MRP1 plays a crucial role during ATP-dependent solute transport

MRP1 couples ATP binding/hydrolysis to solute transport. We have shown that ATP binding to nucleotide-binding-domain 1 (NBD1) plays a regulatory role whereas ATP hydrolysis at NBD2 plays a crucial role in ATP-dependent solute transport. However, how ATP is hydrolyzed at NBD2 is not well elucidated. To partially address this question, we have mutated the histidine residue in H-loop of MRP1 to either a residue that prevents the formation of hydrogen-bonds with ATP and other residues in MRP1 or a residue that may potentially form these hydrogen-bonds. Interestingly, substitution of H827 in NBD1 with residues that prevented formation of these hydrogen-bonds had no effect on the ATP-dependent solute transport whereas corresponding mutations in NBD2 almost abolished the ATP-dependent solute transport completely. In contrast, substitutions of H1486 in H-loop of NBD2 with residues that might potentially form these hydrogen-bonds exerted either full function or partial function, implying that hydrogen-bond formation between the residue at 1486 and the γ-phosphate of the bound ATP and/or other residues, such as putative catalytic base E1455, together with S769, G771, T1329 and K1333, etc., holds all the components necessary for ATP binding/hydrolysis firmly so that the activated water molecule can efficiently hydrolyze the bound ATP at NBD2.     

Measuring solution viscosity and its effect on enzyme activity

In proteins, some processes require conformational changes involving structural domain diffusion. Among these processes are protein folding, unfolding and enzyme catalysis. During catalysis some enzymes undergo large conformational changes as they progress through the catalytic cycle. According to Kramers theory, solvent viscosity results in friction against proteins in solution, and this should result in decreased motion, inhibiting catalysis in motile enzymes. Solution viscosity was increased by adding increasing concentrations of glycerol, sucrose and trehalose, resulting in a decrease in the reaction rate of the H⁺-ATPase from the plasma membrane ofKluyveromyces lactis. A direct correlation was found between viscosity (η) and the inhibition of the maximum rate of catalysis (V _max). The protocol used to measure viscosity by means of a falling ball type viscometer is described, together with the determination of enzyme kinetics and the application of Kramers’ equation to evaluate the effect of viscosity on the rate of ATP hydrolysis by the H⁺-ATPase. Published: May 1, 2003     

Disulfide cross-linking analysis shows that transmembrane segments 5 and 8 of human P-glycoprotein are close together on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane

Human P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transports a wide variety of structurally diverse compounds out of the cell. Knowledge about the packing of the transmembrane (TM) segments is essential for understanding the mechanism of drug recognition and transport. We used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and disulfide cross-linking analysis to determine which TM segment in the COOH half of P-gp was close to TMs 5 and 6 since these segments in the NH(2) half are important for drug binding. An active Cys-less P-gp mutant cDNA was used to generate 240 double cysteine mutants that contained 1 cysteine in TMs 5 or 6 and another in TMs 7 or 8. The mutants were subjected to oxidative cross-linking analysis. No disulfide cross-linking was observed in the 140 TM6/TM7 or TM6/TM8 mutants. By contrast, cross-linking was detected in several P-gp TM5/TM8 mutants. At 4 degrees C, when thermal motion is low, P-gp mutants N296C(TM5)/G774C(TM8), I299C(TM5)/F770C(TM8), I299C(TM5)/G774C(TM8), and G300C(TM5)/F770C(TM8) showed extensive cross-linking with oxidant. These mutants retained drug-stimulated ATPase activity, but their activities were inhibited after treatment with oxidant. Similarly, disulfide cross-linking was inhibited by vanadate trapping of nucleotide. These results indicate that significant conformational changes must occur between TMs 5 and 8 during ATP hydrolysis. We revised the rotational symmetry model for TM packing based on our results and by comparison to the crystal structure of MsbA (Chang, G. (2003) J. Mol. Biol. 330, 419-430) such that TM5 is adjacent to TM8, TM2 is adjacent to TM11, and TMs 1 and 7 are next to TMs 6 and 12, respectively.     

ATP hydrolysis promotes interactions between the extracellular ends of transmembrane segments 1 and 11 of human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein

P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) actively pumps a broad range of structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds out of the cell. It has two homologous halves that are joined by a linker region. Each half has a transmembrane (TM) domain containing six TM segments and a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). Cross-linking studies have shown that the drug-binding pocket is at the interface between the TM domains. The two NBDs interact to form the ATP-binding sites. Coupling of ATP hydrolysis to drug efflux has been postulated to occur by conversion of the binding pocket from a high-affinity to a low-affinity state through alterations in the packing of the TM segments. TM 11 has also been reported to be important for drug binding. Here, we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and oxidative cross-linking to test for changes in the packing of TM 11 during ATP hydrolysis. We generated 350 double cysteine mutants that contained one cysteine at the extracellular end of TM11 and another cysteine at the extracellular ends of TMs 1, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The mutants were expressed in HEK293 cells and treated with oxidant in the absence or presence of ATP. Cross-linked product was not detected in SDS-PAGE gels in the absence of ATP. By contrast, cross-linked product was detected in mutants M68C(TM1)/Y950C(TM11), M68C(TM1)/Y953C(TM11), M68C(TM1)/A954C(TM11), M69C(TM1)/A954C(TM11), and M69C(TM1)/ F957C(TM11) in the presence of ATP but not with ADP or AMP.PNP. These results indicate that rearrangement of TM11 may contribute to the release of drug substrate during ATP hydrolysis.     

Thermodynamic determination of the binding constants of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors by a displacement method

Somatic angiotensin I-converting enzyme (s-ACE) plays a central role in blood pressure regulation and has been the target of most antihypertensive drugs. A displacement isothermal titration calorimetry method has been used to accurately determine the binding constant of three strong s-ACE inhibitors. Under the experimental conditions studied in this work, the relative potency of the inhibitors was determined to be enalaprilat>lisinopril>captopril. We analyze the thermodynamic behaviour of the binding process using the new structural information provided by the ACE structures, as well as the conformational changes that occur upon binding.     

Allosteric modulation of the human P-glycoprotein involves conformational changes mimicking catalytic transition intermediates

The drug transport function of human P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) can be inhibited by a number of pharmacological agents collectively referred to as modulators or reversing agents. In this study, we demonstrate that certain thioxanthene-based Pgp modulators with an allosteric mode of action induce a distinct conformational change in the cytosolic domain of Pgp, which alters susceptibility to proteolytic digestion. Both cis and trans-isomers of the Pgp modulator flupentixol confer considerable protection of an 80 kDa Pgp fragment against trypsin digestion, that is recognized by a polyclonal antibody specific for the NH(2)-terminal half to Pgp. The protection by flupentixol is abolished in the Pgp F983A mutant that is impaired in modulation by flupentixols, indicating involvement of the allosteric site in generating the conformational change. A similar protection to an 80 kDa fragment is conferred by ATP, its nonhydrolyzable analog ATPgammaS, and by trapping of ADP-vanadate at the catalytic domain, but not by transport substrate vinblastine or by the competitive modulator cyclosporin A, suggesting different outcomes from modulator interaction at the allosteric site and at the substrate site. In summary, we demonstrate that allosteric interaction of flupentixols with Pgp generates conformational changes that mimic catalytic transition intermediates induced by nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, which may play a crucial role in allosteric inhibition of Pgp-mediated drug transport.     

Cross-linking of human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein by the substrate, tris-(2-maleimidoethyl)amine, is altered by ATP hydrolysis. Evidence for rotation of a transmembrane helix.

We identified a thiol-reactive substrate, Tris-(2-maleimidoethyl)amine (TMEA), to explore the contribution of the TM segments 6 and 12 of the human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp) during transport. TMEA is a trifunctional maleimide and stimulated the ATPase activity of Cys-less P-gp about 7-fold. Cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of TM12 showed that the activity of mutant V982C was inhibited by TMEA. P-gp mutants containing V982C (TM12) and another cysteine in TM6 were constructed and tested for cross-linking with TMEA. A cross-linked product was observed in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for mutant L339C(TM6)/V982C(TM12). Cross-linking by TMEA also inhibited the ATPase activity of the mutant protein. Substrates such as cyclosporin A, vinblastine, colchicine, or verapamil inhibited cross-linking by TMEA. In the presence of ATP at 37 degrees C, cross-linking of mutant L339C/V982C was decreased. In contrast, there was enhanced cross-linking of mutant F343C(TM6)/V982C(TM12) in the presence of ATP. These results show that cross-linking must be within the drug-binding domain, that residues L339C(TM6)/V982C(TM12) must be at least 10 A apart, and that ATP hydrolysis promotes rotation of one or both TM helices.     

Suppressor mutations in the transmembrane segments of P-glycoprotein promote maturation of processing mutants and disrupt a subset of drug-binding sites

Defective folding of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein missing Phe508 (DeltaF508) is the major cause of cystic fibrosis. The folding defect in DeltaF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator might be correctable because misfolding of a P-glycoprotein (P-gp; ABCB1) mutant lacking the equivalent residue (DeltaY490) could be corrected with drug substrates or by introduction of an arginine residue into transmembrane (TM) segments 5 (I306R) or 6 (F343R). Possible mechanisms of arginine rescue were that they mimicked some of the effects of drug substrate interactions with P-gp or that they affected global folding such that all drug substrate/modulator interactions with P-gp were altered. To distinguish between these mechanisms, we tested whether arginines introduced into other TMs predicted to line the drug-binding pocket (TM1 or TM3) would affect folding. It was found that mutation of L65R(TM1) or T199R(TM3) promoted maturation of processing mutants. We then tested whether arginine suppressor mutations had local or global effects on P-gp interactions with drug substrates and modulators. The L65R(TM1), T199R(TM3), I306R(TM5), or F343R(TM6) mutations were introduced into the P-gp mutant L339C(TM6)/F728C(TM7), and thiol cross-linking was carried out in the presence of various concentrations of vinblastine, cyclosporin A, or rhodamine B. The presence of arginine residues reduced the apparent affinity of P-gp for vinblastine (L65R, T199R, and I306R), cyclosporin (I306R and F343R), or rhodamine B (F343R) by 4-60-fold. These results show that the arginine mutations affect a subset of drug-binding sites and suggest that they rescue processing mutants by mimicking drug substrate interactions with P-gp.     

Crystal structures of D-tagatose 3-epimerase from Pseudomonas cichorii and its complexes with D-tagatose and D-fructose

Pseudomonas cichoriiid-tagatose 3-epimerase (P. cichoriid-TE) can efficiently catalyze the epimerization of not only d-tagatose to d-sorbose, but also d-fructose to d-psicose, and is used for the production of d-psicose from d-fructose. The crystal structures of P. cichoriid-TE alone and in complexes with d-tagatose and d-fructose were determined at resolutions of 1.79, 2.28, and 2.06 Å, respectively. A subunit of P. cichoriid-TE adopts a (β/α)₈ barrel structure, and a metal ion (Mn²⁺) found in the active site is coordinated by Glu152, Asp185, His211, and Glu246 at the end of the β-barrel. P. cichoriid-TE forms a stable dimer to give a favorable accessible surface for substrate binding on the front side of the dimer. The simulated omit map indicates that O2 and O3 of d-tagatose and/or d-fructose coordinate Mn²⁺, and that C3-O3 is located between carboxyl groups of Glu152 and Glu246, supporting the previously proposed mechanism of deprotonation/protonation at C3 by two Glu residues. Although the electron density is poor at the 4-, 5-, and 6-positions of the substrates, substrate-enzyme interactions can be deduced from the significant electron density at O6. The O6 possibly interacts with Cys66 via hydrogen bonding, whereas O4 and O5 in d-tagatose and O4 in d-fructose do not undergo hydrogen bonding to the enzyme and are in a hydrophobic environment created by Phe7, Trp15, Trp113, and Phe248. Due to the lack of specific interactions between the enzyme and its substrates at the 4- and 5-positions, P. cichoriid-TE loosely recognizes substrates in this region, allowing it to efficiently catalyze the epimerization of d-tagatose and d-fructose (C4 epimer of d-tagatose) as well. Furthermore, a C3-O3 proton-exchange mechanism for P. cichoriid-TE is suggested by X-ray structural analysis, providing a clear explanation for the regulation of the ionization state of Glu152 and Glu246.     

Crystallographic snapshot of a productive glycosylasparaginase-substrate complex

Glycosylasparaginase (GA) plays an important role in asparagine-linked glycoprotein degradation. A deficiency in the activity of human GA leads to a lysosomal storage disease named aspartylglycosaminuria. GA belongs to a superfamily of N-terminal nucleophile hydrolases that autoproteolytically generate their mature enzymes from inactive single chain protein precursors. The side-chain of the newly exposed N-terminal residue then acts as a nucleophile during substrate hydrolysis. By taking advantage of mutant enzyme of Flavobacterium meningosepticum GA with reduced enzymatic activity, we have obtained a crystallographic snapshot of a productive complex with its substrate (NAcGlc-Asn), at 2.0 A resolution. This complex structure provided us an excellent model for the Michaelis complex to examine the specific contacts critical for substrate binding and catalysis. Substrate binding induces a conformational change near the active site of GA. To initiate catalysis, the side-chain of the N-terminal Thr152 is polarized by the free alpha-amino group on the same residue, mediated by the side-chain hydroxyl group of Thr170. Cleavage of the amide bond is then accomplished by a nucleophilic attack at the carbonyl carbon of the amide linkage in the substrate, leading to the formation of an acyl-enzyme intermediate through a negatively charged tetrahedral transition state.     

An L319F mutation in transmembrane region 3 (TM3) selectively reduces sensitivity to okaramine B of the Bombyx mori l-glutamate-gated chloride channel

Okaramines produced by Penicillium simplicissimum AK-40 activate l-glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls) and thus paralyze insects. However, the okaramine binding site on insect GluCls is poorly understood. Sequence alignment shows that the equivalent of residue Leucine319 of the okaramine B sensitive Bombyx mori (B. mori) GluCl is a phenylalanine in the okaramine B insensitive B. mori γ-aminobutyric acid-gated chloride channel of the same species. This residue is located in the third transmembrane (TM3) region, a location which in a nematode GluCl is close to the ivermectin binding site. The B. mori GluCl containing the L319F mutation retained its sensitivity to l-glutamate, but responses to ivermectin were reduced and those to okaramine B were completely blocked.     

Defining the drug-binding site in the human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein using a methanethiosulfonate analog of verapamil, MTS-verapamil

Defining the residues involved in the binding of a substrate provides insight into how the human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp) can transport a wide range of structurally diverse compounds out of the cell. Because verapamil is the most potent stimulator of P-gp ATPase activity, we synthesized a thiol-reactive analog of verapamil (MTS-verapamil) and used it with cysteine-scanning mutagenesis to identify the reactive residues within the drug-binding domain of P-gp. MTS-verapamil stimulated the ATPase activity of Cys-less P-gp and had a K(m) value (25 microM) that was similar to that of verapamil. 252 P-gp mutants containing a single cysteine within the predicted transmembrane (TM) segments were expressed in HEK 293 cells and purified by nickel-chelate chromatography and assayed for inhibition by MTS-verapamil. The activities of 15 mutants, Y118C (TM2), V125C (TM2), S222C (TM4), L339C (TM6), A342C (TM6), A729C (TM7), A841C (TM9), N842C (TM9), I868C (TM10), A871C (TM10), F942C (TM11), T945C (TM11), V982C (TM12), G984C (TM12), and A985C (TM12), were inhibited by MTS-verapamil. Four mutants, S222C (TM4), L339C (TM6), A342C (TM6), and G984C (TM12), were significantly protected from inhibition by MTS-verapamil by pretreatment with verapamil. Less protection was observed in mutants I868C (TM10), F942C (TM11) and T945C (TM11). These results indicate that residues in TMs 4, 6, 10, 11, and 12 must contribute to the binding of verapamil.     

Two Crystal Structures of Escherichia coli N-Acetyl-l-Glutamate Kinase Demonstrate the Cycling between Open and Closed Conformations

N-Acetyl-l-glutamate kinase (NAGK), the paradigm enzyme of the amino acid kinase family, catalyzes the second step of arginine biosynthesis. Although substrate binding and catalysis were clarified by the determination of four crystal structures of the homodimeric Escherichia coli enzyme (EcNAGK), we now determine 2 Å resolution crystal structures of EcNAGK free from substrates or complexed with the product N-acetyl-l-glutamyl-5-phosphate (NAGP) and with sulfate, which reveal a novel, very open NAGK conformation to which substrates would associate and from which products would dissociate. In this conformation, the C-domain, which hosts most of the nucleotide site, rotates ∼ 24°-28° away from the N-domain, which hosts the acetylglutamate site, whereas the empty ATP site also exhibits some changes. One sulfate is found binding in the region where the β-phosphate of ATP normally binds, suggesting that ATP is first anchored to the β-phosphate site, before perfect binding by induced fit, triggering the shift to the closed conformation. In contrast, the acetylglutamate site is always well formed, although its β-hairpin lid is found here to be mobile, being closed only in the subunit of the EcNAGK-NAGP complex that binds NAGP most strongly. Lid closure appears to increase the affinity for acetylglutamate/NAGP and to stabilize the closed enzyme conformation via lid-C-domain contacts. Our finding of NAGP bound to the open conformation confirms that this product dissociates from the open enzyme form and allows reconstruction of the active center in the ternary complex with both products, delineating the final steps of the reaction, which is shown here by site-directed mutagenesis to involve centrally the invariant residue Gly11.     

The structure of the antigenic polysaccharide produced by Eubactrium saburreum T15

The antigenic polysaccharide was obtained from the cell wall of Eubacterium saburreum strain T15 by trypsin digestion followed by gel permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. Its structure was determined using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. It contained L-threo-pent-2-ulose (Xul), D-fucose (Fuc), and D-glycero-D-galacto-heptose (Hep) in 2:3:3 ratio. Methylation analysis indicated an octasaccharide repeating-unit containing five branches. The 1H and 13C signals in NMR spectra of the sugar residues were assigned by COSY, HOHAHA, and HMQC 2D experiments, and the sequence of sugar residues in the repeating unit was determined by NOESY and HMBC experiments. The polysaccharide also contains two O-acetyl groups in the repeating unit, located on the Hep residue. The repeating structure can be written as: [see text for equation]. This is a novel structure in bacterial cell-wall polysaccharides from Gram-positive bacteria.