Characterization of ARC, a divergent member of the AAA ATPase family from Rhodococcus erythropolis

The Bacterial Proteasome Inter-domain Is a Selectivity Barrier for Degradation-tag Binding

Protein degradation, which occurs in all cells, is essential for proper cellular function by regulating many cellular processes, destroying misfolded proteins, and providing protein building blocks under starvation conditions. As proteolysis is a destructive process, it is carried out by tightly regulated enzymes that evolved to interact with their protein substrates in a highly controlled and selective manner. The agents of protein degradation include proteasomes, AAA+ proteolytic machines found in all kingdoms of life. The bacterial proteasome specifically recognizes proteins conjugated to a protein tag termed Pup, with the proteasome regulatory particle, a ring-shaped hexamer termed Mpa in mycobacteria, being responsible for Pup recognition. Once Pup binds Mpa, Pup enters the central pore, where the Mpa AAA+ domain links ATP hydrolysis to the translocation of Pup and its conjugated substrate into a barrel-shaped proteasome core particle, where peptide bond cleavage occurs. As Pup traverses the Mpa pore en route to the AAA+ domain, it passes the inter-domain. Although the inter-domain is conserved in all proteasomes, its role in substrate processing remained unclear. We report here that the Mpa inter-domain promotes Pup binding via electrostatic interactions between conserved charged inter-domain pore loops and charged Pup residues. As such, the inter-domain serves as a gatekeeper that selects for Pup binding, thus facilitating tag interaction with the downstream AAA+ domain. Our findings thus reveal the existence of an additional level of substrate binding regulation in an AAA+ protease.

ATP-independent substrate recruitment to proteasomal degradation in mycobacteria

Mycobacteria and other actinobacteria possess proteasomal degradation pathways in addition to the common bacterial compartmentalizing protease systems. Proteasomal degradation plays a crucial role in the survival of these bacteria in adverse environments. The mycobacterial proteasome interacts with several ring-shaped activators, including the bacterial proteasome activator (Bpa), which enables energy-independent degradation of heat shock repressor HspR. However, the mechanism of substrate selection and processing by the Bpa-proteasome complex remains unclear. In this study, we present evidence that disorder in substrates is required but not sufficient for recruitment to Bpa-mediated proteasomal degradation. We demonstrate that Bpa binds to the folded N-terminal helix-turn-helix domain of HspR, whereas the unstructured C-terminal tail of the substrate acts as a sequence-specific threading handle to promote efficient proteasomal degradation. In addition, we establish that the heat shock chaperone DnaK, which interacts with and co-regulates HspR, stabilizes HspR against Bpa-mediated proteasomal degradation. By phenotypical characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis parent and bpa deletion mutant strains, we show that Bpa-dependent proteasomal degradation supports the survival of the bacterium under stress conditions by degrading HspR that regulates vital chaperones.

Structural basis of prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein engagement and translocation by the mycobacterial Mpa-proteasome complex

Proteasomes are present in eukaryotes, archaea and Actinobacteria, including the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, where proteasomal degradation supports persistence inside the host. In mycobacteria and other members of Actinobacteria, prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) serves as a degradation tag post-translationally conjugated to target proteins for their recruitment to the mycobacterial proteasome ATPase (Mpa). Here, we use single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of Mpa in complex with the 20S core particle at an early stage of pupylated substrate recruitment, shedding light on the mechanism of substrate translocation. Two conformational states of Mpa show how substrate is translocated stepwise towards the degradation chamber of the proteasome core particle. We also demonstrate, in vitro and in vivo, the importance of a structural feature in Mpa that allows formation of alternating charge-complementary interactions with the proteasome resulting in radial, rail-guided movements during the ATPase conformational cycle.

Pup is the bacterial analog of ubiquitin for targeting proteins to the proteasome. Here, the authors use cryoEM to visualize structures of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome translocating a Pup-tagged substrate.

The prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein presents poor cleavage sites for proteasomal degradation

In an event reminiscent of eukaryotic ubiquitination, the bacterial prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup)-proteasome system (PPS) marks target proteins for proteasomal degradation by covalently attaching Pup, the bacterial tagging molecule. Yet, ubiquitin is released from its conjugated target following proteasome binding, whereas Pup enters the proteasome and remains conjugated to the target. Here, we report that although Pup can be degraded by the bacterial proteasome, it lacks favorable 20S core particle (CP) cleavage sites and is thus a very poor 20S CP substrate. Reconstituting the PPS in vitro, we demonstrate that during pupylated protein degradation, Pup can escape unharmed and remain conjugated to a target-derived degradation fragment. Removal of this degradation fragment by Dop, a depupylase, facilitates Pup recycling and re-conjugation to a new target. This study thus offers a mechanistic model for Pup recycling and demonstrates how a lack of protein susceptibility to proteasome-mediated cleavage can play a mechanistic role in a biological system.

Survival in Hostile Conditions: Pupylation and the Proteasome in Actinobacterial Stress Response Pathways

Bacteria employ a multitude of strategies to cope with the challenges they face in their natural surroundings, be it as pathogens, commensals or free-living species in rapidly changing environments like soil. Mycobacteria and other Actinobacteria acquired proteasomal genes and evolved a post-translational, ubiquitin-like modification pathway called pupylation to support their survival under rapidly changing conditions and under stress. The proteasomal 20S core particle (20S CP) interacts with ring-shaped activators like the hexameric ATPase Mpa that recruits pupylated substrates. The proteasomal subunits, Mpa and pupylation enzymes are encoded in the so-called Pup-proteasome system (PPS) gene locus. Genes in this locus become vital for bacteria to survive during periods of stress. In the successful human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the 20S CP is essential for survival in host macrophages. Other members of the PPS and proteasomal interactors are crucial for cellular homeostasis, for example during the DNA damage response, iron and copper regulation, and heat shock. The multiple pathways that the proteasome is involved in during different stress responses suggest that the PPS plays a vital role in bacterial protein quality control and adaptation to diverse challenging environments.

Proteasomes: unfoldase-assisted protein degradation machines

Proteasomes are the principal molecular machines for the regulated degradation of intracellular proteins. These self-compartmentalized macromolecular assemblies selectively degrade misfolded, mistranslated, damaged or otherwise unwanted proteins, and play a pivotal role in the maintenance of cellular proteostasis, in stress response, and numerous other processes of vital importance. Whereas the molecular architecture of the proteasome core particle (CP) is universally conserved, the unfoldase modules vary in overall structure, subunit complexity, and regulatory principles. Proteasomal unfoldases are AAA+ ATPases (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) that unfold protein substrates, and translocate them into the CP for degradation. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about proteasome - unfoldase systems in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, the three domains of life.

Pup-Click-A New Chemoenzymatic Method for the Generation of Singly Pupylated Targets

Conjugation of the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) to cellular proteins tags these proteins for degradation by a proteasome in actinobacteria. To study the Pup-proteasome system in in vitro biochemical assays, Pup-tagged (i.e., pupylated) proteins are often used. However, the purification of a homogeneous preparation of pupylated proteins often suffers from poor yields and limitations in terms of selecting the target protein and its site of pupylation. Here, we report on the development of a biochemical methodology we term Pup-Click for the generation of pupylated protein mimics in vitro. Pup-Click relies on a natural pupylation reaction combined with the use of a synthetic peptide and genetic code expansion via the use of unnatural amino acids and Click chemistry. In principle, this approach allows for conjugation of Pup to any selected target at potentially any desired position. Importantly, pupylated protein mimics generated by Pup-Click are recognized and processed by enzymes of the Pup-proteasome system. As such, Pup-Click can serve as a powerful tool for studying this protein degradation pathway.

The Bacterial Proteasome at the Core of Diverse Degradation Pathways

Proteasomal protein degradation exists in mycobacteria and other actinobacteria, and expands their repertoire of compartmentalizing protein degradation pathways beyond the usual bacterial types. A product of horizontal gene transfer, bacterial proteasomes have evolved to support the organism's survival under challenging environmental conditions like nutrient starvation and physical or chemical stresses. Like the eukaryotic 20S proteasome, the bacterial core particle is gated and must associate with a regulator complex to form a fully active protease capable of recruiting and internalizing substrate proteins. By association with diverse regulator complexes that employ different recruitment strategies, the bacterial 20S core particle is able to act in different cellular degradation pathways. In association with the mycobacterial proteasomal ATPase Mpa, the proteasome degrades substrates post-translationally modified with prokaryotic, ubiquitin-like protein Pup in a process called pupylation. Upon interaction with the ATP-independent bacterial proteasome activator Bpa, poorly structured substrates are recruited for proteasomal degradation. A potential third degradation route might employ a Cdc48-like protein of actinobacteria (Cpa), for which interaction with the 20S core was recently demonstrated but no degradation substrates have been identified yet. The alternative interaction partners and wide range of substrate proteins suggest that the bacterial proteasome is a modular, functionally flexible and conditionally regulated degradation machine in bacteria that encounter rapidly changing and challenging conditions.

Biology and Biochemistry of Bacterial Proteasomes

Proteasomes are a class of protease that carry out the degradation of a specific set of cellular proteins. While essential for eukaryotic life, proteasomes are found only in a small subset of bacterial species. In this chapter, we present the current knowledge of bacterial proteasomes, detailing the structural features and catalytic activities required to achieve proteasomal proteolysis. We describe the known mechanisms by which substrates are doomed for degradation, and highlight potential non-degradative roles for components of bacterial proteasome systems. Additionally, we highlight several pathways of microbial physiology that rely on proteasome activity. Lastly, we explain the various gaps in our understanding of bacterial proteasome function and emphasize several opportunities for further study.

How to control an intracellular proteolytic system: Coordinated regulatory switches in the mycobacterial Pup-proteasome system

Intracellular proteolysis is critical for the proper functioning of all cells, owing to its involvement in a wide range of processes. Because of the destructive nature of protein degradation, intracellular proteolysis is restricted by control mechanisms at almost every step of the proteolytic process. Understanding the coordination of such mechanisms is a challenging task, especially in systems as complex as the eukaryotic ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In comparison, the bacterial analog of the UPS, the Pup-proteasome system (PPS) is much simpler and, therefore, allows for insight into the control of a proteolytic system. This review integrates available information to present a coherent picture of what is known of PPS regulatory switches and describes how these switches act in concert to enforce regulation at the system level. Finally, open questions regarding PPS regulation are discussed, providing readers with a sense of what lies ahead in the field.

Prokaryotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein and Its Ligase/Deligase Enyzmes

Prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) and the modification enzymes involved in attaching Pup to or removing it from target proteins present a fascinating example of convergent evolution with respect to eukaryotic ubiquitination. Like ubiquitin (Ub), Pup is a small protein that can be covalently attached to lysine side chains of cellular proteins, and like Ub, it can serve to recruit tagged proteins for proteasomal degradation. However, unlike Ub, Pup is conformationally highly dynamic, exhibits a different linkage connectivity to its target lysines, and its ligase belongs to a different class of enzymes than the E1/E2/E3 cascade of ubiquitination. A specific feature of actinobacteria (aside from sporadic cases in a few other lineages), pupylation appears to have evolved to provide an advantage to the bacteria under certain environmental stresses rather than act as a constitutive modification. For Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pupylation and the recruitment of pupylated substrates to the proteasome support persistence inside host macrophages during pathogenesis, rendering the Pup-proteasome system an attractive drug target. In this review, we consider the dynamic nature of Pup in relation to its function, discuss the reaction mechanisms of ligation to substrates and cleavage from pupylated substrates, and put them in context of the evolutionary history of this post-translational modification.

Bacterial Proteasomes

Interest in bacterial proteasomes was sparked by the discovery that proteasomal degradation is required for the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one of the world's deadliest pathogens. Although bacterial proteasomes are structurally similar to their eukaryotic and archaeal homologs, there are key differences in their mechanisms of assembly, activation, and substrate targeting for degradation. In this article, we compare and contrast bacterial proteasomes with their archaeal and eukaryotic counterparts, and we discuss recent advances in our understanding of how bacterial proteasomes function to influence microbial physiology.

Pupylation : A Signal for Proteasomal Degradation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This chapter describes the identification of the first prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein modifier, Pup, which covalently attaches to proteins to target them for destruction by a bacterial proteasome in a manner akin to ubiquitin in eukaryotes. Despite using a proteasome as the end point for proteolysis, Pup and ubiquitin differ in sequence, structure and method of activation and conjugation to protein substrates. Pup is so far the only known posttranslational protein modifier in prokaryotes and its discovery opens the door to the possibility that others are present not only for proteolysis, but also to regulate protein function or localization. Here, we discuss the putative mechanism of activation and conjugation of Pup (termed "pupylation") to target proteins. In addition, because it is unclear whether or not Pup, like ubiquitin, is recycled or degraded during substrate targeting to the proteasome, we propose methods that may identify Pup deconjugation enzymes ("depupylases"). Finally, we outline future directions for Pup research and anti-tuberculosis drug discovery.

Posttranslational regulation of coordinated enzyme activities in the Pup-proteasome system

The proper functioning of any biological system depends on the coordinated activity of its components. Regulation at the genetic level is, in many cases, effective in determining the cellular levels of system components. However, in cases where regulation at the genetic level is insufficient for attaining harmonic system function, posttranslational regulatory mechanisms are often used. Here, we uncover posttranslational regulatory mechanisms in the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup)-proteasome system (PPS), the bacterial equivalent of the eukaryotic ubiquitin-proteasome system. Pup, a ubiquitin analog, is conjugated to proteins through the activities of two enzymes, Dop (deamidase of Pup) and PafA (proteasome accessory factor A), the Pup ligase. As Dop also catalyzes depupylation, it was unclear how PPS function could be maintained without Dop and PafA canceling the activity of the other, and how the two activities of Dop are balanced. We report that tight Pup binding and the limited degree of Dop interaction with high-molecular-weight pupylated proteins results in preferred Pup deamidation over protein depupylation by this enzyme. Under starvation conditions, when accelerated protein pupylation is required, this bias is intensified by depletion of free Dop molecules, thereby minimizing the chance of depupylation. We also find that, in contrast to Dop, PafA presents a distinct preference for high-molecular-weight protein substrates. As such, PafA and Dop act in concert, rather than canceling each other's activity, to generate a high-molecular-weight pupylome. This bias in pupylome molecular weight distribution is consistent with the proposed nutritional role of the PPS under starvation conditions.

The Pup-Proteasome System of Mycobacteria

Proteasomes are ATP-dependent, barrel-shaped proteases found in all three domains of life. In eukaryotes, proteins are typically targeted for degradation by posttranslational modification with the small protein ubiquitin. In 2008, the first bacterial protein modifier, Pup (prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein), was identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Functionally analogous to ubiquitin, conjugation with Pup serves as a signal for degradation by the mycobacterial proteasome. Proteolysis-dependent and -independent functions of the M. tuberculosis proteasome are essential for virulence of this successful pathogen. In this article we describe the discovery of the proteasome as a key player in tuberculosis pathogenesis and the biology and biochemistry of the Pup-proteasome system.

Alpha-ring Independent Assembly of the 20S Proteasome

Archaeal proteasomes share many features with their eukaryotic counterparts and serve as important models for assembly. Proteasomes are also found in certain bacterial lineages yet their assembly mechanism is thought to be fundamentally different. Here we investigate α-ring formation using recombinant proteasomes from the archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis. Through an engineered disulfide cross-linking strategy, we demonstrate that double α-rings are structurally analogous to half-proteasomes and can form independently of single α-rings. More importantly, via targeted mutagenesis, we show that single α-rings are not required for the efficient assembly of 20S proteasomes. Our data support updating the currently held "α-ring first" view of assembly, initially proposed in studies of archaeal proteasomes, and present a way to reconcile the seemingly separate bacterial assembly mechanism with the rest of the proteasome realm. We suggest that a common assembly network underpins the absolutely conserved architecture of proteasomes across all domains of life.

Survival of mycobacteria depends on proteasome-mediated amino acid recycling under nutrient limitation

Intracellular protein degradation is an essential process in all life domains. While in all eukaryotes regulated protein degradation involves ubiquitin tagging and the 26S-proteasome, bacterial prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) tagging and proteasomes are conserved only in species belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria and Nitrospira. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the Pup-proteasome system (PPS) is important for virulence, yet its physiological role in non-pathogenic species has remained an enigma. We now report, using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model organism, that the PPS is essential for survival under starvation. Upon nitrogen limitation, PPS activity is induced, leading to accelerated tagging and degradation of many cytoplasmic proteins. We suggest a model in which the PPS functions to recycle amino acids under nitrogen starvation, thereby enabling the cell to maintain basal metabolic activities. We also find that the PPS auto-regulates its own activity via pupylation and degradation of its components in a manner that promotes the oscillatory expression of PPS components. As such, the destructive activity of the PPS is carefully balanced to maintain cellular functions during starvation.

Prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein modification

Prokaryotes form ubiquitin (Ub)-like isopeptide bonds on the lysine residues of proteins by at least two distinct pathways that are reversible and regulated. In mycobacteria, the C-terminal Gln of Pup (prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein) is deamidated and isopeptide linked to proteins by a mechanism distinct from ubiquitylation in enzymology yet analogous to ubiquitylation in targeting proteins for destruction by proteasomes. Ub-fold proteins of archaea (SAMPs, small archaeal modifier proteins) and Thermus (TtuB, tRNA-two-thiouridine B) that differ from Ub in amino acid sequence, yet share a common β-grasp fold, also form isopeptide bonds by a mechanism that appears streamlined compared with ubiquitylation. SAMPs and TtuB are found to be members of a small group of Ub-fold proteins that function not only in protein modification but also in sulfur-transfer pathways associated with tRNA thiolation and molybdopterin biosynthesis. These multifunctional Ub-fold proteins are thought to be some of the most ancient of Ub-like protein modifiers.

Structural and biochemical properties of an extreme 'salt-loving' proteasome activating nucleotidase from the archaeon Haloferax volcanii

In eukaryotes, the 26S proteasome degrades ubiquitinylated proteins in an ATP-dependent manner. Archaea mediate a form of post-translational modification of proteins termed sampylation that resembles ubiquitinylation. Sampylation was identified in Haloferax volcanii, a moderate halophilic archaeon that synthesizes homologs of 26S proteasome subunits including 20S core particles and regulatory particle triple-A ATPases (Rpt)-like proteasome-associated nucleotidases (PAN-A/1 and PAN-B/2). To determine whether sampylated proteins associate with the Rpt subunit homologs, PAN-A/1 was purified to homogeneity from Hfx. volcanii and analyzed for its subunit stoichiometry, nucleotide-hydrolyzing activity and binding to sampylated protein targets. PAN-A/1 was found to be associated as a dodecamer (630 kDa) with a configuration in TEM suggesting a complex of two stacked hexameric rings. PAN-A/1 had high affinity for ATP (K m of ~0.44 mM) and hydrolyzed this nucleotide with a specific activity of 0.33 ± 0.1 μmol Pi/h per mg protein and maximum at 42 °C. PAN-A1 was stabilized by 2 M salt with a decrease in activity at lower concentrations of salt that correlated with dissociation of the dodecamer into trimers to monomers. Binding of PAN-A/1 to a sampylated protein was demonstrated by modification of a far Western blotting technique (derived from the standard Western blot method to detect protein-protein interaction in vitro) for halophilic proteins. Overall, our results support a model in which sampylated proteins associate with the PAN-A/1 AAA+ ATPase in proteasome-mediated proteolysis and/or protein remodeling and provide a method for assay of halophilic protein-protein interactions.

Bacterial proteasome and PafA, the pup ligase, interact to form a modular protein tagging and degradation machine

Proteasome-containing bacteria possess a tagging system that directs proteins to proteasomal degradation by conjugating them to a prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup). A single ligating enzyme, PafA, is responsible for Pup conjugation to lysine side chains of protein substrates. As Pup is recognized by the regulatory subunit of the proteasome, Pup functions as a degradation tag. Pup presents overlapping regions for binding of the proteasome and PafA. It was, therefore, unclear whether Pup binding by the proteasome regulatory subunit, Mpa, and by PafA are mutually exclusive events. The work presented here provides evidence for the simultaneous interaction of Pup with both Mpa and PafA. Surprisingly, we found that PafA and Mpa can form a complex both in vitro and in vivo. Our results thus suggest that PafA and the proteasome can function as a modular machine for the tagging and degradation of cytoplasmic proteins.

Prokaryotic proteasomes: nanocompartments of degradation

Proteasomes are self-compartmentalized energy-dependent proteolytic machines found in Archaea, Actinobacteria species of bacteria and eukaryotes. Proteasomes consist of two separate protein complexes, the core particle that hydrolyzes peptide bonds and an AAA+ ATPase domain responsible for the binding, unfolding and translocation of protein substrates into the core particle for degradation. Similarly to eukaryotes, proteasomes play a central role in protein degradation and can be essential in Archaea. Core particles associate with and utilize a variety of ATPase complexes to carry out protein degradation in Archaea. In actinobacterial species, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, proteasome-mediated degradation is associated with pathogenesis and does not appear to be essential. Interestingly, both actinobacterial species and Archaea use small proteins to covalently modify proteins, prokaryotic ubiquitin-like proteins (Pup) in Actinobacteria and ubiquitin-like small archaeal modifier proteins (SAMP) in Archaea. These modifications may play a role in proteasome targeting similar to the ubiquitin-proteasome system in eukaryotes.

Pupylation as a signal for proteasomal degradation in bacteria

Posttranslational modifications in the form of covalently attached proteins like ubiquitin (Ub), were long considered an exclusive feature of eukaryotic organisms. The discovery of pupylation, the modification of lysine residues with a prokaryotic, ubiquitin-like protein (Pup), demonstrated that certain bacteria use a tagging pathway functionally related to ubiquitination in order to target proteins for proteasomal degradation. However, functional analogies do not translate into structural or mechanistic relatedness. Bacterial Pup, unlike eukaryotic Ub, does not adopt a β-grasp fold, but is intrinsically disordered. Furthermore, isopeptide bond formation in the pupylation process is carried out by enzymes evolutionary descendent from glutamine synthetases. While in eukaryotes, the proteasome is the main energy-dependent protein degradation machine, bacterial proteasomes exist in addition to other architecturally related degradation complexes, and their specific role along with the role of pupylation is still poorly understood. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the Pup-proteasome system contributes to pathogenicity by supporting the bacterium's persistence within host macrophages. Here, we describe the mechanism and structural framework of pupylation and the targeting of pupylated proteins to the proteasome complex. Particular attention is given to the comparison of the bacterial Pup-proteasome system and the eukaryotic ubiquitin-proteasome system. Furthermore, the involvement of pupylation and proteasomal degradation in Mtb pathogenesis is discussed together with efforts to establish the Pup-proteasome system as a drug target. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Ubiquitin-Proteasome System. Guest Editors: Thomas Sommer and Dieter H. Wolf.

The pup-proteasome system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Proteasomes are ATP-dependent protein degradation machines present in all archaea and eukaryotes, and found in several bacterial species of the order Actinomycetales. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an Actinomycete pathogenic to humans, requires proteasome function to cause disease. In this chapter, we describe what is currently understood about the biochemistry of the Mtb proteasome and its role in virulence. The characterization of the Mtb proteasome has led to the discovery that proteins can be targeted for degradation by a small protein modifier in bacteria as they are in eukaryotes. Furthermore, the understanding of proteasome function in Mtb has helped reveal new insight into how the host battles infections.

The archaeal proteasome is regulated by a network of AAA ATPases

The proteasome is the central machinery for targeted protein degradation in archaea, Actinobacteria, and eukaryotes. In its basic form, it consists of a regulatory ATPase complex and a proteolytic core particle. The interaction between the two is governed by an HbYX motif (where Hb is a hydrophobic residue, Y is tyrosine, and X is any amino acid) at the C terminus of the ATPase subunits, which stimulates gate opening of the proteasomal α-subunits. In archaea, the proteasome-interacting motif is not only found in canonical proteasome-activating nucleotidases of the PAN/ARC/Rpt group, which are absent in major archaeal lineages, but also in proteins of the CDC48/p97/VAT and AMA groups, suggesting a regulatory network of proteasomal ATPases. Indeed, Thermoplasma acidophilum, which lacks PAN, encodes one CDC48 protein that interacts with the 20S proteasome and activates the degradation of model substrates. In contrast, Methanosarcina mazei contains seven AAA proteins, five of which, both PAN proteins, two out of three CDC48 proteins, and the AMA protein, function as proteasomal gatekeepers. The prevalent presence of multiple, distinct proteasomal ATPases in archaea thus results in a network of regulatory ATPases that may widen the substrate spectrum of proteasomal protein degradation.

Activity of the mycobacterial proteasomal ATPase Mpa is reversibly regulated by pupylation

Pupylation is a bacterial post-translational modification of target proteins on lysine residues with prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein Pup. Pup-tagged substrates are recognized by a proteasome-interacting ATPase termed Mpa in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mpa unfolds pupylated substrates and threads them into the proteasome core particle for degradation. Interestingly, Mpa itself is also a pupylation target. Here, we show that the Pup ligase PafA predominantly produces monopupylated Mpa modified homogeneously on a single lysine residue within its C-terminal region. We demonstrate that this modification renders Mpa functionally inactive. Pupylated Mpa can no longer support Pup-mediated proteasomal degradation due to its inability to associate with the proteasome core. Mpa is further inactivated by rapid Pup- and ATPase-driven deoligomerization of the hexameric Mpa ring. We show that pupylation of Mpa is chemically and functionally reversible. Mpa regains its enzymatic activity upon depupylation by the depupylase Dop, affording a rapid and reversible activity control over Mpa function.

Order of the proteasomal ATPases and eukaryotic proteasome assembly

The 26S proteasome is responsible for a large fraction of the regulated protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. The enzyme complex is composed of a 20S proteolytic core particle (CP) capped on one or both ends with a 19S regulatory particle (RP). The RP recognizes and unfolds substrates and translocates them into the CP. The RP can be further divided into lid and base subcomplexes. The base contains a ring of six AAA+ ATPases (Rpts) that directly abuts the CP and is responsible for unfolding substrates and driving them into the CP for proteolysis. Although 120 arrangements of the six different ATPases within the ring are possible in principle, they array themselves in one specific order. The high sequence and structural similarity between the Rpt subunits presents special challenges for their ordered association and incorporation into the assembling proteasome. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of proteasomal RP base biogenesis, with emphasis on potential specificity determinants in ring arrangement, and the implications of the ATPase ring arrangement for proteasome assembly.

The mycobacterial Mpa-proteasome unfolds and degrades pupylated substrates by engaging Pup's N-terminus

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, along with other actinobacteria, harbours proteasomes in addition to members of the general bacterial repertoire of degradation complexes. In analogy to ubiquitination in eukaryotes, substrates are tagged for proteasomal degradation with prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) that is recognized by the N-terminal coiled-coil domain of the ATPase Mpa (also called ARC). Here, we reconstitute the entire mycobacterial proteasome degradation system for pupylated substrates and establish its mechanistic features with respect to substrate recruitment, unfolding and degradation. We show that the Mpa-proteasome complex unfolds and degrades Pup-tagged proteins and that this activity requires physical interaction of the ATPase with the proteasome. Furthermore, we establish the N-terminal region of Pup as the structural element required for engagement of pupylated substrates into the Mpa pore. In this process, Mpa pulls on Pup to initiate unfolding of substrate proteins and to drag them toward the proteasome chamber. Unlike the eukaryotic ubiquitin, Pup is not recycled but degraded with the substrate. This assigns a dual function to Pup as both the Mpa recognition element as well as the threading determinant.

Pupylation versus ubiquitylation: tagging for proteasome-dependent degradation

Prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) is the first identified prokaryotic protein that is functionally analogous to ubiquitin. Despite using the proteasome as the end-point for proteolysis, Pup differs from ubiquitin both biochemically and structurally. We will discuss these differences that have been highlighted by several recent studies. Finally, we will speculate on the possible interactions between the two analogous pathways in pathogen and host.

Structural insights on the Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasomal ATPase Mpa

Proteasome-mediated protein turnover in all domains of life is an energy-dependent process that requires ATPase activity. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was recently shown to possess a ubiquitin-like proteasome pathway that plays an essential role in Mtb resistance to killing by products of host macrophages. Here we report our structural and biochemical investigation of Mpa, the presumptive Mtb proteasomal ATPase. We demonstrate that Mpa binds to the Mtb proteasome in the presence of ATPgammaS, providing the physical evidence that Mpa is the proteasomal ATPase. X-ray crystallographic determination of the conserved interdomain showed a five stranded double beta barrel structure containing a Greek key motif. Structure and mutational analysis indicate a major role of the interdomain for Mpa hexamerization. Our mutational and functional studies further suggest that the central channel in the Mpa hexamer is involved in protein substrate translocation and degradation. These studies provide insights into how a bacterial proteasomal ATPase interacts with and facilitates protein degradation by the proteasome.

Deletion of dop in Mycobacterium smegmatis abolishes pupylation of protein substrates in vivo

Proteasome-bearing bacteria make use of a ubiquitin-like modification pathway to target proteins for proteasomal turnover. In a process termed pupylation, proteasomal substrates are covalently modified with the small protein Pup that serves as a degradation signal. Pup is attached to substrate proteins by action of PafA. Prior to its attachment, Pup needs to undergo deamidation at its C-terminal residue, converting glutamine to glutamate. This step is catalysed in vitro by Dop. In order to characterize Dop activity in vivo, we generated a dop deletion mutant in Mycobacterium smegmatis. In the Deltadop strain, pupylation is severely impaired and the steady-state levels of two known proteasomal substrates are drastically increased. Pupylation can be re-established by complementing the mutant with either DopWt or a Pup variant carrying a glutamate at its ultimate C-terminal position (PupGGE). Our data show that Pup is deamidated by Dop in vivo and that likely Dop alone is responsible for this activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a putative N-terminal ATP-binding motif is crucial for catalysis, as a single point mutation (E10A) in this motif abolishes Dop activity both in vivo and in vitro.

Architecture and molecular mechanism of PAN, the archaeal proteasome regulatory ATPase

In Archaea, an hexameric ATPase complex termed PAN promotes proteins unfolding and translocation into the 20 S proteasome. PAN is highly homologous to the six ATPases of the eukaryotic 19 S proteasome regulatory complex. Thus, insight into the mechanism of PAN function may reveal a general mode of action mutual to the eukaryotic 19 S proteasome regulatory complex. In this study we generated a three-dimensional model of PAN from tomographic reconstruction of negatively stained particles. Surprisingly, this reconstruction indicated that the hexameric complex assumes a two-ring structure enclosing a large cavity. Assessment of distinct three-dimensional functional states of PAN in the presence of adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) and ADP and in the absence of nucleotides outlined a possible mechanism linking nucleotide binding and hydrolysis to substrate recognition, unfolding, and translocation. A novel feature of the ATPase complex revealed in this study is a gate controlling the "exit port" of the regulatory complex and, presumably, translocation into the 20 S proteasome. Based on our structural and biochemical findings, we propose a possible model in which substrate binding and unfolding are linked to structural transitions driven by nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, whereas translocation into the proteasome only depends upon the presence of an unfolded substrate and binding but not hydrolysis of nucleotide.

Proteasomal protein degradation in Mycobacteria is dependent upon a prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein

The striking identification of an apparent proteasome core in Mycobacteria and allied actinomycetes suggested that additional elements of this otherwise strictly eukaryotic system for regulated protein degradation might be conserved. The genes encoding this prokaryotic proteasome are clustered in an operon with a short open reading frame that encodes a small protein of 64 amino acids resembling ubiquitin with a carboxyl-terminal di-glycine-glutamine motif (herein called Pup for prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein). Expression of a polyhistidine-tagged Pup followed by pulldown revealed that a broad spectrum of proteins were post-translationally modified by Pup. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis allowed us to conclusively identify two targets of this modification as myoinositol-1-phosphate synthase and superoxide dismutase. Deletion of the penultimate di-glycine motif or the terminal glutamine completely abrogated modification of cellular proteins with Pup. Further mass spectral analysis demonstrated that Pup was attached to a lysine residue on its target protein via the carboxyl-terminal glutamine with deamidation of this residue. Finally, we showed that cell lysates of wild type (but not a proteasome mutant) efficiently degraded Pup-modified proteins. These data therefore establish that, despite differences in both sequence and target linkage, Pup plays an analogous role to ubiquitin in targeting proteins to the proteasome for degradation.

Actinomycete-like proteasomes in a Gram-negative bacterium

Cultivation-independent proteogenomic exploration of mine-drainage biofilm has revealed proteasomes in Gram-negative bacteria of the Nitrospirae phylum (Leptospirillum group II) dominating this acidophilic community. Most probably, the proteasome genes were acquired from actinobacteria, the only eubacteria previously known to contain proteasomes. In addition, this study shows that the proteasome and the evolutionarily related ATP-dependent protease HslVU (also known as ClpQY) are not mutually exclusive in prokaryotes.

Proteome analysis of Streptomyces coelicolor mutants affected in the proteasome system reveals changes in stress-responsive proteins

Prokaryotic 20S proteasomes are confined to archaebacteria and actinomycetes. Bacterial targets of this compartmentalized multi-subunit protease have not yet been identified and its physiological function in prokaryotes remains unknown. In this study, intracellular and extracellular proteomes of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) mutants affected in the structural genes of the 20S proteasome, in the gene encoding the presumed proteasome-accessory AAA ATPase ARC, or in two putative proteasome-associated actinomycete-specific genes (sco1646, sco1647) were analysed, revealing modified patterns of stress-responsive proteins. In addition, the extracellular protease profile of the sco1647 mutant was significantly altered. The most prominent change, common to the four mutants, was a strongly increased level of the non-heme chloroperoxidase SCO0465, coinciding with an increased resistance to cumene hydroperoxide.

Identification of substrates of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasome

The putative proteasome-associated proteins Mpa (Mycobaterium proteasomal ATPase) and PafA (proteasome accessory factor A) of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are essential for virulence and resistance to nitric oxide. However, a direct link between the proteasome protease and Mpa or PafA has never been demonstrated. Furthermore, protein degradation by bacterial proteasomes in vitro has not been accomplished, possibly due to the failure to find natural degradation substrates or other necessary proteasome co-factors. In this work, we identify the first bacterial proteasome substrates, malonyl Co-A acyl carrier protein transacylase and ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase, enzymes that are required for the biosynthesis of fatty acids and polyketides that are essential for the pathogenesis of Mtb. Maintenance of the physiological levels of these enzymes required Mpa and PafA in addition to proteasome protease activity. Mpa levels were also regulated in a proteasome-dependent manner. Finally, we found that a conserved tyrosine of Mpa was essential for function. Thus, these results suggest that Mpa, PafA, and the Mtb proteasome degrade bacterial proteins that are important for virulence in mice.

A proteomic analysis ofStreptomyces coelicolor programmed cell death

Programmed cell death (PCD) is an active cellular suicide that occurs in eukaryotes and bacteria in response to both abiotic and biotic stresses. In contrast to eukaryotic apoptosis, little is known about the molecular machinery that regulates bacterial PCD. In a previous work, we described the existence of PCD phenomena in Streptomyces (Manteca et al., Res. Microbiol. 2006, 157, 143-152). In the present study, we performed a proteomic analysis of PCD in Streptomyces coelicolor, for which we developed a system to obtain dead and live cell-enriched samples. PCD in this filamentous bacterium is accompanied by the appearance of enzymes involved in the degradation of cellular macromolecules, regulatory proteins, and stress-induced proteins. We argue that some of these proteins have specific functions in the PCD pathway and putative roles for the identified proteins have been proposed. The increased amounts of several antioxidant proteins suggest oxidative stress as either the cause or consequence of the cell death.

Self-compartmentalized bacterial proteases and pathogenesis

Protein degradation is required for homeostasis of all living organisms. Self-compartmentalized ATP-dependent proteases are required for virulence of several pathogenic bacteria. Among the proteases implicated are ClpP and Lon, as well as the more recently identified bacterial proteasome. It is generally assumed that when a pathogen invades a host, microbial proteins become irreversibly damaged and need to be degraded. However, recent data suggest that proteolysis is also essential for virulence gene regulation. In this review, we will discuss what is known about the relationship between ATP-dependent proteolysis and pathogenesis. In addition, we will propose other potential roles these chambered proteases may have in bacterial virulence. Importantly, these proteases show promise as targets for antimicrobial therapy.

Characterization of AMA, a new AAA protein from Archaeoglobus and methanogenic archaea

We have previously reported a new group of AAA proteins, which is only found in Archaeoglobus and methanogenic archaea (AMA). The proteins are phylogenetically basal to the metalloprotease clade and their N-terminal domain is homologous to the beta-clam part of the N-domain of CDC48-like proteins. Here we report the biochemical and biophysical characterization of Archaeoglobus fulgidus AMA, and of its isolated N-terminal (AMA-N) and ATPase (AMA-DeltaN) domains. AfAMA forms hexameric complexes, as does AMA-N, while AMA-DeltaN only forms dimers. The ability to hexamerize is dependent on the integrity of a GYPL motif in AMA-N, which resembles the pore motif of FtsH and HslU. While the physiological function of AMA is unknown, we show that it has ATP-dependent chaperone activity and can prevent the thermal aggregation of proteins in vitro. The ability to interact with non-native proteins resides in the N-domain and is energy-independent.

Proteasomes from Structure to Function: Perspectives from Archaea

Insight into the world of proteolysis has expanded considerably over the past decade. Energy-dependent proteases, such as the proteasome, are no longer viewed as nonspecific degradative enzymes associated solely with protein catabolism but are intimately involved in controlling biological processes that span life to death. The proteasome maintains this exquisite control by catalyzing the precisely timed and rapid turnover of key regulatory proteins. Proteasomes also interplay with chaperones to ensure protein quality and to readjust the composition of the proteome following stress. Archaea encode proteasomes that are highly related to those of eukaryotes in basic structure and function. Investigations of archaeal proteasomes coupled with those of eukaryotes has greatly facilitated our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern regulated protein degradation by this elaborate nanocompartmentalized machine.

Purification and characterization of the N-terminal domain of ExeA: a novel ATPase involved in the type II secretion pathway of Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila secretes a number of degradative enzymes and toxins into the external milieu via the type II secretory pathway or secreton. ExeA is an essential component of this system and is necessary for the localization and/or multimerization of the secretin ExeD. ExeA contains two sequence motifs characteristic of the Walker superfamily of ATPases. Previous examination of substitution derivatives altered in these motifs suggested that ATP binding or hydrolysis is required for ExeAB complex formation and subsequent secretion function. To directly examine ExeA function, the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of ExeA with the addition of a C-terminal hexahistidine tag (cytExeA) was overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified by metal chelate affinity and anion-exchange chromatographic techniques. Purified preparations of cytExeA exhibited ATPase activity in the presence of several divalent cations, Mg2+ being the preferred cation, with an optimum reaction temperature of approximately 37 to 42 degrees C and an optimum pH of 7 to 8. cytExeA exhibited an apparent K(m) for Mg-ATP of 0.22 mM and a V(max) of 0.72 nmol min(-1) mg(-1) of protein. cytExeA displayed low specificity for nucleoside triphosphate substrates and was significantly inhibited by F-type ATPase inhibitors. Gel filtration analyses of cytExeA, ExeA, and ExeAB indicated that ExeA dimerizes and forms a very large complex with ExeB. These findings support a model whereby ExeAB utilizes energy derived from ATP hydrolysis to facilitate the correct localization and multimerization of the ExeD secretin.

Characterization of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteasomal ATPase homologue

A screen for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) mutants sensitive to reactive nitrogen intermediates identified transposon insertions in the presumptive proteasomal ATPase gene mpa (mycobacterium proteasome ATPase; Rv2115c). mpa mutants are attenuated in both wild type and nitric oxide synthase 2 deficient mice. In this work, we show that attenuation of mpa mutants is severe, and that Mpa is an ATPase associated with various cellular activities (AAA) ATPase that forms hexameric rings resembling the eukaryotic complex p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP). Point mutations in the conserved Walker box ATPase motifs of Mpa greatly reduced or abolished ATPase activity in vitro and abrogated protection of Mtb against acidified nitrite. A mutant Mpa protein missing only its last two amino acids retained ATPase activity, yet failed to protect Mtb against nitrite. The corresponding strain was attenuated in mice. Thus, Mpa is an ATPase whose enzymatic activity is necessary but not sufficient to protect against reactive nitrogen intermediates.

Phylogenetic analysis of AAA proteins

AAA ATPases form a large protein family with manifold cellular roles. They belong to the AAA+ superfamily of ringshaped P-loop NTPases, which exert their activity through the energy-dependent unfolding of macromolecules. Phylogenetic analyses have suggested the existence of five major clades of AAA domains (proteasome subunits, metalloproteases, domains D1 and D2 of ATPases with two AAA domains, and the MSP1/katanin/spastin group), as well as a number of deeply branching minor clades. These analyses however have been characterized by a lack of consistency in defining the boundaries of the AAA family. We have used cluster analysis to delineate unambiguously the group of AAA sequences within the AAA+ superfamily. Phylogenetic and cluster analysis of this sequence set revealed the existence of a sixth major AAA clade, comprising the mitochondrial, membrane-bound protein BCS1 and its homologues. In addition, we identified several deep branches consisting mainly of hypothetical proteins resulting from genomic projects. Analysis of the AAA N-domains provided direct support for the obtained phylogeny for most branches, but revealed some deep splits that had not been apparent from phylogenetic analysis and some unexpected similarities between distant clades. It also revealed highly degenerate D1 domains in plant MSP1 sequences and in at least one deeply branching group of hypothetical proteins (YC46), showing that AAA proteins with two ATPase domains arose at least three times independently.

The N-terminal coiled coil of the Rhodococcus erythropolis ARC AAA ATPase is neither necessary for oligomerization nor nucleotide hydrolysis

Deletion mutants of the Rhodococcus erythropolis ARC AAA ATPase were generated and characterized by biochemical analysis and electron microscopy. Based on sequence comparisons the ARC protein was divided into three consecutive regions, the N-terminal coiled coil, the central ARC-specific inter domain and the C-terminal AAA domain. When the ARC AAA domain was expressed separately it formed aggregates of undefined structure. However, when the AAA domain was expressed in conjunction with the preceeding inter domain, but without the N-terminal coiled coil, high-molecular weight-complexes were formed (ARC-DeltaCC) which showed an N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive ATPase activity. In 2D crystallization experiments the ARC-DeltaCC particles yielded crystals nearly identical to those formed by the wild-type ARC complexes. Thus, the N-terminal coiled coil, which was proposed to have a role in the assembly of and/or interaction between the eukaryotic AAA ATPases in the 26S proteasome, is neither essential for assembly nor for ATP hydrolysis of the ARC ATPase. The N-terminal domain of related AAA ATPases mediates the interaction with substrates or co-factors, suggesting a regulatory function for the N-terminal coiled coil of the ARC ATPase. Surprisingly, the mutant ARC protein ARC-DeltaAAA consisting of the N-terminal coiled coil and the central inter domain, but deleted for the C-terminal AAA domain, was shown to form a dodecameric complex with sixfold symmetry. This suggests an important role of the inter domain for the ordered assembly of the ARC ATPase.

Differential regulation of the PanA and PanB proteasome-activating nucleotidase and 20S proteasomal proteins of the haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii

The halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii produces three different proteins (alpha1, alpha2, and beta) that assemble into at least two 20S proteasome isoforms. This work reports the cloning and sequencing of two H. volcanii proteasome-activating nucleotidase (PAN) genes (panA and panB). The deduced PAN proteins were 60% identical with Walker A and B motifs and a second region of homology typical of AAA ATPases. The most significant region of divergence was the N terminus predicted to adopt a coiled-coil conformation involved in substrate recognition. Of the five proteasomal proteins, the alpha1, beta, and PanA proteins were the most abundant. Differential regulation of all five genes was observed, with a four- to eightfold increase in mRNA levels as cells entered stationary phase. In parallel with this mRNA increase, the protein levels of PanB and alpha2 increased severalfold during the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase, suggesting that these protein levels are regulated at least in part by mechanisms that control transcript levels. In contrast, the beta and PanA protein levels remained relatively constant, while the alpha1 protein levels exhibited only a modest increase. This lack of correlation between the mRNA and protein levels for alpha1, beta, and PanA suggests posttranscriptional mechanisms are involved in regulating the levels of these major proteasomal proteins. Together these results support a model in which the cell regulates the ratio of the different 20S proteasome and PAN proteins to modulate the structure and ultimately the function of this central energy-dependent proteolytic system.

Can whole genome analysis refine the taxonomy of the genus Rhodococcus?

The current systematics of the genus Rhodococcus is unclear, partly because many members were originally included before the application of a polyphasic taxonomic approach, central to which is the acquisition of 16S rRNA sequence data. This has resulted in the reclassification and description of many new species. Hence, the literature is replete with new species names that have not been brought together in an organized and easily interpreted form. This taxonomic confusion has been compounded by assigning many xenobiotic degrading isolates with phylogenetic positions but without formal taxonomic descriptions. In order to provide a framework for a taxonomic approach based on multiple genetic loci, a survey was undertaken of the known genome characteristics of members of the genus Rhodococcus including: (i) genetics of cell envelope biosynthesis; (ii) virulence genes; (iii) gene clusters involved in metabolic degradation and industrially relevant pathways; (iv) genetic analysis tools; (v) rapid identification of bacteria including rhodococci with specific gene RFLPs; (vi) genomic organization of rrn operons. Genes encoding virulence factors have been characterized for Rhodococcus equi and Rhodococcus fascians. Based on peptide signature comparisons deduced from gene sequences for cytochrome P-450, mono- and dioxygenases, alkane degradation, nitrile metabolism, proteasomes and desulfurization, phylogenetic relationships can be deduced for Rhodococcus erythropolis, Rhodococcus globerulus, Rhodococcus ruber and a number of undesignated Rhodococcus spp. that may distinguish the genus Rhodococcus into two further genera. The linear genome topologies that exist in some Rhodococcus species may alter a previously proposed model for the analysis of genomic fingerprinting techniques used in bacterial systematics.

The yjoB gene of Bacillus subtilis encodes a protein that is a novel member of the AAA family

The yjoB gene of Bacillus subtilis encodes a 48.8-kDa protein belonging to the AAA family. Members of this family contain a 200-250-amino acid residues AAA domain carrying a Walker A and B ATP-binding site assumed to be part of a molecular chaperone. The yjoB gene belongs to the sigmaW regulon, and members of this regulon have been reported to be transiently induced when cells enter the stationary growth phase. This assumption was confirmed here for yjoB by Western blot experiments and by analysis of a transcriptional fusion. Purified YjoB protein exhibited ATPase activity but was unable to prevent aggregation of denatured citrate synthase. An alignment of YjoB with a subgroup of AAA proteins present in Archaea suggests that YjoB might be involved in the modulation of the activity of one or more proteases.