Slow-binding inhibition of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase

Regulation of carbohydrate degradation pathways in Pseudomonas involves a versatile set of transcriptional regulators

Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas are widespread in nature. In the last decades, members of this genus, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida, have acquired great interest because of their interactions with higher organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the lung of cystic fibrosis patients, while P. putida is a soil bacterium able to establish a positive interaction with the plant rhizosphere. Members of Pseudomonas genus have a robust metabolism for amino acids and organic acids as well as aromatic compounds; however, these microbes metabolize a very limited number of sugars. Interestingly, they have three-pronged metabolic system to generate 6-phosphogluconate from glucose suggesting an adaptation to efficiently consume this sugar. This review focuses on the description of the regulatory network of glucose utilization in Pseudomonas, highlighting the differences between P. putida and P. aeruginosa. Most interestingly, It is highlighted a functional link between glucose assimilation and exotoxin A production in P. aeruginosa. The physiological relevance of this connection remains unclear, and it needs to be established whether a similar relationship is also found in other bacteria.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase from Streptococcus suis serotype 2

2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) adolase from pathogenic Streptococcus suis serotype 2 was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 291 K. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.8 A resolution. The crystal belonged to space group R32, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 126.4, c = 415.9 A, alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees . Assuming the presence of six molecules in the asymmetric unit gave a V(M) value of 2.32 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 47.12%.