Biochemical and structural characterization of a novel family of cystathionine beta-synthase domain proteins fused to a Zn ribbon-like domain

Functional Integrity of Radical SAM Enzyme Dph1•Dph2 Requires Non-Canonical Cofactor Motifs with Tandem Cysteines

The Dph1•Dph2 heterodimer from yeast is a radical SAM (RS) enzyme that generates the 3-amino-3-carboxy-propyl (ACP) precursor for diphthamide, a clinically relevant modification on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). ACP formation requires SAM cleavage and atypical Cys-bound Fe-S clusters in each Dph1 and Dph2 subunit. Intriguingly, the first Cys residue in each motif is found next to another ill-defined cysteine that we show is conserved across eukaryotes. As judged from structural modeling, the orientation of these tandem cysteine motifs (TCMs) suggests a candidate Fe-S cluster ligand role. Hence, we generated, by site-directed DPH1 and DPH2 mutagenesis, Dph1•Dph2 variants with cysteines from each TCM replaced individually or in combination by serines. Assays diagnostic for diphthamide formation in vivo reveal that while single substitutions in the TCM of Dph2 cause mild defects, double mutations almost entirely inactivate the RS enzyme. Based on enhanced Dph1 and Dph2 subunit instability in response to cycloheximide chases, the variants with Cys substitutions in their cofactor motifs are particularly prone to protein degradation. In sum, we identify a fourth functionally cooperative Cys residue within the Fe-S motif of Dph2 and show that the Cys-based cofactor binding motifs in Dph1 and Dph2 are critical for the structural integrity of the dimeric RS enzyme in vivo.

The DnaJ proteins DJA6 and DJA5 are essential for chloroplast iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis

Fe-S clusters are ancient, ubiquitous and highly essential prosthetic groups for numerous fundamental processes of life. The biogenesis of Fe-S clusters is a multistep process including iron acquisition, sulfur mobilization, and cluster formation. Extensive studies have provided deep insights into the mechanism of the latter two assembly steps. However, the mechanism of iron utilization during chloroplast Fe-S cluster biogenesis is still unknown. Here we identified two Arabidopsis DnaJ proteins, DJA6 and DJA5, that can bind iron through their conserved cysteine residues and facilitate iron incorporation into Fe-S clusters by interactions with the SUF (sulfur utilization factor) apparatus through their J domain. Loss of these two proteins causes severe defects in the accumulation of chloroplast Fe-S proteins, a dysfunction of photosynthesis, and a significant intracellular iron overload. Evolutionary analyses revealed that DJA6 and DJA5 are highly conserved in photosynthetic organisms ranging from cyanobacteria to higher plants and share a strong evolutionary relationship with SUFE1, SUFC, and SUFD throughout the green lineage. Thus, our work uncovers a conserved mechanism of iron utilization for chloroplast Fe-S cluster biogenesis.

Functional Characterization of Alr0765, A Hypothetical Protein from Anabaena PCC 7120 Involved in Cellular Energy Status Sensing, Iron Acquisition and Abiotic Stress Management in E. coli Using Molecular, Biochemical and Computational Approaches

BACKGROUND

Cyanobacteria are excellent model to understand the basic metabolic processes taking place in response to abiotic stress. The present study involves the characterization of a hypothetical protein Alr0765 of Anabaena PCC7120 comprising the CBS-CP12 domain and deciphering its role in abiotic stress tolerance.

METHODS

Molecular cloning, heterologous expression and protein purification using affinity chromatography were performed to obtain native purified protein Alr0765. The energy sensing property of Alr0765 was inferred from its binding affinity with different ligand molecules as analyzed by FTIR and TNP-ATP binding assay. AAS and real time-PCR were applied to evaluate the iron acquisition property and cyclic voltammetry was employed to check the redox sensitivity of the target protein. Transcript levels under different abiotic stresses, as well as spot assay, CFU count, ROS level and cellular H2O2 level, were used to show the potential role of Alr0765 in abiotic stress tolerance. In-silico analysis of Alr0765 included molecular function probability analysis, multiple sequence analysis, protein domain and motif finding, secondary structure analysis, protein-ligand interaction, homologous modeling, model refinement and verification and molecular docking was performed with COFACTOR, PROMALS-3D, InterProScan, MEME, TheaDomEx, COACH, Swiss modeller, Modrefiner, PROCHECK, ERRAT, MolProbity, ProSA, TM-align, and Discovery studio, respectively.

RESULTS

Transcript levels of alr0765 significantly increased by 20, 13, 15, 14.8, 12, 7, 6 and 2.5 fold when Anabaena PCC7120 treated with LC50 dose of heat, arsenic, cadmium, butachlor, salt, mannitol (drought), UV-B, and methyl viologen respectively, with respect to control (untreated). Heterologous expression resulted in 23KDa protein observed on the SDS-PAGE. Immunoblotting and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, followed by MASCOT search analysis, confirmed the identity of the protein and ESI/MS revealed that the purified protein was a dimer. Binding possibility of Alr0765 with ATP was observed with an almost 6-fold increment in relative fluorescence during TNP-ATP binding assay with a λ max of 538 nm. FTIR spectra revealed modification in protein confirmation upon binding of Alr0765 with ATP, ADP, AMP and NADH. A 10-fold higher accumulation of iron was observed in digests of E. coli with recombinant vector after induction as compared to control, which affirms the iron acquisition property of the protein. Moreover, the generation of the redox potential of 146 mV by Alr0765 suggested its probable role in maintaining the redox status of the cell under environmental constraints. As per CFU count recombinant, E. coli BL21 cells showed about 14.7, 7.3, 6.9, 1.9, 3 and 4.9 fold higher number of colonies under heat, cadmium (CdCl2), arsenic (Na3AsO4), salt (NaCl), UV-B and drought (mannitol) respectively compared to pET21a harboring E. coli BL21 cells. Deterioration in the cellular ROS level and total cellular H2O2 concentration validated the stress tolerance ability of Alr0765. In-silico analysis unraveled novel findings and attested experimental findings in determining the role of Alr0765.

CONCLUSION

Alr0765 is a novel CBS-CP12 domain protein that maintains cellular energy level and iron homeostasis which provides tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses.

Methods for Studying the Radical SAM Enzymes in Diphthamide Biosynthesis

Diphthamide is a unique posttranslational modification on translation elongation factor 2 (EF2) in archaea and eukaryotes. Biosynthesis of diphthamide was proposed to involve four steps. The first step is a CC bond forming reaction catalyzed by unique radical S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzymes. Classical radical SAM enzymes use SAM and [4Fe-4S] clusters to generate a 5'-deoxyadenynal radical and catalyze numerous reactions. Radical SAM enzymes in diphthamide biosynthesis cleave a different CS bond in SAM to generate a 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl radical and modify a histidine residue of substrate protein EF2. Here, we describe our investigations on these unique radical SAM enzymes, including the preparation, characterization, and activity assays we have developed.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis hypoxic response protein 1 (Hrp1) augments the pro-inflammatory response and enhances the survival of Mycobacterium smegmatis in murine macrophages

PURPOSE

The DosR/DosS two-component regulatory system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis regulates the expression of numerous genes under stress conditions and is important for the long-term survival of M. tuberculosis in the host. The rv2626c gene of M. tuberculosis is one of the most strongly induced transcripts of the dormancy regulon. This study focused on the immunological effects and possible function of Rv2626c in maintaining mycobacterial survival under various stress conditions.

METHODOLOGY

We heterologously expressed the Rv2626c protein in Mycobacterium smegmatis by constructing a recombinant strain Ms_rv2626c. The viability of Ms_rv2626c was evaluated both in vivo and ex vivo. Different stress conditions, including acidified sodium nitrite, malachite green, low pH, SDS and lysozyme, were used to evaluate the effect of Rv2626c on bacterial resistance. An in vitro assay using a macrophage infection model was utilized to investigate the potential effect of Rv2626c to alter the immune response of host cell and its associated pathways. The effect of Rv2626c on cell necrosis was also explored.

RESULTS

The expression of Rv2626c-enhanced M. smegmatis survival under hypoxia and nitric oxide stress in vitro, and this enhancement was maintained within macrophages and in mouse tissues. In addition, macrophages infected with M. smegmatis expressing Rv2626c showed significantly higher interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, as well as a higher level of cell necrosis, compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

M. tuberculosis protein Rv2626c plays a significant role in stimulating macrophages to provoke a pro-inflammatory response and in mycobacterial survival during infection.

Wobble uridine modifications-a reason to live, a reason to die?!

Wobble uridines (U₃₄) are generally modified in all species. U₃₄ modifications can be essential in metazoans but are not required for viability in fungi. In this review, we provide an overview on the types of modifications and how they affect the physico-chemical properties of wobble uridines. We describe the molecular machinery required to introduce these modifications into tRNA posttranscriptionally and discuss how posttranslational regulation may affect the activity of the modifying enzymes. We highlight the activity of anticodon specific RNases that target U₃₄ containing tRNA. Finally, we discuss how defects in wobble uridine modifications lead to phenotypes in different species. Importantly, this review will mainly focus on the cytoplasmic tRNAs of eukaryotes. A recent review has extensively covered their bacterial and mitochondrial counterparts.¹

Experimental validation of in silico model-predicted isocitrate dehydrogenase and phosphomannose isomerase from Dehalococcoides mccartyi

Gene sequences annotated as proteins of unknown or non‐specific function and hypothetical proteins account for a large fraction of most genomes. In the strictly anaerobic and organohalide respiring Dehalococcoides mccartyi, this lack of annotation plagues almost half the genome. Using a combination of bioinformatics analyses and genome‐wide metabolic modelling, new or more specific annotations were proposed for about 80 of these poorly annotated genes in previous investigations of D. mccartyi metabolism. Herein, we report the experimental validation of the proposed reannotations for two such genes (KB1_0495 and KB1_0553) from D. mccartyi strains in the KB‐1 community. KB1_0495 or DmIDH was originally annotated as an NAD⁺‐dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, but biochemical assays revealed its activity primarily with NADP⁺ as a cofactor. KB1_0553, also denoted as DmPMI, was originally annotated as a hypothetical protein/sugar isomerase domain protein. We previously proposed that it was a bifunctional phosphoglucose isomerase/phosphomannose isomerase, but only phosphomannose isomerase activity was identified and confirmed experimentally. Further bioinformatics analyses of these two protein sequences suggest their affiliation to potentially novel enzyme families within their respective larger enzyme super families.

An Iron Reservoir to the Catalytic Metal: THE RUBREDOXIN IRON IN AN EXTRADIOL DIOXYGENASE

The rubredoxin motif is present in over 74,000 protein sequences and 2,000 structures, but few have known functions. A secondary, non-catalytic, rubredoxin-like iron site is conserved in 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (HAO), from single cellular sources but not multicellular sources. Through the population of the two metal binding sites with various metals in bacterial HAO, the structural and functional relationship of the rubredoxin-like site was investigated using kinetic, spectroscopic, crystallographic, and computational approaches. It is shown that the first metal presented preferentially binds to the catalytic site rather than the rubredoxin-like site, which selectively binds iron when the catalytic site is occupied. Furthermore, an iron ion bound to the rubredoxin-like site is readily delivered to an empty catalytic site of metal-free HAO via an intermolecular transfer mechanism. Through the use of metal analysis and catalytic activity measurements, we show that a downstream metabolic intermediate can selectively remove the catalytic iron. As the prokaryotic HAO is often crucial for cell survival, there is a need for ensuring its activity. These results suggest that the rubredoxin-like site is a possible auxiliary iron source to the catalytic center when it is lost during catalysis in a pathway with metabolic intermediates of metal-chelating properties. A spare tire concept is proposed based on this biochemical study, and this concept opens up a potentially new functional paradigm for iron-sulfur centers in iron-dependent enzymes as transient iron binding and shuttling sites to ensure full metal loading of the catalytic site.

Structure of the Elongator cofactor complex Kti11/Kti13 provides insight into the role of Kti13 in Elongator-dependent tRNA modification

Modification of wobble uridines of many eukaryotic tRNAs requires the Elongator complex, a highly conserved six-subunit eukaryotic protein assembly, as well as the Killer toxin-insensitive (Kti) proteins 11-14. Kti11 was additionally shown to be implicated in the biosynthesis of diphthamide, a post-translationally modified histidine of translation elongation factor 2. Recent data indicate that iron-bearing Kti11 functions as an electron donor to the [4Fe-4S] cluster of radical S-Adenosylmethionine enzymes, triggering the subsequent radical reaction. We show here that recombinant yeast Kti11 forms a stable 1 : 1 complex with Kti13. To obtain insights into the function of this heterodimer, the Kti11/Kti13 complex was purified to homogeneity, crystallized, and its structure determined at 1.45 Å resolution. The importance of several residues mediating complex formation was confirmed by mutagenesis. Kti13 adopts a fold characteristic of RCC1-like proteins. The seven-bladed β-propeller consists of a unique mixture of four- and three-stranded blades. In the complex, Kti13 orients Kti11 and restricts access to its electron-carrying iron atom, constraining the electron transfer capacity of Kti11. Based on these findings, we propose a role for Kti13, and discuss the possible functional implications of complex formation.

DATABASE

Structural data have been submitted to the Protein Data Bank under accession number 4X33.

Structure of the Kti11/Kti13 heterodimer and its double role in modifications of tRNA and eukaryotic elongation factor 2

The small, highly conserved Kti11 alias Dph3 protein encoded by the Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin insensitive gene KTI11/DPH3 is involved in the diphthamide modification of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 and, together with Kti13, in Elongator-dependent tRNA wobble base modifications, thereby affecting the speed and accuracy of protein biosynthesis through two distinct mechanisms. We have solved the crystal structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kti13 and the Kti11/Kti13 heterodimer at 2.4 and 2.9 Å resolution, respectively, and validated interacting residues through mutational analysis in vitro and in vivo. We show that metal coordination by Kti11 and its heterodimerization with Kti13 are essential for both translational control mechanisms. Our structural and functional analyses identify Kti13 as an additional component of the diphthamide modification pathway and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that allow the Kti11/Kti13 heterodimer to coregulate two consecutive steps in ribosomal protein synthesis.

The diphthamide modification pathway from Saccharomyces cerevisiae--revisited

Diphthamide is a conserved modification in archaeal and eukaryal translation elongation factor 2 (EF2). Its name refers to the target function for diphtheria toxin, the disease-causing agent that, through ADP ribosylation of diphthamide, causes irreversible inactivation of EF2 and cell death. Although this clearly emphasizes a pathobiological role for diphthamide, its physiological function is unclear, and precisely why cells need EF2 to contain diphthamide is hardly understood. Nonetheless, the conservation of diphthamide biosynthesis together with syndromes (i.e. ribosomal frame-shifting, embryonic lethality, neurodegeneration and cancer) typical of mutant cells that cannot make it strongly suggests that diphthamide-modified EF2 occupies an important and translation-related role in cell proliferation and development. Whether this is structural and/or regulatory remains to be seen. However, recent progress in dissecting the diphthamide gene network (DPH1-DPH7) from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has significantly advanced our understanding of the mechanisms required to initiate and complete diphthamide synthesis on EF2. Here, we review recent developments in the field that not only have provided novel, previously overlooked and unexpected insights into the pathway and the biochemical players required for diphthamide synthesis but also are likely to foster innovative studies into the potential regulation of diphthamide, and importantly, its ill-defined biological role.

Dph3 is an electron donor for Dph1-Dph2 in the first step of eukaryotic diphthamide biosynthesis

Diphthamide, the target of diphtheria toxin, is a unique posttranslational modification on translation elongation factor 2 (EF2) in archaea and eukaryotes. The biosynthesis of diphthamide was proposed to involve three steps. The first step is the transfer of the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) to the histidine residue of EF2, forming a C-C bond. Previous genetic studies showed this step requires four proteins in eukaryotes, Dph1-Dph4. However, the exact molecular functions for the four proteins are unknown. Previous study showed that Pyrococcus horikoshii Dph2 (PhDph2), a novel iron-sulfur cluster-containing enzyme, forms a homodimer and is sufficient for the first step of diphthamide biosynthesis in vitro. Here we demonstrate by in vitro reconstitution that yeast Dph1 and Dph2 form a complex (Dph1-Dph2) that is equivalent to the homodimer of PhDph2 and is sufficient to catalyze the first step in vitro in the presence of dithionite as the reductant. We further demonstrate that yeast Dph3 (also known as KTI11), a CSL-type zinc finger protein, can bind iron and in the reduced state can serve as an electron donor to reduce the Fe-S cluster in Dph1-Dph2. Our study thus firmly establishes the functions for three of the proteins involved in eukaryotic diphthamide biosynthesis. For most radical SAM enzymes in bacteria, flavodoxins and flavodoxin reductases are believed to serve as electron donors for the Fe-S clusters. The finding that Dph3 is an electron donor for the Fe-S clusters in Dph1-Dph2 is thus interesting and opens up new avenues of research on electron transfer to Fe-S proteins in eukaryotic cells.

The biosynthesis and biological function of diphthamide

Eukaryotic and archaeal elongation factor 2 contains a unique post-translationally modified histidine residue, named diphthamide. Genetic and biochemical studies have revealed that diphthamide biosynthesis involves a multi-step pathway that is evolutionally conserved among lower and higher eukaryotes. During certain bacterial infections, diphthamide is specifically recognized by bacterial toxins, including diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A and cholix toxin. Although the pathological relevance is well studied, the physiological function of diphthamide is still poorly understood. Recently, many new interesting developments in understanding the biosynthesis have been reported. Here, we review the current understanding of the biosynthesis and biological function of diphthamide.

Anti-angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) proteins from mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst

Background

Ganoderma lucidum has been purported as a potent remedy in the treatment and prevention of several ailments, including hypertension. This study aimed to explore the anti-ACE potential of protein fractions from the mycelia of G. lucidum.

Methods

Ganoderma lucidum mycelia were cultivated by submerged fermentation in a liquid medium containing brown sugar and spent brewer’s yeast. Intracellular proteins were fractionated from mycelia crude water extract by ammonium sulphate precipitation, and their angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity was evaluated. The potential anti-ACE protein fractions were further separated by RP-HPLC and characterised using proteomics platforms.

Results

Preliminary result demonstrated that the mycelia crude water extract inhibited ACE at IC₅₀ value of 1.134 ± 0.036 mg/mL. Following protein fractionation and HPLC purification, the presence of highly potential anti-ACE proteins with the IC₅₀ values less than 200 μg/mL was detected. Characterisation of these proteins demonstrated the presence of four different antihypertensive-related proteins involved in the regulation of blood pressure through different mechanisms.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the mycelia of G. lucidum has high potential in lowering blood pressure level due to the presence of several antihypertensive-related proteins such as cystathionine beta synthase-like protein, DEAD/DEAH box helicase-like protein, paxillin-like protein, and alpha/beta hydrolase-like protein.

Change in single cystathionine β-synthase domain-containing protein from a bent to flat conformation upon adenosine monophosphate binding

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) domains are small intracellular modules that can act as binding domains for adenosine derivatives, and they may regulate the activity of associated enzymes or other functional domains. Among these, the single CBS domain-containing proteins, CBSXs, from Arabidopsis thaliana, have recently been identified as redox regulators of the thioredoxin system. Here, the crystal structure of CBSX2 in complex with adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is reported at 2.2Å resolution. The structure of dimeric CBSX2 with bound-AMP is shown to be approximately flat, which is in stark contrast to the bent form of apo-CBSXs. This conformational change in quaternary structure is triggered by a local structural change of the unique α5 helix, and by moving each loop P into an open conformation to accommodate incoming ligands. Furthermore, subtle rearrangement of the dimer interface triggers movement of all subunits, and consequently, the bent structure of the CBSX2 dimer becomes a flat structure. This reshaping of the structure upon complex formation with adenosine-containing ligand provides evidence that ligand-induced conformational reorganization of antiparallel CBS domains is an important regulatory mechanism.

The amidation step of diphthamide biosynthesis in yeast requires DPH6, a gene identified through mining the DPH1-DPH5 interaction network

Diphthamide is a highly modified histidine residue in eukaryal translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) that is the target for irreversible ADP ribosylation by diphtheria toxin (DT). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the initial steps of diphthamide biosynthesis are well characterized and require the DPH1-DPH5 genes. However, the last pathway step—amidation of the intermediate diphthine to diphthamide—is ill-defined. Here we mine the genetic interaction landscapes of DPH1-DPH5 to identify a candidate gene for the elusive amidase (YLR143w/DPH6) and confirm involvement of a second gene (YBR246w/DPH7) in the amidation step. Like dph1-dph5, dph6 and dph7 mutants maintain eEF2 forms that evade inhibition by DT and sordarin, a diphthamide-dependent antifungal. Moreover, mass spectrometry shows that dph6 and dph7 mutants specifically accumulate diphthine-modified eEF2, demonstrating failure to complete the final amidation step. Consistent with an expected requirement for ATP in diphthine amidation, Dph6 contains an essential adenine nucleotide hydrolase domain and binds to eEF2. Dph6 is therefore a candidate for the elusive amidase, while Dph7 apparently couples diphthine synthase (Dph5) to diphthine amidation. The latter conclusion is based on our observation that dph7 mutants show drastically upregulated interaction between Dph5 and eEF2, indicating that their association is kept in check by Dph7. Physiologically, completion of diphthamide synthesis is required for optimal translational accuracy and cell growth, as indicated by shared traits among the dph mutants including increased ribosomal −1 frameshifting and altered responses to translation inhibitors. Through identification of Dph6 and Dph7 as components required for the amidation step of the diphthamide pathway, our work paves the way for a detailed mechanistic understanding of diphthamide formation.

Diphthamide is an unusual modified amino acid found uniquely in a single protein, eEF2, which is required for cells to synthesize new proteins. The name refers to its target function for eEF2 inactivation by diphtheria toxin, the disease-inducing agent produced by the pathogen Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Why cells require eEF2 to contain diphthamide is unclear, although mice unable to make it fail to complete embryogenesis. Cells generate diphthamide by modifying a specific histidine residue in eEF2 using a three-step biosynthetic pathway, the first two steps of which are well defined. However, the enzyme(s) involved in the final amidation step are unknown. Here we integrate genomic and molecular approaches to identify a candidate for the elusive amidase (Dph6) and confirm involvement of a second protein (Dph7) in the amidation step, showing that failure to synthesize diphthamide affects the accuracy of protein synthesis. In contrast to Dph6, however, Dph7 may be regulatory. Our data strongly suggest that it promotes dissociation of eEF2 from diphthine synthase (Dph5), which carries out the second step of diphthamide synthesis, and that Dph5 has a novel role as an eEF2 inhibitor when diphthamide synthesis is incomplete.

Crystal structure of the single cystathionine β-synthase domain-containing protein CBSX1 from Arabidopsis thaliana

The single cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) pair proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana have been identified as being a redox regulator of the thioredoxin (Trx) system. CBSX1 and CBSX2, which are two of the six Arabidopsis cystathione β-synthase domain-containing proteins that contain only a single CBS pair, have close sequence similarity. Recently, the crystal structure of CBSX2 was determined and a significant portion of the internal region was disordered. In this study, crystal structures of full-length CBSX1 and the internal loop deleted (Δloop) form are reported at resolutions of 2.4 and 2.2Å, respectively. The structures of CBSX1 show that they form anti-parallel dimers along their central twofold axis and have a unique ∼155° bend along the side. This is different from the angle of CBSX2, which is suggestive of the flexible nature of the relative angle between the monomers. The biochemical data that were obtained using the deletion as well as point mutants of CBSX1 confirmed the importance of AMP-ligand binding in terms of enhancing Trx activity.

Structure and mechanistic insights into novel iron-mediated moonlighting functions of human J-protein cochaperone, Dph4

J-proteins are obligate cochaperones of Hsp70s and stimulate their ATPase activity via the J-domain. Although the functions of J-proteins have been well understood in the context of Hsp70s, their additional co-evolved "physiological functions" are still elusive. We report here the solution structure and mechanism of novel iron-mediated functional roles of human Dph4, a type III J-protein playing a vital role in diphthamide biosynthesis and normal development. The NMR structure of Dph4 reveals two domains: a conserved J-domain and a CSL-domain connected via a flexible linker-helix. The linker-helix modulates the conformational flexibility between the two domains, regulating thereby the protein function. Dph4 exhibits a unique ability to bind iron in tetrahedral coordination geometry through cysteines of its CSL-domain. The oxidized Fe-Dph4 shows characteristic UV-visible and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral properties similar to rubredoxins. Iron-bound Dph4 (Fe-Dph4) also undergoes oligomerization, thus potentially functioning as a transient "iron storage protein," thereby regulating the intracellular iron homeostasis. Remarkably, Fe-Dph4 exhibits vital redox and electron carrier activity, which is critical for important metabolic reactions, including diphthamide biosynthesis. Further, we observed that Fe-Dph4 is conformationally better poised to perform Hsp70-dependent functions, thus underlining the significance of iron binding in Dph4. Yeast Jjj3, a functional ortholog of human Dph4 also shows a similar iron-binding property, indicating the conserved nature of iron sequestration across species. Taken together, our findings provide invaluable evidence in favor of additional co-evolved specialized functions of J-proteins, previously not well appreciated.

Cis-trans peptide variations in structurally similar proteins

The presence of energetically less favourable cis peptides in protein structures has been observed to be strongly associated with its structural integrity and function. Inter-conversion between the cis and trans conformations also has an important role in the folding process. In this study, we analyse the extent of conservation of cis peptides among similar folds. We look at both the amino acid preferences and local structural changes associated with such variations. Nearly 34% of the Xaa-Proline cis bonds are not conserved in structural relatives; Proline also has a high tendency to get replaced by another amino acid in the trans conformer. At both positions bounding the peptide bond, Glycine has a higher tendency to lose the cis conformation. The cis conformation of more than 30% of β turns of type VIb and IV are not found to be conserved in similar structures. A different view using Protein Block-based description of backbone conformation, suggests that many of the local conformational changes are highly different from the general local structural variations observed among structurally similar proteins. Changes between cis and trans conformations are found to be associated with the evolution of new functions facilitated by local structural changes. This is most frequent in enzymes where new catalytic activity emerges with local changes in the active site. Cis-trans changes are also seen to facilitate inter-domain and inter-protein interactions. As in the case of folding, cis-trans conversions have been used as an important driving factor in evolution.

The CBS domain: a protein module with an emerging prominent role in regulation

Regulatory CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) domains exist as two or four tandem copies in thousands of cytosolic and membrane-associated proteins from all kingdoms of life. Mutations in the CBS domains of human enzymes and membrane channels are associated with an array of hereditary diseases. Four CBS domains encoded within a single polypeptide or two identical polypeptides (each having a pair of CBS domains at the subunit interface) form a highly conserved disk-like structure. CBS domains act as autoinhibitory regulatory units in some proteins and activate or further inhibit protein function upon binding to adenosine nucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP, S-adenosyl methionine, NAD, diadenosine polyphosphates). As a result of the differential effects of the nucleotides, CBS domain-containing proteins can sense cell energy levels. Significant conformational changes are induced in CBS domains by bound ligands, highlighting the structural basis for their effects.

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) domains 1 and 2 fulfill different roles in ionic strength sensing of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter OpuA

The cystathionine β-synthase module of OpuA in conjunction with an anionic membrane surface acts as a sensor of internal ionic strength, which allows the protein to respond to osmotic stress. We now show by chemical modification and cross-linking studies that CBS2-CBS2 interface residues are critical for transport activity and/or ionic regulation of transport, whereas CBS1 serves no functional role. We establish that Cys residues in CBS1, CBS2, and the nucleotide-binding domain are more accessible for cross-linking at high than low ionic strength, indicating that these domains undergo conformational changes when transiting between the active and inactive state. Structural analyses suggest that the cystathionine β-synthase module is largely unstructured. Moreover, we could substitute CBS1 by a linker and preserve ionic regulation of transport. These data suggest that CBS1 serves as a linker and the structured CBS2-CBS2 interface forms a hinge point for ionic strength-dependent rearrangements that are transmitted to the nucleotide-binding domain and thereby affect translocation activity.

Purification and analysis of colorful hypothetical open reading frames: An inexpensive gateway laboratory

This laboratory exercise is an inquiry-based investigation developed around the core experiment where students, working alone or in groups, each purify and analyze their own prescreened colored proteins using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). Here, we present reagents and protocols that allow 12 different proteins to be purified in parallel without specialized equipment and within a 2.5- to 3-hour undergraduate teaching laboratory. The visual feedback of purifying a colored biomolecule provides real-time emphasis of the power and simplicity of recombinant DNA technology and IMAC. As presented here in its simplest form, this laboratory occupies two laboratory periods: purification followed by SDS-PAGE analysis. As such, it can be easily inserted into the existing curriculum of a Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or even Genetics course to illustrate core concepts of central dogma and protein purification. Furthermore, the proteins in hand at the end of this 2-week module can also be used for follow-up experiments tailored to the needs, timeframe, and facilities available.

Mutational analysis of residues in the regulatory CBS domains of Moorella thermoacetica pyrophosphatase corresponding to disease-related residues of human proteins

mtCBS-PPase [CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) domain-containing pyrophosphatase from Moorella thermoacetica] contains a pair of CBS domains that strongly bind adenine nucleotides, thereby regulating enzyme activity. Eight residues associated with the CBS domains of mtCBS-PPase were screened to explore possible associations with regulation of enzyme activity. The majority of the substitutions (V99A, R168A, Y169A, Y169F, Y188A and H189A) enhanced the catalytic activity of mtCBS-PPase, two substitutions (R170A and R187G) decreased activity, and one substitution (K100G) had no effect. AMP-binding affinity was markedly decreased in the V99A, R168A and Y169A mutant proteins, and elevated in the R187G and H189A mutant proteins. Remarkably, the R168A and Y169A substitutions changed the effect of AMP from inhibition to activation. The stoichiometry of AMP binding increased from one to two AMP molecules per CBS domain pair in the Y169F, R170A, R187G and Y188A variants. The ADP-binding affinity decreased in three and increased in four mutant proteins. These findings identify residues determining the strength and selectivity of nucleotide binding, as well as the direction (inhibition or activation) of the subsequent effect. The data suggest that mutations in human CBS domain-containing proteins can be translated into a bacterial context. Furthermore, our data support the hypothesis that the CBS domains act as an 'internal inhibitor' of mtCBS-PPase.

A dual function of the CRISPR-Cas system in bacterial antivirus immunity and DNA repair

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and the associated proteins (Cas) comprise a system of adaptive immunity against viruses and plasmids in prokaryotes. Cas1 is a CRISPR-associated protein that is common to all CRISPR-containing prokaryotes but its function remains obscure. Here we show that the purified Cas1 protein of Escherichia coli (YgbT) exhibits nuclease activity against single-stranded and branched DNAs including Holliday junctions, replication forks and 5'-flaps. The crystal structure of YgbT and site-directed mutagenesis have revealed the potential active site. Genome-wide screens show that YgbT physically and genetically interacts with key components of DNA repair systems, including recB, recC and ruvB. Consistent with these findings, the ygbT deletion strain showed increased sensitivity to DNA damage and impaired chromosomal segregation. Similar phenotypes were observed in strains with deletion of CRISPR clusters, suggesting that the function of YgbT in repair involves interaction with the CRISPRs. These results show that YgbT belongs to a novel, structurally distinct family of nucleases acting on branched DNAs and suggest that, in addition to antiviral immunity, at least some components of the CRISPR-Cas system have a function in DNA repair.

Iron-nucleated folding of a metalloprotein in high urea: resolution of metal binding and protein folding events

Addition of iron salts to chaotrope-denatured aporubredoxin (apoRd) leads to nearly quantitative recovery of its single Fe(SCys)(4) site and native protein structure without significant dilution of the chaotrope. This "high-chaotrope" approach was used to examine iron binding and protein folding events using stopped-flow UV-vis absorption and CD spectroscopies. With a 100-fold molar excess of ferrous iron over denatured apoRd maintained in 5 M urea, the folded holoFe(III)Rd structure was recovered in >90% yield with a t(1/2) of <10 ms. More modest excesses of iron also gave nearly quantitative holoRd formation in 5 M urea but with chronological resolution of iron binding and protein folding events. The results indicate structural recovery in 5 M urea consists of the minimal sequence: (1) binding of ferrous iron to the unfolded apoRd, (2) rapid formation of a near-native ferrous Fe(SCys)(4) site within a protein having no detectable secondary structure, and (3) recovery of the ferrous Fe(SCys)(4) site chiral environment nearly concomitantly with (4) recovery of the native protein secondary structure. The rate of step 2 (and, by inference, step 1) was not saturated even at a 100-fold molar excess of iron. Analogous results obtained for Cys --> Ser iron ligand variants support formation of an unfolded-Fe(SCys)(3) complex between steps 1 and 2, which we propose is the key nucleation event that pulls together distal regions of the protein chain. These results show that folding of chaotrope-denatured apoRd is iron-nucleated and driven by extraordinarily rapid formation of the Fe(SCys)(4) site from an essentially random coil apoprotein. This high-chaotrope, multispectroscopy approach could clarify folding pathways of other [M(SCys)(3)]- or [M(SCys)(4)]-containing proteins.

Cystathionine beta-synthase mutations: effect of mutation topology on folding and activity

Misfolding of mutant enzymes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency. We examined properties of a series of 27 mutant variants, which together represent 70% of known alleles observed in patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency. The median amount of SDS-soluble mutant CBS polypeptides in the pellet after centrifugation of bacterial extracts was increased by 50% compared to the wild type. Moreover, mutants formed on average only 12% of tetramers and their median activity reached only 3% of the wild-type enzyme. In contrast to the wild-type CBS about half of mutants were not activated by S-adenosylmethionine. Expression at 18 degrees C substantially increased the activity of five mutants in parallel with increasing the amounts of tetramers. We further analyzed the role of solvent accessibility of mutants as a determinant of their folding and activity. Buried mutations formed on average less tetramers and exhibited 23 times lower activity than the solvent exposed mutations. In summary, our results show that topology of mutations predicts in part the behavior of mutant CBS, and that misfolding may be an important and frequent pathogenic mechanism in CBS deficiency.

Diphthamide biosynthesis requires an organic radical generated by an iron-sulphur enzyme

Archaeal and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 contain a unique post-translationally modified histidine residue called diphthamide, which is the target of diphtheria toxin. The biosynthesis of diphthamide was proposed to involve three steps, with the first being the formation of a C-C bond between the histidine residue and the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl group of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). However, further details of the biosynthesis remain unknown. Here we present structural and biochemical evidence showing that the first step of diphthamide biosynthesis in the archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii uses a novel iron-sulphur-cluster enzyme, Dph2. Dph2 is a homodimer and each of its monomers can bind a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Biochemical data suggest that unlike the enzymes in the radical SAM superfamily, Dph2 does not form the canonical 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical. Instead, it breaks the C(gamma,Met)-S bond of SAM and generates a 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl radical. Our results suggest that P. horikoshii Dph2 represents a previously unknown, SAM-dependent, [4Fe-4S]-containing enzyme that catalyses unprecedented chemistry.

The crystal structure of protein MJ1225 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii shows strong conservation of key structural features seen in the eukaryal gamma-AMPK

In mammals, 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric protein composed of a catalytic serine/threonine kinase subunit (alpha) and two regulatory subunits (beta and gamma). The gamma-subunit senses the intracellular energy status by competitively binding AMP and ATP and is thought to be responsible for allosteric regulation of the whole complex. We describe herein the crystal structure of protein MJ1225 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii complexed to AMP, ADP, and ATP. Our data provide evidence of a strong conservation of the key functional features seen in the gamma-subunit of the eukaryotic AMPK, and more importantly, it reveals a novel AMP binding site, herein denoted as site E, which had not been previously described in cystathionine beta-synthase domains so far. Site E is located in a small cavity existing between the alpha-helices structurally equivalent to those disrupting the internal symmetry of each Bateman domain in gamma-AMPKs and shows striking similarities with a symmetry-related crevice of the mammalian enzyme that hosts the pathological mutation N488I.

Crystal structures of the CBS and DRTGG domains of the regulatory region of Clostridiumperfringens pyrophosphatase complexed with the inhibitor, AMP, and activator, diadenosine tetraphosphate

Nucleotide-binding cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domains serve as regulatory units in numerous proteins distributed in all kingdoms of life. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain to be established. Recently, we described a subfamily of CBS domain-containing pyrophosphatases (PPases) within family II PPases. Here, we express a novel CBS-PPase from Clostridium perfringens (CPE2055) and show that the enzyme is inhibited by AMP and activated by a novel effector, diadenosine 5',5-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (AP(4)A). The structures of the AMP and AP(4)A complexes of the regulatory region of C. perfringens PPase (cpCBS), comprising a pair of CBS domains interlinked by a DRTGG domain, were determined at 2.3 A resolution using X-ray crystallography. The structures obtained are the first structures of a DRTGG domain as part of a larger protein structure. The AMP complex contains two AMP molecules per cpCBS dimer, each bound to a single monomer, whereas in the activator-bound complex, one AP(4)A molecule bridges two monomers. In the nucleotide-bound structures, activator binding induces significant opening of the CBS domain interface, compared with the inhibitor complex. These results provide structural insight into the mechanism of CBS-PPase regulation by nucleotides.

Nucleotide- and substrate-induced conformational transitions in the CBS domain-containing pyrophosphatase of Moorella thermoacetica

In contrast to all other known pyrophosphatases, Moorella thermoacetica pyrophosphatase (mtCBS-PPase) contains nucleotide-binding CBS domains and is thus strongly regulated by adenine nucleotides. Stopped-flow measurements using a fluorescent AMP analogue, 2'(3')-O-(N-methylanthranoyl)-AMP (Mant-AMP), reveal that nucleotide binding to mtCBS-PPase involves a three-step increase in Mant-AMP fluorescence with relaxation times from 0.01 to 100 s, implying conformational changes in the complex. This effect is reversed by AMP. Metal cofactors (Co(2+) and Mg(2+)) enhance the fluorescence signal but are not absolutely required, unlike what is seen when the catalytic reaction is examined. The relaxation times and amplitudes of the fluorescence signals depend on Mant-AMP concentration in a manner suggestive of the presence of a second binding site for Mant-AMP on the protein. Equilibrium fluorescence titration experiments additionally support the presence of two types of AMP binding sites with different affinities, whereas equilibrium dialysis and membrane filtration measurements reveal binding of one AMP molecule per enzyme monomer, implying negative cooperativity in nucleotide binding. The substrate (PP(i)) modulates Mant-AMP binding, leading to a further conformational change in the enzyme-Mant-AMP complex, and stimulates mtCBS-PPase in alkaline medium within a time scale of minutes, via conversion to a more active form. This active form initially comprises only a third of the enzyme, as estimated from kinetic titration with ADP. AMP inhibits both enzyme forms but is unable to independently induce interconversion. Our results collectively suggest that nucleotides and the substrate induce multiple conformational changes in mtCBS-PPase occurring over a wide time scale; the changes are distinct and almost independent.

Binding of S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine to protein MJ0100 triggers an open-to-closed conformational change in its CBS motif pair

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domains are small motifs that are present in proteins with completely different functions. Several genetic diseases in humans have been associated with mutations in their sequence, which has made them promising targets for rational drug design. The protein MJ0100 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii includes a DUF39 domain of so far unknown function and a CBS domain pair (Bateman domain) at its C-terminus. This work presents the crystallographic analysis of four different states of the CBS motif pair of MJ0100 in complex with different numbers of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) and S-methyl-5'-thioadenosine (MTA) ligands, providing evidence that ligand-induced conformational reorganization of Bateman domain dimers could be an important regulatory mechanism. These observations are in contrast to what is known from most of the other Bateman domain structures but are supported by recent studies on the magnesium transporter MgtE. Our structures represent the first example of a CBS domain protein complexed with SAM and/or MTA and might provide a structural basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms regulated by SAM upon binding to the C-terminal domain of human CBS, whose structure remains unknown.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of protein MJ1225 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, a putative archaeal homologue of gamma-AMPK

In mammals, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric protein composed of a catalytic serine/threonine kinase subunit (alpha) and two regulatory subunits (beta and gamma). The gamma subunit senses the intracellular energy status by competitively binding AMP and ATP and is thought to be responsible for allosteric regulation of the whole complex. This work describes the purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of protein MJ1225 from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, an archaeal homologue of gamma-AMPK. The purified protein was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Diffraction data for MJ1225 were collected to 2.3 A resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belonged to space group H32, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 108.95, c = 148.08 A, alpha = beta = 90.00, gamma = 120.00 degrees . Preliminary analysis of the X-ray data indicated that there was one molecule per asymmetric unit.

Engineering of ion sensing by the cystathionine beta-synthase module of the ABC transporter OpuA

We have previously shown that the C-terminal cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domains of the nucleotide-binding domains of the ABC transporter OpuA, in conjunction with an anionic membrane surface function, act as sensor of internal ionic strength (I(in)). Here, we show that a surface-exposed cationic region in the CBS module domain is critical for ion sensing. The consecutive substitution of up to five cationic residues led to a gradual decrease of the ionic strength dependence of transport. In fact, a 5-fold mutant was essentially independent of salt in the range from 0 to 250 mm KCl (or NaCl), supplemented to medium of 30 mm potassium phosphate. Importantly, the threshold temperature for transport was lowered by 5-7 degrees C and the temperature coefficient Q(10) was lowered from 8 to approximately 1.5 in the 5-fold mutant, indicating that large conformational changes are accompanying the CBS-mediated regulation of transport. Furthermore, by replacing the anionic C-terminal tail residues that extend the CBS module with histidines, the transport of OpuA became pH-dependent, presumably by additional charge interactions of the histidine residues with the membrane. The pH dependence was not observed at high ionic strength. Altogether the analyses of the CBS mutants support the notion that the osmotic regulation of OpuA involves a simple biophysical switching mechanism, in which nonspecific electrostatic interactions of a protein module with the membrane are sufficient to lock the transporter in the inactive state.

SCWRL and MolIDE: computer programs for side-chain conformation prediction and homology modeling

SCWRL and MolIDE are software applications for prediction of protein structures. SCWRL is designed specifically for the task of prediction of side-chain conformations given a fixed backbone usually obtained from an experimental structure determined by X-ray crystallography or NMR. SCWRL is a command-line program that typically runs in a few seconds. MolIDE provides a graphical interface for basic comparative (homology) modeling using SCWRL and other programs. MolIDE takes an input target sequence and uses PSI-BLAST to identify and align templates for comparative modeling of the target. The sequence alignment to any template can be manually modified within a graphical window of the target-template alignment and visualization of the alignment on the template structure. MolIDE builds the model of the target structure on the basis of the template backbone, predicted side-chain conformations with SCWRL and a loop-modeling program for insertion-deletion regions with user-selected sequence segments. SCWRL and MolIDE can be obtained at (http://dunbrack.fccc.edu/Software.php).

Polyphosphate-dependent synthesis of ATP and ADP by the family-2 polyphosphate kinases in bacteria

Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a linear polymer of tens or hundreds of phosphate residues linked by high-energy bonds. It is found in all organisms and has been proposed to serve as an energy source in a pre-ATP world. This ubiquitous and abundant biopolymer plays numerous and vital roles in metabolism and regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but the underlying molecular mechanisms for most activities of polyP remain unknown. In prokaryotes, the synthesis and utilization of polyP are catalyzed by 2 families of polyP kinases, PPK1 and PPK2, and polyphosphatases. Here, we present structural and functional characterization of the PPK2 family. Proteins with a single PPK2 domain catalyze polyP-dependent phosphorylation of ADP to ATP, whereas proteins containing 2 fused PPK2 domains phosphorylate AMP to ADP. Crystal structures of 2 representative proteins, SMc02148 from Sinorhizobium meliloti and PA3455 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, revealed a 3-layer alpha/beta/alpha sandwich fold with an alpha-helical lid similar to the structures of microbial thymidylate kinases, suggesting that these proteins share a common evolutionary origin and catalytic mechanism. Alanine replacement mutagenesis identified 9 conserved residues, which are required for activity and include the residues from both Walker A and B motifs and the lid. Thus, the PPK2s represent a molecular mechanism, which potentially allow bacteria to use polyP as an intracellular energy reserve for the generation of ATP and survival.

A cytoplasmic domain mutation in ClC-Kb affects long-distance communication across the membrane

BACKGROUND

ClC-Kb and ClC-Ka are homologous chloride channels that facilitate chloride homeostasis in the kidney and inner ear. Disruption of ClC-Kb leads to Bartter's Syndrome, a kidney disease. A point mutation in ClC-Kb, R538P, linked to Bartter's Syndrome and located in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain was hypothesized to alter electrophysiological properties due to its proximity to an important membrane-embedded helix.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Two-electrode voltage clamp experiments were used to examine the electrophysiological properties of the mutation R538P in both ClC-Kb and ClC-Ka. R538P selectively abolishes extracellular calcium activation of ClC-Kb but not ClC-Ka. In attempting to determine the reason for this specificity, we hypothesized that the ClC-Kb C-terminal domain had either a different oligomeric status or dimerization interface than that of ClC-Ka, for which a crystal structure has been published. We purified a recombinant protein corresponding to the ClC-Kb C-terminal domain and used multi-angle light scattering together with a cysteine-crosslinking approach to show that the dimerization interface is conserved between the ClC-Kb and ClC-Ka C-terminal domains, despite the fact that there are several differences in the amino acids that occur at this interface.

CONCLUSIONS

The R538P mutation in ClC-Kb, which leads to Bartter's Syndrome, abolishes calcium activation of the channel. This suggests that a significant conformational change--ranging from the cytoplasmic side of the protein to the extracellular side of the protein--is involved in the Ca(2+)-activation process for ClC-Kb, and shows that the cytoplasmic domain is important for the channel's electrophysiological properties. In the highly similar ClC-Ka (90% identical), the R538P mutation does not affect activation by extracellular Ca(2+). This selective outcome indicates that ClC-Ka and ClC-Kb differ in how conformational changes are translated to the extracellular domain, despite the fact that the cytoplasmic domains share the same quaternary structure.

A versatile partner of eukaryotic protein complexes that is involved in multiple biological processes: Kti11/Dph3

The Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin zymocin insensitive 11 (KTI11) gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is allelic with the diphthamide synthesis 3 (DPH3) locus. Here, we present evidence that the KTI11 gene product is a versatile partner of proteins and operates in multiple biological processes. Notably, Kti11 immune precipitates contain Elp2 and Elp5, two subunits of the Elongator complex which is involved in transcription, tRNA modification and zymocin toxicity. KTI11 deletion phenocopies Elongator-minus cells and causes antisuppression of nonsense and missense suppressor tRNAs (SUP4, SOE1), zymocin resistance and protection against the tRNase attack of zymocin. In addition and unlike Elongator mutants, kti11 mutants resist diphtheria toxin (DT), protect against ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) by DT and induce resistance against sordarin, an eEF2 poisoning antifungal. The latter phenotype applies to all diphthamide mutants (dph1-dph5) tested and Kti11/Dph3 physically interacts with diphthamide synthesis factors Dph1 and Dph2, presumably as part of a trimeric complex. Moreover, we present a separation of function mutation in KTI11, kti11-1, which dissociates zymocin resistance from DT sensitivity. It encodes a C-terminal Kti11 truncation that almost entirely abolishes Elongator interaction without affecting association with Kti13, another Kti11 partner protein.

A novel family of sequence-specific endoribonucleases associated with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) together with the associated CAS proteins protect microbial cells from invasion by foreign genetic elements using presently unknown molecular mechanisms. All CRISPR systems contain proteins of the CAS2 family, suggesting that these uncharacterized proteins play a central role in this process. Here we show that the CAS2 proteins represent a novel family of endoribonucleases. Six purified CAS2 proteins from diverse organisms cleaved single-stranded RNAs preferentially within U-rich regions. A representative CAS2 enzyme, SSO1404 from Sulfolobus solfataricus, cleaved the phosphodiester linkage on the 3'-side and generated 5'-phosphate- and 3'-hydroxyl-terminated oligonucleotides. The crystal structure of SSO1404 was solved at 1.6A resolution revealing the first ribonuclease with a ferredoxin-like fold. Mutagenesis of SSO1404 identified six residues (Tyr-9, Asp-10, Arg-17, Arg-19, Arg-31, and Phe-37) that are important for enzymatic activity and suggested that Asp-10 might be the principal catalytic residue. Thus, CAS2 proteins are sequence-specific endoribonucleases, and we propose that their role in the CRISPR-mediated anti-phage defense might involve degradation of phage or cellular mRNAs.