Solid-state NMR analysis of the sodium pump Krokinobacter rhodopsin 2 and its H30A mutant

Structural changes of Natronomonas pharaonis halorhodopsin in its late photocycle revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Natronomonas pharaonis halorhodopsin (NpHR) is a light-driven Cl- inward pump that is widely used as an optogenetic tool. Although NpHR is previously extensively studied, its Cl- uptake process is not well understood from the protein structure perspective, mainly because in crystalline lattice, it has been difficult to analyze the structural changes associated with the Cl- uptake process. In this study, we used solid-state NMR to analyze NpHR both in the Cl--bound and -free states under near-physiological transmembrane condition. Chemical shift perturbation analysis suggested that while the structural change caused by the Cl- depletion is widespread over the NpHR molecule, residues in the extracellular (EC) part of helix D exhibited significant conformational changes that may be related to the Cl- uptake process. By combining photochemical analysis and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced solid-state NMR measurement on NpHR point mutants for the suggested residues, we confirmed their importance in the Cl- uptake process. In particular, we found the mutation at Ala165 position, located at the trimer interface, to an amino acid with bulky sidechain (A165V) significantly perturbs the late photocycle and disrupts its trimeric assembly in the Cl--free state as well as during the ion-pumping cycle under the photo-irradiated condition. This strongly suggested an outward movement of helix D at EC part, disrupting the trimer integrity. Together with the spectroscopic data and known NpHR crystal structures, we proposed a model that this helix movement is required for creating the Cl- entrance path on the extracellular surface of the protein and is crucial to the Cl- uptake process.

The retinal chromophore environment in an inward light-driven proton pump studied by solid-state NMR and hydrogen-bond network analysis

Inward proton pumping is a relatively new function for microbial rhodopsins, retinal-binding light-driven membrane proteins. So far, it has been demonstrated for two unrelated subgroups of microbial rhodopsins, xenorhodopsins and schizorhodopsins. A number of recent studies suggest unique retinal-protein interactions as being responsible for the reversed direction of proton transport in the latter group. Here, we use solid-state NMR to analyze the retinal chromophore environment and configuration in an inward proton-pumping Antarctic schizorhodopsin. Using fully 13C-labeled retinal, we have assigned chemical shifts for every carbon atom and, assisted by structure modelling and molecular dynamics simulations, made a comparison with well-studied outward proton pumps, identifying locations of the unique protein-chromophore interactions for this functional subclass of microbial rhodopsins. Both the NMR results and molecular dynamics simulations point to the distinctive polar environment in the proximal part of the retinal, which may result in a hydration pattern dramatically different from that of the outward proton pumps, causing the reversed proton transport.

Kilohertz serial crystallography with the JUNGFRAU detector at a fourth-generation synchrotron source

Serial and time-resolved macromolecular crystallography are on the rise. However, beam time at X-ray free-electron lasers is limited and most third-generation synchrotron-based macromolecular crystallography beamlines do not offer the necessary infrastructure yet. Here, a new setup is demonstrated, based on the JUNGFRAU detector and Jungfraujoch data-acquisition system, that enables collection of kilohertz serial crystallography data at fourth-generation synchrotrons. More importantly, it is shown that this setup is capable of collecting multiple-time-point time-resolved protein dynamics at kilohertz rates, allowing the probing of microsecond to second dynamics at synchrotrons in a fraction of the time needed previously. A high-quality complete X-ray dataset was obtained within 1 min from lysozyme microcrystals, and the dynamics of the light-driven sodium-pump membrane protein KR2 with a time resolution of 1 ms could be demonstrated. To make the setup more accessible for researchers, downstream data handling and analysis will be automated to allow on-the-fly spot finding and indexing, as well as data processing.

Automated Fragmentation Quantum Mechanical Calculation of 15N and 13C Chemical Shifts in a Membrane Protein

In this work, we developed an accurate and cost-effective automated fragmentation quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (AF-QM/MM) method to calculate the chemical shifts of 15N and 13C of membrane proteins. The convergence of the AF-QM/MM method was tested using Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 as a test case. When the distance threshold of the QM region is equal to or larger than 4.0 Å, the results of the AF-QM/MM calculations are close to convergence. In addition, the effects of selected density functionals, basis sets, and local chemical environment of target atoms on the chemical shift calculations were systematically investigated. Our results demonstrate that the predicted chemical shifts are more accurate when important environmental factors including cross-protomer interactions, lipid molecules, and solvent molecules are taken into consideration, especially for the 15N chemical shift prediction. Furthermore, with the presence of sodium ions in the environment, the chemical shift of residues, retinal, and retinal Schiff base are affected, which is consistent with the results of the solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment. Upon comparing the performance of various density functionals (namely, B3LYP, B3PW91, M06-2X, M06-L, mPW1PW91, OB95, and OPBE), the results show that mPW1PW91 is a suitable functional for the 15N and 13C chemical shift prediction of the membrane proteins. Meanwhile, we find that the improved accuracy of the 13Cβ chemical shift calculations can be achieved by the employment of the triple-ζ basis set. However, the employment of the triple-ζ basis set does not improve the accuracy of the 15N and 13Cα chemical shift calculations nor does the addition of a diffuse function improve the overall prediction accuracy of the chemical shifts. Our study also underscores that the AF-QM/MM method has significant advantages in predicting the chemical shifts of key ligands and nonstandard residues in membrane proteins than most widely used empirical models; therefore, it could be an accurate computational tool for chemical shift calculations on various types of biological systems.

Na+ Binding and Transport: Insights from Light-Driven Na+-Pumping Rhodopsin

Na+ plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes across humans and animals, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of Na+ transmembrane transport. Among the various Na+ pumps and channels, light-driven Na+-pumping rhodopsin (NaR) has emerged as a noteworthy model in this field. This review offers a concise overview of the structural and functional studies conducted on NaR, encompassing ground/intermediate-state structures and photocycle kinetics. The primary focus lies in addressing key inquiries: (1) unraveling the translocation pathway of Na+; (2) examining the role of structural changes within the photocycle, particularly in the O state, in facilitating Na+ transport; and (3) investigating the timing of Na+ uptake/release. By delving into these unresolved issues and existing debates, this review aims to shed light on the future direction of Na+ pump research.

Probing the Conformational Space of the Cannabinoid Receptor 2 and a Systematic Investigation of DNP-Enhanced MAS NMR Spectroscopy of Proteins in Detergent Micelles

Tremendous progress has been made in determining the structures of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and their complexes in recent years. However, understanding activation and signaling in GPCRs is still challenging due to the role of protein dynamics in these processes. Here, we show how dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance in combination with a unique pair labeling approach can be used to study the conformational ensemble at specific sites of the cannabinoid receptor 2. To improve the signal-to-noise, we carefully optimized the DNP sample conditions and utilized the recently introduced AsymPol-POK as a polarizing agent. We could show qualitatively that the conformational space available to the protein backbone is different in different parts of the receptor and that a site in TM7 is sensitive to the nature of the ligand, whereas a site in ICL3 always showed large conformational freedom.

Structural and functional consequences of the H180A mutation of the light-driven sodium pump KR2

Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2) is a light-driven pentameric sodium pump. Its ability to translocate cations other than protons and to create an electrochemical potential makes it an attractive optogenetic tool. Tailoring its ion-pumping characteristics by mutations is therefore of great interest. In addition, understanding the functional and structural consequences of certain mutations helps to derive a functional mechanism of ion selectivity and transfer of KR2. Based on solid-state NMR spectroscopy, we report an extensive chemical shift resonance assignment of KR2 within lipid bilayers. This data set was then used to probe site-resolved allosteric effects of sodium binding, which revealed multiple responsive sites including the Schiff base nitrogen and the NDQ motif. Based on this data set, the consequences of the H180A mutation are probed. The mutant is silenced in the presence of sodium while in its absence proton pumping is observed. Our data reveal specific long-range effects along the sodium transfer pathway. These experiments are complemented by time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Our data suggest a model in which sodium uptake by the mutant can still take place, while sodium release and backflow control are disturbed.

Protein dynamics of a light-driven Na+ pump rhodopsin probed using a tryptophan residue near the retinal chromophore

Direct observation of protein structural changes during ion transport in ion pumps provides valuable insights into the mechanism of ion transport. In this study, we examined structural changes in the light-driven sodium ion (Na+) pump rhodopsin KR2 on the sub-millisecond time scale, corresponding with the uptake and release of Na+. We compared the ion-pumping activities and transient absorption spectra of WT and the W215F mutant, in which the Trp215 residue located near the retinal chromophore on the cytoplasmic side was replaced with a Phe residue. Our findings indicated that atomic contacts between the bulky side chain of Trp215 and the C20 methyl group of the retinal chromophore promote relaxation of the retinal chromophore from the 13-cis to the all-trans form. Since Trp215 is conserved in other ion-pumping rhodopsins, the present results suggest that this residue commonly acts as a mechanical transducer. In addition, we measured time-resolved ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra to show that the environment around Trp215 becomes less hydrophobic at 1 ms after photoirradiation and recovers to the unphotolyzed state with a time constant of around 10 ms. These time scales correspond to Na+ uptake and release, suggesting evolution of a transient ion channel at the cytoplasmic side for Na+ uptake, consistent with the alternating-access model of ion pumps. The time-resolved UVRR technique has potential for application to other ion-pumping rhodopsins and could provide further insights into the mechanism of ion transport.

Photochemistry of the Light-Driven Sodium Pump Krokinobacter eikastus Rhodopsin 2 and Its Implications on Microbial Rhodopsin Research: Retrospective and Perspective

The discovery of the light-driven sodium pump Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2) in 2013 has changed the paradigm that cation transport in microbial rhodopsins is restricted to the translocation of protons. Even though this finding is already remarkable by itself, it also reignited more general discussions about the functional mechanism of ion transport. The unique composition of the retinal binding pocket in KR2 with a tight interaction between the retinal Schiff base and its respective counterion D116 also has interesting implications on the photochemical pathway of the chromophore. Here, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of the KR2 functionality from the primary event of photon absorption by all-trans retinal up to the actual protein response in the later phases of the photocycle, mainly from the point of view of optical spectroscopy. In this context, we furthermore highlight some of the ongoing debates on the photochemistry of microbial rhodopsins and give some perspectives for promising future directions in this field of research.

Rhodopsins: An Excitingly Versatile Protein Species for Research, Development and Creative Engineering

The first member and eponym of the rhodopsin family was identified in the 1930s as the visual pigment of the rod photoreceptor cell in the animal retina. It was found to be a membrane protein, owing its photosensitivity to the presence of a covalently bound chromophoric group. This group, derived from vitamin A, was appropriately dubbed retinal. In the 1970s a microbial counterpart of this species was discovered in an archaeon, being a membrane protein also harbouring retinal as a chromophore, and named bacteriorhodopsin. Since their discovery a photogenic panorama unfolded, where up to date new members and subspecies with a variety of light-driven functionality have been added to this family. The animal branch, meanwhile categorized as type-2 rhodopsins, turned out to form a large subclass in the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are essential to multiple elements of light-dependent animal sensory physiology. The microbial branch, the type-1 rhodopsins, largely function as light-driven ion pumps or channels, but also contain sensory-active and enzyme-sustaining subspecies. In this review we will follow the development of this exciting membrane protein panorama in a representative number of highlights and will present a prospect of their extraordinary future potential.

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization for Sensitivity Enhancement in Biomolecular Solid-State NMR

Solid-state NMR with magic-angle spinning (MAS) is an important method in structural biology. While NMR can provide invaluable information about local geometry on an atomic scale even for large biomolecular assemblies lacking long-range order, it is often limited by low sensitivity due to small nuclear spin polarization in thermal equilibrium. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has evolved during the last decades to become a powerful method capable of increasing this sensitivity by two to three orders of magnitude, thereby reducing the valuable experimental time from weeks or months to just hours or days; in many cases, this allows experiments that would be otherwise completely unfeasible. In this review, we give an overview of the developments that have opened the field for DNP-enhanced biomolecular solid-state NMR including state-of-the-art applications at fast MAS and high magnetic field. We present DNP mechanisms, polarizing agents, and sample constitution methods suitable for biomolecules. A wide field of biomolecular NMR applications is covered including membrane proteins, amyloid fibrils, large biomolecular assemblies, and biomaterials. Finally, we present perspectives and recent developments that may shape the field of biomolecular DNP in the future.

Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy on Microbial Rhodopsins

Microbial rhodopsins represent the most abundant phototrophic systems known today. A similar molecular architecture with seven transmembrane helices and a retinal cofactor linked to a lysine in helix 7 enables a wide range of functions including ion pumping, light-controlled ion channel gating, or sensing. Deciphering their molecular mechanisms therefore requires a combined consideration of structural, functional, and spectroscopic data in order to identify key factors determining their function. Important insight can be gained by solid-state NMR spectroscopy by which the large homo-oligomeric rhodopsin complexes can be studied directly within lipid bilayers. This chapter describes the methodological background and the necessary sample preparation requirements for the study of photointermediates, for the analysis of protonation states, H-bonding and chromophore conformations, for 3D structure determination, and for probing oligomer interfaces of microbial rhodopsins. The use of data extracted from these NMR experiments is discussed in the context of complementary biophysical methods.

Insights into the Early-Time Excited-State Dynamics of Structurally Inhomogeneous Rhodopsin KR2

The light-driven sodium-pump rhodopsin KR2 exhibits ultrafast photoisomerization dynamics of its all-trans protonated Schiff-base retinal (PSBR). However, the excited-state decay of KR2 also shows slow picosecond time constants, which are attributed to nonreactive states. The mechanism that produces long-lived states is unclear. Here, by using molecular dynamics simulations and large-scale XMCQDPT2-based QM/MM modeling, we explore the origin of reactive and nonreactive states in KR2. By calculating the S₀-S₁ vibronic band shapes, we gain insight into the early-time excited-state dynamics of PSBR and show that the protein environment can significantly alter vibrational modes that are active upon photoexcitation, thus facilitating photoisomerization from all-trans to 13-cis PSBR. Importantly, we reveal structural heterogeneity of the retinal-binding pocket of KR2, characterized by three distinct conformations, and conclude that the formation of a strong hydrogen bond between the retinal Schiff base and its counterion is essential for the ultrafast reaction dynamics.

Sodium Ions Do Not Stabilize the Selectivity Filter of a Potassium Channel

Ion conduction is an essential function for electrical activity in all organisms. The non-selective ion channel NaK was previously shown to adopt two stable conformations of the selectivity filter. Here, we present solid-state NMR measurements of NaK demonstrating a population shift between these conformations induced by changing the ions in the sample while the overall structure of NaK is not affected. We show that two K⁺-selective mutants (NaK2K and NaK2K-Y66F) suffer a complete loss of selectivity filter stability under Na⁺ conditions, but do not collapse into a defined structure. Widespread chemical shift perturbations are seen between the Na⁺ and K⁺ states of the K⁺-selective mutants in the region of the pore helix indicating structural changes. We conclude that the stronger link between the selectivity filter and the pore helix in the K⁺-selective mutants, compared to the non-selective wild-type NaK channel, reduces the ion-dependent conformational flexibility of the selectivity filter.

Easy Synthesis of Complex Biomolecular Assemblies: Wheat Germ Cell-Free Protein Expression in Structural Biology

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems are gaining more importance as universal tools for basic research, applied sciences, and product development with new technologies emerging for their application. Huge progress was made in the field of synthetic biology using CFPS to develop new proteins for technical applications and therapy. Out of the available CFPS systems, wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis (WG-CFPS) merges the highest yields with the use of a eukaryotic ribosome, making it an excellent approach for the synthesis of complex eukaryotic proteins including, for example, protein complexes and membrane proteins. Separating the translation reaction from other cellular processes, CFPS offers a flexible means to adapt translation reactions to protein needs. There is a large demand for such potent, easy-to-use, rapid protein expression systems, which are optimally serving protein requirements to drive biochemical and structural biology research. We summarize here a general workflow for a wheat germ system providing examples from the literature, as well as applications used for our own studies in structural biology. With this review, we want to highlight the tremendous potential of the rapidly evolving and highly versatile CFPS systems, making them more widely used as common tools to recombinantly prepare particularly challenging recombinant eukaryotic proteins.

Probing the photointermediates of light-driven sodium ion pump KR2 by DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR

The functional mechanism of the light-driven sodium pump Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 (KR2) raises fundamental questions since the transfer of cations must differ from the better-known principles of rhodopsin-based proton pumps. Addressing these questions must involve a better understanding of its photointermediates. Here, dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on cryo-trapped photointermediates shows that the K-state with 13-cis retinal directly interconverts into the subsequent L-state with distinct retinal carbon chemical shift differences and an increased out-of-plane twist around the C14-C15 bond. The retinal converts back into an all-trans conformation in the O-intermediate, which is the key state for sodium transport. However, retinal carbon and Schiff base nitrogen chemical shifts differ from those observed in the KR2 dark state all-trans conformation, indicating a perturbation through the nearby bound sodium ion. Our findings are supplemented by optical and infrared spectroscopy and are discussed in the context of known three-dimensional structures.

Temperature Dependence of the Krokinobacter rhodopsin 2 Kinetics

We investigated the temperature-dependent kinetics of the light-driven Na⁺ pump Krokinobacter rhodopsin 2 (KR2) at Na⁺-pumping conditions. The recorded microsecond flash photolysis data were subjected to detailed global target analysis, employing Eyring constraints and spectral decomposition. The analysis resulted in the kinetic rates, the composition of the different photocycle equilibria, and the spectra of the involved photointermediates. Our results show that with the temperature increase (from 10 to 40°C), the overall photocycle duration is accelerated by a factor of 6, with the L-to-M transition exhibiting an impressive 40-fold increase. It follows from the analysis that in KR2 the chromophore and the protein scaffold are more kinetically decoupled than in other microbial rhodopsins. We link this effect to the rigidity of the retinal protein environment. This kinetic decoupling should be considered in future studies and could potentially be exploited for fine-tuning biotechnological applications.

Molecular mechanism of light-driven sodium pumping

The light-driven sodium-pumping rhodopsin KR2 from Krokinobacter eikastus is the only non-proton cation active transporter with demonstrated potential for optogenetics. However, the existing structural data on KR2 correspond exclusively to its ground state, and show no sodium inside the protein, which hampers the understanding of sodium-pumping mechanism. Here we present crystal structure of the O-intermediate of the physiologically relevant pentameric form of KR2 at the resolution of 2.1 Å, revealing a sodium ion near the retinal Schiff base, coordinated by N112 and D116 of the characteristic NDQ triad. We also obtained crystal structures of D116N and H30A variants, conducted metadynamics simulations and measured pumping activities of putative pathway mutants to demonstrate that sodium release likely proceeds alongside Q78 towards the structural sodium ion bound between KR2 protomers. Our findings highlight the importance of pentameric assembly for sodium pump function, and may be used for rational engineering of enhanced optogenetic tools.

High-Field Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is one of the most prominent methods of sensitivity enhancement in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Even though solid-state DNP under magic-angle spinning (MAS) has left the proof-of-concept phase and has become an important tool for structural investigations of biomolecules as well as materials, it is still far from mainstream applicability because of the potentially overwhelming combination of unique instrumentation, complex sample preparation, and a multitude of different mechanisms and methods available. In this review, I introduce the diverse field and history of DNP, combining aspects of NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance. I then explain the general concepts and detailed mechanisms relevant at high magnetic field, including solution-state methods based on Overhauser DNP but with a greater focus on the more established MAS DNP methods. Finally, I review practical considerations and fields of application and discuss future developments.

Allosteric Communication with the Retinal Chromophore upon Ion Binding in a Light-Driven Sodium Ion-Pumping Rhodopsin

Krokinobacter rhodopsin 2 (KR2) serves as a light-driven sodium ion pump in the presence of sodium ion and works as a proton pump in the presence of larger monovalent cations such as potassium ion, rubidium ion, and cesium ion. Recent crystallographic studies revealed that KR2 forms a pentamer and possesses an ion binding site at the subunit interface. It is assumed that sodium ion bound at this binding site is not transported but contributes to the thermal stability. Because KR2 can convert its function in response to coexisting cation species, this ion binding site is likely to be involved in ion transport selectively. However, how sodium ion binding affects the structure of the retinal chromophore, which plays a crucial role in ion transport, remains poorly understood. Here, we observed the structure of the retinal chromophore under a wide range of cation concentrations using visible absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. We discovered that the hydrogen bond formed between the Schiff base of the retinal chromophore and its counterion, Asp116, is weakened upon binding of sodium ion. This allosteric communication between the Schiff base and the ion binding site at the subunit interface likely increases the apparent efficiency of sodium ion transport. In addition, this study demonstrates the significance of sodium ion binding: even though sodium ion is not transported, binding regulates the structure around the Schiff base and stabilizes the oligomeric structure.

Time-resolved IR spectroscopy reveals mechanistic details of ion transport in the sodium pump Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2

We report a comparative study on the structural dynamics of the light-driven sodium pump Krokinobacter eikastus rhodopsin 2 wild type under sodium and proton pumping conditions by means of time-resolved IR spectroscopy. The kinetics of KR2 under sodium pumping conditions exhibits a sequential character, whereas the kinetics of KR2 under proton pumping conditions involves several equilibrium states. The sodium translocation itself is characterized by major conformational changes of the protein backbone, such as distortions of the α-helices and probably of the ECL1 domain, indicated by distinct marker bands in the amide I region. Carbonyl stretch modes of specific amino acid residues helped to elucidate structural changes in the retinal Schiff base moiety, including the protonation and deprotonation of D116, which is crucial for a deeper understanding of the mechanistic features in the photocycle of KR2.

Global response of diacylglycerol kinase towards substrate binding observed by 2D and 3D MAS NMR

Escherichia coli diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is an integral membrane protein, which catalyses the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of diacylglycerol (DAG) to phosphatic acid (PA). It is a unique trimeric enzyme, which does not share sequence homology with typical kinases. It exhibits a notable complexity in structure and function despite of its small size. Here, chemical shift assignment of wild-type DGK within lipid bilayers was carried out based on 3D MAS NMR, utilizing manual and automatic analysis protocols. Upon nucleotide binding, extensive chemical shift perturbations could be observed. These data provide evidence for a symmetric DGK trimer with all of its three active sites concurrently occupied. Additionally, we could detect that the nucleotide substrate induces a substantial conformational change, most likely directing DGK into its catalytic active form. Furthermore, functionally relevant interprotomer interactions are identified by DNP-enhanced MAS NMR in combination with site-directed mutagenesis and functional assays.

Biosynthetic production of fully carbon-13 labeled retinal in E. coli for structural and functional studies of rhodopsins

The isomerization of a covalently bound retinal is an integral part of both microbial and animal rhodopsin function. As such, detailed structure and conformational changes in the retinal binding pocket are of significant interest and are studied in various NMR, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy experiments, which commonly require isotopic labeling of retinal. Unfortunately, the de novo organic synthesis of an isotopically-labeled retinal is complex and often cost-prohibitive, especially for large scale expression required for solid-state NMR. We present the novel protocol for biosynthetic production of an isotopically labeled retinal ligand concurrently with an apoprotein in E. coli as a cost-effective alternative to the de novo organic synthesis. Previously, the biosynthesis of a retinal precursor, β-carotene, has been introduced into many different organisms. We extended this system to the prototrophic E. coli expression strain BL21 in conjunction with the inducible expression of a β-dioxygenase and proteo-opsin. To demonstrate the applicability of this system, we were able to assign several new carbon resonances for proteorhodopsin-bound retinal by using fully ¹³C-labeled glucose as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this biosynthetically produced retinal can be extracted from E. coli cells by applying a hydrophobic solvent layer to the growth medium and reconstituted into an externally produced opsin of any desired labeling pattern.

Unexplored Nucleotide Binding Modes for the ABC Exporter MsbA

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter MsbA is an ATP-driven lipid-A flippase. It belongs to the ABC protein superfamily whose members are characterized by conserved motifs in their nucleotide binding domains (NBDs), which are responsible for ATP hydrolysis. Recently, it was found that MsbA could catalyze a reverse adenylate kinase (rAK)-like reaction in addition to ATP hydrolysis. Both reactions are connected and mediated by the same conserved NBD domains. Here, the structural foundations underlying the nucleotide binding to MsbA were therefore explored using a concerted approach based on conventional- and DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR, pulsed-EPR, and MD simulations. MsbA reconstituted into lipid bilayers was trapped in various catalytic states corresponding to intermediates of the coupled ATPase-rAK mechanism. The analysis of nucleotide-binding dependent chemical shift changes, and the detection of through-space contacts between bound nucleotides and MsbA within these states provides evidence for an additional nucleotide-binding site in close proximity to the Q-loop and the His-Switch. By replacing Mg²⁺ with Mn²⁺ and employing pulsed EPR spectroscopy, evidence is provided that this newly found nucleotide binding site does not interfere with the coordination of the required metal ion. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of nucleotide and metal binding required for the coupled ATPase-rAK mechanism have been used to corroborate these experimental findings and provide additional insight into nucleotide location, orientation, and possible binding modes.