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Hariharan P, Bakhtiiari A, Liang R, Guan L. Distinct roles of the major binding residues in the cation-binding pocket of the melibiose transporter MelB. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107427. [PMID: 38823641 PMCID: PMC11259710 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium melibiose permease (MelBSt) is a prototype of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters, which play important roles in human health and diseases. MelBSt catalyzed the symport of galactosides with Na+, Li+, or H+ but prefers the coupling with Na+. Previously, we determined the structures of the inward- and outward-facing conformation of MelBSt and the molecular recognition for galactoside and Na+. However, the molecular mechanisms for H+- and Na+-coupled symport remain poorly understood. In this study, we solved two x-ray crystal structures of MelBSt, the cation-binding site mutants D59C at an unliganded apo-state and D55C at a ligand-bound state, and both structures display the outward-facing conformations virtually identical as published. We determined the energetic contributions of three major Na+-binding residues for the selection of Na+ and H+ by free energy simulations. Transport assays showed that the D55C mutant converted MelBSt to a solely H+-coupled symporter, and together with the free-energy perturbation calculation, Asp59 is affirmed to be the sole protonation site of MelBSt. Unexpectedly, the H+-coupled melibiose transport exhibited poor activities at greater bulky ΔpH and better activities at reversal ΔpH, supporting the novel theory of transmembrane-electrostatically localized protons and the associated membrane potential as the primary driving force for the H+-coupled symport mediated by MelBSt. This integrated study of crystal structure, bioenergetics, and free energy simulations, demonstrated the distinct roles of the major binding residues in the cation-binding pocket of MelBSt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ruibin Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
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Hariharan P, Bakhtiiari A, Liang R, Guan L. Distinct roles of the major binding residues in the cation-binding pocket of MelB. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.27.582382. [PMID: 38464317 PMCID: PMC10925273 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.27.582382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium melibiose permease (MelBSt) is a prototype of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters, which play important roles in human health and diseases. MelBSt catalyzed the symport of galactosides with either H+, Li+, or Na+, but prefers the coupling with Na+. Previously, we determined the structures of the inward- and outward-facing conformation of MelBSt, as well as the molecular recognition for galactoside and Na+. However, the molecular mechanisms for H+- and Na+-coupled symport still remain poorly understood. We have solved two x-ray crystal structures of MelBSt cation-binding site mutants D59C at an unliganded apo-state and D55C at a ligand-bound state, and both structures display the outward-facing conformations virtually identical as published previously. We determined the energetic contributions of three major Na+-binding residues in cation selectivity for Na+ and H+ by the free energy simulations. The D55C mutant converted MelBSt to a solely H+-coupled symporter, and together with the free-energy perturbation calculation, Asp59 is affirmed to be the sole protonation site of MelBSt. Unexpectedly, the H+-coupled melibiose transport with poor activities at higher ΔpH and better activities at reversal ΔpH was observed, supporting that the membrane potential is the primary driving force for the H+-coupled symport mediated by MelBSt. This integrated study of crystal structure, bioenergetics, and free energy simulations, demonstrated the distinct roles of the major binding residues in the cation-binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | | | - Ruibin Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
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Hariharan P, Shi Y, Katsube S, Willibal K, Burrows ND, Mitchell P, Bakhtiiari A, Stanfield S, Pardon E, Kaback HR, Liang R, Steyaert J, Viner R, Guan L. Mobile barrier mechanisms for Na +-coupled symport in an MFS sugar transporter. eLife 2024; 12:RP92462. [PMID: 38381130 PMCID: PMC10942615 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
While many 3D structures of cation-coupled transporters have been determined, the mechanistic details governing the obligatory coupling and functional regulations still remain elusive. The bacterial melibiose transporter (MelB) is a prototype of major facilitator superfamily transporters. With a conformation-selective nanobody, we determined a low-sugar affinity inward-facing Na+-bound cryoEM structure. The available outward-facing sugar-bound structures showed that the N- and C-terminal residues of the inner barrier contribute to the sugar selectivity. The inward-open conformation shows that the sugar selectivity pocket is also broken when the inner barrier is broken. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements revealed that this inward-facing conformation trapped by this nanobody exhibited a greatly decreased sugar-binding affinity, suggesting the mechanisms for substrate intracellular release and accumulation. While the inner/outer barrier shift directly regulates the sugar-binding affinity, it has little or no effect on the cation binding, which is supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the hydron/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analyses allowed us to identify dynamic regions; some regions are involved in the functionally important inner barrier-specific salt-bridge network, which indicates their critical roles in the barrier switching mechanisms for transport. These complementary results provided structural and dynamic insights into the mobile barrier mechanism for cation-coupled symport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of MedicineLubbockUnited States
| | - Yuqi Shi
- Thermo Fisher ScientificSan JoseUnited States
| | - Satoshi Katsube
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of MedicineLubbockUnited States
| | - Katleen Willibal
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
| | - Nathan D Burrows
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryMenlo ParkUnited States
| | - Patrick Mitchell
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryMenlo ParkUnited States
| | | | - Samantha Stanfield
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of MedicineLubbockUnited States
| | - Els Pardon
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
| | - H Ronald Kaback
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Ruibin Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech UniversityLubbockUnited States
| | - Jan Steyaert
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, VIB, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2BrusselsBelgium
| | - Rosa Viner
- Thermo Fisher ScientificSan JoseUnited States
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of MedicineLubbockUnited States
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Hariharan P, Shi Y, Katsube S, Willibal K, Burrows ND, Mitchell P, Bakhtiiari A, Stanfield S, Pardon E, Kaback HR, Liang R, Steyaert J, Viner R, Guan L. Mobile barrier mechanisms for Na +-coupled symport in an MFS sugar transporter. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.18.558283. [PMID: 37790566 PMCID: PMC10542114 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
While many 3D structures of cation-coupled transporters have been determined, the mechanistic details governing the obligatory coupling and functional regulations still remain elusive. The bacterial melibiose transporter (MelB) is a prototype of the Na+-coupled major facilitator superfamily transporters. With a conformational nanobody (Nb), we determined a low-sugar affinity inward-facing Na+-bound cryoEM structure. Collectively with the available outward-facing sugar-bound structures, both the outer and inner barriers were localized. The N- and C-terminal residues of the inner barrier contribute to the sugar selectivity pocket. When the inner barrier is broken as shown in the inward-open conformation, the sugar selectivity pocket is also broken. The binding assays by isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that this inward-facing conformation trapped by the conformation-selective Nb exhibited a greatly decreased sugar-binding affinity, suggesting the mechanisms for the substrate intracellular release and accumulation. While the inner/outer barrier shift directly regulates the sugar-binding affinity, it has little or no effect on the cation binding, which is also supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the use of this Nb in combination with the hydron/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry allowed us to identify dynamic regions; some regions are involved in the functionally important inner barrier-specific salt-bridge network, which indicates their critical roles in the barrier switching mechanisms for transport. These complementary results provided structural and dynamic insights into the mobile barrier mechanism for cation-coupled symport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
| | - Yuqi Shi
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA 95134, USA
| | - Satoshi Katsube
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
| | | | - Nathan D. Burrows
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Patrick Mitchell
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | | | - Samantha Stanfield
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
| | - Els Pardon
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - H. Ronald Kaback
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruibin Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jan Steyaert
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Rosa Viner
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA 95134, USA
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
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Katsube S, Willibal K, Vemulapally S, Hariharan P, Tikhonova E, Pardon E, Kaback HR, Steyaert J, Guan L. In vivo and in vitro characterizations of melibiose permease (MelB) conformation-dependent nanobodies reveal sugar-binding mechanisms. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104967. [PMID: 37380079 PMCID: PMC10374971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium melibiose permease (MelBSt) is a prototype of the Na+-coupled major facilitator superfamily transporters, which are important for the cellular uptake of molecules including sugars and small drugs. Although the symport mechanisms have been well-studied, mechanisms of substrate binding and translocation remain enigmatic. We have previously determined the sugar-binding site of outward-facing MelBSt by crystallography. To obtain other key kinetic states, here we raised camelid single-domain nanobodies (Nbs) and carried out a screening against the WT MelBSt under 4 ligand conditions. We applied an in vivo cAMP-dependent two-hybrid assay to detect interactions of Nbs with MelBSt and melibiose transport assays to determine the effects on MelBSt functions. We found that all selected Nbs showed partial to complete inhibitions of MelBSt transport activities, confirming their intracellular interactions. A group of Nbs (714, 725, and 733) was purified, and isothermal titration calorimetry measurements showed that their binding affinities were significantly inhibited by the substrate melibiose. When titrating melibiose to the MelBSt/Nb complexes, Nb also inhibited the sugar-binding. However, the Nb733/MelBSt complex retained binding to the coupling cation Na+ and also to the regulatory enzyme EIIAGlc of the glucose-specific phosphoenolpyruvate/sugar phosphotransferase system. Further, EIIAGlc/MelBSt complex also retained binding to Nb733 and formed a stable supercomplex. All data indicated that MelBSt trapped by Nbs retained its physiological functions and the trapped conformation is similar to that bound by the physiological regulator EIIAGlc. Therefore, these conformational Nbs can be useful tools for further structural, functional, and conformational analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Katsube
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Katleen Willibal
- VIB Center for Structural Biology Research, VIB, Brussel, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Sangama Vemulapally
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Elena Tikhonova
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Els Pardon
- VIB Center for Structural Biology Research, VIB, Brussel, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - H Ronald Kaback
- Department of Physiology and Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jan Steyaert
- VIB Center for Structural Biology Research, VIB, Brussel, Belgium; Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
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Blaimschein N, Hariharan P, Manioglu S, Guan L, Müller DJ. Substrate-binding guides individual melibiose permeases MelB to structurally soften and to destabilize cytoplasmic middle-loop C3. Structure 2023; 31:58-67.e4. [PMID: 36525976 PMCID: PMC9825662 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The melibiose permease MelB is a well-studied Na+-coupled transporter of the major facilitator superfamily. However, the symport mechanism of galactosides and cations is still not fully understood, especially at structural levels. Here, we use single-molecule force spectroscopy to investigate substrate-induced structural changes of MelB from Salmonella typhimurium. In the absence of substrate, MelB equally populates two different states, from which one shows higher mechanical structural stability with additional stabilization of the cytoplasmic middle-loop C3. In the presence of either melibiose or a coupling Na+-cation, however, MelB increasingly populates the mechanically less stable state, which shows a destabilized middle-loop C3. In the presence of both substrate and co-substrate, this mechanically less stable state of MelB is predominant. Our findings describe how both substrates guide MelB transporters to populate two different mechanically stabilized states, and contribute mechanistic insights to the alternating-access action for the galactoside/cation symport catalyzed by MelB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Blaimschein
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Selen Manioglu
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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Katsube S, Liang R, Amin A, Hariharan P, Guan L. Molecular basis for the cation selectivity of Salmonella typhimurium melibiose permease. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167598. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Markham KJ, Tikhonova EB, Scarpa AC, Hariharan P, Katsube S, Guan L. Complete cysteine-scanning mutagenesis of the Salmonella typhimurium melibiose permease. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101090. [PMID: 34416232 PMCID: PMC8437787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The melibiose permease of Salmonella typhimurium (MelBSt) catalyzes the stoichiometric symport of galactopyranoside with a cation (H+, Li+, or Na+) and is a prototype for Na+-coupled major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters presenting from bacteria to mammals. X-ray crystal structures of MelBSt have revealed the molecular recognition mechanism for sugar binding; however, understanding of the cation site and symport mechanism is still vague. To further investigate the transport mechanism and conformational dynamics of MelBSt, we generated a complete single-Cys library containing 476 unique mutants by placing a Cys at each position on a functional Cys-less background. Surprisingly, 105 mutants (22%) exhibit poor transport activities (<15% of Cys-less transport), although the expression levels of most mutants were comparable to that of the control. The affected positions are distributed throughout the protein. Helices I and X and transmembrane residues Asp and Tyr are most affected by cysteine replacement, while helix IX, the cytoplasmic middle-loop, and C-terminal tail are least affected. Single-Cys replacements at the major sugar-binding positions (K18, D19, D124, W128, R149, and W342) or at positions important for cation binding (D55, N58, D59, and T121) abolished the Na+-coupled active transport, as expected. We mapped 50 loss-of-function mutants outside of these substrate-binding sites that suffered from defects in protein expression/stability or conformational dynamics. This complete Cys-scanning mutagenesis study indicates that MelBSt is highly susceptible to single-Cys mutations, and this library will be a useful tool for further structural and functional studies to gain insights into the cation-coupled symport mechanism for Na+-coupled MFS transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey J Markham
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Elena B Tikhonova
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Aaron C Scarpa
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Satoshi Katsube
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology & Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
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Guan L, Hariharan P. X-ray crystallography reveals molecular recognition mechanism for sugar binding in a melibiose transporter MelB. Commun Biol 2021; 4:931. [PMID: 34341464 PMCID: PMC8329300 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Major facilitator superfamily_2 transporters are widely found from bacteria to mammals. The melibiose transporter MelB, which catalyzes melibiose symport with either Na+, Li+, or H+, is a prototype of the Na+-coupled MFS transporters, but its sugar recognition mechanism has been a long-unsolved puzzle. Two high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of a Salmonella typhimurium MelB mutant with a bound ligand, either nitrophenyl-α-d-galactoside or dodecyl-β-d-melibioside, were refined to a resolution of 3.05 or 3.15 Å, respectively. In the substrate-binding site, the interaction of both galactosyl moieties on the two ligands with MelBSt are virturally same, so the sugar specificity determinant pocket can be recognized, and hence the molecular recognition mechanism for sugar binding in MelB has been deciphered. The conserved cation-binding pocket is also proposed, which directly connects to the sugar specificity pocket. These key structural findings have laid a solid foundation for our understanding of the cooperative binding and symport mechanisms in Na+-coupled MFS transporters, including eukaryotic transporters such as MFSD2A. Guan and Hariharan report two crystal structures of melibiose transporter MelB in complex with substrate analogs, nitrophenyl-galactoside, and dodecyl-melibioside. Both structures revealed similar specific site for sugar recognition and resolved the cation-binding pocket, advancing the understanding of MelB and related transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | - Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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Hariharan P, Tikhonova E, Medeiros-Silva J, Jeucken A, Bogdanov MV, Dowhan W, Brouwers JF, Weingarth M, Guan L. Structural and functional characterization of protein-lipid interactions of the Salmonella typhimurium melibiose transporter MelB. BMC Biol 2018; 16:85. [PMID: 30075778 PMCID: PMC6091025 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0553-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Membrane lipids play critical roles in the structure and function of membrane-embedded transporters. Salmonella typhimurium MelB (MelBSt) is a symporter coupling melibiose translocation with a cation (Na+, Li+, or H+). We present an extensive study on the effects of specific phospholipids on the structure of MelBSt and the melibiose transport catalyzed by this protein. RESULTS Lipidomic analysis and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) experiments reveal that at least one phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and one phosphatidylglycerol (PG) molecule associate with MelBSt at high affinities. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy experiments confirmed the presence of lipid tails and glycerol backbones that co-purified with MelBSt; headgroups of PG were also observed. Studies with lipid-engineered strains, including PE-deficient, cardiolipin (CL)- and PG-deficient, or CL-deficient strains, show that lack of PE or PG, however not CL, largely inhibits both H+- and Na+-coupled melibiose active transport to different extents. Interestingly, neither the co-substrate binding (melibiose or Na+) nor MelBSt folding and stability are affected by changing lipid compositions. Remarkably, the delipidated MelBSt with only 2-3 bound lipids, regardless of the headgroup species, also exhibits unchanged melting temperature values as shown by circular dichroism spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS (1) Lipid tails and glycerol backbones of interacting PE and PG may contribute to the stability of the structure of MelBSt. (2) The headgroups of PE and PG, but not of CL, play important roles in melibiose transport; however, lipid headgroups do not modulate the folding and stability of MelBSt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Elena Tikhonova
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - João Medeiros-Silva
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Aike Jeucken
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Lipidomics Facility, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mikhail V Bogdanov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Texas Health Science, Center McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - William Dowhan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Texas Health Science, Center McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Lipidomics Facility, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Markus Weingarth
- NMR Spectroscopy, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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Hariharan P, Guan L. Thermodynamic cooperativity of cosubstrate binding and cation selectivity of Salmonella typhimurium MelB. J Gen Physiol 2017; 149:1029-1039. [PMID: 29054867 PMCID: PMC5677108 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201711788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The melibiose symporter MelB couples melibiose transport to that of cations such as Na+. Hariharan and Guan show that the binding of Na+ and melibiose is thermodynamically cooperative and that Na+ coupling is based on ion concentrations and competitive binding, but not ion selectivity. The Na+-coupled melibiose symporter MelB, which can also be coupled to H+ or Li+ transport, is a prototype for the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family. Although the 3-D x-ray crystal structure of Salmonella typhimurium MelB (MelBSt) has been determined, the symport mechanisms for the obligatory coupled transport are not well understood. Here, we apply isothermal titration calorimetry to determine the energetics of Na+ and melibiose binding to MelBSt, as well as protonation of this transporter. Studies of the thermodynamic cycle for the formation of the Na+–MelBSt–melibiose ternary complex at pH 7.45 reveal that the binding of Na+ and melibiose is cooperative. The binding affinity for one substrate (Na+ or melibiose) is increased by the presence of the other by about eightfold. The coupling free energies (ΔΔG) of either substrate binding are ∼5 kJ/mol, and binding of both substrates releases a free energy of ∼35 kJ/mol. Measurements of the Na+-binding enthalpy at three different pH values, including the pKa value of MelB, indicate that the binding of one Na+ displaces one H+ per MelBSt molecule. In addition, the absolute dissociation constants for Na+ and H+, determined by competitive binding, show that MelBSt is selective for H+ over Na+ by ∼1,000-fold at a pKa of 6.25. Thus, the Na+ coupling in MelBSt is based not on ion selectivity but on ion concentrations and competitive binding because of a much higher Na+ concentration under physiological conditions. Such a selectivity feature seems to be common for membrane transport proteins that can bind both H+ and Na+ at a common site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX
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Amin A, Hariharan P, Chae PS, Guan L. Effect of Detergents on Galactoside Binding by Melibiose Permeases. Biochemistry 2015; 54:5849-55. [PMID: 26352464 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The effect of various detergents on the stability and function of the melibiose permeases of Escherichia coli (MelBEc) and Salmonella typhimurium (MelBSt) was studied. In n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside (DDM) or n-undecyl-β-d-maltoside (UDM), WT MelBSt binds melibiose with an affinity similar to that in the membrane. However, with WT MelBEc or MelBSt mutants (Arg141 → Cys, Arg295 → Cys, or Arg363 → Cys), galactoside binding is not detected in these detergents, but binding to the phosphotransferase protein IIA(Glc) is maintained. In the amphiphiles lauryl maltose neopentyl glycol (MNG-3) or glyco-diosgenin (GDN), galactoside binding with all of the MelB proteins is observed, with slightly reduced affinities. MelBSt is more thermostable than MelBEc, and the thermostability of either MelB is largely increased in MNG-3 or GDN. Therefore, the functional defect with DDM or UDM likely results from the relative instability of the sensitive MelB proteins, and stability, as well as galactoside binding, is retained in MNG-3 or GDN. Furthermore, isothermal titration calorimetry of melibiose binding with MelBSt shows that the favorable entropic contribution to the binding free energy is decreased in MNG-3, indicating that the conformational dynamics of MelB is restricted in this detergent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anowarul Amin
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas 79430, United States
| | - Parameswaran Hariharan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas 79430, United States
| | - Pil Seok Chae
- Department of Bionanotechnology, Hanyang University , Ansan 426-791, Korea
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center , Lubbock, Texas 79430, United States
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A transcription blocker isolated from a designed repeat protein combinatorial library by in vivo functional screen. Sci Rep 2015; 5:8070. [PMID: 25627011 PMCID: PMC4308713 DOI: 10.1038/srep08070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A highly diverse DNA library coding for ankyrin seven-repeat proteins (ANK-N5C) was designed and constructed by a PCR-based combinatorial assembly strategy. A bacterial melibiose fermentation assay was adapted for in vivo functional screen. We isolated a transcription blocker that completely inhibits the melibiose-dependent expression of α-galactosidase (MelA) and melibiose permease (MelB) of Escherichiacoli by specifically preventing activation of the melAB operon. High-resolution crystal structural determination reveals that the designed ANK-N5C protein has a typical ankyrin fold, and the specific transcription blocker, ANK-N5C-281, forms a domain-swapped dimer. Functional tests suggest that the activity of MelR, a DNA-binding transcription activator and a member of AraC family of transcription factors, is inhibited by ANK-N5C-281 protein. All ANK-N5C proteins are expected to have a concave binding area with negative surface potential, suggesting that the designed ANK-N5C library proteins may facilitate the discovery of binders recognizing structural motifs with positive surface potential, like in DNA-binding proteins. Overall, our results show that the established library is a useful tool for the discovery of novel bioactive reagents.
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Survival of Escherichia coli cells on solid copper surfaces is increased by glutathione. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:7071-8. [PMID: 25192999 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02842-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are rapidly killed on solid copper surfaces, so this material could be useful to limit the spread of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals. In Escherichia coli, the DNA-protecting Dps protein and the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase II Ndh were not involved in tolerance to copper ions or survival on solid copper surfaces. Decreased copper tolerance under anaerobic growth conditions in the presence of ascorbate and with melibiose as the carbon source indicated that sodium-dependent symport systems may provide an import route for Cu(I) into the cytoplasm. Glutathione-free ΔcopA ΔgshA double mutants of E. coli were more rapidly inactivated on solid copper surfaces than glutathione-containing wild-type cells. Therefore, while DNA protection by Dps was not required, glutathione was needed to protect the cytoplasm and the DNA against damage mediated by solid copper surfaces, which may explain the differences in the molecular mechanisms of killing between glutathione-containing Gram-negative and glutathione-free Gram-positive bacteria.
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Suppression of conformation-compromised mutants of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium MelB. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:3134-9. [PMID: 24957620 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01868-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The crystal structure of the Na(+)-coupled melibiose permease of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (MelBSt) demonstrates that MelB is a member of the major facilitator superfamily of transporters. Arg residues at positions 295, 141, and 363 are involved in interdomain interactions at the cytoplasmic side by governing three clusters of electrostatic/polar interactions. Insertion of (one at a time) Glu, Leu, Gln, or Cys at positions R295, R141, and R363, or Lys at position R295, inhibits active transport of melibiose to a level of 2 to 20% of the value for wild-type (WT) MelBSt, with little effect on binding affinities for both sugar and Na(+). Interestingly, a spontaneous suppressor, D35E (periplasmic end of helix I), was isolated from the R363Q MelBSt mutant. Introduction of the D35E mutation in each of the mutants at R295, R141 (except R141E), or R363 rescues melibiose transport to up to 91% of the WT value. Single-site mutations for the pair of D35 and R175 (periplasmic end of helix VI) were constructed by replacing Asp with Glu, Gln, or Cys and R175 with Gln, Asn, or Cys. All mutants with mutations at R175 are active, indicating that a positive charge at R175 is not necessary. Mutant D35E shows reduced transport; D35Q and D35C are nearly inactivated. Surprisingly, the D35Q mutation partially rescues both R141C and R295Q mutations. The data support the idea that Arg at position 295 and a positive charge at positions 141 and 363 are required for melibiose transport catalyzed by MelBSt, and their mutation inhibits conformational cycling, which is suppressed by a minor modification at the opposite side of the membrane.
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Ethayathulla AS, Yousef MS, Amin A, Leblanc G, Kaback HR, Guan L. Structure-based mechanism for Na(+)/melibiose symport by MelB. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3009. [PMID: 24389923 PMCID: PMC4026327 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial melibiose permease (MelB) belongs to the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family, a part of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). Structural information regarding glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide:cation symporter family transporters and other Na(+)-coupled permeases within MFS has been lacking, although a wealth of biochemical and biophysical data are available. Here we present the three-dimensional crystal structures of Salmonella typhimurium MelBSt in two conformations, representing an outward partially occluded and an outward inactive state of MelBSt. MelB adopts a typical MFS fold and contains a previously unidentified cation-binding motif. Three conserved acidic residues form a pyramidal-shaped cation-binding site for Na(+), Li(+) or H(+), which is in close proximity to the sugar-binding site. Both cosubstrate-binding sites are mainly contributed by the residues from the amino-terminal domain. These two structures and the functional data presented here provide mechanistic insights into Na(+)/melibiose symport. We also postulate a structural foundation for the conformational cycling necessary for transport catalysed by MFS permeases in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul S. Ethayathulla
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA
| | - Mohammad S. Yousef
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA
- Present address: Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026-1654, USA (on leave from: Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt)
| | - Anowarul Amin
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA
| | - Gérard Leblanc
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Present address: CEA-DSV-Fontenay aux Roses, Cross Division of Toxicology, 92 265 Fontenay aux Roses BP 6, France
| | - H. Ronald Kaback
- Department of Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Lan Guan
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA
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