The detergent-soluble maltose transporter is activated by maltose binding protein and verapamil

Lipid Membrane Mimetics in Functional and Structural Studies of Integral Membrane Proteins

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) fulfill important physiological functions by providing cell-environment, cell-cell and virus-host communication; nutrients intake; export of toxic compounds out of cells; and more. However, some IMPs have obliterated functions due to polypeptide mutations, modifications in membrane properties and/or other environmental factors-resulting in damaged binding to ligands and the adoption of non-physiological conformations that prevent the protein from returning to its physiological state. Thus, elucidating IMPs' mechanisms of function and malfunction at the molecular level is important for enhancing our understanding of cell and organism physiology. This understanding also helps pharmaceutical developments for restoring or inhibiting protein activity. To this end, in vitro studies provide invaluable information about IMPs' structure and the relation between structural dynamics and function. Typically, these studies are conducted on transferred from native membranes to membrane-mimicking nano-platforms (membrane mimetics) purified IMPs. Here, we review the most widely used membrane mimetics in structural and functional studies of IMPs. These membrane mimetics are detergents, liposomes, bicelles, nanodiscs/Lipodisqs, amphipols, and lipidic cubic phases. We also discuss the protocols for IMPs reconstitution in membrane mimetics as well as the applicability of these membrane mimetic-IMP complexes in studies via a variety of biochemical, biophysical, and structural biology techniques.

Transmitting the energy: interdomain cross-talk in Pdr5

ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters are ubiquitous integral membrane proteins catalyzing the active export or import of structurally and functionally unrelated compounds. In humans, these proteins are clinically and economically important, as their dysfunction is responsible for a number of diseases. In the case of multidrug resistance (MDR) ABC exporters, they particularly confer resistance to a broad spectrum of toxic compounds, placing them in the focus of clinical research. However, ABC-mediated drug resistance is not only restricted to humans. In yeast for example, MDR is called pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR). Important and well-studied members of the PDR subfamily of ABC transporters are Pdr5 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its homolog Cdr1 from Candida albicans. Mutational studies of these two transporters provided many insights into the complexity and conceivable mechanism of the interdomain cross-talk that transmits the energy gained from ATP hydrolysis to the substrate translocation process across the membrane. In this review, we summarize and discuss our current knowledge of the interdomain cross-talk as well as new results obtained for asymmetric ABC transporters and derive possible structural and functional implications for Pdr5.

Maltose-binding protein effectively stabilizes the partially closed conformation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter MalFGK2

Maltose transporter MalFGK₂is a type-I importer in the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily.

Crystal structure of bacterial haem importer complex in the inward-facing conformation

Pathogenic bacteria remove iron from the haem of host tissues and use it as a catalytic center of many enzymes. Haem uptake by pathogenic bacteria is facilitated by the membrane-integrated haem importer, which belongs to the type II ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. Here we present crystal structures of Burkholderia cenocepacia haem importer BhuUV complexed with the periplasmic haem-binding protein BhuT and in the absence of BhuT. The transmembrane helices of these structures show an inward-facing conformation, in which the cytoplasmic gate of the haem translocation pathway is completely open. Since this conformation is found in both the haem- and nucleotide-free form, the structure of BhuUV-T provides the post-translocation state and the missing piece in the transport cycle of the type II importer. Structural comparison with the outward-facing conformation reported for the haem importer ortholog HmuUV from Yersenia pestis gives mechanistic insights into conformational transitions and haem secretion during the haem transport cycle.

Pathogenic bacteria acquire iron from heme cofactors imported by ABC heme transporters. Here the authors present crystal structures of Burkholderia cenocepacia heme importer BhuUV with and without the heme-binding protein BhuT, gathering mechanistic insight into the catalytic cycle of heme import.

Diverse relations between ABC transporters and lipids: An overview

It was first discovered in 1992 that P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1), an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter, can transport phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, -ethanolamine and -serine as well as glucosylceramide and glycosphingolipids. Subsequently, many other ABC transporters were identified to act as lipid transporters. For substrate transport by ABC transporters, typically a classic, alternating access model with an ATP-dependent conformational switch between a high and a low affinity substrate binding site is evoked. Transport of small hydrophilic substrates can easily be imagined this way, as the molecule can in principle enter and exit the transporter in the same orientation. Lipids on the other hand need to undergo a 180° degree turn as they translocate from one membrane leaflet to the other. Lipids and lipidated molecules are highly diverse, so there may be various ways how to achieve their flipping and flopping. Nonetheless, an increase in biophysical, biochemical and structural data is beginning to shed some light on specific aspects of lipid transport by ABC transporters. In addition, there is now abundant evidence that lipids affect ABC transporter conformation, dynamics as well as transport and ATPase activity in general. In this review, we will discuss different ways in which lipids and ABC transporters interact and how lipid translocation may be achieved with a focus on the techniques used to investigate these processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Lipid order/lipid defects and lipid-control of protein activity edited by Dirk Schneider.

Defining key roles for auxiliary proteins in an ABC transporter that maintains bacterial outer membrane lipid asymmetry

In Gram-negative bacteria, lipid asymmetry is critical for the function of the outer membrane (OM) as a selective permeability barrier, but how it is established and maintained is poorly understood. Here, we characterize a non-canonical ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter in Escherichia coli that provides energy for maintaining OM lipid asymmetry via the transport of aberrantly localized phospholipids (PLs) from the OM to the inner membrane (IM). We establish that the transporter comprises canonical components, MlaF and MlaE, and auxiliary proteins, MlaD and MlaB, of previously unknown functions. We further demonstrate that MlaD forms extremely stable hexamers within the complex, functions in substrate binding with strong affinity for PLs, and modulates ATP hydrolytic activity. In addition, MlaB plays critical roles in both the assembly and activity of the transporter. Our work provides mechanistic insights into how the MlaFEDB complex participates in ensuring active retrograde PL transport to maintain OM lipid asymmetry.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19042.001

Escherichia coli are bacteria that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in humans and other mammals. Each E. coli cell is surrounded by two membranes, which are each made of two layers of fat molecules known as lipids. The outer membrane prevents the entry of toxic compounds and allows E. coli to withstand damaging agents from outside the cell, such as antibiotics.

The outer membrane’s ability to act as an effective barrier depends on an asymmetric, or uneven, distribution of lipid molecules across its two layers. The inside layer is dominated by phospholipids, whereas the outside layer is comprised mainly of lipids with attached sugars. The distribution of the two lipid types is maintained by a molecular machine with components that can be found in both the inner and outer membranes. This machine is thought to remove phospholipids from the outside layer of the outer membrane and transport them back to the inner membrane.

A group (or”complex”) of proteins known as MIaFEDB operates as a part of this machine at the inner membrane. MlaFEDB is believed to use energy derived from the breakdown of a molecule called ATP to help ensure that phospholipids removed from the outside layer of the outer membrane are reinserted into the inner membrane. It was proposed that the complex contains four proteins, but it was not clear exactly how these components are arranged. Now, Thong et al. reveal how MlaFEDB is organized and characterize the roles of the individual protein components.

The experiments confirm that the MlaFEDB complex is made up of four proteins, including two core components and two support proteins (called MlaB and MlaD). There are six copies of MlaD in the complex. In addition, MlaD has a strong affinity for phospholipids and plays a role in controlling the rate at which energy is harnessed through the breakdown of ATP.

Further experiments show that the other support protein MlaB is necessary for both the proper assembly and activity of the complex, likely through its interaction with one of the core components. The next step following on from this work is to directly observe MlaFEDB in action to find out how it uses energy to insert lipids into the inner membrane. In the long term, more information about the structure of the complex would be needed to further understand how it works at the molecular level.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19042.002

Binding Protein-Dependent Uptake of Maltose into Cells via an ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter

Maltose and maltodextrins are actively transported across the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli and Salmonella by a periplasmic binding protein (BP)- dependent transport system. Since 1996, there have been many advances in the understanding of the structure and mechanism of the maltose transporter, in the assembly of the membrane-associated transporter complex, and in the mechanism of regulation of transport both at the DNA and the protein level. The transporter has been studied in detergent and reconstituted in liposome vesicles, and while many features, including the ability of maltose-binding protein (MBP) to stimulate ATPase activity, are retained in detergent, it has been noted that the basal ATPase activity of the transporter is elevated in detergent compared with liposomes. This review focuses on these recent developments, which have culminated in a high resolution structure of MBP in a complex with the MalFGK2 transporter. While this review focuses on the maltose system, complementary work has been carried out on many different ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, all of which has contributed in important ways to the understanding of the maltose transport system. The regulation of the maltose transport system, at the DNA level, is implemented by the synergistic action of MalT and cAMP/CAP complex and, at the protein level, by interactions of MalK with unphosphorylated EIIAglc, a signal-transducing component of the phosphoenolpyruvate-glucose phosphotransferase system.

The maltose ABC transporter: action of membrane lipids on the transporter stability, coupling and ATPase activity

The coupling between ATP hydrolysis and substrate transport remains a key question in the understanding of ABC-mediated transport. We show using the MalFGK2 complex reconstituted into nanodiscs, that membrane lipids participate directly to the coupling reaction by stabilizing the transporter in a low energy conformation. When surrounded by short acyl chain phospholipids, the transporter is unstable and hydrolyzes large amounts of ATP without inducing maltose. The presence of long acyl chain phospholipids stabilizes the conformational dynamics of the transporter, reduces its ATPase activity and restores dependence on maltose. Membrane lipids therefore play an essential allosteric function, they restrict the transporter ATPase activity to increase coupling to the substrate. In support to the notion, we show that increasing the conformational dynamics of MalFGK2 with mutations in MalF increases the transporter ATPase activity but decreases the maltose transport efficiency.

ATP alone triggers the outward facing conformation of the maltose ATP-binding cassette transporter

The maltose transporter MalFGK(2) is a study prototype for ABC importers. During catalysis, the MalFG membrane domain alternates between inward and outward facing conformations when the MalK dimer closes and hydrolyzes ATP. Because a rapid ATP hydrolysis depends on MalE and maltose, it has been proposed that closed liganded MalE facilitates the transition to the outward facing conformation. Here we find that, in contrast to the expected, ATP is sufficient for the closure of MalK and for the conversion of MalFG to the outward facing state. The outward facing transporter binds MalE with nanomolar affinity, yet neither MalE nor maltose is necessary or facilitates the transition. Thus, the rapid hydrolysis of ATP observed in the presence of MalE and maltose is not because closed liganded MalE accelerates the formation of the outward facing conformation. These findings have fundamental implications for the description of the transport reaction.

Discovery of an auto-regulation mechanism for the maltose ABC transporter MalFGK2

The maltose transporter MalFGK₂, together with the substrate-binding protein MalE, is one of the best-characterized ABC transporters. In the conventional model, MalE captures maltose in the periplasm and delivers the sugar to the transporter. Here, using nanodiscs and proteoliposomes, we instead find that MalE is bound with high-affinity to MalFGK2 to facilitate the acquisition of the sugar. When the maltose concentration exceeds the transport capacity, MalE captures maltose and dissociates from the transporter. This mechanism explains why the transport rate is high when MalE has low affinity for maltose, and low when MalE has high affinity for maltose. Transporter-bound MalE facilitates the acquisition of the sugar at low concentrations, but also captures and dissociates from the transporter past a threshold maltose concentration. In vivo, this maltose-forced dissociation limits the rate of transport. Given the conservation of the substrate-binding proteins, this mode of allosteric regulation may be universal to ABC importers.

Specific lipids modulate the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)

The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays a key role in adaptive immunity by translocating proteasomal degradation products from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen for subsequent loading onto major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecules. For functional and structural analysis of this ATP-binding cassette complex, we established the overexpression of TAP in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Screening of optimal solubilization and purification conditions allowed the isolation of the heterodimeric transport complex, yielding 30 mg of TAP/liter of culture. Detailed analysis of TAP function in the membrane, solubilized, purified, and reconstituted states revealed a direct influence of the native lipid environment on activity. TAP-associated phospholipids, essential for function, were profiled by liquid chromatography Fourier transform mass spectrometry. The antigen translocation activity is stimulated by phosphatidylinositol and -ethanolamine, whereas cholesterol has a negative effect on TAP activity.

Involvement of anion channels in mediating elicitor-induced ATP efflux in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy roots

This study examines the roles of anion channels and ATP binding cassette (ABC) protein transporters in mediating elicitor-induced ATP release in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy root cultures. The elicitor-induced ATP release was effectively blocked by two putative membrane anion channel blockers, niflumic acid and Zn(2+), but not by a specific Cl(-) channel blocker, phenylanthranilic acid. The elicitor-induced ATP release was also significantly suppressed by two ABC inhibitors, glibenclamide and ethacrynic acid. Notable ATP release from the hairy roots was also induced by verapamil (2mM), an ABC activator in animal cells. The verapamil-induced ATP release was effectively blocked by niflumic acid, but only slightly inhibited by the ABC inhibitors. Another notable effect of verapamil was the induction of exocytosis, the secretion of vesicle-like particles to the root surface. The verapamil-induced exocytosis was not inhibited by nifulumic acid and YE did not induce the exocytosis. Overall, the results suggest a significant role of anion channels, a possible involvement of ABC proteins and no significant involvement of exocytosis in mediating the ATP efflux in hairy root cells.

Functional reconstitution of an ABC transporter in nanodiscs for use in electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful biophysical technique for study of the structural dynamics of membrane proteins. Many of these proteins interact with ligands or proteins on one or both sides of the membrane. Membrane proteins are typically reconstituted in proteoliposomes to observe their function in a physiologically relevant environment. However, membrane proteins can insert into liposomes in two different orientations, and surfaces facing the lumen of the vesicle can be inaccessible to ligands. This heterogeneity can lead to subpopulations that do not respond to ligand binding, complicating EPR spectral analysis, particularly for distance measurements. Using the well-characterized maltose transporter, an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter that interacts with ligands on both sides of the membrane, we provide evidence that reconstitution into nanodiscs, which are soluble disk-shaped phospholipid bilayers, is an ideal solution to these problems. We describe the functional reconstitution of the maltose transporter into nanodiscs and demonstrate that this system is ideally suited to study conformational changes and intramolecular distances by EPR.

Both maltose-binding protein and ATP are required for nucleotide-binding domain closure in the intact maltose ABC transporter

The maltose transporter MalFGK(2) of Escherichia coli is a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily. A periplasmic maltose-binding protein (MBP) delivers maltose to MalFGK(2) and stimulates its ATPase activity. Site-directed spin labeling EPR spectroscopy was used to study the opening and closing of the nucleotide-binding interface of MalFGK(2) during the catalytic cycle. In the intact transporter, closure of the interface coincides not just with the binding of ATP, as seen with isolated nucleotide-binding domains, but requires both MBP and ATP, implying that MBP stimulates ATPase activity by promoting the closure of the nucleotide-binding interface. After ATP hydrolysis, with MgADP and MBP bound, the nucleotide-binding interface resides in a semi-open configuration distinct from the fully open configuration seen in the absence of any ligand. We propose that P(i) release coincides with the reorientation of transmembrane helices to an inward-facing conformation and the final step of maltose translocation into the cell.

Reconstitution of the Escherichia coli macrolide transporter: the periplasmic membrane fusion protein MacA stimulates the ATPase activity of MacB

Periplasmic membrane fusion proteins (MFPs) are essential components of the type I protein secretion systems and drug efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria. Previous studies suggested that MFPs connect the inner and outer membrane components of the transport systems and by this means co-ordinate the transfer of substrates across the two membranes. In this study, we purified and reconstituted the macrolide transporter MacAB from Escherichia coli. Here, MacA is a periplasmic MFP and MacB is an ABC-type transporter. Similar to other MFP-dependent transporters from E. coli, the in vivo function of MacAB requires the outer membrane channel TolC. The purified MacB displayed a basal ATPase activity in detergent micelles. This activity conformed to Michaelis-Menten kinetics but was unresponsive to substrates or accessory proteins. Upon reconstitution into proteoliposomes, the ATPase activity of MacB was strictly dependent on MacA. The catalytic efficiency of MacAB ATPase was more than 45-fold higher than the activity of MacB alone. Both the N- and C-terminal regions of MacA were essential for this activity. MacA stimulated MacB ATPase only in phospholipid bilayers and did not need the presence of macrolides. Our results suggest that MacA is a functional subunit of the MacB transporter.

Transmembrane transport of endo- and xenobiotics by mammalian ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance proteins

Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MRPs), together with the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR/ABCC7) and the sulfonylurea receptors (SUR1/ABCC8 and SUR2/ABCC9) comprise the 13 members of the human "C" branch of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. All C branch proteins share conserved structural features in their nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) that distinguish them from other ABC proteins. The MRPs can be further divided into two subfamilies "long" (MRP1, -2, -3, -6, and -7) and "short" (MRP4, -5, -8, -9, and -10). The short MRPs have a typical ABC transporter structure with two polytropic membrane spanning domains (MSDs) and two NBDs, while the long MRPs have an additional NH2-terminal MSD. In vitro, the MRPs can collectively confer resistance to natural product drugs and their conjugated metabolites, platinum compounds, folate antimetabolites, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, arsenical and antimonial oxyanions, peptide-based agents, and, under certain circumstances, alkylating agents. The MRPs are also primary active transporters of other structurally diverse compounds, including glutathione, glucuronide, and sulfate conjugates of a large number of xeno- and endobiotics. In vivo, several MRPs are major contributors to the distribution and elimination of a wide range of both anticancer and non-anticancer drugs and metabolites. In this review, we describe what is known of the structure of the MRPs and the mechanisms by which they recognize and transport their diverse substrates. We also summarize knowledge of their possible physiological functions and evidence that they may be involved in the clinical drug resistance of various forms of cancer.

In vitro functional characterization of BtuCD-F, the Escherichia coli ABC transporter for vitamin B12 uptake

BtuCD is an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter that facilitates uptake of vitamin B(12) into the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. The crystal structures of BtuCD and its cognate periplasmic binding protein BtuF have been recently determined. We have now explored BtuCD-F function in vitro, both in proteoliposomes and in various detergents. BtuCD reconstituted into proteoliposomes has a significant basal ATP hydrolysis rate that is stimulated by addition of BtuF and inhibited by sodium ortho-vanadate. When using different detergents to solubilize BtuCD, the basal ATP hydrolysis rate, the ability of BtuF to stimulate hydrolysis, and the extent to which sodium ortho-vanadate inhibits ATP hydrolysis all vary significantly. Reconstituted BtuCD can mediate transport of vitamin B(12) against a concentration gradient when coupled to ATP hydrolysis by BtuD in the liposome lumen and BtuF outside the liposomes. These in vitro studies establish the functional competence of the BtuCD and BtuF preparations used in the crystallographic analyses for both ATPase and transport activities. Furthermore, the tight binding of BtuF to BtuCD under the conditions studied suggests that the binding protein may not dissociate from the transporter during the catalytic cycle, which may be relevant to the mechanisms of other ABC transporter systems.

Functional reconstitution of a maltose ATP-binding cassette transporter from the thermoacidophilic gram-positive bacterium Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

The thermoacidophilic gram-positive bacterium Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius grows at 60 degrees C and pH 2-3. The organism can utilize maltose and maltodextrins as energy source that are taken up by an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) import system. Genes encoding a maltose binding protein, MalE, and two membrane-integral subunits, MalF and MalG, are clustered on the chromosome but a malK gene translating into a cognate ATPase subunit is lacking. Here we report the cloning of malK from genomic DNA by using the msiK gene of Streptomyces lividans as a probe. Purified MalK exhibited a spontaneous ATPase activity with a Vmax of 0.13 micromol Pi/min/mg and a Km of 330 microM that was optimal at the growth temperature of the organism. Coexpression of malK, malF and malG in Escherichia coli resulted in the formation of a complex that could be coeluted from an affinity matrix after solubilization of membranes with dodecylmaltoside. Proteoliposomes prepared from the MalFGK complex and preformed phospholipid vesicles of A. acidocaldarius displayed a low intrinsic ATPase activity that was stimulated sevenfold by maltose-loaded MalE, thereby indicating coupling of ATP hydrolysis to substrate translocation. These results provide evidence for MalK being the physiological ATPase subunit of the A. acidocaldarius maltose transporter. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first report on the functional reconstitution of an ABC transport system from a thermophilic microorganism.

An antibody library for stabilizing and crystallizing membrane proteins - selecting binders to the citrate carrier CitS

Co-crystallization of membrane proteins with antibody fragments may emerge as a general tool to facilitate crystal growth and improve crystal quality. The bound antibody fragment enlarges the hydrophilic part of the mostly hydrophobic membrane protein, thereby increasing the interaction area for possible protein-protein contacts in the crystal. Additionally, it may restrain flexible parts or lock the membrane protein in a defined conformational state. For successful co-crystallization trials, the antibody fragments must be stable in detergents during the extended period of crystal growth and must be easily produced in amounts necessary for crystallography. Therefore, we constructed a library of antibody Fab fragments from a framework subset of the HuCAL GOLD library (Morphosys, Munich, Germany). By combining the most stable and well expressed frameworks, V(H)3 and V(kappa)3, with the further stabilizing constant domains, a Fab library with the desired properties was obtained in a standard phage display format. As a proof of principle, we selected binders with phage display against the detergent-solubilized citrate transporter CitS of Klebsiella pneumoniae. We describe efficient methods for the immobilization of the membrane protein during selection, for ELISA screening, and for BIAcore evaluation. We demonstrate that the selected Fab fragments form stable complexes with native CitS and recognize conformational epitopes with affinities in the low nanomolar range.

Purification and characterization of the heterologously expressed trehalose/maltose ABC transporter complex of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus litoralis

We report the purification of the maltose/trehalose transporter complex MalFGK of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus litoralis. The complex was expressed in Escherichia coli, solubilized in dodecyl maltoside and purified with the aid of a histidine tag on one of the membrane proteins. One hundred grams of cells yielded 3 mg of pure complex. The final product showed ATPase activity at 70 degrees C and was soluble at low detergent concentration. ATPase activity was not due to dissociation of the MalK subunit from the integral membrane proteins MalF and MalG but could not be further stimulated by trehalose/maltose binding protein (TMBP), be it the native protein as isolated from T. litoralis or the soluble engineered protein. The purified native TMBP was identified as a glycoprotein.

ABC transporters catalyzing carbohydrate uptake

ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters mediating the uptake of carbohydrates comprise two subfamilies (CUT1, CUT2) that differ with respect to the chemical nature of their substrates, subunit composition, and conserved sequence motifs. In this article, current knowledge of members of each family is summarized with special emphasis on the well-characterized transport systems for maltose/maltodextrin and ribose, respectively, of enterobacteria.

Characterization of transmembrane segments 3, 4, and 5 of MalF by mutational analysis

MalF and MalG are the cytoplasmic membrane components of the binding protein-dependent ATP binding cassette maltose transporter in Escherichia coli. They are thought to form the transport channel and are thus of critical importance for the mechanism of transport. To study the contributions of individual transmembrane segments of MalF, we isolated 27 point mutations in membrane-spanning segments 3, 4, and 5. These data complement a previous study, which described the mutagenesis of membrane-spanning segments 6, 7, and 8. While most of the isolated mutations appear to cause assembly defects, L(323)Q in helix 5 could interfere more directly with substrate specificity. The phenotypes and locations of the mutations are consistent with a previously postulated structural model of MalF.