Biochemical and Structural Analysis of the Bacterial Enzyme Succinyl-Diaminopimelate Desuccinylase (DapE) from Acinetobacter baumannii

There is an urgent need for new antibiotics given the rise of antibiotic resistance, and succinyl-diaminopimelate desuccinylase (DapE, E.C. 3.5.1.18) has emerged as a promising bacterial enzyme target. DapE from Haemophilus influenzae (HiDapE) has been studied and inhibitors identified, but it is essential to explore DapE from different species to assess selective versus broad-spectrum therapeutics. We have determined the structure of DapE from the ESKAPE pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii (AbDapE) and studied inhibition by known inhibitors of HiDapE. AbDapE is inhibited by captopril and sulfate comparable to HiDapE, but AbDapE was not significantly inhibited by a known indoline sulfonamide HiDapE inhibitor. Captopril and sulfate both stabilize HiDapE by increasing the thermal melting temperature (Tm) in thermal shift assays. By contrast, sulfate decreases the stability of the AbDapE enzyme, whereas captopril increases the stability. Further, we report two crystal structures of selenomethionine-substituted AbDapE in the closed conformation, one with AbDapE in complex with succinate derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of N6-methyl-l,l-SDAP substrate and acetate (PDB code 7T1Q, 2.25 Å resolution), and a crystal structure of AbDapE with bound succinate along with l-(S)-lactate, a product of degradation of citric acid from the crystallization buffer during X-ray irradiation (PDB code 8F8O, 2.10 Å resolution).

Protein target highlights in CASP15: Analysis of models by structure providers

We present an in-depth analysis of selected CASP15 targets, focusing on their biological and functional significance. The authors of the structures identify and discuss key protein features and evaluate how effectively these aspects were captured in the submitted predictions. While the overall ability to predict three-dimensional protein structures continues to impress, reproducing uncommon features not previously observed in experimental structures is still a challenge. Furthermore, instances with conformational flexibility and large multimeric complexes highlight the need for novel scoring strategies to better emphasize biologically relevant structural regions. Looking ahead, closer integration of computational and experimental techniques will play a key role in determining the next challenges to be unraveled in the field of structural molecular biology.

Control of Biofilm Formation by an Agrobacterium tumefaciens Pterin-Binding Periplasmic Protein Conserved Among Pathogenic Bacteria

Biofilm formation and surface attachment in multiple Alphaproteobacteria is driven by unipolar polysaccharide (UPP) adhesins. The pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens produces a UPP adhesin, which is regulated by the intracellular second messenger cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (cdGMP). Prior studies revealed that DcpA, a diguanylate cyclase-phosphodiesterase (DGC-PDE), is crucial in control of UPP production and surface attachment. DcpA is regulated by PruR, a protein with distant similarity to enzymatic domains known to coordinate the molybdopterin cofactor (MoCo). Pterins are bicyclic nitrogen-rich compounds, several of which are formed via a non-essential branch of the folate biosynthesis pathway, distinct from MoCo. The pterin-binding protein PruR controls DcpA activity, fostering cdGMP breakdown and dampening its synthesis. Pterins are excreted and we report here that PruR associates with these metabolites in the periplasm, promoting interaction with the DcpA periplasmic domain. The pteridine reductase PruA, which reduces specific dihydro-pterin molecules to their tetrahydro forms, imparts control over DcpA activity through PruR. Tetrahydromonapterin preferentially associates with PruR relative to other related pterins, and the PruR-DcpA interaction is decreased in a pruA mutant. PruR and DcpA are encoded in an operon that is conserved amongst multiple Proteobacteria including mammalian pathogens. Crystal structures reveal that PruR and several orthologs adopt a conserved fold, with a pterin-specific binding cleft that coordinates the bicyclic pterin ring. These findings define a new pterin-responsive regulatory mechanism that controls biofilm formation and related cdGMP-dependent phenotypes in A. tumefaciens and is found in multiple additional bacterial pathogens.

A high-throughput structural system biology approach to increase structure representation of proteins from Clostridioides difficile

Clostridioides difficile causes life-threatening gastrointestinal infections. It is a high-risk pathogen due to a lack of effective treatments, antimicrobial resistance, and a poorly conserved genomic core. Herein, we report 30 X-ray structures from a structure genomics pipeline spanning 13 years, representing 10.2% of the X-ray structures for this important pathogen.

Discovery of a Druggable, Cryptic Pocket in SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 Using Allosteric Inhibitors

A collaborative, open-science team undertook discovery of novel small molecule inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp16-nsp10 2'-O-methyltransferase using a high throughput screening approach with the potential to reveal new inhibition strategies. This screen yielded compound 5a, a ligand possessing an electron-deficient double bond, as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 activity. Surprisingly, X-ray crystal structures revealed that 5a covalently binds within a previously unrecognized cryptic pocket near the S-adenosylmethionine binding cleft in a manner that prevents occupation by S-adenosylmethionine. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we examined the mechanism of binding of compound 5a to the nsp16 cryptic pocket and developed 5a derivatives that inhibited nsp16 activity and murine hepatitis virus replication in rat lung epithelial cells but proved cytotoxic to cell lines canonically used to examine SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study reveals the druggability of this newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 nsp16 cryptic pocket, provides novel tool compounds to explore the site, and suggests a new approach for discovery of nsp16 inhibition-based pan-coronavirus therapeutics through structure-guided drug design.

Serodominant SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Peptides Map to Unstructured Protein Regions

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein is highly immunogenic, and anti-N antibodies are commonly used as markers for prior infection. While several studies have examined or predicted the antigenic regions of N, these have lacked consensus and structural context. Using COVID-19 patient sera to probe an overlapping peptide array, we identified six public and four private epitope regions across N, some of which are unique to this study. We further report the first deposited X-ray structure of the stable dimerization domain at 2.05 Å as similar to all other reported structures. Structural mapping revealed that most epitopes are derived from surface-exposed loops on the stable domains or from the unstructured linker regions. An antibody response to an epitope in the stable RNA binding domain was found more frequently in sera from patients requiring intensive care. Since emerging amino acid variations in N map to immunogenic peptides, N protein variation could impact detection of seroconversion for variants of concern. IMPORTANCE As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, a structural and genetic understanding of key viral epitopes will be essential to the development of next-generation diagnostics and vaccines. This study uses structural biology and epitope mapping to define the antigenic regions of the viral nucleocapsid protein in sera from a cohort of COVID-19 patients with diverse clinical outcomes. These results are interpreted in the context of prior structural and epitope mapping studies as well as in the context of emergent viral variants. This report serves as a resource for synthesizing the current state of the field toward improving strategies for future diagnostic and therapeutic design.

Vibrio MARTX toxin processing and degradation of cellular Rab GTPases by the cytotoxic effector Makes Caterpillars Floppy

Vibrio vulnificus causes life threatening infections dependent upon the effectors released from the Multifunctional-Autoprocessing Repeats-In-Toxin (MARTX) toxin. The Makes Caterpillars Floppy-like (MCF) cysteine protease effector is activated by host ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs), although the targets of processing activity were unknown. In this study we show MCF binds Ras-related proteins in brain (Rab) GTPases at the same interface occupied by ARFs and then cleaves and/or degrades 24 distinct members of the Rab GTPases family. The cleavage occurs in the C-terminal tails of Rabs. We determine the crystal structure of MCF as a swapped dimer revealing the open, activated state of MCF and then use structure prediction algorithms to show that structural composition, rather than sequence or localization, determine Rabs selected as MCF proteolytic targets. Once cleaved, Rabs become dispersed in cells to drive organelle damage and cell death to promote pathogenesis of these rapidly fatal infections.

Structure of the Monkeypox virus profilin-like protein A42R reveals potential functional differences from cellular profilins

The structure of the Monkeypox virus protein A42R has been determined at a resolution of 1.52 Å. This protein has a backbone structure similar to that of cellular profilin, but structural variation in loop regions and a surface basic patch support biochemical data showing that this protein has distinct binding interactions with actin and phosphatidylinositol lipids and is not likely to bind proline-rich domain proteins or microtubules.

The infectious disease human monkeypox is spreading rapidly in 2022, causing a global health crisis. The genomics of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) have been extensively analyzed and reported, although little is known about the virus-encoded proteome. In particular, there are no reported experimental MPXV protein structures other than computational models. Here, a 1.52 Å resolution X-ray structure of the MPXV protein A42R, the first MPXV-encoded protein with a known structure, is reported. A42R shows structural similarity to profilins, which are cellular proteins that are known to function in the regulation of actin cytoskeletal assembly. However, structural comparison of A42R with known members of the profilin family reveals critical differences that support prior biochemical findings that A42R only weakly binds actin and does not bind poly(l-proline). In addition, the analysis suggests that A42R may make distinct interactions with phosphatidylinositol lipids. Overall, the data suggest that the role of A42R in the replication of orthopoxviruses may not be readily determined by comparison to cellular profilins. Furthermore, these findings support the need for increased efforts to determine high-resolution structures of other MPXV proteins to inform physiological studies of the poxvirus infection cycle and to reveal potential new strategies to combat human monkeypox should this emerging infectious disease with pandemic potential become more common in the future.

Structural studies reveal unique features of nsp16 from SARS‐CoV‐2, a protein essential for immune system evasion and a possible drug target

RNA viruses have several mechanisms to modify the viral RNA genome to protect from host immune surveillance. SARS‐CoV‐2, the etiological agent of COVID‐19, and other coronaviruses encode capping proteins in its genome that modify the 5’ untranslated region of the viral genome and mRNA. Capping viral RNAs promotes translation, prevents degradation, and reduces the activation of host immune responses. This process is initiated by the viral proteins nsp13 and nsp12, which cleave the 5’ phosphate group and transfer a GMP from GTP to the 5′ end of the nascent (+)ssRNA. The nsp14‐nsp10 complex then catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N7 position of the GMP cap, generating Cap‐0. Finally, the nsp16‐nsp10 complex utilizes SAM to catalyze the 2′‐O‐methylation of the first ribonucleotide, generating Cap‐1. Several structures of the nsp16‐nsp10 complex have been solved previously for SARS‐CoV, MERS and SARS‐CoV‐2 with SAM, Cap‐0 and Cap‐0‐RNA bound to the complex as well as the products of the reactions. Recently, we determined the first structure of nsp16‐nsp10 with Cap‐0‐RNA and Cap‐1 RNA, revealing that Mn2+ coordinates the first four nucleotides of the bound RNA to orient the 2’‐OH of the ribose of the first nucleotide toward the methyl group of SAM for catalysis. Herein, we also show the first apo‐crystal structure of nsp16 determined in which neither SAM nor RNA substrates bound. This new structure and comparison to structures with substraces and products bound, will reveal critical movements of the enzyme for binding substates. This study shows an important set of structures of the viral 2’‐O‐methyltransferases revealing unique features of this complex that could be used for molecular dynamics studies and designing coronavirus‐specific inhibitors.

1237. Characterization and crystallization of OXA-935, a novel class D OXA-10-like beta-lactamase, found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background

Recently, we described a collection of ST298 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolates that caused a prolonged epidemic of XDR infections. Many of these contain derivatives of a new plasmid, pPABL048, that harbors an MDR integron, in1697. In1697 contains a series of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, one of which is the class D β-lactamase bla_OXA-10. Variants of bla_OXA-10 have been described that confer both extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase activity.

Methods

Of all ST298 isolates, three were resistant to ceftazidime (CTZ). Genomic comparison of in1697 in CTZ-resistant and CTZ-sensitive strains revealed that all three strains harbored a bla_OXA-10 allele with two single nucleotide variations resulting in amino acid changes at positions 153 (F153S) and 157 (G157D). Using the NCBI database, we identified this allele as unique and defined this β-lactamase as OXA-935. OXA-935 shares the G157D variation with OXA-14 which is known to confer resistance to ceftazidime. We sought to characterize the function of OXA-935 and to determine the crystal structures of OXA-14 and OXA-935.

Results

Deletion of bla_OXA-935 phenotypically converted all three strains to CTZ-susceptible. Expression of bla_OXA-14 and bla_OXA-935 conferred CTZ-resistance to laboratory PA strains PA01 and PA14. Determination of the crystal structures of OXA-14 (PDB code 7L5R) and OXA-935 (PDB code 7L5V) revealed that the F153S variant resulted in increased flexibility in the enzyme’s Ω loop. Conformational changes in the Ω loop likely contributed to the lack of carbamylation at lysine-70 (K70) observed in OXA-935. Carbamylation of K70 is known to be critical for enzymatic activity of class D β-lactamases.

Conclusion

OXA-935 is very similar to OXA-14; however, comparison revealed that the F153S variant has unique structural features and is functionally distinct. Despite these differences, both enzymes confer high-level CTZ resistance. As we increasingly rely on β-lactam antimicrobial therapy (e.g. ceftazidime, cefepime) and combination (e.g. ceftazidime-avibactam) therapy to treat MDR PA infections, it is critical that we continue to explore the mechanistic basis of β-lactam AMR in an effort to preserve existing treatments and design novel ones.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

Mn2+ coordinates Cap-0-RNA to align substrates for efficient 2'-O-methyl transfer by SARS-CoV-2 nsp16

Virally encoded 2′-O-methyltransferases catalyze the last step in the capping of viral RNAs, which protects the RNAs from degradation and prevents them from triggering host defenses. Minasov et al. report structures of the SARS-CoV-2 methyltransferase, a heterodimeric complex of the enzyme nsp16 and its coactivator nsp10, in complex with a short, capped RNA (instead of the RNA cap analogs used to generate previous structures), the methyl donor SAM, and divalent metal cations. The metal ions and a four-residue insert of nsp16 were important for precisely aligning the RNA substrate in the active site for efficient catalysis. This insert is present in coronavirus but not in mammalian methyltransferases, suggesting this site as a potential target for the design of coronavirus-specific methyltransferase inhibitors.

Capping of viral messenger RNAs is essential for efficient translation, for virus replication, and for preventing detection by the host cell innate response system. The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes the 2′-O-methyltransferase nsp16, which, when bound to the coactivator nsp10, uses S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a donor to transfer a methyl group to the first ribonucleotide of the mRNA in the final step of viral mRNA capping. Here, we provide biochemical and structural evidence that this reaction requires divalent cations, preferably Mn²⁺, and a coronavirus-specific four-residue insert. We determined the x-ray structures of the SARS-CoV-2 2′-O-methyltransferase (the nsp16-nsp10 heterodimer) in complex with its reaction substrates, products, and divalent metal cations. These structural snapshots revealed that metal ions and the insert stabilize interactions between the capped RNA and nsp16, resulting in the precise alignment of the ribonucleotides in the active site. Comparison of available structures of 2′-O-methyltransferases with capped RNAs from different organisms revealed that the four-residue insert unique to coronavirus nsp16 alters the backbone conformation of the capped RNA in the binding groove, thereby promoting catalysis. This insert is highly conserved across coronaviruses, and its absence in mammalian methyltransferases makes this region a promising site for structure-guided drug design of selective coronavirus inhibitors.

2'-O methylation of RNA cap in SARS-CoV-2 captured by serial crystallography

The genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) coronavirus has a capping modification at the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) to prevent its degradation by host nucleases. These modifications are performed by the Nsp10/14 and Nsp10/16 heterodimers using S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor. Nsp10/16 heterodimer is responsible for the methylation at the ribose 2'-O position of the first nucleotide. To investigate the conformational changes of the complex during 2'-O methyltransferase activity, we used a fixed-target serial synchrotron crystallography method at room temperature. We determined crystal structures of Nsp10/16 with substrates and products that revealed the states before and after methylation, occurring within the crystals during the experiments. Here we report the crystal structure of Nsp10/16 in complex with Cap-1 analog (m7GpppAm2'-O). Inhibition of Nsp16 activity may reduce viral proliferation, making this protein an attractive drug target.

The ChiS-Family DNA-Binding Domain Contains a Cryptic Helix-Turn-Helix Variant

Sequence-specific DNA-binding domains (DBDs) are conserved in all domains of life. These proteins carry out a variety of cellular functions, and there are a number of distinct structural domains already described that allow for sequence-specific DNA binding, including the ubiquitous helix-turn-helix (HTH) domain. In the facultative pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the chitin sensor ChiS is a transcriptional regulator that is critical for the survival of this organism in its marine reservoir. We recently showed that ChiS contains a cryptic DBD in its C terminus. This domain is not homologous to any known DBD, but it is a conserved domain present in other bacterial proteins. Here, we present the crystal structure of the ChiS DBD at a resolution of 1.28 Å. We find that the ChiS DBD contains an HTH domain that is structurally similar to those found in other DNA-binding proteins, like the LacI repressor. However, one striking difference observed in the ChiS DBD is that the canonical tight turn of the HTH is replaced with an insertion containing a β-sheet, a variant which we term the helix-sheet-helix. Through systematic mutagenesis of all positively charged residues within the ChiS DBD, we show that residues within and proximal to the ChiS helix-sheet-helix are critical for DNA binding. Finally, through phylogenetic analyses we show that the ChiS DBD is found in diverse proteobacterial proteins that exhibit distinct domain architectures. Together, these results suggest that the structure described here represents the prototypical member of the ChiS-family of DBDs.IMPORTANCE Regulating gene expression is essential in all domains of life. This process is commonly facilitated by the activity of DNA-binding transcription factors. There are diverse structural domains that allow proteins to bind to specific DNA sequences. The structural basis underlying how some proteins bind to DNA, however, remains unclear. Previously, we showed that in the major human pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the transcription factor ChiS directly regulates gene expression through a cryptic DNA-binding domain. This domain lacked homology to any known DNA-binding protein. In the current study, we determined the structure of the ChiS DNA-binding domain (DBD) and found that the ChiS-family DBD is a cryptic variant of the ubiquitous helix-turn-helix (HTH) domain. We further demonstrate that this domain is conserved in diverse proteins that may represent a novel group of transcriptional regulators.

Phage-assisted evolution of botulinum neurotoxin proteases with reprogrammed specificity

Although bespoke, sequence-specific proteases have the potential to advance biotechnology and medicine, generation of proteases with tailor-made cleavage specificities remains a major challenge. We developed a phage-assisted protease evolution system with simultaneous positive and negative selection and applied it to three botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) light-chain proteases. We evolved BoNT/X protease into separate variants that preferentially cleave vesicle-associated membrane protein 4 (VAMP4) and Ykt6, evolved BoNT/F protease to selectively cleave the non-native substrate VAMP7, and evolved BoNT/E protease to cleave phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) but not any natural BoNT protease substrate in neurons. The evolved proteases display large changes in specificity (218- to >11,000,000-fold) and can retain their ability to form holotoxins that self-deliver into primary neurons. These findings establish a versatile platform for reprogramming proteases to selectively cleave new targets of therapeutic interest.

High-resolution structures of the SARS-CoV-2 2'-O-methyltransferase reveal strategies for structure-based inhibitor design

There are currently no antiviral therapies specific for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global pandemic disease COVID-19. To facilitate structure-based drug design, we conducted an x-ray crystallographic study of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp16-nsp10 2'-O-methyltransferase complex, which methylates Cap-0 viral mRNAs to improve viral protein translation and to avoid host immune detection. We determined the structures for nsp16-nsp10 heterodimers bound to the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the reaction product S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), or the SAH analog sinefungin (SFG). We also solved structures for nsp16-nsp10 in complex with the methylated Cap-0 analog m7GpppA and either SAM or SAH. Comparative analyses between these structures and published structures for nsp16 from other betacoronaviruses revealed flexible loops in open and closed conformations at the m7GpppA-binding pocket. Bound sulfates in several of the structures suggested the location of the ribonucleic acid backbone phosphates in the ribonucleotide-binding groove. Additional nucleotide-binding sites were found on the face of the protein opposite the active site. These various sites and the conserved dimer interface could be exploited for the development of antiviral inhibitors.

Comparison of metal-bound and unbound structures of aminopeptidase B proteins from Escherichia coli and Yersinia pestis

Protein degradation by aminopeptidases is involved in bacterial responses to stress. Escherichia coli produces two metal-dependent M17 family leucine aminopeptidases (LAPs), aminopeptidase A (PepA) and aminopeptidase B (PepB). Several structures have been solved for PepA as well as other bacterial M17 peptidases. Herein, we report the first structures of a PepB M17 peptidase. The E. coli PepB protein structure was determined at a resolution of 2.05 and 2.6 Å. One structure has both Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ , while the second structure has two Zn²⁺ ions bound to the active site. A 2.75 Å apo structure is also reported for PepB from Yersinia pestis. Both proteins form homohexamers, similar to the overall arrangement of PepA and other M17 peptidases. However, the divergent N-terminal domain in PepB is much larger resulting in a tertiary structure that is more expanded. Modeling of a dipeptide substrate into the C-terminal LAP domain reveals contacts that account for PepB to uniquely cleave after aspartate.

The crystal structure of nsp10-nsp16 heterodimer from SARS-CoV-2 in complex with S-adenosylmethionine

SARS-CoV-2 is a member of the coronaviridae family and is the etiological agent of the respiratory Coronavirus Disease 2019. The virus has spread rapidly around the world resulting in over two million cases and nearly 150,000 deaths as of April 17, 2020. Since no treatments or vaccines are available to treat COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, respiratory complications derived from the infections have overwhelmed healthcare systems around the world. This virus is related to SARS-CoV-1, the virus that caused the 2002-2004 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. In January 2020, the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases implemented a structural genomics pipeline to solve the structures of proteins essential for coronavirus replication-transcription. Here we show the first structure of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 2'-O-methyltransferase complex with S-adenosylmethionine at a resolution of 1.80 Å. This heterodimer complex is essential for capping viral mRNA transcripts for efficient translation and to evade immune surveillance.

Structure of galactarate dehydratase, a new fold in an enolase involved in bacterial fitness after antibiotic treatment

Galactarate dehydratase (GarD) is the first enzyme in the galactarate/glucarate pathway and catalyzes the dehydration of galactarate to 3-keto-5-dehydroxygalactarate. This protein is known to increase colonization fitness of intestinal pathogens in antibiotic-treated mice and to promote bacterial survival during stress. The galactarate/glucarate pathway is widespread in bacteria, but not in humans, and thus could be a target to develop new inhibitors for use in combination therapy to combat antibiotic resistance. The structure of almost all the enzymes of the galactarate/glucarate pathway were solved previously, except for GarD, for which only the structure of the N-terminal domain was determined previously. Herein, we report the first crystal structure of full-length GarD solved using a seleno-methoionine derivative revealing a new protein fold. The protein consists of three domains, each presenting a novel twist as compared to their distant homologs. GarD in the crystal structure forms dimers and each monomer consists of three domains. The N-terminal domain is comprised of a β-clip fold, connected to the second domain by a long unstructured linker. The second domain serves as a dimerization interface between two monomers. The C-terminal domain forms an unusual variant of a Rossmann fold with a crossover and is built around a seven-stranded parallel β-sheet supported by nine α-helices. A metal binding site in the C-terminal domain is occupied by Ca2+ . The activity of GarD was corroborated by the production of 5-keto-4-deoxy-D-glucarate under reducing conditions and in the presence of iron. Thus, GarD is an unusual enolase with a novel protein fold never previously seen in this class of enzymes.

The Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein Regulates Quorum Sensing and Global Gene Expression in Yersinia pestis during Planktonic Growth and Growth in Biofilms

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (Crp) is an important transcriptional regulator of Yersinia pestis Expression of crp increases during pneumonic plague as the pathogen depletes glucose and forms large biofilms within lungs. To better understand control of Y. pestis Crp, we determined a 1.8-Å crystal structure of the protein-cAMP complex. We found that compared to Escherichia coli Crp, C helix amino acid substitutions in Y. pestis Crp did not impact the cAMP dependency of Crp to bind DNA promoters. To investigate Y. pestis Crp-regulated genes during plague pneumonia, we performed RNA sequencing on both wild-type and Δcrp mutant bacteria growing in planktonic and biofilm states in minimal media with glucose or glycerol. Y. pestis Crp was found to dramatically alter expression of hundreds of genes in a manner dependent upon carbon source and growth state. Gel shift assays confirmed direct regulation of the malT and ptsG promoters, and Crp was then linked to Y. pestis growth on maltose as a sole carbon source. Iron regulation genes ybtA and fyuA were found to be indirectly regulated by Crp. A new connection between carbon source and quorum sensing was revealed as Crp was found to regulate production of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) through direct and indirect regulation of genes for AHL synthetases and receptors. AHLs were subsequently identified in the lungs of Y. pestis-infected mice when crp expression was highest in Y. pestis biofilms. Thus, in addition to the well-studied pla gene, other Crp-regulated genes likely have important functions during plague infection.IMPORTANCE Bacterial pathogens have evolved extensive signaling pathways to translate environmental signals into changes in gene expression. While Crp has long been appreciated for its role in regulating metabolism of carbon sources in many bacterial species, transcriptional profiling has revealed that this protein regulates many other aspects of bacterial physiology. The plague pathogen Y. pestis requires this global regulator to survive in blood, skin, and lungs. During disease progression, this organism adapts to changes within these niches. In addition to regulating genes for metabolism of nonglucose sugars, we found that Crp regulates genes for virulence, metal acquisition, and quorum sensing by direct or indirect mechanisms. Thus, this single transcriptional regulator, which responds to changes in available carbon sources, can regulate multiple critical behaviors for causing disease.

Structural comparison of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PobA) from Pseudomonas putida with PobA from other Pseudomonas spp. and other monooxygenases

The crystal structure is reported of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PobA) from Pseudomonas putida, a possible drug target to combat tetracycline resistance, in complex with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The structure was refined at 2.2 Å resolution with four polypeptide chains in the asymmetric unit. Based on the results of pairwise structure alignments, PobA from P. putida is structurally very similar to PobA from P. fluorescens and from P. aeruginosa. Key residues in the FAD-binding and substrate-binding sites of PobA are highly conserved spatially across the proteins from all three species. Additionally, the structure was compared with two enzymes from the broader class of oxygenases: 2-hydroxybiphenyl 3-monooxygenase (HbpA) from P. nitroreducens and 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine-5-carboxylic acid oxygenase (MHPCO) from Mesorhizobium japonicum. Despite having only 14% similarity in their primary sequences, pairwise structure alignments of PobA from P. putida with HbpA from P. nitroreducens and MHPCO from M. japonicum revealed local similarities between these structures. Key secondary-structure elements important for catalysis, such as the βαβ fold, β-sheet wall and α12 helix, are conserved across this expanded class of oxygenases.

A Selective and Brain Penetrant p38αMAPK Inhibitor Candidate for Neurologic and Neuropsychiatric Disorders That Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction

The p38αMAPK is a serine/threonine protein kinase and a key node in the intracellular signaling networks that transduce and amplify stress signals into physiological changes. A preponderance of preclinical data and clinical observations established p38αMAPK as a brain drug discovery target involved in neuroinflammatory responses and synaptic dysfunction in multiple degenerative and neuropsychiatric brain disorders. We summarize the discovery of highly selective, brain-penetrant, small molecule p38αMAPK inhibitors that are efficacious in diverse animal models of neurologic disorders. A crystallography and pharmacoinformatic approach to fragment expansion enabled the discovery of an efficacious hit. The addition of secondary pharmacology screens to refinement delivered lead compounds with improved selectivity, appropriate pharmacodynamics, and efficacy. Safety considerations and additional secondary pharmacology screens drove optimization that delivered the drug candidate MW01-18-150SRM (MW150), currently in early stage clinical trials.

CSGID Solves Structures and Identifies Phenotypes for Five Enzymes in Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii, an Apicomplexan parasite, causes significant morbidity and mortality, including severe disease in immunocompromised hosts and devastating congenital disease, with no effective treatment for the bradyzoite stage. To address this, we used the Tropical Disease Research database, crystallography, molecular modeling, and antisense to identify and characterize a range of potential therapeutic targets for toxoplasmosis. Phosphoglycerate mutase II (PGMII), nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), ribulose phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE), ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RPI), and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) were structurally characterized. Crystallography revealed insights into the overall structure, protein oligomeric states and molecular details of active sites important for ligand recognition. Literature and molecular modeling suggested potential inhibitors and druggability. The targets were further studied with vivoPMO to interrupt enzyme synthesis, identifying the targets as potentially important to parasitic replication and, therefore, of therapeutic interest. Targeted vivoPMO resulted in statistically significant perturbation of parasite replication without concomitant host cell toxicity, consistent with a previous CRISPR/Cas9 screen showing PGM, RPE, and RPI contribute to parasite fitness. PGM, RPE, and RPI have the greatest promise for affecting replication in tachyzoites. These targets are shared between other medically important parasites and may have wider therapeutic potential.

The bacterial Ras/Rap1 site-specific endopeptidase RRSP cleaves Ras through an atypical mechanism to disrupt Ras-ERK signaling

The Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway is critical for controlling cell proliferation, and its aberrant activation drives the growth of various cancers. Because many pathogens produce toxins that inhibit Ras activity, efforts to develop effective Ras inhibitors to treat cancer could be informed by studies of Ras inhibition by pathogens. Vibrio vulnificus causes fatal infections in a manner that depends on multifunctional autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin, a toxin that releases bacterial effector domains into host cells. One such domain is the Ras/Rap1-specific endopeptidase (RRSP), which site-specifically cleaves the Switch I domain of the small GTPases Ras and Rap1. We solved the crystal structure of RRSP and found that its backbone shares a structural fold with the EreA/ChaN-like superfamily of enzymes. Unlike other proteases in this family, RRSP is not a metalloprotease. Through nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and nucleotide exchange assays, we determined that the processing of KRAS by RRSP did not release any fragments or cause KRAS to dissociate from its bound nucleotide but instead only locally affected its structure. However, this structural alteration of KRAS was sufficient to disable guanine nucleotide exchange factor-mediated nucleotide exchange and prevent KRAS from binding to RAF. Thus, RRSP is a bacterial effector that represents a previously unrecognized class of protease that disconnects Ras from its signaling network while inducing limited structural disturbance in its target.

Structure of the Bacillus anthracis dTDP-l-rhamnose biosynthetic pathway enzyme: dTDP-α-d-glucose 4,6-dehydratase, RfbB

Many bacteria require l-rhamnose as a key cell wall component. This sugar is transferred to the cell wall using an activated donor dTDP-l-rhamnose, which is produced by the dTDP-l-rhamnose biosynthetic pathway. We determined the crystal structure of the second enzyme of this pathway dTDP-α-d-glucose 4,6-dehydratase (RfbB) from Bacillus anthracis. Interestingly, RfbB only crystallized in the presence of the third enzyme of the pathway RfbC; however, RfbC was not present in the crystal. Our work represents the first complete structural characterization of the four proteins of this pathway in a single Gram-positive bacterium.

Structure of the Bacillus anthracis dTDP-L-rhamnose-biosynthetic enzyme dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose 3,5-epimerase (RfbC)

The exosporium layer of Bacillus anthracis spores is rich in L-rhamnose, a common bacterial cell-wall component, which often contributes to the virulence of pathogens by increasing their adherence and immune evasion. The biosynthetic pathway used to form the activated L-rhamnose donor dTDP-L-rhamnose consists of four enzymes (RfbA, RfbB, RfbC and RfbD) and is an attractive drug target because there are no homologs in mammals. It was found that co-purifying and screening RfbC (dTDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose 3,5-epimerase) from B. anthracis in the presence of the other three B. anthracis enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway yielded crystals that were suitable for data collection. RfbC crystallized as a dimer and its structure was determined at 1.63 Å resolution. Two different ligands were bound in the protein structure: pyrophosphate in the active site of one monomer and dTDP in the other monomer. A structural comparison with RfbC homologs showed that the key active-site residues are conserved across kingdoms.

Structure of the Bacillus anthracis dTDP-L-rhamnose-biosynthetic enzyme dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose reductase (RfbD)

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of the deadly disease Anthrax. Its use in bioterrorism and its ability to re-emerge have brought renewed interest in this organism. B. anthracis is a Gram-positive bacterium that adds L-rhamnose to its cell-wall polysaccharides using the activated donor dTDP-β-L-rhamnose. The enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the activated donor are absent in humans, which make them ideal targets for therapeutic development to combat pathogens. Here, the 2.65 Å resolution crystal structure of the fourth enzyme in the dTDP-β-L-rhamnose-biosynthetic pathway from B. anthracis, dTDP-4-dehydro-β-L-rhamnose reductase (RfbD), is presented in complex with NADP⁺. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of dTDP-4-dehydro-β-L-rhamnose to dTDP-β-L-rhamnose. Although the protein was co-crystallized in the presence of Mg²⁺, the protein lacks the conserved residues that coordinate Mg²⁺.

Structure of the Bacillus anthracis dTDP-L-rhamnose-biosynthetic enzyme glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase (RfbA)

L-Rhamnose is a ubiquitous bacterial cell-wall component. The biosynthetic pathway for its precursor dTDP-L-rhamnose is not present in humans, which makes the enzymes of the pathway potential drug targets. In this study, the three-dimensional structure of the first protein of this pathway, glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase (RfbA), from Bacillus anthracis was determined. In other organisms this enzyme is referred to as RmlA. RfbA was co-crystallized with the products of the enzymatic reaction, dTDP-α-D-glucose and pyrophosphate, and its structure was determined at 2.3 Å resolution. This is the first reported thymidylyltransferase structure from a Gram-positive bacterium. RfbA shares overall structural characteristics with known RmlA homologs. However, RfbA exhibits a shorter sequence at its C-terminus, which results in the absence of three α-helices involved in allosteric site formation. Consequently, RfbA was observed to exhibit a quaternary structure that is unique among currently reported glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase bacterial homologs. These structural analyses suggest that RfbA may not be allosterically regulated in some organisms and is structurally distinct from other RmlA homologs.

Identification of novel small molecule inhibitors against NS2B/NS3 serine protease from Zika virus

Zika flavivirus infection during pregnancy appears to produce higher risk of microcephaly, and also causes multiple neurological problems such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. The Zika virus is now widespread in Central and South America, and is anticipated to become an increasing risk in the southern United States. With continuing global travel and the spread of the mosquito vector, the exposure is expected to accelerate, but there are no currently approved treatments against the Zika virus. The Zika NS2B/NS3 protease is an attractive drug target due to its essential role in viral replication. Our studies have identified several compounds with inhibitory activity (IC₅₀) and binding affinity (K_D) of ∼5-10 μM against the Zika NS2B-NS3 protease from testing 71 HCV NS3/NS4A inhibitors that were initially discovered by high-throughput screening of 40,967 compounds. Competition surface plasmon resonance studies and mechanism of inhibition analyses by enzyme kinetics subsequently determined the best compound to be a competitive inhibitor with a K_i value of 9.5 μM. We also determined the X-ray structure of the Zika NS2B-NS3 protease in a "pre-open conformation", a conformation never observed before for any flavivirus proteases. This provides the foundation for new structure-based inhibitor design.

Structure of the Essential Mtb FadD32 Enzyme: A Promising Drug Target for Treating Tuberculosis

Mycolic acids are indispensible lipids of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), and contribute to the distinctive architecture and impermeability of the mycobacterial cell envelope. FadD32 plays a pivotal role in mycolic acid biosynthesis by functionally linking fatty acid synthase (FAS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways. FadD32, a fatty acyl-AMP ligase (FAAL), represents one of the best genetically and chemically validated new TB drug targets. We have determined the three-dimensional crystal structure of Mtb FadD32 in complex with a ligand specifically designed to stabilize the catalytically active adenylate-conformation, which provides a foundation for structure-based drug design efforts against this essential protein. The structure also captures the unique interactions of a FAAL-specific insertion sequence and provides insight into the specificity and mechanism of fatty acid transfer.

Crystal Structures of the SpoIID Lytic Transglycosylases Essential for Bacterial Sporulation

Bacterial spores are the most resistant form of life known on Earth and represent a serious problem for (i) bioterrorism attack, (ii) horizontal transmission of microbial pathogens in the community, and (iii) persistence in patients and in a nosocomial environment. Stage II sporulation protein D (SpoIID) is a lytic transglycosylase (LT) essential for sporulation. The LT superfamily is a potential drug target because it is active in essential bacterial processes involving the peptidoglycan, which is unique to bacteria. However, the absence of structural information for the sporulation-specific LT enzymes has hindered mechanistic understanding of SpoIID. Here, we report the first crystal structures with and without ligands of the SpoIID family from two community relevant spore-forming pathogens, Bacillus anthracis and Clostridium difficile. The structures allow us to visualize the overall architecture, characterize the substrate recognition model, identify critical residues, and provide the structural basis for catalysis by this new family of enzymes.

An Unusual Cation-Binding Site and Distinct Domain-Domain Interactions Distinguish Class II Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate Synthases

Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) catalyzes a critical step in the biosynthesis of a number of aromatic metabolites. An essential prokaryotic enzyme and the molecular target of the herbicide glyphosate, EPSPSs are the subject of both pharmaceutical and commercial interest. Two EPSPS classes that exhibit low sequence homology, differing substrate/glyphosate affinities, and distinct cation activation properties have previously been described. Here, we report structural studies of the monovalent cation-binding class II Coxiella burnetii EPSPS (cbEPSPS). Three cbEPSPS crystal structures reveal that the enzyme undergoes substantial conformational changes that alter the electrostatic potential of the active site. A complex with shikimate-3-phosphate, inorganic phosphate (Pi), and K(+) reveals that ligand induced domain closure produces an unusual cation-binding site bordered on three sides by the N-terminal domain, C-terminal domain, and the product Pi. A crystal structure of the class I Vibrio cholerae EPSPS (vcEPSPS) clarifies the basis of differential class I and class II cation responsiveness, showing that in class I EPSPSs a lysine side chain occupies the would-be cation-binding site. Finally, we identify distinct patterns of sequence conservation at the domain-domain interface and propose that the two EPSPS classes have evolved to differently optimize domain opening-closing dynamics.

Crystal structures of the components of the Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxin ED

Staphylococcal leukotoxins are a family of β-barrel, bicomponent, pore-forming toxins with membrane-damaging functions. These bacterial exotoxins share sequence and structural homology and target several host-cell types. Leukotoxin ED (LukED) is one of these bicomponent pore-forming toxins that Staphylococcus aureus produces in order to suppress the ability of the host to contain the infection. The recent delineation of the important role that LukED plays in S. aureus pathogenesis and the identification of its protein receptors, combined with its presence in S. aureus methicillin-resistant epidemic strains, establish this leukocidin as a possible target for the development of novel therapeutics. Here, the crystal structures of the water-soluble LukE and LukD components of LukED have been determined. The two structures illustrate the tertiary-structural variability with respect to the other leukotoxins while retaining the conservation of the residues involved in the interaction of the protomers in the bipartite leukotoxin in the pore complex.

Structural and functional analysis of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from Staphylococcus aureus

When exposed to high osmolarity, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) restores its growth and establishes a new steady state by accumulating the osmoprotectant metabolite betaine. Effective osmoregulation has also been implicated in the acquirement of a profound antibiotic resistance by MRSA. Betaine can be obtained from the bacterial habitat or produced intracellularly from choline via the toxic betaine aldehyde (BA) employing the choline dehydrogenase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) enzymes. Here, it is shown that the putative betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase SACOL2628 from the early MRSA isolate COL (SaBADH) utilizes betaine aldehyde as the primary substrate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) as the cofactor. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that the affinity of NAD(+), NADH and BA for SaBADH is affected by temperature, pH and buffer composition. Five crystal structures of the wild type and three structures of the Gly234Ser mutant of SaBADH in the apo and holo forms provide details of the molecular mechanisms of activity and substrate specificity/inhibition of this enzyme.

Targeting human central nervous system protein kinases: An isoform selective p38αMAPK inhibitor that attenuates disease progression in Alzheimer's disease mouse models

The first kinase inhibitor drug approval in 2001 initiated a remarkable decade of tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs for oncology indications, but a void exists for serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor drugs and central nervous system indications. Stress kinases are of special interest in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders due to their involvement in synaptic dysfunction and complex disease susceptibility. Clinical and preclinical evidence implicates the stress related kinase p38αMAPK as a potential neurotherapeutic target, but isoform selective p38αMAPK inhibitor candidates are lacking and the mixed kinase inhibitor drugs that are promising in peripheral tissue disease indications have limitations for neurologic indications. Therefore, pursuit of the neurotherapeutic hypothesis requires kinase isoform selective inhibitors with appropriate neuropharmacology features. Synaptic dysfunction disorders offer a potential for enhanced pharmacological efficacy due to stress-induced activation of p38αMAPK in both neurons and glia, the interacting cellular components of the synaptic pathophysiological axis, to be modulated. We report a novel isoform selective p38αMAPK inhibitor, MW01-18-150SRM (=MW150), that is efficacious in suppression of hippocampal-dependent associative and spatial memory deficits in two distinct synaptic dysfunction mouse models. A synthetic scheme for biocompatible product and positive outcomes from pharmacological screens are presented. The high-resolution crystallographic structure of the p38αMAPK/MW150 complex documents active site binding, reveals a potential low energy conformation of the bound inhibitor, and suggests a structural explanation for MW150’s exquisite target selectivity. As far as we are aware, MW150 is without precedent as an isoform selective p38MAPK inhibitor or as a kinase inhibitor capable of modulating in vivo stress related behavior.

The structure of bradyzoite-specific enolase from Toxoplasma gondii reveals insights into its dual cytoplasmic and nuclear functions

In addition to catalyzing a central step in glycolysis, enolase assumes a remarkably diverse set of secondary functions in different organisms, including transcription regulation as documented for the oncogene c-Myc promoter-binding protein 1. The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii differentially expresses two nuclear-localized, plant-like enolases: enolase 1 (TgENO1) in the latent bradyzoite cyst stage and enolase 2 (TgENO2) in the rapidly replicative tachyzoite stage. A 2.75 Å resolution crystal structure of bradyzoite enolase 1, the second structure to be reported of a bradyzoite-specific protein in Toxoplasma, captures an open conformational state and reveals that distinctive plant-like insertions are located on surface loops. The enolase 1 structure reveals that a unique residue, Glu164, in catalytic loop 2 may account for the lower activity of this cyst-stage isozyme. Recombinant TgENO1 specifically binds to a TTTTCT DNA motif present in the cyst matrix antigen 1 (TgMAG1) gene promoter as demonstrated by gel retardation. Furthermore, direct physical interactions of both nuclear TgENO1 and TgENO2 with the TgMAG1 gene promoter are demonstrated in vivo using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Structural and biochemical studies reveal that T. gondii enolase functions are multifaceted, including the coordination of gene regulation in parasitic stage development. Enolase 1 provides a potential lead in the design of drugs against Toxoplasma brain cysts.

Structures of the surface exposed proteins of Gram positive bacteria

The Center for Structural Genomics for Infectious Diseases (CSGID) applies structural genomics approaches to biomedically important proteins from human pathogens. It also provides the infectious disease community with a high throughput pipeline for structure determination that carries out all steps of the process, from target selection through structure deposition. Target proteins include drug targets, essential enzymes, virulence factors and vaccine candidates. The CSGID has deposited over 680 structures in the Protein Data Bank. The proteins that are exposed on the surface of Gram positive bacterial pathogens (including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus species and Clostridium species) have been one focus area for the CSGID. So far, the structures of more than 55 of these proteins have been determined. The surface proteins are important in the interactions between the pathogen and its host, but many of them are as yet functionally uncharacterized. Among the examples that will be presented is the Bacillus anthracis SpoIID protein. SpoIID is part of a coordinated cell wall degradation machine that is essential for sporulation and the morphological changes involved. It represents a new family of lytic transglycosylases that degrade the glycan strands of the peptidoglycan cell wall. The two active site clefts in the dimeric enzyme include residues from both subunits, suggesting that the dimer is required for activity. This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contracts No. HHSN272200700058C and HHSN272201200026C.

Structural analysis of GNAT acetyltransferases and protein acetylation

The Center for Structural Genomics for Infectious Diseases (CSGID) applies structural genomics approaches to biomedically relevant proteins from human pathogens and provides the infectious disease community with a high throughput pipeline for structure determination. Target proteins include drug targets, essential enzymes, virulence factors and vaccine candidates. Bacterial species generally have many acetyl-coenzyme A dependent GCN5-like Acetyl Transferases (GNATs), however, the substrates of most of them are unknown. Proteomic analysis has also revealed extensive post-translational modification of bacterial proteins, especially acetylation of lysine Nε. These observations led the CSGID to develop a high throughput substrate screen and initiate characterization of bacterial GNATs. One of the bacterial GNATs that acetylates lysine residues, is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa protein PA4794, that acetylates both peptides having a C-terminal lysine and the drug, chloramphenicol. Surprisingly, the acetylation of these two substrates by PA4794 is catalyzed by the enzyme using different active site residues and different kinetic mechanisms. Although it was expected that the GNATs would play a major role in protein acetylation, much of the lysine acetylation observed in bacteria is actually due to the metabolite acetylphosphate (1,2). Crystal structures and proteomics experiments revealed what makes some lysine residues particularly sensitive to acetylphosphate dependent lysine acetylation and what is required for subsequent enzymatic deacetylation. CSGID is funded with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contracts No. HHSN272200700058C and HHSN272201200026C and Midwest Center for Structural Genomics by grant GM094585

Structure of the LdcB LD-carboxypeptidase reveals the molecular basis of peptidoglycan recognition

Peptidoglycan surrounds the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane to protect the cell against osmolysis. The biosynthesis of peptidoglycan, made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptides, is the target of antibiotics like β-lactams and glycopeptides. Nascent peptidoglycan contains pentapeptides that are trimmed by carboxypeptidases to tetra- and tripeptides. The well-characterized DD-carboxypeptidases hydrolyze the terminal D-alanine from the stem pentapeptide to produce a tetrapeptide. However, few LD-carboxypeptidases that produce tripeptides have been identified, and nothing is known about substrate specificity in these enzymes. We report biochemical properties and crystal structures of the LD-carboxypeptidases LdcB from Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus subtilis. The enzymes are active against bacterial cell wall tetrapeptides and adopt a zinc-carboxypeptidase fold characteristic of the LAS superfamily. We have also solved the structure of S. pneumoniae LdcB with a product mimic, elucidating the residues essential for peptidoglycan recognition and the conformational changes that occur on ligand binding.

Structural, kinetic and proteomic characterization of acetyl phosphate-dependent bacterial protein acetylation

The emerging view of N^ε-lysine acetylation in eukaryotes is of a relatively abundant post-translational modification (PTM) that has a major impact on the function, structure, stability and/or location of thousands of proteins involved in diverse cellular processes. This PTM is typically considered to arise by the donation of the acetyl group from acetyl-coenzyme A (acCoA) to the ε-amino group of a lysine residue that is reversibly catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases and deacetylases. Here, we provide genetic, mass spectrometric, biochemical and structural evidence that N^ε-lysine acetylation is an equally abundant and important PTM in bacteria. Applying a recently developed, label-free and global mass spectrometric approach to an isogenic set of mutants, we detected acetylation of thousands of lysine residues on hundreds of Escherichia coli proteins that participate in diverse and often essential cellular processes, including translation, transcription and central metabolism. Many of these acetylations were regulated in an acetyl phosphate (acP)-dependent manner, providing compelling evidence for a recently reported mechanism of bacterial N^ε-lysine acetylation. These mass spectrometric data, coupled with observations made by crystallography, biochemistry, and additional mass spectrometry showed that this acP-dependent acetylation is both non-enzymatic and specific, with specificity determined by the accessibility, reactivity and three-dimensional microenvironment of the target lysine. Crystallographic evidence shows acP can bind to proteins in active sites and cofactor binding sites, but also potentially anywhere molecules with a phosphate moiety could bind. Finally, we provide evidence that acP-dependent acetylation can impact the function of critical enzymes, including glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, and RNA polymerase.

Adherence to Bürgi-Dunitz stereochemical principles requires significant structural rearrangements in Schiff-base formation: insights from transaldolase complexes

The Bürgi-Dunitz angle (αBD) describes the trajectory of approach of a nucleophile to an electrophile. The adoption of a stereoelectronically favorable αBD can necessitate significant reactive-group repositioning over the course of bond formation. In the context of enzyme catalysis, interactions with the protein constrain substrate rotation, which could necessitate structural transformations during bond formation. To probe this theoretical framework vis-à-vis biocatalysis, Schiff-base formation was analysed in Francisella tularensis transaldolase (TAL). Crystal structures of wild-type and Lys→Met mutant TAL in covalent and noncovalent complexes with fructose 6-phosphate and sedoheptulose 7-phosphate clarify the mechanism of catalysis and reveal that substrate keto moieties undergo significant conformational changes during Schiff-base formation. Structural changes compelled by the trajectory considerations discussed here bear relevance to bond formation in a variety of constrained enzymic/engineered systems and can inform the design of covalent therapeutics.

Structure and protective efficacy of the Staphylococcus aureus autocleaving protease EpiP

Despite the global medical needs associated with Staphylococcus aureus infections, no licensed vaccines are currently available. We identified and characterized a protein annotated as an epidermin leader peptide processing serine protease (EpiP), as a novel S. aureus vaccine candidate. In addition, we determined the structure of the recombinant protein (rEpiP) by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure revealed that rEpiP was cleaved somewhere between residues 95 and 100, and we found that the cleavage occurs through an autocatalytic intramolecular mechanism. The protein expressed by S. aureus cells also appeared to undergo a similar processing event. To determine whether the protein acts as a serine protease, we mutated the hypothesized catalytic serine 393 residue to alanine, generating rEpiP-S393A. The crystal structure of this mutant protein showed that the polypeptide chain was not cleaved and was not interacting stably with the active site. Indeed, rEpiP-S393A was shown to be impaired in its protease activity. Mice vaccinated with rEpiP were protected from S. aureus infection (34% survival, P=0.0054). Moreover, the protective efficacy generated by rEpiP and rEpiP-S393A was comparable, implying that the noncleaving mutant could be used for vaccination purposes.

Mechanisms of allosteric activation and inhibition of the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase from Enterococcus faecalis

EF1143 from Enterococcus faecalis, a life-threatening pathogen that is resistant to common antibiotics, is a homo-tetrameric deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase), converting dNTPs into the deoxyribonucleosides and triphosphate. The dNTPase activity of EF1143 is regulated by canonical dNTPs, which simultaneously act as substrates and activity modulators. Previous crystal structures of apo-EF1143 and the protein bound to both dGTP and dATP suggested allosteric regulation of its enzymatic activity by dGTP binding at four identical allosteric sites. However, whether and how other canonical dNTPs regulate the enzyme activity was not defined. Here, we present the crystal structure of EF1143 in complex with dGTP and dTTP. The new structure reveals that the tetrameric EF1143 contains four additional secondary allosteric sites adjacent to the previously identified dGTP-binding primary regulatory sites. Structural and enzyme kinetic studies indicate that dGTP binding to the first allosteric site, with nanomolar affinity, is a prerequisite for substrate docking and hydrolysis. Then, the presence of a particular dNTP in the second site either enhances or inhibits the dNTPase activity of EF1143. Our results provide the first mechanistic insight into dNTP-mediated regulation of dNTPase activity.

Characterization of fibrinogen binding by glycoproteins Srr1 and Srr2 of Streptococcus agalactiae

The serine-rich repeat glycoproteins of Gram-positive bacteria comprise a large family of cell wall proteins. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) expresses either Srr1 or Srr2 on its surface, depending on the strain. Srr1 has recently been shown to bind fibrinogen, and this interaction contributes to the pathogenesis of GBS meningitis. Although strains expressing Srr2 appear to be hypervirulent, no ligand for this adhesin has been described. We now demonstrate that Srr2 also binds human fibrinogen and that this interaction promotes GBS attachment to endothelial cells. Recombinant Srr1 and Srr2 bound fibrinogen in vitro, with affinities of K_D = 2.1 × 10⁻⁵ and 3.7 × 10⁻⁶m, respectively, as measured by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The binding site for Srr1 and Srr2 was localized to tandem repeats 6–8 of the fibrinogen Aα chain. The structures of both the Srr1 and Srr2 binding regions were determined and, in combination with mutagenesis studies, suggest that both Srr1 and Srr2 interact with a segment of these repeats via a “dock, lock, and latch” mechanism. Moreover, properties of the latch region may account for the increased affinity between Srr2 and fibrinogen. Together, these studies identify how greater affinity of Srr2 for fibrinogen may contribute to the increased virulence associated with Srr2-expressing strains.

Development of Novel In Vivo Chemical Probes to Address CNS Protein Kinase Involvement in Synaptic Dysfunction

Serine-threonine protein kinases are critical to CNS function, yet there is a dearth of highly selective, CNS-active kinase inhibitors for in vivo investigations. Further, prevailing assumptions raise concerns about whether single kinase inhibitors can show in vivo efficacy for CNS pathologies, and debates over viable approaches to the development of safe and efficacious kinase inhibitors are unsettled. It is critical, therefore, that these scientific challenges be addressed in order to test hypotheses about protein kinases in neuropathology progression and the potential for in vivo modulation of their catalytic activity. Identification of molecular targets whose in vivo modulation can attenuate synaptic dysfunction would provide a foundation for future disease-modifying therapeutic development as well as insight into cellular mechanisms. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest a critical link between synaptic dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders and the activation of p38αMAPK mediated signaling cascades. Activation in both neurons and glia also offers the unusual potential to generate enhanced responses through targeting a single kinase in two distinct cell types involved in pathology progression. However, target validation has been limited by lack of highly selective inhibitors amenable to in vivo use in the CNS. Therefore, we employed high-resolution co-crystallography and pharmacoinformatics to design and develop a novel synthetic, active site targeted, CNS-active, p38αMAPK inhibitor (MW108). Selectivity was demonstrated by large-scale kinome screens, functional GPCR agonist and antagonist analyses of off-target potential, and evaluation of cellular target engagement. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that MW108 ameliorates beta-amyloid induced synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. A serendipitous discovery during co-crystallographic analyses revised prevailing models about active site targeting of inhibitors, providing insights that will facilitate future kinase inhibitor design. Overall, our studies deliver highly selective in vivo probes appropriate for CNS investigations and demonstrate that modulation of p38αMAPK activity can attenuate synaptic dysfunction.