Dataset Information

Structural basis for a Munc13-1 homodimer to Munc13-1/RIM heterodimer switch.

ABSTRACT: C(2) domains are well characterized as Ca(2+)/phospholipid-binding modules, but little is known about how they mediate protein-protein interactions. In neurons, a Munc13-1 C(2)A-domain/RIM zinc-finger domain (ZF) heterodimer couples synaptic vesicle priming to presynaptic plasticity. We now show that the Munc13-1 C(2)A domain homodimerizes, and that homodimerization competes with Munc13-1/RIM heterodimerization. X-ray diffraction studies guided by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments reveal the crystal structures of the Munc13-1 C(2)A-domain homodimer and the Munc13-1 C(2)A-domain/RIM ZF heterodimer at 1.44 A and 1.78 A resolution, respectively. The C(2)A domain adopts a beta-sandwich structure with a four-stranded concave side that mediates homodimerization, leading to the formation of an eight-stranded beta-barrel. In contrast, heterodimerization involves the bottom tip of the C(2)A-domain beta-sandwich and a C-terminal alpha-helical extension, which wrap around the RIM ZF domain. Our results describe the structural basis for a Munc13-1 homodimer-Munc13-1/RIM heterodimer switch that may be crucial for vesicle priming and presynaptic plasticity, uncovering at the same time an unexpected versatility of C(2) domains as protein-protein interaction modules, and illustrating the power of combining NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to study protein complexes.

SUBMITTER: Lu J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1472246 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:UnlabelledThe TonB system actively transports large, scarce, and important nutrients through outer membrane (OM) transporters of Gram-negative bacteria using the proton gradient of the cytoplasmic membrane (CM). In Escherichia coli, the CM proteins ExbB and ExbD harness and transfer proton motive force energy to the CM protein TonB, which spans the periplasmic space and cyclically binds OM transporters. TonB has two activity domains: the amino-terminal transmembrane domain with residue H20 and the periplasmic carboxy terminus, through which it binds to OM transporters. TonB is inactivated by all substitutions at residue H20 except H20N. Here, we show that while TonB trapped as a homodimer through its amino-terminal domain retained full activity, trapping TonB through its carboxy terminus inactivated it by preventing conformational changes needed for interaction with OM transporters. Surprisingly, inactive TonB H20A had little effect on homodimerization through the amino terminus and instead decreased TonB carboxy-terminal homodimer formation prior to reinitiation of an energy transduction cycle. That result suggested that the TonB carboxy terminus ultimately interacts with OM transporters as a monomer. Our findings also suggested the existence of a separate equimolar pool of ExbD homodimers that are not in contact with TonB. A model is proposed where interaction of TonB homodimers with ExbD homodimers initiates the energy transduction cycle, and, ultimately, the ExbD carboxy terminus modulates interactions of a monomeric TonB carboxy terminus with OM transporters. After TonB exchanges its interaction with ExbD for interaction with a transporter, ExbD homodimers undergo a separate cycle needed to re-energize them.ImportanceCanonical mechanisms of active transport across cytoplasmic membranes employ ion gradients or hydrolysis of ATP for energy. Gram-negative bacterial outer membranes lack these resources. The TonB system embodies a novel means of active transport across the outer membrane for nutrients that are too large, too scarce, or too important for diffusion-limited transport. A proton gradient across the cytoplasmic membrane is converted by a multiprotein complex into mechanical energy that drives high-affinity active transport across the outer membrane. This system is also of interest since one of its uses in pathogenic bacteria is for competition with the host for the essential element iron. Understanding the mechanism of the TonB system will allow design of antibiotics targeting iron acquisition.

Dataset Information

Structural basis for a Munc13-1 homodimer to Munc13-1/RIM heterodimer switch.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets