Identification of structural and molecular determinants of the tyrosine-kinase Wzc and implications in capsular polysaccharide export
Bechet, E., Gruszczyk, J., Terreux, R., Gueguen-Chaignon, V., Vigouroux, A., Obadia, B., Cozzone, A.J., Nessler, S., Grangeasse, C.(2010) Mol Microbiol 77: 1315-1325
- PubMed: 20633230
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07291.x
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3LA6 - PubMed Abstract:
Capsular polysaccharides are well-established virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria. Their biosynthesis and export are regulated within the transmembrane polysaccharide assembly machinery by the autophosphorylation of atypical tyrosine-kinases, named BY-kinases. However, the accurate functioning of these tyrosine-kinases remains unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of the non-phosphorylated cytoplasmic domain of the tyrosine-kinase Wzc from Escherichia coli in complex with ADP showing that it forms a ring-shaped octamer. Mutational analysis demonstrates that a conserved EX(2) RX(2) R motif involved in subunit interactions is essential for polysaccharide export. We also elucidate the role of a putative internal regulatory tyrosine and we show that BY-kinases from proteobacteria autophosphorylate on their C-terminal tyrosine cluster via a single-step intermolecular mechanism. This structure-function analysis also allows us to demonstrate that two different parts of a conserved basic region called the RK-cluster are essential for polysaccharide export and for kinase activity respectively. Based on these data, we revisit the dichotomy made between BY-kinases from proteobacteria and firmicutes and we propose a unique process of oligomerization and phosphorylation. We also reassess the function of BY-kinases in the capsular polysaccharide assembly machinery.
Organizational Affiliation:
Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS, Université Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, 69367 Lyon, France.