The Mechanism of Acetyl Transfer Catalyzed byMycobacterium tuberculosisGlmU

The orf6 gene from the clavulanic acid biosynthesis gene cluster encodes an OAT (ornithine acetyltransferase). Similar to other OATs the enzyme has been shown to catalyse the reversible transfer of an acetyl group from N-acetylornithine to glutamate. OATs are Ntn (N-terminal nucleophile) enzymes, but are distinct from the better-characterized Ntn hydrolase enzymes as they catalyse acetyl transfer rather than a hydrolysis reaction. In the present study, we describe the X-ray crystal structure of the OAT, corresponding to the orf6 gene product, to 2.8 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. The larger domain of the structure consists of an αββα sandwich as in the structures of Ntn hydrolase enzymes. However, differences in the connectivity reveal that OATs belong to a structural family different from that of other structurally characterized Ntn enzymes, with one exception: unexpectedly, the αββα sandwich of ORF6 (where ORF stands for open reading frame) displays the same fold as an DmpA (L-aminopeptidase D-ala-esterase/amidase from Ochrobactrum anthropi), and so the OATs and DmpA form a new structural subfamily of Ntn enzymes. The structure reveals an α2β2-heterotetrameric oligomerization state in which the intermolecular interface partly defines the active site. Models of the enzyme–substrate complexes suggest a probable oxyanion stabilization mechanism as well as providing insight into how the enzyme binds its two differently charged substrates.

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Structural basis for the O-acetyltransferase function of the extracytoplasmic domain of OatA from Staphylococcus aureus

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1074/jbc.ra120.013108 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 295 (24) ◽

pp. 8204-8213 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carys S. Jones ◽

David Sychantha ◽

P. Lynne Howell ◽

Anthony J. Clarke

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Biochemical Characterization ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Catalytic Triad ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Positive Bacteria ◽

Hydrolase Fold ◽

Acetyl Transfer ◽

Human Infections

Many bacteria possess enzymes that modify the essential cell-wall polymer peptidoglycan by O-acetylation. This modification occurs in numerous Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of human infections. O-Acetylation of peptidoglycan protects bacteria from the lytic activity of lysozyme, a mammalian innate immune enzyme, and as such is important for bacterial virulence. The O-acetylating enzyme in Gram-positive bacteria, O-acetyltransferase A (OatA), is a two-domain protein consisting of an N-terminal integral membrane domain and a C-terminal extracytoplasmic domain. Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure at 1.71 Å resolution and the biochemical characterization of the C-terminal domain of S. aureus OatA. The structure revealed that this OatA domain adopts an SGNH-hydrolase fold and possesses a canonical catalytic triad. Site-specific replacement of active-site amino acids revealed the presence of a water-coordinating aspartate residue that limits esterase activity. This residue, although conserved in staphyloccocal OatA and most other homologs, is not present in the previously characterized streptococcal OatA. These results provide insights into the mechanism of acetyl transfer in the SGNH/GDSL hydrolase family and highlight important evolutionary differences between homologous OatA enzymes. Furthermore, this study enhances our understanding of PG O-acetyltransferases, which could guide the development of novel antibacterial drugs to combat infections with multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.

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Protein acetyltransferases mediate bacterial adaptation to a diverse environment

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.00231-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Aiswarya Dash ◽

Rahul Modak

Keyword(s):

Stress Responses ◽

Cell Formation ◽

Metabolic Enzyme ◽

Lysine Acetylation ◽

Post Translational Modification ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Ph Tolerance ◽

Diverse Environment ◽

Protein Lysine Acetylation ◽

Acetyl Transfer

Protein lysine acetylation is a conserved post-translational modification that modulates several cellular processes. Protein acetylation and its physiological implications are well understood in eukaryotes; however, its role is emerging in bacteria. Lysine acetylation in bacteria is fine-tuned by the concerted action of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs), protein deacetylases (KDACs), metabolic intermediates- acetyl-coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) and acetyl phosphate (AcP). AcP mediated nonenzymatic acetylation is predominant in bacteria due to its high acetyl transfer potential whereas, enzymatic acetylation by bacterial KATs (bKAT) are considered less abundant. Se Pat , the first bKAT discovered in Salmonella enterica , regulates the activity of the central metabolic enzyme- acetyl-CoA synthetase, through its acetylation. Recent studies have highlighted the role of bKATs in stress responses like pH tolerance, nutrient stress, persister cell formation, antibiotic resistance and pathogenesis. Bacterial genomes encode many putative bKATs of unknown biological function and significance. Detailed characterization of putative and partially characterized bKATs is important to decipher the acetylation mediated regulation in bacteria. Proper synthesis of information about the diverse roles of bKATs is missing to date, which can lead to the discovery of new antimicrobial targets in future. In this review, we provide an overview of the diverse physiological roles of known bKATs, and their mode of regulation in different bacteria. We also highlight existing gaps in the literature and present questions that may help understand the regulatory mechanisms mediated by bKATs in adaptation to a diverse habitat.

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