Transmembrane signaling and cytoplasmic signal conversion by dimeric transmembrane helix 2 and a linker domain of the DcuS sensor kinase
Transmembrane signaling is a key process of membrane bound sensor kinases. The C4-dicarboxylate (fumarate) responsive sensor kinase DcuS of Escherichia coli is anchored by transmembrane helices TM1 and TM2 in the membrane. Signal transmission across the membrane relies on the piston-type movement of the periplasmic part of TM2. To define the role of TM2 in transmembrane signaling, we use oxidative Cys cross-linking to demonstrate that TM2 extends over the full distance of the membrane and forms a stable transmembrane homodimer in both the inactive and fumarate-activated state of DcuS. A S186xxxGxxxG194 motif is required for the stability and function of the TM2 homodimer. The TM2 helix further extends on the periplasmic side into the α6-helix of the sensory PASP domain, and on the cytoplasmic side into the α1-helix of PASC. PASC has to transmit the signal to the C-terminal kinase domain. A helical linker on the cytoplasmic side connecting TM2 with PASC contains a LxxxLxxxL sequence. The dimeric state of the linker was relieved during fumarate activation of DcuS, indicating structural rearrangements in the linker. Thus, DcuS contains a long α-helical structure reaching from the sensory PASP (α6) domain across the membrane to α1(PASC). Taken together, the results suggest piston-type transmembrane signaling by the TM2-homodimer from PASP across the full TM region, whereas the fumarate-destabilized linker dimer converts the signal on the cytoplasmic side for PASC and kinase regulation.