Crystal structure and regulation mechanisms of the CyaB adenylyl cyclase from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

TitleCrystal structure and regulation mechanisms of the CyaB adenylyl cyclase from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsTopal H, Fulcher NB, Bitterman J, Salazar E, Buck J, Levin LR, Cann MJ, Wolfgang MC, Steegborn C
JournalJ Mol Biol
Volume416
Issue2
Pagination271-86
Date Published2012 Feb 17
ISSN1089-8638
KeywordsAdenylyl Cyclases, Bacterial Proteins, Crystallography, X-Ray, Cyclic AMP, Humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen and a major cause of healthcare-associated infections. While the organism's intrinsic and acquired resistance to most antibiotics hinders treatment of P. aeruginosa infections, the regulatory networks controlling its virulence provide novel targets for drug development. CyaB, a key regulator of P. aeruginosa virulence, belongs to the Class III adenylyl cyclase (AC) family of enzymes that synthesize the second messenger cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. These enzymes consist of a conserved catalytic domain fused to one or more regulatory domains. We describe here the biochemical and structural characterization of CyaB and its inhibition by small molecules. We show that CyaB belongs to the Class IIIb subfamily, and like other subfamily members, its activity is stimulated by inorganic carbon. CyaB is also regulated by its N-terminal MASE2 (membrane-associated sensor 2) domain, which acts as a membrane anchor. Using a genetic screen, we identified activating mutations in CyaB. By solving the crystal structure of the CyaB catalytic domain, we rationalized the effects of these mutations and propose that CyaB employs regulatory mechanisms similar to other Class III ACs. The CyaB structure further indicates subtle differences compared to other Class III ACs in both the active site and the inhibitor binding pocket. Consistent with these differences, we observed a unique inhibition profile, including identification of a CyaB selective compound. Overall, our results reveal mechanistic details of the physiological and pharmacological regulation of CyaB and provide the basis for its exploitation as a therapeutic drug target.

DOI10.1016/j.jmb.2011.12.045
Alternate JournalJ. Mol. Biol.
PubMed ID22226839
PubMed Central IDPMC3269522
Grant ListT32 GM073546 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI069116 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI064842 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI069116 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
/ / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom
R01 AI069116-03 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States