Structure of GrlR and the implication of its EDED motif in mediating the regulation of type III secretion system in EHEC.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a common cause of severe hemorrhagic colitis. EHEC's virulence is dependent upon a type III secretion system (TTSS) encoded by 41 genes. These genes are organized in several operons clustered in the locus of enterocyte effacement. Most of the locus of enterocyte effacement genes, including grlA and grlR, are positively regulated by Ler, and Ler expression is positively and negatively modulated by GrlA and GrlR, respectively. However, the molecular basis for the GrlA and GrlR activity is still elusive. We have determined the crystal structure of GrlR at 1.9 A resolution. It consists of a typical beta-barrel fold with eight beta-strands containing an internal hydrophobic cavity and a plug-like loop on one side of the barrel. Strong hydrophobic interactions between the two beta-barrels maintain the dimeric architecture of GrlR. Furthermore, a unique surface-exposed EDED (Glu-Asp-Glu-Asp) motif is identified to be critical for GrlA-GrlR interaction and for the repressive activity of GrlR. This study contributes a novel molecular insight into the mechanism of GrlR function.
Jobichen
Chacko
C
Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Li
Mo
M
Yerushalmi
Gal
G
Tan
Yih Wan
YW
Mok
Yu-Keung
YK
Rosenshine
Ilan
I
Leung
Ka Yin
KY
Sivaraman
J
J
D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000472:pathogenicity; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C513430:GrlA protein, E coli; C513429:GrlR protein, E coli; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators