ATPase activity and oligomeric state of TrwK, the VirB4 homologue of the plasmid R388 type IV secretion system.
Type IV secretion systems (T4SS) mediate the transfer of DNA and protein substrates to target cells. TrwK, encoded by the conjugative plasmid R388, is a member of the VirB4 family, comprising the largest and most conserved proteins of T4SS. VirB4 was suggested to be an ATPase involved in energizing pilus assembly and substrate transport. However, conflicting experimental evidence concerning VirB4 ATP hydrolase activity was reported. Here, we demonstrate that TrwK is able to hydrolyze ATP in vitro in the absence of its potential macromolecular substrates and other T4SS components. The kinetic parameters of its ATPase activity have been characterized. The TrwK oligomerization state was investigated by analytical ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy, and its effects on ATPase activity were analyzed. The results suggest that the hexameric form of TrwK is the catalytically active state, much like the structurally related protein TrwB, the conjugative coupling protein.
Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cantabria and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, IBBTEC, CSIC-UC-IDICAN, Santander, Spain. arechagai@unican.es
Ignacio
I
Arechaga
Alejandro
A
Peña
Sandra
S
Zunzunegui
María
M
del Carmen Fernández-Alonso
Germán
G
Rivas
Fernando
F
de la Cruz
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007700:Kinetics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010957:Plasmids; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases