Conversion of a regulatory into a degradative protease.
The PDZ protease DegS senses mislocalized outer membrane proteins and initiates the sigmaE pathway in the bacterial periplasm. This unfolded protein response pathway is activated by processing of the anti-sigma factor RseA by DegS and other proteases acting downstream of DegS. DegS mediates the rate-limiting step of sigma E induction and its activity must be highly specific and tightly regulated. While DegS is structurally and biochemically well studied, the determinants of its pronounced substrate specificity are unknown. We therefore performed swapping experiments by introducing elements of the homologous but unspecific PDZ protease DegP. Introduction of loop L2 of DegP into DegS converted the enzyme into a non-specific protease, while swapping of PDZ domains did not. Therefore, loop L2 of the protease domain is a key determinant of substrate specificity. Interestingly, swapping of loop L2 did not affect the tight regulation of DegS. In addition, the combined introduction of loop L2 and PDZ domain 1 of DegP into DegS converted DegS even further into a DegP-like protease. These and other data suggest that homologous enzymes with distinct activities and regulatory features can be converted by simple genetic modifications.
Hasenbein
Sonja
S
Centre for Medical Biotechnology, FB Biology and Geography, University Duisburg-Essen, 45117 Essen, Germany.
Meltzer
Michael
M
Hauske
Patrick
P
Kaiser
Markus
M
Huber
Robert
R
Clausen
Tim
T
Ehrmann
Michael
M
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D033903:Periplasmic Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D033903:Periplasmic Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C489349:degS protein, Escherichia coli; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; C061682:DegP protease; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases