title: NisC binds the FxLx motif of the nisin leader peptide.
abstract: Nisin is a model system for lantibiotics, a class of peptides displaying antimicrobial activity against various Gram-positive bacteria. After ribosomal synthesis, the precursor peptide is modified in two steps, of which the last one involves consecutive cyclization reactions mediated by the cyclase NisC. Here, we present a detailed in vitro study of the interaction between NisC and the nisin precursor peptide. Our results unravel a specific interaction of NisC with the leader peptide independent of the maturation state. Furthermore, mutagenesis studies identified a specific binding sequence within the leader. Two amino acids (F-18 and L-16) within the highly conserved -FNLD- box of class I lantibiotics are essential for binding. They represent a potential general binding motif between leader peptides of a group of lantibiotics with their cyclase family. In summary, these in vitro data provide a new perception on the complexity of the lantibiotic modification machineries.
authors.affiliation: Insitute of Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Universitaetsstraße 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abts
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montalban-Lopez
authors.forename: Oscar P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Kuipers
authors.forename: Sander H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D013294:Lactococcus lactis / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009561:Nisin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D016415:Sequence Alignment
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001430:Bacteriocins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D009561:Nisin