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Structural basis of lipid biosynthesis regulation in Gram‐positive bacteria
Author(s) -
Schujman Gustavo E,
Guerin Marcelo,
Buschiazzo Alejandro,
Schaeffer Francis,
Llarrull Leticia I,
Reh Georgina,
Vila Alejandro J,
Alzari Pedro M,
de Mendoza Diego
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601284
Subject(s) - biology , bacteria , biosynthesis , gram , gram negative bacteria , gram positive bacteria , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , escherichia coli , enzyme , gene
Malonyl‐CoA is an essential intermediate in fatty acid synthesis in all living cells. Here we demonstrate a new role for this molecule as a global regulator of lipid homeostasis in Gram‐positive bacteria. Using in vitro transcription and binding studies, we demonstrate that malonyl‐CoA is a direct and specific inducer of Bacillus subtilis FapR, a conserved transcriptional repressor that regulates the expression of several genes involved in bacterial fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis. The crystal structure of the effector‐binding domain of FapR reveals a homodimeric protein with a thioesterase‐like ‘hot‐dog’ fold. Binding of malonyl‐CoA promotes a disorder‐to‐order transition, which transforms an open ligand‐binding groove into a long tunnel occupied by the effector molecule in the complex. This ligand‐induced modification propagates to the helix‐turn‐helix motifs, impairing their productive association for DNA binding. Structure‐based mutations that disrupt the FapR–malonyl‐CoA interaction prevent DNA‐binding regulation and result in a lethal phenotype in B. subtilis , suggesting this homeostatic signaling pathway as a promising target for novel chemotherapeutic agents against Gram‐positive pathogens.