Summary HAMP domains are widespread prokaryotic signaling modules found as single domains or poly-HAMP chains in both transmembrane and soluble proteins. The crystal structure of a 3 unit poly-HAMP chain from the P. aeruginosa soluble receptor Aer2 defines a universal parallel four-helix bundle architecture for diverse HAMP domains. Two contiguous domains integrate to form a concatenated di-HAMP structure. The three HAMP domains display two distinct conformations that differ by changes in helical register, crossing angles, and rotation. These conformations are stabilized by different subsets of conserved residues. Known signals delivered to HAMP would be expected to switch the relative stability of the two conformations and the position of a coiled-coil phase stutter at the junction with downstream helices. We propose that the two conformations represent opposing HAMP signaling states and suggest a signaling mechanism whereby HAMP domains interconvert between the two states, which alternate down a poly-HAMP chain.
How do cell-surface receptors transmit signals into cells? This study resolves how signal relay occurs through the HAMP domains of bacterial chemoreceptors by causing them to switch between two conformational states.
SummaryPoly-HAMP domains are widespread in bacterial chemoreceptors, but previous studies have focused on receptors with single HAMP domains. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa chemoreceptor, Aer-2, has an unusual domain architecture consisting of a PAS-sensing domain sandwiched between three N-terminal and two C-terminal HAMP domains, followed by a conserved kinase control module. The structure of the N-terminal HAMP domains was recently solved, making Aer-2 the first protein with resolved poly-HAMP structure. The role of Aer-2 in P. aeruginosa is unclear, but here we show that Aer-2 can interact with the chemotaxis system of Escherichia coli to mediate repellent responses to oxygen, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide. Using this model system to investigate signalling and poly-HAMP function, we determined that the Aer-2 PAS domain binds penta-co-ordinated b-type haem and that reversible signalling requires four of the five HAMP domains. Deleting HAMP 2 and/or 3 resulted in a kinase-off phenotype, whereas deleting HAMP 4 and/or 5 resulted in a kinase-on phenotype. Overall, these data support a model in which ligand-bound Aer-2 PAS and HAMP 2 and 3 act together to relieve inhibition of the kinase control module by HAMP 4 and 5, resulting in the kinase-on state of the Aer-2 receptor.
The Escherichia coli energy-sensing Aer protein initiates aerotaxis towards environments supporting optimal cellular energy. The Aer sensor is an N-terminal, FAD-binding, PAS domain. The PAS domain is linked by an F1 region to a membrane anchor, and in the C-terminal half of Aer, a HAMP domain links the membrane anchor to the signaling domain. The F1 region, membrane anchor, and HAMP domain are required for FAD binding. Presumably, alterations in the redox potential of FAD induce conformational changes in the PAS domain that are transmitted to the HAMP and C-terminal signaling domains. In this study we used random mutagenesis and intragenic pseudoreversion analysis to examine functional interactions between the HAMP domain and the N-terminal half of Aer. Missense mutations in the HAMP domain clustered in the AS-2 ␣-helix and abolished FAD binding to Aer, as previously reported. Three amino acid replacements in the Aer-PAS domain, S28G, A65V, and A99V, restored FAD binding and aerotaxis to the HAMP mutants. These suppressors are predicted to surround a cleft in the PAS domain that may bind FAD. On the other hand, suppression of an Aer-C253R HAMP mutant was specific to an N34D substitution with a predicted location on the PAS surface, suggesting that residues C253 and N34 interact or are in close proximity. No suppressor mutations were identified in the F1 region or membrane anchor. We propose that functional interactions between the PAS domain and the HAMP AS-2 helix are required for FAD binding and aerotactic signaling by Aer.Escherichia coli responds to its chemical environment by integrating signals from membrane-bound methyl-accepting chemoreceptors (MCPs) Tsr, Tar, Tap, and Trg and navigating bacteria towards nutrient-rich environments. E. coli also has an aerotaxis receptor, Aer, that guides bacteria towards oxygen and favorable environments for energy production (7, 33). The C-terminal signaling domains of Aer and the chemoreceptors are highly conserved (7,33,36), allowing specific interactions between receptors and the cytoplasmic CheA and CheW signaling proteins (8, 21). The MCPs are located in polar clusters in E. coli (25), organized as functional trimers of receptor dimers (2,19,20), where the trimers can include a mixture of MCP homodimer types (2, 37).The N-terminal sensing domain of Aer differs from the periplasmic sensing domain of the other chemoreceptors because it consists of a cytoplasmic PAS domain that binds FAD cofactor (7, 33). The Aer-PAS domain is connected to an F1 domain and transmembrane (TM) anchor, followed by a cytoplasmic HAMP linker domain and the conserved signaling domain (Fig. 1). HAMP (histidine kinase, adenylyl cyclase, methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, and phosphatase) domains are conserved in many chemoreceptors, sensory histidine kinases, and other sensory proteins in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes (5, 23, 35; http://smart.embl-heidelberg.de/). The HAMP domains of the MCPs and Aer consist of approximately 50 amino acids linking the signal input and output domains (5...
Bacterial receptors typically contain modular architectures with distinct functional domains that combine to send signals in response to stimuli. Although the properties of individual components have been investigated in many contexts, there is little information about how diverse sets of modules work together in full-length receptors. Here we investigate the architecture of Aer2, a soluble gas-sensing receptor that has emerged as a model for PAS and poly-HAMP domain signaling. The crystal structure of the heme-binding PAS domain in the ferric, ligand-free form, in comparison to the previously determined cyanide-bound state, identifies conformational changes induced by ligand binding that are likely essential for the signaling mechanism. Heme-pocket alternations share some similarities with the heme-based PAS sensors FixL and EcDOS, but propagate to the Iβ-strand in a manner predicted to alter PAS-PAS associations and the downstream HAMP junction within full-length Aer2. SAXS of PAS and poly-HAMP domain fragments of increasing complexity allow unambiguous domain assignments and reveal a linear quaternary structure. The Aer2 PAS dimeric crystal structure fits well within ab initioSAXS molecular envelopes and pulsed-dipolar ESR measurements of inter-PAS distances confirm the crystallographic PAS arrangement within Aer2. Spectroscopic and pull-down assays fail to detect direct interactions between the PAS and HAMP domains. Overall, the Aer2 signaling mechanism differs from the E. coliAer paradigm, where side-on PAS-HAMP contacts are key. We propose an in-line model for Aer2 signaling, where ligand binding induces alterations in PAS domain structure and subunit association that is relayed through the poly-HAMP junction to downstream domains. ACCESSION NUMBERSThe coordinates and structure factors for the ferric Aer2 PAS domain have been deposited in the protein data bank with PDB ID 4HI4.
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