A distinct class of the biologically important subtilisin family of serine proteases functions exclusively within the cell and forms a major component of the bacilli degradome. However, the mode and mechanism of posttranslational regulation of intracellular protease activity are unknown. Here we describe the role played by a short N-terminal extension prosequence novel amongst the subtilisins that regulates intracellular subtilisin protease (ISP) activity through two distinct modes: active site blocking and catalytic triad rearrangement. The full-length proenzyme (proISP) is inactive until specific proteolytic processing removes the first 18 amino acids that comprise the N-terminal extension, with processing appearing to be performed by ISP itself. A synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal extension behaves as a mixed noncompetitive inhibitor of active ISP with a K i of 1 μM. The structure of the processed form has been determined at 2.6 Å resolution and compared with that of the full-length protein, in which the N-terminal extension binds back over the active site. Unique to ISP, a conserved proline introduces a backbone kink that shifts the scissile bond beyond reach of the catalytic serine and in addition the catalytic triad is disrupted. In the processed form, access to the active site is unblocked by removal of the N-terminal extension and the catalytic triad rearranges to a functional conformation. These studies provide a new molecular insight concerning the mechanisms by which subtilisins and protease activity as a whole, especially within the confines of a cell, can be regulated.posttranslational modification | protease regulation | proprotein activation | protease structure S ubtilisins are serine endopeptidases ubiquitous in nature, spread across the eubacteria, archaebacteria, eukaryotes, and viruses (1). They play a variety of important biological roles that include specific posttranslational processing of hormones (2, 3), virulence and infection factors in various pathogens (4, 5), and as nonspecific digestive proteases (1). The distinctive primary structure features common to the majority of subtilisins, and typified by the bacilli extracellular subtilisins (ESP), comprise a N-terminal signal sequence with an adjacent prodomain required for correct folding of the mature, catalytic domain (6-8) (Fig. 1A). Both the signal sequence and the prodomain are posttranslationally removed, the latter autocatalytically. The bacilli ESPs have a broad substrate specificity that suites their role as scavenging proteases, and their robustness to harsh environments coupled with extensive protein engineering has resulted in their exploitation by industry for a variety of applications, in particular as an active ingredient in laundry detergents (6, 7, 9, 10). The ESPs have proved excellent paradigms for understanding key molecular features of proteins, including enzyme catalysis (11) and protein folding (6-8).The intracellular subtilisins (ISPs) are a distinctive class found in many different bacilli and re...

The intracellular subtilisin proteases (ISPs) are the only known members of the important and ubiquitous subtilisin family that function exclusively within the cell, constituting a major component of the degradome in many Gram-positive bacteria. The first ISP structure reported herein at a spacing of 1.56 A reveals features unique among subtilisins that has enabled potential functional and physiological roles to be assigned to sequence elements exclusive to the ISPs. Unlike all other subtilisins, ISP from B. clausii is dimeric, with residues from the C terminus making a major contribution to the dimer interface by crossing over to contact the partner subunit. A short N-terminal extension binds back across the active site to provide a potential novel regulatory mechanism of intrinsic proteolytic activity: a proline residue conserved throughout the ISPs introduces a kink in the polypeptide backbone that lifts the target peptide bond out of reach of the catalytic residues.

The dimeric intracellular subtilisin proteases (ISPs) found throughout Gram-positive bacteria are a structurally distinct class of the subtilase family. Unlike the vast majority of subtilisin-like proteases, the ISPs function exclusively within the cell, contributing the majority of observed cellular proteolytic activity. Given that they are active within the cell, little is known about substrate specificity and the role of stress signals such as divalent metal ions in modulating ISP function. We demonstrate that both play roles in defining the proteolytic activity of Bacillus clausii ISP and propose the molecular basis of their effects. Enzyme kinetics reveal that one particular synthetic tetrapeptide substrate, Phe-Ala-Ala-Phe-pNA, is hydrolysed with a catalytic efficiency ∼100-fold higher than any other tested. Heat-denatured whole proteins were found to be better substrates for ISP than the native forms. Substrate binding simulations suggest that the S1, S2 and S4 sites form defined binding pockets. The deep S1 cavity and wide S4 site are fully occupied by the hydrophobic aromatic side-chains of Phe. Divalent metal ions, probably Ca2+, are proposed to be important for ISP activity through structural changes. The presence of >0.01 mM EDTA inactivates ISP, with CD and SEC suggesting that the protein becomes less structured and potentially monomeric. Removal of Ca2+ at sites close to the dimer interface and the S1 pocket are thought to be responsible for the effect. These studies provide a new insight into the potential physiological function of ISPs, by reconciling substrate specificity and divalent metal binding to associate ISP with the unfolded protein response under stress conditions.

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