NMR structural studies reveal a novel protein fold for MerB, the organomercurial lyase involved in the bacterial mercury resistance system

Biochemistry
Paola Di LelloJames G Omichinski

Abstract

Mercury resistant bacteria have developed a system of two enzymes (MerA and MerB), which allows them to efficiently detoxify both ionic and organomercurial compounds. The organomercurial lyase (MerB) catalyzes the protonolysis of the carbon-mercury bond resulting in the formation of ionic mercury and a reduced hydrocarbon. The ionic mercury [Hg(II)] is subsequently reduced to the less reactive elemental mercury [Hg(0)] by a specific mercuric reductase (MerA). To better understand MerB's unique enzymatic activity, we used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the structure of the free enzyme. MerB is characterized by a novel protein fold consisting of three noninteracting antiparallel beta-sheets surrounded by six alpha-helices. By comparing the NMR data of free MerB and the MerB/Hg/DTT complex, we identified a set of residues that likely define a Hg/DTT binding site. These residues cluster around two cysteines (C(96) and C(159)) that are crucial to MerB's catalytic activity. A detailed analysis of the structure revealed the presence of an extensive hydrophobic groove adjacent to this Hg/DTT binding site. This extensive hydrophobic groove has the potential to interact with the hydrocarbon moiety of a wide va...Continue Reading

References

Nov 1, 1992·Journal of Biomolecular NMR·M PiottoV Sklenár
Jan 1, 1991·International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience·T Sarafian, M A Verity
Jan 1, 1980·Archives of Environmental Health·T G KershawP H Dhahir
Sep 5, 1993·Journal of Molecular Biology·L Holm, C Sander
Nov 1, 1995·Journal of Biomolecular NMR·F DelaglioA Bax
Dec 1, 1996·Journal of Biomolecular NMR·R A LaskowskiJ M Thornton
Aug 1, 1997·Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences·T W Clarkson
Jan 1, 1997·Journal of Magnetic Resonance·E G SteinA T Brünger
Apr 25, 2001·Journal of Magnetic Resonance·J J Warren, P B Moore
Jun 28, 2003·FEMS Microbiology Reviews·Tamar BarkayAnne O Summers
Sep 1, 1994·Journal of Biomolecular NMR·B A Johnson, R A Blevins

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 22, 2007·Nature Chemical Biology·Susan M Miller
Apr 10, 2010·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Xichen LiGuangju Chen
Dec 7, 2006·Bioinformatics·Richard ThilakarajGautam Pennathur
Jul 14, 2007·Science·Jonathan G Melnick, Gerard Parkin
Feb 12, 2009·PloS One·Avner SchlessingerBurkhard Rost
Sep 16, 2014·Journal of Structural Biology·Gurmeet Kaur, Srikrishna Subramanian
Jun 15, 2010·Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering·Mei-Fang ChienGinro Endo
Nov 27, 2007·Angewandte Chemie·Henry Strasdeit
Sep 1, 2005·Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology·Simon Silver, Le T Phung
Oct 21, 2020·Environmental Science & Technology·Johannes WestSofi Jonsson
Jul 14, 2007·Science·James G Omichinski

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.