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Abstract: 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), the third enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of 6-phosphogluconate, making ribulose 5-phosphate, along with the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH and the release of CO2. Here, we report the first apo-form crystal structure of the pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae 6PGDH (Kp6PGDH) and the structures of the highly homologous Escherichia coli K12 6PGDH (Ec6PGDH) complexed with substrate, substrate/NADPH and glucose at high resolution. The binding of NADPH to one subunit of the homodimeric structure triggered a 10° rotation and resulting in a 7Å movement of the coenzyme-binding domain. The coenzyme was thus trapped in a closed enzyme conformation, in contrast to the open conformation of the neighboring subunit. Comparison of our Ec/Kp6PGDH structures with those of other species illustrated how the domain conformation can be affected upon binding of the coenzyme, which in turn gives rise to concomitant movements of two important NADP+-interacting amino acids, M14 and N102. We propose that the catalysis follows an ordered binding mechanism with alternating conformational changes in the corresponding subunits, involving several related amino acid residues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bacterial wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are synthesized intracellularly and exported by a two-component transporter, TagGH, comprising the transmembrane and ATPase subunits TagG and TagH. Here the dimeric structure of the N-terminal domain of TagH (TagH-N) was solved by single-wavelength anomalous diffraction using a selenomethionine-containing crystal, which shows an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) architecture with RecA-like and helical subdomains. Besides significant structural differences from other ABC transporters, a prominent patch of positively charged surface is seen in the center of the TagH-N dimer, suggesting a potential binding site for the glycerol phosphate chain of WTA. The ATPase activity of TagH-N was inhibited by clodronate, a bisphosphonate, in a non-competitive manner, consistent with the proposed WTA-binding site for drug targeting. • The dimeric structure of the N-terminal RecA-like domain of TagH was solved. • Positively charged surface in the center suggests a potential binding site for WTA. • The ATPase activity was inhibited by clodronate in a non-competitive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mammalian QCs remain indistinguishable from M28-family peptidases at sequence level. • A unique carboxylic-acid hydrogen-bond network (CAHBN) is required for QC activity. • CAHBN can discriminate QCs from other M28-family enzymes. • Mammalian-type QCs are indeed widely distributed in the three domains of life. • Interplay between CAHBN and the binuclear metal-binding center of QCs is clarified. Proteins with sequence or structure similar to those of di-Zn exopeptidases are usually classified as the M28-family enzymes, including the mammalian-type glutaminyl cyclases (QCs). QC catalyzes protein N-terminal pyroglutamate formation, a posttranslational modification important under many physiological and pathological conditions, and is a drug target for treating neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and inflammatory disorders. Without functional characterization, mammalian QCs and their orthologs remain indistinguishable at the sequence and structure levels from other M28-family proteins, leading to few reported QCs. Here, we show that a low-barrier carboxylic-acid hydrogen-bond network (CAHBN) is required for QC activity and discriminates QCs from M28-family peptidases. We demonstrate that the CAHBN-containing M28 peptidases deposited in the PDB are indeed QCs. Our analyses identify several thousands of QCs from the three domains of life, and we enzymatically and structurally characterize several. For the first time, the interplay between a CAHBN and the binuclear metal-binding center of mammalian QCs is made clear. We found that the presence or absence of CAHBN is a key discriminator for the formation of either the mono-Zn QCs or the di-Zn exopeptidases. Our study helps explain the possible roles of QCs in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]