The crystal structure of the complex of P II and acetylglutamate kinase reveals how P II controls the storage of nitrogen as arginine

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2007-11, Vol.104 (45), p.17644-17649
• Main Authors: Llácer, José L., Contreras, Asunción, Forchhammer, Karl, Marco-Marín, Clara, Gil-Ortiz, Fernando, Maldonado, Rafael, Fita, Ignacio, Rubio, Vicente
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0705987104

Photosynthetic organisms can store nitrogen by synthesizing arginine, and, therefore, feedback inhibition of arginine synthesis must be relieved in these organisms when nitrogen is abundant. This relief is accomplished by the binding of the P II signal transduction protein to acetylglutamate kinase (NAGK), the controlling enzyme of arginine synthesis. Here, we describe the crystal structure of the complex between NAGK and P II of Synechococcus elongatus , at 2.75-Å resolution. We prove the physiological relevance of the observed interactions by site-directed mutagenesis and functional studies. The complex consists of two polar P II trimers sandwiching one ring-like hexameric NAGK (a trimer of dimers) with the threefold axes of these molecules aligned. The binding of P II favors a narrow ring conformation of the NAGK hexamer that is associated with arginine sites having low affinity for this inhibitor. Each P II subunit contacts one NAGK subunit only. The contacts map in the inner circumference of the NAGK ring and involve two surfaces of the P II subunit. One surface is on the P II body and interacts with the C-domain of the NAGK subunit, helping widen the arginine site found on the other side of this domain. The other surface is at the distal region of a protruding large loop (T-loop) that presents a novel compact shape. This loop is inserted in the interdomain crevice of the NAGK subunit, contacting mainly the N-domain, and playing key roles in anchoring P II on NAGK, in activating NAGK, and in complex formation regulation by MgATP, ADP, 2-oxoglutarate, and by phosphorylation of serine-49.