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Hasan, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Hasan, M..

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Phylogeny and distinct properties of major intrinsic proteins in the genomes of six Phytophthora species suggest their novel functions in Phytophthora

ABSTRACTMajor intrinsic proteins (MIPs), commonly known as aquaporins, facilitate the membrane diffusion of water and some other non- polar solutes. MIPs might be involved in host-pathogen interactions. Herein, we identified 17, 24, 27, 19, 19, and 22 full-length MIPs, respectively, in the genomes of six Phytophthora species, P. infestans, P. parasitica, P. sojae, P. ramorum, P. capsici, and P. cinnamomi. These Phytophthora species are devastating plant pathogens and members of oomycetes, a distinct lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microbes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Phytophthora MIPs (PMIPs) formed a completely distinct clade from their counterparts in other taxa and were clustered into nine subgroups. Sequence and structural properties indicated that the primary selectivity-related constrictions, including aromatic arginine (ar/R) selectivity filter and Froger’s positions in PMIPs were distinct from those in other taxa. The substitutions in the conserved Asn-Pro-Ala motifs in loops B and E of many PMIPs were also divergent from those in plants. We further deciphered group-specific consensus sequences/motifs in different loops and transmembrane helices of PMIPs, which were distinct from those in plants, animals, and microbes. The data collectively supported the notion that PMIPs might have novel functions.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.View Full Text

bioinformatics

Unique ATP-cone-driven allosteric regulation of ribonucleotide reductase via the radical-generating subunit

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are key enzymes in DNA synthesis and repair, with sophisticated allosteric mechanisms controlling both substrate specificity and overall activity. In RNRs, the activity master-switch, the ATP-cone, has been found exclusively in the catalytic subunit. In two class I RNR subclasses whose catalytic subunit lacks the ATP-cone, we discovered ATP-cones in the radical-generating subunit. The ATP-cone in the Leewenhoekiella blandensis radical-generating subunit regulates activity via modifications of quaternary structure induced by binding of nucleotides. ATP induces enzymatically competent dimers, whereas dATP induces non-productive tetramers, resulting in different holoenzyme complexes. The tetramer forms solely by interactions between ATP-cones, as evidenced by a 2.45 [A] crystal structure. We also present evidence for an MnIIIMnIV metal center. In summary, lack of an ATP-cone domain in the catalytic subunit was compensated by evolutionary capture of the domain by the radical-generating subunit. Our findings present a novel opportunity for dATP-regulation of engineered proteins.

biochemistry