Biology subjects

Penmatsa, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Penmatsa, A..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Structural basis of K+/H+ antiport in YcgO and its inhibition by unphosphorylated PtsN

Cation-proton antiporters (CPAs) are vital for the maintenance of ionic homeostasis and normal physiology among diverse cell types. Despite recent insights into K+/H+ exchange transporters, the diversity in their structural organization and regulatory mechanisms of K+-specific CPAs are minimally understood. Here, we explore the architecture of an E. coli CPA1 K+/H+ antiporter, YcgO and its inhibition by the unphosphorylated form of PtsN, the terminal protein of a regulatory phosphorelay, using cryoEM structures at 3.4 [A] and 3.2 [A] resolution, respectively. Homodimeric YcgO bound to K+ ions in the occluded conformation, harbors additional linked cytosolic domains, RCK and CorC, to regulate the movement of the transport helices within the YcgO dimer. These domains are the sites of interaction and efflux inhibition by unphosphorylated PtsN, which interacts with the CorC domains with high affinity and allosterically augments inhibitory interactions of CorC with transport helices of YcgO. Inhibition is relieved leading to constitutive activation, upon disrupting the CorC-transport conduit interface. This study illuminates the structural basis of K+ efflux mediated through regulation of a K+/H+ antiporter in E. coli and related prokaryotes via a metabolic network involving a regulatory phosphorelay.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2023

Functional characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium encoded YciF, a domain of unknown function (DUF892) family protein, and its role in protection during bile and oxidative stress

YciF (STM14_2092) is a member of domain of unknown function (DUF892) family. It is an uncharacterized protein, involved in stress responses in Salmonella Typhimurium. In this study, we investigated the significance of YciF and its DUF892 domain during bile and oxidative stress responses of S. Typhimurium. Purified wild type YciF forms higher order oligomers, binds to iron and displays ferroxidase activity. Studies on the site-specific mutants revealed that the ferroxidase activity of YciF is dependent on the two metal binding sites present within the DUF892 domain. Transcriptional analysis displayed that the {Delta}cspE strain, which has compromised expression of YciF, encounters iron toxicity due to dysregulation of iron homeostasis in presence of bile. Utilizing this observation, we demonstrate that the bile mediated iron toxicity in {Delta}cspE causes lethality, primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Expression of wild type YciF, but not the three mutants of the DUF892 domain, in {Delta}cspE alleviate ROS in presence of bile. Our results establish the role of YciF as a ferroxidase that can sequester excess iron in the cellular milieu to counter ROS-associated cell death. In fact, pre-treatment with an iron chelator mitigates the hypersensitivity of {Delta}cspE to bile. ImportanceThe DUF892 domain has a wide taxonomic distribution encompassing several bacterial pathogens. This domain belongs to the ferritin-like superfamily; however, it has not been biochemically and functionally characterized. This is the first report of characterization of a member of this family. In this study, we demonstrate that S. Typhimurium YciF is an iron binding protein with ferroxidase activity, which is dependent on the metal binding sites present within the DUF892 domain. It combats iron toxicity and oxidative damage caused due to exposure to bile. The functional characterization of YciF delineates the significance of the DUF892 domain in bacteria. In addition, our studies on S. Typhimurium bile stress response divulged the importance of comprehensive iron homeostasis in bacteria in presence of bactericidal compounds that tend to generate ROS irrespective of their primary targets.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Structural insights into pore dynamics of human Pannexin isoforms

Pannexins are single-membrane large-pore ion channels that release ATP upon activation. Three isoforms of pannexins, 1, 2, and 3, perform diverse cellular roles, including inflammation, differentiation, neuropathic pain, and ATP release. In this study, we report the cryoEM structure of pannexin 3 at 3.9 [A] and characterize the structural differences with pannexin isoforms 1 and 2. We observe the organization of the Pannexin 3 vestibule into two distinct chambers with a wider pore radius in comparison to both PANX1 and 2 isoforms. We further report the structure of pannexin1 congenital mutant R217H in the resolution range of 3.9 [A]. The congenital mutant R217H in transmembrane helix3 (TM3), R217H induce structural changes that leads to a partially closed pore and altered ATP interaction propensities. The channel conductance of the congenital mutant displays weakened voltage sensitivity. The results showcase a complete comparison of the three pannexin isoform structures that along with the structure of Pannexin 1 congenital mutant highlight distinct structural features of pannexin isoforms and the allosteric role of distant substitutions in dictating channel behavior in Pannexin 1.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2022

Golgi localized Arl15 regulates cargo transport, cell adhesion and motility

Arf-like GTPases (Arls) regulate membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal organization. Genetic studies predicted a role for Arl15 in type-2 diabetes, insulin resistance, adiposity, and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent studies indicate a possible role for Arl15 in multiple physiological processes, including magnesium homeostasis. However, the molecular function of Arl15 is poorly defined. We evaluated the role of Arl15 in vesicular transport using techniques to quantify cargo trafficking, to mechanobiology. Fluorescence microscopy of stably expressing Arl15-GFP HeLa cells showed its localization to the Golgi and cell surface, including filopodia, and a cohort to recycling endosomes. The dissociation of Golgi, using small molecular inhibitors or the expression of Arf1 dominant-negative mutant, completely mislocalized Arl15 to the cytosol. Interestingly, site-directed mutagenesis analysis identified a novel V80A mutation in the GTP-binding domain that turns Arl15 into a dominant-negative form with reduced number of filopodia. Depletion of Arl15 in HeLa cells caused mislocalization of cargo, such as caveolin-2 and STX6, from the Golgi. Arl15 knockdown cells displayed reduced filopodial number, altered focal adhesion kinase organization, and enhanced soluble and receptor-mediated cargo uptake without affecting the TfR recycling. Arl15 knockdown decreased cell migration and enhanced cell spreading and adhesion strength. Traction force microscopy experiments revealed that Arl15 depleted cells exert higher tractions and generate multiple focal adhesion points during the initial phase of cell adhesion as compared to control cells. Collectively, these studies demonstrated a functional role for Arl15 in the Golgi, which includes regulating cargo transport to organize membrane domains at the cell surface. Key pointsO_LIArl15 primarily localizes to Golgi and plasma membrane, including filopodia C_LIO_LIMembrane localization of Arl15 is dependent on Golgi integrity or Arf1 activation C_LIO_LIArl15 knockdown mislocalizes STX6-dependent Golgi localized cargo required for cell surface organization and reduces the filopodial number C_LIO_LIArl15 is involved in cell spreading, adhesion, and migration C_LI

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

CryoEM structure of QacA, an antibacterial efflux transporter from Staphylococcus aureus

Efflux of antibacterial compounds is a major mechanism for developing antimicrobial resistance. In the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, QacA, a 14 transmembrane (TM) helix containing major facilitator superfamily antiporter, mediates proton-coupled efflux of mono and divalent cationic antibacterial compounds. In this study, we report the cryoEM structure of QacA, with a single mutation D411N that improves homogeneity and retains efflux activity against divalent cationic compounds like dequalinium and chlorhexidine. The structure of substrate-free QacA, complexed to two single-domain camelid antibodies, was elucidated to a resolution of 3.6 [A]. The structure displays an outward-open conformation with an extracellular hairpin loop, which is conserved in a subset of DHA2 transporters and its deletion causes a loss of function in the transporter. Modeling and simulations of QacAs cytosol-facing and occluded conformations reveal asymmetry in the rocker-switch mode of QacAs conformational shifts, providing new insights into the organization and structural dynamics of DHA2 members.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Structural basis of inhibition of a putative drug efflux transporter NorC, through a single-domain camelid antibody

Multi-drug efflux is a major mechanism of acquiring antimicrobial resistance among superbugs. In this study, we report the X-ray structure of NorC, a 14 transmembrane major facilitator superfamily member that is implicated in fluoroquinolone resistance in drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains, at a resolution of 3.6 [A]. The NorC structure was determined in complex with a single-domain camelid antibody that interacts at the extracellular face of the transporter and stabilizes it in an outward-open conformation. The complementarity determining regions of the antibody enter and block solvent access to the interior of the vestibule, thereby inhibiting alternating-access. NorC specifically interacts with an organic cation, tetraphenylphosphonium, although it does not demonstrate an ability to transport it. The interaction is compromised in the presence of NorC-antibody complex, consequently establishing a strategy to detect and block NorC and related efflux pumps through the use of single- domain camelid antibodies.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Structural basis of norepinephrine recognition and transport inhibition in neurotransmitter transporters

Norepinephrine is a biogenic amine neurotransmitter that has widespread effects on cardiovascular tone, alertness and sensation of pain. As a consequence, blockers of norepinephrine uptake have served as vital tools to treat depression and chronic pain. Here, we employ a modified Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter as a surrogate for the human norepinephrine transporter and determine the X-ray structures of the transporter in its substrate-free and norepinephrine-bound forms. We also report structures of the transporter in complex with inhibitors of chronic pain including duloxetine, milnacipran and a synthetic opioid, tramadol. When compared to dopamine, we observe that norepinephrine binds in a different pose, in the vicinity of subsite C within the primary binding site. Our experiments reveal that this region is the binding site for chronic pain inhibitors and a determinant for norepinephrine-specific reuptake inhibition, thereby providing a paradigm for the design of specific inhibitors for catecholamine neurotransmitter transporters. HighlightsO_LIX-ray structures of the Drosophila dopamine transporter in substrate-free and norepinephrine bound forms. C_LIO_LINorepinephrine and dopamine bind in distinct conformations within the binding pocket. C_LIO_LIChronic pain inhibitors S-duloxetine, milnacipran and tramadol bind in the primary binding site and overlap with the norepinephrine-binding pose. C_LIO_LISelective norepinephrine reuptake inhibition occurs through specific interactions at the subsite C in the primary binding pocket. C_LI

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2018

Dissection of protonation sites for antibacterial recognition and transport in QacA, a multi-drug efflux transporter.

QacA is a drug:H+ antiporter (DHA2) with 14 transmembrane helices, that renders antibacterial resistance to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, with homologues in other pathogenic organisms. It is a highly promiscuous antiporter, capable of H+- driven efflux of a wide array of cationic antibacterial compounds and dyes. Our study, using a homology model of QacA, reveals a group of six protonatable residues in its vestibule. Systematic mutagenesis resulted in identification of D34 (TM1), and a cluster of acidic residues in TM13 including E407 and D411 and D323 in TM10, as being crucial for substrate recognition and transport of monovalent and divalent cationic antibacterial compounds. The transport and binding properties of QacA and its mutants were explored using whole cells, inside-out vesicles, substrate-induced H+ release and microscale thermophoresis. We identify two sites, D34 and D411 as vital players in substrate recognition while E407 facilitates substrate efflux as a protonation site. We also observe that E407 plays a moonlighting role as a substrate recognition site for dequalinium transport. These observations rationalize the promiscuity of QacA for diverse substrates. The study unravels the role of acidic residues in QacA with implications for substrate recognition, promiscuity and processive transport in multidrug efflux transporters, related to QacA.\n\nHighlightsO_LIA homology model of QacA with 14 TM helices was used to test the importance of acidic residues within the vestibule.\nC_LIO_LIMono and Divalent cationic substrate recognition requires two sites D34 (TM1) and D411 (TM13).\nC_LIO_LIE407 (TM13) is important for protonation driven efflux.\nC_LIO_LISubstrate recognition of a divalent substrate, dequalinium occurs at E407 instead of D411 providing glimpses into the promiscuity of substrate recognition in QacA.\nC_LI

biochemistry↗