Structure and activity of PA5508, a hexameric glutamine synthetase homologue

Biochemistry. 2012 Dec 21;51(51):10121-3. doi: 10.1021/bi3014856. Epub 2012 Dec 12.

Abstract

The structure of PA5508 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a glutamine synthetase (GS) homologue, has been determined at 2.5 Å. Surprisingly, PA5508 forms single hexameric rings rather than the stacked double rings that are characteristic of GS. The C-terminal helical thong motif that links GS rings is present in PA5508; however, it is folded back toward the core of its own polypeptide, preventing it from interacting with a second ring. Interestingly, PA5508 displays a clear preference for aromatic amine substrates. Unique aspects of the structure illustrate how the enzyme is able to catalyze reactions involving bulky amines rather than ammonia.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / chemistry*
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Polyamines / metabolism
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / enzymology
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Polyamines
  • Glutamate-Ammonia Ligase

Associated data

  • PDB/4HPP