Solution structures of a cyanobacterial metallochaperone: insight into an atypical copper-binding motif

J Biol Chem. 2004 Jun 25;279(26):27502-10. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M402005200. Epub 2004 Apr 8.

Abstract

The Atx1 copper metallochaperone from Synechocystis PCC 6803, ScAtx1, interacts with two P(1)-type copper ATPases to supply copper proteins within intracellular compartments, avoiding ATPases for other metals en route. Here we report NMR-derived solution structures for ScAtx1. The monomeric apo form has a betaalphabetabetaalpha fold with backbone motions largely restricted to loop 1 containing Cys-12 and Cys-15. The tumbling rate of Cu(I)ScAtx1 (0.1-0.8 mm) implies dimers. Experimental restraints are satisfied by symmetrical dimers with Cys-12 or His-61, but not Cys-15, invading the copper site of the opposing subunit. A full sequence of copper ligands from the cell surface to thylakoid compartments is proposed, considering in vitro homodimer liganding to mimic in vivo liganding in ScAtx1-ATPase heterodimers. A monomeric high resolution structure for Cu(I)ScAtx1, with Cys-12, Cys-15, and His-61 as ligands, is calculated without violations despite the rotational correlation time. (2)J(NH) couplings in the imidazole ring of His-61 establish coordination of N(epsilon2) to copper. His-61 is analogous to Lys-65 in eukaryotic metallochaperones, stabilizing Cu(I)S(2) complexes but by binding Cu(I) rather than compensating charge. Cys-Cys-His ligand sets are an emergent theme in some copper metallochaperones, although not in related Atx1, CopZ, or Hah1. Surface charge (Glu-13) close to the metal-binding site of ScAtx1 is likely to support interaction with complementary surfaces of copper-transporting ATPases (PacS-Arg-11 and CtaA-Lys-14) but to discourage interaction with zinc ATPase ZiaA and so inhibit aberrant formation of copper-ZiaA complexes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoproteins / chemistry
  • Apoproteins / genetics
  • Apoproteins / metabolism
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry*
  • Cyanobacteria / genetics
  • Dimerization
  • Metalloproteins / chemistry*
  • Metalloproteins / genetics
  • Metalloproteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Solutions
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Apoproteins
  • Metalloproteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Solutions
  • Copper

Associated data

  • PDB/1SB6