Inhibited KdpFABC transitions into an E1 off-cycle state

Abstract

KdpFABC is a high-affinity prokaryotic K⁺ uptake system that forms a functional chimera between a channel-like subunit (KdpA) and a P-type ATPase (KdpB). At high K⁺ levels, KdpFABC needs to be inhibited to prevent excessive K⁺ accumulation to the point of toxicity. This is achieved by a phosphorylation of the serine residue in the TGES₁₆₂ motif in the A domain of the pump subunit KdpB (KdpB_S162-P). Here, we explore the structural basis of inhibition by KdpB_S162 phosphorylation by determining the conformational landscape of KdpFABC under inhibiting and non-inhibiting conditions. Under turnover conditions, we identified a new inhibited KdpFABC state that we termed E1P tight, which is not part of the canonical Post-Albers transport cycle of P-type ATPases. It likely represents the biochemically described stalled E1P state adopted by KdpFABC upon KdpB_S162 phosphorylation. The E1P tight state exhibits a compact fold of the three cytoplasmic domains and is likely adopted when the transition from high-energy E1P states to E2P states is unsuccessful. This study represents a structural characterization of a biologically relevant off-cycle state in the P-type ATPase family and supports the emerging discussion of P-type ATPase regulation by such states.

Keywords: E. coli; P-type ATPase; cryo-EM; membrane transport mechanism; molecular biophysics; potassium uptake; protein regulation; structural biology; structure–function.