Variations of subunit {varepsilon} of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis F1Fo ATP synthase and a novel model for mechanism of action of the tuberculosis drug TMC207

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2013 Jan;57(1):168-76. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01039-12. Epub 2012 Oct 22.

Abstract

The subunit ε of bacterial F(1)F(O) ATP synthases plays an important regulatory role in coupling and catalysis via conformational transitions of its C-terminal domain. Here we present the first low-resolution solution structure of ε of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtε) F(1)F(O) ATP synthase and the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of its C-terminal segment (Mtε(103-120)). Mtε is significantly shorter (61.6 Å) than forms of the subunit in other bacteria, reflecting a shorter C-terminal sequence, proposed to be important in coupling processes via the catalytic β subunit. The C-terminal segment displays an α-helical structure and a highly positive surface charge due to the presence of arginine residues. Using NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and mutagenesis, we demonstrate that the new tuberculosis (TB) drug candidate TMC207, proposed to bind to the proton translocating c-ring, also binds to Mtε. A model for the interaction of TMC207 with both ε and the c-ring is presented, suggesting that TMC207 forms a wedge between the two rotating subunits by interacting with the residues W15 and F50 of ε and the c-ring, respectively. T19 and R37 of ε provide the necessary polar interactions with the drug molecule. This new model of the mechanism of TMC207 provides the basis for the design of new drugs targeting the F(1)F(O) ATP synthase in M. tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Diarylquinolines
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / chemistry
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases / genetics
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / chemistry
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / enzymology
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
  • Protein Subunits / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / genetics
  • Protons
  • Quinolines / chemistry*
  • Recombinant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Diarylquinolines
  • Protein Subunits
  • Protons
  • Quinolines
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • bedaquiline
  • F1F0-ATP synthase
  • Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases