Spectroscopic studies on HasA from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Abstract

Heme acquisition system A (HasA) is known as a hemophore in Gram-negative pathogens. The ferric heme iron is coordinated by Tyr-75 and His-32 in holo-HasA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HasApa). In contrast, in holo-HasA from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (HasAyp), our spectroscopic studies suggest that only Tyr-75 coordinates to the ferric heme iron. The substitution of Gln-32 with alanine in HasAyp does not alter the spectroscopic properties, indicating that Gln-32 is not an axial ligand for the heme iron. Somewhat surprisingly, the Y75A mutant of HasAyp can capture a free hemin molecule but the rate of hemin uptake is slower than that of wild type, suggesting that the hydrophobic interaction in the heme pocket may also play a role in heme acquisition. Unlike in wild type apoprotein, ferric heme transfer from Hb to Y75A apo-HasAyp has not been observed. These results imply that coordination (bonding/interaction) between Tyr-75 and the heme iron is important for heme transfer from Hb. Interestingly, HasAyp differs from HasApa in its ability to bind the ferrous heme iron. Apo-HasAyp can capture ferrous heme and resonance Raman spectra of ferrous-carbon monoxide holo-HasAyp suggest that Tyr-75 is protonated when the heme iron is in the ferrous state. The ability of HasAyp to acquire the ferrous heme iron might be beneficial to Y. pseudotuberculosis, a facultative anaerobe in the Enterobacteriaceae family.

Keywords: Heme uptake; Hemophore; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.