Crystal structure of TcpK in complex with oriT DNA of the antibiotic resistance plasmid pCW3

Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 13;9(1):3732. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06096-2.

Abstract

Conjugation is fundamental for the acquisition of new genetic traits and the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic organisms. Here, we show that a hypothetical Clostridium perfringens protein, TcpK, which is encoded by the tetracycline resistance plasmid pCW3, is essential for efficient conjugative DNA transfer. Our studies reveal that TcpK is a member of the winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) transcription factor superfamily and that it forms a dimer in solution. Furthermore, TcpK specifically binds to a nine-nucleotide sequence that is present as tandem repeats within the pCW3 origin of transfer (oriT). The X-ray crystal structure of the TcpK-TcpK box complex reveals a binding mode centered on and around the β-wing, which is different from what has been previously shown for other wHTH proteins. Structure-guided mutagenesis experiments validate the specific interaction between TcpK and the DNA molecule. Additional studies highlight that the TcpK dimer is important for specific DNA binding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Conjugation, Genetic
  • Crystallography, X-Ray*
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Databases, Protein
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Mutagenesis
  • Nucleotides / chemistry
  • Plasmids / chemistry*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Tetracycline / pharmacology
  • Tetracycline Resistance / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Nucleotides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tetracycline