Structural anisotropy results in mechano-directional transport of proteins across nuclear pores.

The nuclear pore complex regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport by means of a tightly synchronized suite of biochemical reactions. The physicochemical properties of the translocating cargos are emerging as master regulators of their shuttling dynamics. As well as being affected by molecular weight and surface-exposed amino acids, the kinetics of the nuclear translocation of protein cargos also depend on their nanomechanical properties, yet the mechanisms underpinning the mechanoselectivity of the nuclear pore complex are unclear.

Functionality of chimeric TssA proteins in the type VI secretion system reveals sheath docking specificity within their N-terminal domains.

The genome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes three type VI secretion systems, each comprising a dozen distinct proteins, which deliver toxins upon T6SS sheath contraction. The least conserved T6SS component, TssA, has variations in size which influence domain organisation and structure. Here we show that the TssA Nt1 domain interacts directly with the sheath in a specific manner, while the C-terminus is essential for oligomerisation.

The dual GGDEF/EAL domain enzyme PA0285 is a Pseudomonas species housekeeping phosphodiesterase regulating early attachment and biofilm architecture.

Bacterial lifestyles depend on conditions encountered during colonization. The transition between planktonic and biofilm growth is dependent on the intracellular second messenger c-di-GMP. High c-di-GMP levels driven by diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) activity favor biofilm formation, while low levels were maintained by phosphodiesterases (PDE) encourage planktonic lifestyle.

The Breadth and Molecular Basis of Hcp-Driven Type VI Secretion System Effector Delivery.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial nanoscale weapon that delivers toxins into prey ranging from bacteria and fungi to animal hosts. The cytosolic contractile sheath of the system wraps around stacked hexameric rings of Hcp proteins, which form an inner tube. At the tip of this tube is a puncturing device comprising a trimeric VgrG topped by a monomeric PAAR protein.

Structural and functional analysis of two small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans, fibromodulin and chondroadherin.

The small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are important regulators of extracellular matrix assembly and cell signalling. We have determined crystal structures at ~2.2Å resolution of human fibromodulin and chondroadherin, two collagen-binding SLRPs.

Tankyrase Requires SAM Domain-Dependent Polymerization to Support Wnt-β-Catenin Signaling.

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) Tankyrase (TNKS and TNKS2) is paramount to Wnt-β-catenin signaling and a promising therapeutic target in Wnt-dependent cancers. The pool of active β-catenin is normally limited by destruction complexes, whose assembly depends on the polymeric master scaffolding protein AXIN. Tankyrase, which poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates and thereby destabilizes AXIN, also can polymerize, but the relevance of these polymers has remained unclear.

Insights into Collagen Uptake by C-type Mannose Receptors from the Crystal Structure of Endo180 Domains 1-4.

The C-type mannose receptor and its homolog Endo180 (or uPARAP, for urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein) mediate the endocytic uptake of collagen by macrophages and fibroblasts. This process is required for normal tissue remodeling, but also facilitates the growth and dissemination of tumors. We have determined the crystal structure at 2.

Expression and purification of SfaX(II), a protein involved in regulating adhesion and motility genes in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains commonly harbor genes involved in formation of fimbriae, such as the sfa(II) fimbrial gene cluster found in uropathogenic and newborn meningitis isolates. The sfaX(II) gene, located at the distal end of the sfa(II) operon, was recently shown to play a role in controlling virulence-related gene expression in extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC).

The extended conformation of the 2.9-Å crystal structure of the three-PASTA domain of a Ser/Thr kinase from the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

PASTA (penicillin-binding protein and serine/threonine kinase associated) modules are found in penicillin-binding proteins and bacterial serine/threonine kinases mainly from Gram-positive Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. They may act as extracellular sensors by binding peptidoglycan fragments. We report here the first crystal structure of a multiple-PASTA domain from Ser/Thr kinase, that of the protein serine/threonine kinase 1 (Stk1) from the Firmicute Staphylococcus aureus.

Crystallization and initial X-ray diffraction study of the three PASTA domains of the Ser/Thr kinase Stk1 from the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.

PASTA subunits (approximately 70 amino acids) are specific to bacterial serine/threonine kinases and to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and are involved in the synthesis of peptidoglycan. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus contains a serine/threonine kinase, Stk1, which plays a major role in virulence. A recombinant His-tagged portion of the extracellular domain of Stk1 containing three PASTA subunits has been crystallized using zinc sulfate as a crystallizing agent.

Crystallization and X-ray analysis of the Schistosoma mansoni guanidino kinase.

The 716-amino-acid guanidino kinase from the parasitic flatworm Schistosoma mansoni results from the fusion of two guanidino kinase subunits. Crystals of this 80 kDa protein have been obtained in the monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 52.7, b = 122.

Several enzymes of the central metabolism are phosphorylated in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human and animal pathogen that harbors protein kinases. The proteins phosphorylated in this bacterium grown on glucose minimal medium have been in vivo labeled with[(32)P]-orthophosphate and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by MS. A total of 11 glycolytic phosphoproteins have been identified and verified.