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Light-induced Changes in the Dimerization Interface of Bacteriophytochromes.

Heikki Takala1, Alexander Björling2, Marko Linna3

  • 1From the University of Gothenburg, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg, SE-40530 Sweden and University of Jyvaskyla, Nanoscience Center, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Jyväskylä, FI-40014 Finland.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|May 15, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Two dimerization interfaces in bacteriophytochromes are crucial for stabilizing the protein dimer and enabling its return to the resting state. Disrupting these interfaces impacts light-induced structural changes.

Keywords:
cell signalingdimerizationhigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)histidine kinasemolecular dynamicsmutagenesisphotoreceptorphytochromeprotein conformationx-ray scattering

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Phytochromes are red light photoreceptors found in plants, fungi, and bacteria.
  • Bacteriophytochromes possess a photosensory module and a histidine kinase (HK) signaling module.
  • The functional significance of two identified dimerization interfaces between GAF and HK domains is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional roles of the two dimerization interfaces between GAF and HK domains in bacteriophytochromes.
  • To elucidate the contribution of these interfaces to dimer stability and thermal reversion.

Main Methods:

  • Mutational analysis of Deinococcus radiodurans phytochrome.
  • Biochemical assays to assess protein stability and function.
  • Computational modeling to understand structural dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Both GAF-HK dimerization interfaces contribute equally to stabilizing the bacteriophytochrome dimer.
  • The presence of both interfaces is essential for thermal reversion to the inactive state.
  • Removing GAF-GAF interactions causes red light-induced monomerization, indicating altered HK domain interactions upon photoconversion.

Conclusions:

  • The GAF-HK dimerization interfaces play a critical functional role in bacteriophytochromes.
  • These interfaces are vital for maintaining dimer integrity and regulating light-dependent signaling.
  • Understanding these interfaces offers insights into bacteriophytochrome mechanism and potential applications.