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Structural insights into the signalling mechanisms of two-component systems
Françoise Jacob-Dubuisson1, Ariel Mechaly2, Jean-Michel Betton3
1Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 8204 - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, France. francoise.jacob@ibl.cnrs.fr.
Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|July 17, 2018
Summary
Two-component systems regulate microbial physiology using sensor histidine kinases and response regulators. Recent structural studies reveal molecular mechanisms of signal transduction in these essential systems.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Two-component systems are crucial for microbial adaptation to environmental changes.
- They involve sensor histidine kinases and response regulators mediating signal transduction.
- Understanding their complex mechanisms is vital for microbiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight recent advances in understanding two-component system signal transduction.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of histidine kinase catalysis and regulation.
- To provide insight into membrane-spanning signal transmission.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent structural biology studies, including crystal structures.
- Investigation of histidine kinase conformations and dynamics.
- Examination of catalytic mechanisms: autophosphorylation, phosphotransfer, and dephosphorylation.
Main Results:
- Structural snapshots reveal catalytic mechanisms of key enzymatic reactions.
- Conformational dynamics of histidine kinases in active and inactive states are described.
- Emerging crystal structures show sensor and transducer domain interactions.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in understanding two-component system mechanisms at the molecular level.
- Structural insights are key to deciphering signal transduction across membranes.
- These molecular machines are essential for microbial physiology and adaptation.
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