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Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Studies of Chaperone-Cochaperone Interactions using Homogenous Bead-Based Assay
Published on: July 21, 2021
Dual client binding sites in the ATP-independent chaperone SurA
Bob Schiffrin1, Joel A Crossley1, Martin Walko1,2
1Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
The chaperone SurA binds outer membrane proteins (OMPs) via its core and P1 domains, facilitating their proper folding. This mechanism is crucial for bacterial outer membrane integrity and virulence.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- SurA is an ATP-independent chaperone essential for bacterial outer membrane protein (OMP) biogenesis.
- It prevents OMP aggregation and delivers them to the beta-barrel assembly machinery (BAM).
- The precise mechanism of SurA-OMP recognition and client binding remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying SurA's recognition and binding of its OMP clients.
- To investigate the roles of SurA's different domains in client interaction and protein unfolding.
Main Methods:
- Methyl-troSY NMR spectroscopy
- Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET)
- Bioinformatics analyses
Main Results:
- SurA utilizes two binding hotspots in its core and P1 domains for OMP client recognition.
- Interactions are mediated by aromatic-rich motifs in client proteins, inducing SurA domain rearrangements.
- The core domain is critical for OMP expansion, while PPIase domains regulate the extent of this expansion.
Conclusions:
- SurA-OMP recognition involves specific binding hotspots and client-derived motifs, leading to conformational changes in SurA.
- The study reveals the distinct roles of SurA's domains in chaperone activation and client processing.
- Findings offer insights into targeting SurA, a key factor in bacterial virulence and outer membrane integrity.
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