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Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092
Published on: October 2, 2017
Allosteric substrate release by a sialic acid TRAP transporter substrate binding protein.
Niels Schneberger1, Philipp Hendricks1, Martin F Peter1,2
1Institute of Structural Biology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
Researchers developed nanobodies targeting sialic acid transporters in Vibrio cholerae and Haemophilus influenzae. These nanobodies inhibit pathogen colonization by blocking essential nutrient uptake, offering new drug design strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Structural Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters facilitate pathogen colonization by importing sialic acid.
- Sialic acid import is mediated by substrate-binding proteins (SBPs) like SiaP in Vibrio cholerae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel inhibitors of SiaP proteins from H. influenzae (HiSiaP) and V. cholerae (VcSiaP).
- To elucidate the mechanism of inhibition for potential therapeutic applications against bacterial pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Generation and screening of nanobodies against HiSiaP and VcSiaP.
- Structural and biophysical characterization of nanobody-SiaP complexes.
- Analysis of allosteric inhibition mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Eleven specific nanobodies targeting HiSiaP and VcSiaP were identified.
- Two nanobodies demonstrated inhibition of sialic acid binding to SiaP.
- Structural studies revealed an allosteric inhibition mechanism involving a hydrophobic pocket, preventing sialic acid uptake.
Conclusions:
- Nanobodies can effectively inhibit SiaP function through allosteric mechanisms.
- Understanding this inhibition provides insights into TRAP transporter mechanisms.
- These findings offer a basis for developing drugs to block pathogen nutrient acquisition.
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