Temperature sensing by membranes

DIEGO DE MENDOZA

Simposio; International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS); 2017

IUMS

Temperature Sensing by Bacterial MembranesObjectives: To analyze the structural features of the membrane-bound cold sensor-histidin kinase, DesK, from Bacillus subtilis in the two main functional states of the effector domain to obtain new insights on how the primary cold signal is sensed by the transmembrane (TM) region and transmitted to the effector domain. Methods: We used genetic, biochemical, structural and computational studies to dissect several aspects on wild type DesK mutant and truncated versions of DesK, pushing forward a more general understanding of its own structure/function relationship.Results: We found that reversible formation of a two helix coiled-coil in the fifth TM segment and the N-terminus of the cytoplasmic domain is essential for the sensing and transduction mechanism of DesK.Conclusion: We conclude that the catalytic output of DesK is tuned by a delicate balance between hydration potentials. Coiled-coil stability and exposure of hydrophobic surface patches at their cytoplasmic coiled coil and at the N-terminal and C-terminal sides of the TM helices.