Structural Characterization of the Multidomain Regulatory Protein Rv1364c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The open reading frame rv1364c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which regulates the stress-dependent σ factor, σF, has been analyzed structurally and functionally. Rv1364c contains domains with sequence similarity to the RsbP/RsbW/RsbV regulatory system of the stress-response σ factor of Bacillus subtilis. Rv1364c contains, sequentially, a PAS domain (which shows sequence similarity to the PAS domain of the B. subtilis RsbP protein), an active phosphatase domain, a kinase (anti-σF like) domain and a C-terminal anti-σF antagonist like domain. The crystal structures of two PAS domain constructs (at 2.3 and 1.6 Å) and a phosphatase/kinase dual domain construct (at 2.6 Å) are described. The PAS domain is shown to bind palmitic acid but to have 100 times greater affinity for palmitoleic acid. The full-length protein can exist in solution as both monomer and dimer. We speculate that a switch between monomer and dimer, possibly resulting from fatty acid binding, affects the accessibility of the serine of the C-terminal, anti-σF antagonist domain for dephosphorylation by the phosphatase domain thus indirectly altering the availability of σF. [Display omitted] ► Structure of the PAS domain of Mtb Rv1364c with and without bound palmitic acid ► Preferential binding of palmitoleic over palmitic acid ► Structure of the dual phosphatase/kinase domain construct ► Solution structures of monomeric and dimeric forms