Transmembrane Signal Transduction in Two‐Component Systems: Piston, Scissoring, or Helical Rotation?. (27th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gushchin, Ivan; Gordeliy, Valentin
• Is Part Of: BioEssays. Volume 40:Number 2(2018:Feb.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-12-27
• Subjects: chemoreceptor -- coiled coil -- HAMP domain -- histidine kinase -- membrane receptors -- transmembrane signaling -- two‐component signaling systems; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-9247

Abstract

Abstract : Allosteric and transmembrane (TM) signaling are among the major questions of structural biology. Here, we review and discuss signal transduction in four‐helical TM bundles, focusing on histidine kinases and chemoreceptors found in two‐component systems. Previously, piston, scissors, and helical rotation have been proposed as the mechanisms of TM signaling. We discuss theoretically possible conformational changes and examine the available experimental data, including the recent crystallographic structures of nitrate/nitrite sensor histidine kinase NarQ and phototaxis system Np SRII: Np HtrII. We show that TM helices can flex at multiple points and argue that the various conformational changes are not mutually exclusive, and often are observed concomitantly, throughout the TM domain or in its part. The piston and scissoring motions are the most prominent motions in the structures, but more research is needed for definitive conclusions. Abstract : Models of allosteric transmembrane (TM) signaling in microbial sensor histidine kinases and chemoreceptors are discussed in light of recent crystallographic structures. It is shown that the TM α‐helices are flexible and various conformational changes are often observed concomitantly. The piston and scissoring motions are the most prominent in the structures.