Structures of the transcriptional regulator BgaR, a lactose sensor. Issue 7 (8th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newman, Janet; Caron, Karine; Nebl, Tom; Peat, Thomas S.
• Is Part Of: Acta crystallographica. Volume 75:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 639
• Page End: 646
• Publication Date: 2019-07-08
• Subjects: transcriptional regulators -- BgaR -- Clostridium perfringens -- lactose sensors -- SAD phasing; X-ray crystallography -- Periodicals; Crystallography -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Molecular structure -- Periodicals; Biomolecules -- Structure -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Biomolecules -- Structure; Crystallography; Cytology; Molecular biology; Molecular structure; X-ray crystallography; Periodicals; 548
• DOI: 10.1107/S2059798319008131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7983

Abstract

Abstract : The crystal structure of the transcriptional regulator BgaR with no sugar added is presented, along with those of its complexes with lactose and lactulose. The structure is related to that of the transcriptional regulator AraC, but shows differences in the effector‐binding pocket. Abstract : The structure of BgaR, a transcriptional regulator of the lactose operon in Clostridium perfringens, has been solved by SAD phasing using a mercury derivative. BgaR is an exquisite sensor of lactose, with a binding affinity in the low‐micromolar range. This sensor and regulator has been captured bound to lactose and to lactulose as well as in a nominal apo form, and was compared with AraC, another saccharide‐binding transcriptional regulator. It is shown that the saccharides bind in the N‐terminal region of a jelly‐roll fold, but that part of the saccharide is exposed to bulk solvent. This differs from the classical AraC saccharide‐binding site, which is mostly sequestered from the bulk solvent. The structures of BgaR bound to lactose and to lactulose highlight how specific and nonspecific interactions lead to a higher binding affinity of BgaR for lactose compared with lactulose. Moreover, solving multiple structures of BgaR in different space groups, both bound to saccharides and unbound, verified that the dimer interface along a C‐terminal helix is similar to the dimer interface observed in AraC.