Unique N-terminal arm of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoP protein plays an unusual role in its regulatory function.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium tuberculosis PhoP, a master regulator involved in complex lipid biosynthesis and expression of unknown virulence determinants, is composed of an N-terminal receiver domain and a C-terminal effector domain. The two experimentally characterized PhoP orthologs, from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, display vastly different regulatory capabilities. Here, we demonstrate that the 20-residue-long N-terminal arm unique to M. tuberculosis PhoP plays an essential role in the expanded regulatory capabilities of this important regulator. Although the arm is not required for overall structural stability and/or phosphorylation of the PhoP N-domain, strikingly it is essential for phosphorylation-coupled transcription regulation of target genes. Consistent with this view, arm trunca

SUBMITTER: Das AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3790017 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature