A two-helix motif positions the lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase active site for catalysis within the membrane bilayer.

ABSTRACT: Phosphatidic acid (PA), the central intermediate in membrane phospholipid synthesis, is generated by two acyltransferases in a pathway conserved in all life forms. The second step in this pathway is catalyzed by 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, called PlsC in bacteria. Here we present the crystal structure of PlsC from Thermotoga maritima, revealing an unusual hydrophobic/aromatic N-terminal two-helix motif linked to an acyltransferase αβ-domain that contains the catalytic HX₄D motif. PlsC dictates the acyl chain composition of the 2-position of phospholipids, and the acyl chain selectivity 'ruler' is an appropriately placed and closed hydrophobic tunnel. We confirmed this by site-directed mutagenesis and membrane composition analysis of Escherichia coli cells tha

SUBMITTER: Robertson RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5616210 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature