Mechanistic insights into the nickel-dependent allosteric response of the Helicobacter pylori NikR transcription factor.

ABSTRACT: In Helicobacter pylori, the nickel-responsive NikR transcription factor plays a key role in regulating intracellular nickel concentrations, which is an essential process for survival of this pathogen in the acidic human stomach. Nickel binding to H. pylori NikR (HpNikR) allosterically activates DNA binding to target promoters encoding genes involved in nickel homeostasis and acid adaptation, to either activate or repress their transcription. We previously showed that HpNikR adopts an equilibrium between an open conformation and DNA-binding competent cis and trans states. Nickel binding slows down conformational exchange between these states and shifts the equilibrium toward the binding-competent states. The protein then becomes stabilized in a cis conformation upon binding the ureA promote

SUBMITTER: Baksh KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9860126 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature