The highly conserved domain of unknown function 1792 has a distinct glycosyltransferase fold

Nat Commun. 2014 Jul 15:5:4339. doi: 10.1038/ncomms5339.

Abstract

More than 33,000 glycosyltransferases have been identified. Structural studies, however, have only revealed two distinct glycosyltransferase (GT) folds, GT-A and GT-B. Here we report a 1.34-Å resolution X-ray crystallographic structure of a previously uncharacterized 'domain of unknown function' 1792 (DUF1792) and show that the domain adopts a new fold and is required for glycosylation of a family of serine-rich repeat streptococcal adhesins. Biochemical studies reveal that the domain is a glucosyltransferase, and it catalyses the transfer of glucose to the branch point of the hexasaccharide O-linked to the serine-rich repeat of the bacterial adhesin, Fap1 of Streptococcus parasanguinis. DUF1792 homologues from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria also exhibit the activity. Thus, DUF1792 represents a new family of glycosyltransferases; therefore, we designate it as a GT-D glycosyltransferase fold. As the domain is highly conserved in bacteria and not found in eukaryotes, it can be explored as a new antibacterial target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Glycosyltransferases / chemistry*
  • Glycosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Streptococcus / enzymology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Glycosyltransferases

Associated data

  • PDB/4PFX
  • PDB/4PHR
  • PDB/4PHS