Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive human pathogen that causes millions of infections worldwide with an increasing occurrence of antibiotic resistance. Iron acquisition is essential for its survival and virulence, especially under host-imposed nutritional immunity. S. pneumoniae expresses several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters to facilitate acquisition under iron limitation, including PitABCD, PiaABCD, and PiuBCDA. The substrate specificity of PiuBCDA is not fully established. Herein, we report the backbone 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignments of the 31 kDa soluble, extracellular domain of the substrate binding protein PiuA in the apo form and in complex with Ga(III) and the catechol siderophore-mimic 4-LICAM. These studies provide valuable information for further functional studies of interactions with other proteins, metals, and small molecules.
Keywords: ABC transporter; Catechol; Iron acquisition; Pathogen; Siderophore; Streptococcus pneumoniae.