A. Krupa

A genomic perspective of protein kinases in Plasmodium falciparum

Protein kinases are central to regulation of cellular signaling in the eukaryotes. Well‐conserved and lineage‐specific protein kinases have previously been identified from various completely sequenced genomes of eukaryotes. The current work describes a genome‐wide analysis for protein kinases encoded in the Plasmodium falciparum genome. Using a few different profile matching methods, we have identified 99 protein kinases or related proteins in the parasite genome. We have classified these kinases into subfamilies and analyzed them in the context of noncatalytic domains that occur in these catalytic kinase domain–containing proteins. Compared to most eukaryotic protein kinases, these sequences vary significantly in terms of their lengths, inserts in catalytic domains, and co‐occurring domains. Catalytic and noncatalytic domains contain long stretches of repeats of positively charged and other polar amino acids. Various components of the cell cycle, including 4 cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) homologues, 2 cyclins, 1 CDK regulatory subunit, and 1 kinase‐associated phosphatase, are identified. Identification of putative mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) Kinase and MAP Kinase Kinase of P. falciparum suggests a new paradigm in the highly conserved signaling pathway of eukaryotes. The calcium‐dependent kinase family, well represented in P. falciparum, shows varying domain combinations with EF‐hands and pleckstrin homology domains. The analysis reveals a new subfamily of protein kinases having limited sequence similarity with previously known subfamilies. A new transmembrane kinase with 6 membrane‐spanning regions is identified. Putative apicoplast targeting sequences have been detected in some of these protein kinases, suggesting their export to the apicoplast. Proteins 2005.

KinG: a database of protein kinases in genomes

The KinG database is a comprehensive collection of serine/threonine/tyrosine-specific kinases and their homologues identified in various completed genomes using sequence and profile search methods. The database hosted at http://hodgkin. mbu.iisc.ernet.in/ approximately king provides the amino acid sequences, functional domain assignments and classification of gene products containing protein kinase domains. A search tool enabling the retrieval of protein kinases with specified subfamily and domain combinations is one of the key features of the resource. Identification of a kinase catalytic domain in the users query sequence is possible using another search tool. The occurrence and location of critical catalytic residues if the query has a catalytic kinase domain, recognition of non-kinase domains in the sequence and subfamily classification of the kinase in the query will help in deciphering the biological role of the kinase. This online compilation can also be used to compare the protein kinases of a given subfamily and domain combinations across various genomes. Another exclusive feature of the database is the collection of the Ser/Thr/Tyr protein kinases and similar sequences encoded in the genomes of archaea and bacteria.

EmbR, a regulatory protein with ATPase activity, is a substrate of multiple serine/threonine kinases and phosphatase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Phosphorylation of the mycobacterial transcriptional activator, EmbR, is essential for transcriptional regulation of the embCAB operon encoding cell wall arabinosyltransferases. This signaling pathway eventually affects the resistance to ethambutol (a frontline antimycobacterial drug) and the cell wall Lipoarabinomannan/Lipomannan ratio (an important determinant for averting the host immune response). In this study, further biochemical characterization revealed that EmbR, as a transcriptional regulator, interacts with RNA polymerase and possesses a phosphorylation‐dependent ATPase activity that might play a role in forming an open complex between EmbR and RNA polymerase. EmbR was recently shown to be phosphorylated by the cognate mycobacterial serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) kinase, PknH. Using bioinformatic analysis and in vitro assays, we identified additional novel regulators of the signaling pathway leading to EmbR phosphorylation, namely the Ser/Thr protein kinases PknA and PknB. A previously unresolved question raised by this signaling scheme is the fate of phosphorylated kinases and EmbR at the end of the signaling cycle. Here we show that Mstp, a mycobacterial Ser/Thr phosphatase, antagonizes Ser/Thr protein kinase–EmbR signaling by dephosphorylating Ser/Thr protein kinases, as well as EmbR, in vitro. Additionally, dephosphorylation of EmbR reduced its ATPase activity, interaction with Ser/Thr protein kinases and DNA‐binding activity, emphasizing the antagonistic role of Mstp in the EmbR–Ser/Thr protein kinase signaling system.

Diversity in domain architectures of Ser/Thr kinases and their homologues in prokaryotes

BackgroundSer/Thr/Tyr kinases (STYKs) commonly found in eukaryotes have been recently reported in many bacterial species. Recent studies elucidating their cellular functions have established their roles in bacterial growth and development. However functions of a large number of bacterial STYKs still remain elusive. The organisation of domains in a large dataset of bacterial STYKs has been investigated here in order to recognise variety in domain combinations which determine functions of bacterial STYKs.ResultsUsing sensitive sequence and profile search methods, domain organisation of over 600 STYKs from 125 prokaryotic genomes have been examined. Kinase catalytic domains of STYKs tethered to a wide range of enzymatic domains such as phosphatases, HSP70, peptidyl prolyl isomerases, pectin esterases and glycoproteases have been identified. Such distinct preferences for domain combinations are not known to be present in either the Histidine kinase or the eukaryotic STYK families. Domain organisation of STYKs specific to certain groups of bacteria has also been noted in the current anlaysis. For example, Hydrophobin like domains in Mycobacterial STYK and penicillin binding domains in few STYKs of Gram-positive organisms and FHA domains in cyanobacterial STYKs. Homologues of characterised substrates of prokaryotic STYKs have also been identified.ConclusionThe domains and domain architectures of most of the bacterial STYKs identified are very different from the known domain organisation in STYKs of eukaryotes. This observation highlights distinct biological roles of bacterial STYKs compared to eukaryotic STYKs. Bacterial STYKs reveal high diversity in domain organisation. Some of the modular organisations conserved across diverse bacterial species suggests their central role in bacterial physiology. Unique domain architectures of few other groups of STYKs reveal recruitment of functions specific to the species.

A survey of nucleotide cyclases in actinobacteria: unique domain organization and expansion of the class III cyclase family in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Cyclic nucleotides are well-known second messengers involved in the regulation of important metabolic pathways or virulence factors. There are six different classes of nucleotide cyclases that can accomplish the task of generating cAMP, and four of these are restricted to the prokaryotes. The role of cAMP has been implicated in the virulence and regulation of secondary metabolites in the phylum Actinobacteria, which contains important pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae, M. bovis and Corynebacterium, and industrial organisms from the genus Streptomyces. We have analysed the actinobacterial genome sequences found in current databases for the presence of different classes of nucleotide cyclases, and find that only class III cyclases are present in these organisms. Importantly, prominent members such as M. tuberculosis and M. leprae have 17 and 4 class III cyclases, respectively, encoded in their genomes, some of which display interesting domain fusions seen for the first time. In addition, a pseudogene corresponding to a cyclase from M. avium has been identified as the only cyclase pseudogene in M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. The Corynebacterium and Streptomyces genomes encode only a single adenylyl cyclase each, both of which have corresponding orthologues in M. tuberculosis. A clustering of the cyclase domains in Actinobacteria reveals the presence of typical eukaryote-like, fungi-like and other bacteria-like class III cyclase sequences within this phylum, suggesting that these proteins may have significant roles to play in this important group of organisms.

The repertoire of protein kinases encoded in the draft version of the human genome: atypical variations and uncommon domain combinations

BackgroundPhosphorylation by protein kinases is central to cellular signal transduction. Abnormal functioning of kinases has been implicated in developmental disorders and malignancies. Their activity is regulated by second messengers and by the binding of associated domains, which are also influential in translocating the catalytic component to their substrate sites, in mediating interaction with other proteins and carrying out their biological roles.ResultUsing sensitive profile-search methods and manual analysis, the human genome has been surveyed for protein kinases. A set of 448 sequences, which show significant similarity to protein kinases and contain the critical residues essential for kinase function, have been selected for an analysis of domain combinations after classifying the kinase domains into subfamilies. The unusual domain combinations in particular kinases suggest their involvement in ubiquitination pathways and alternative modes of regulation for mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MAPKKs) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-like kinases. Previously unexplored kinases have been implicated in osteoblast differentiation and embryonic development on the basis of homology with kinases of known functions from other organisms. Kinases potentially unique to vertebrates are involved in highly evolved processes such as apoptosis, protein translation and tyrosine kinase signaling. In addition to coevolution with the kinase domain, duplication and recruitment of non-catalytic domains is apparent in signaling domains such as the PH, DAG-PE, SH2 and SH3 domains.ConclusionsExpansion of the functional repertoire and possible existence of alternative modes of regulation of certain kinases is suggested by their uncommon domain combinations. Experimental verification of the predicted implications of these kinases could enhance our understanding of their biological roles.

Interaction Interfaces of Protein Domains Are Not Topologically Equivalent Across Families Within Superfamilies: Implications for Metabolic and Signaling Pathways

Using a data set of aligned protein domain superfamilies of known three‐dimensional structure, we compared the location of interdomain interfaces on the tertiary folds between members of distantly related protein domain superfamilies. The data set analyzed is comprised of interdomain interfaces, with domains occurring within a polypeptide chain and those between two polypeptide chains. We observe that, in general, the interfaces between protein domains are formed entirely in different locations on the tertiary folds in such pairs. This variation in the location of interface happens in protein domains involved in a wide range of functions, such as enzymes, adapters, and domains that bind protein ligands, or cofactors. While basic biochemical functionality is preserved at the domain superfamily level, the effect of biochemical function on protein assemblies is different in these protein domains related by superfamily. The divergence between proteins, in most cases, is coupled with domain recruitment, with different modes of interaction with the recruited domain. This is in complete contrast to the observation that in closely related homologous protein domains, almost always the interaction interfaces are topologically equivalent. In a small subset of interacting domains within proteins related by remote homology, we observe that the relative positioning of domains with respect to one another is preserved. Based on the analysis of multidomain proteins of known or unknown structure, we suggest that variation in protein–protein interactions in members within a superfamily could serve as diverging points in otherwise parallel metabolic or signaling pathways. We discuss a few representative cases of diverging pathways involving domains in a superfamily. Proteins 2005.

Lipopolysaccharide phosphorylating enzymes encoded in the genomes of Gram-negative bacteria are related to the eukaryotic protein kinases

By means of profile‐matching procedures, conservation of functionally important residues, and fold‐recognition techniques, we show that two distinct families of lipopolysaccharide kinases encoded in the genomes of Gram‐negative bacteria are related to each other and to two distinct classes of proteins, namely eukaryotic protein kinases and right open reading frame (RIO1). Members of one of the lipopolysaccharide kinase families are identified only in pathogenic bacteria. Phosphorylation by these enzymes is relevant in the construction of outer membrane, immune response, and pathogenic virulence. The class of proteins called RIO1, also related to eukaryotic protein kinases and previously known to occur only in archaea and eukaryotes, are now identified in eubacteria as well. It has been suggested here that RIO1 proteins are intermediately related to lipopolysaccharide kinases and eukaryotic protein kinases implying an evolutionary relationship between the three classes of proteins.

A conserved domain in prokaryotic bifunctional FAD synthetases can potentially catalyze nucleotide transfer

Biosynthesis of flavin adenine dinucleotides in most prokaryotes is catalyzed by a family of bifunctional flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) synthetases. These enzymes carry out the dual functions of phosphorylation of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and its subsequent adenylylation to generate FAD. Using various sequence analysis methods, a new domain has been identified in the N-terminal region that is well conserved in all the bacterial FAD synthetases. We also identify remote similarity of this domain to the nucleotidyl transferases and, hence, this domain is suggested to be invloved in the adenylylation reaction of FAD synthetases.

Influence of a mutation in the ATP-binding region of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II on its interaction with peptide substrates.

CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) is expressed in high concentrations in the brain and is found enriched in the postsynaptic densities. The enzyme is activated by the binding of calmodulin to the autoregulatory domain in the presence of high levels of intracellular Ca2+, which causes removal of auto-inhibition from the N-terminal catalytic domain. Knowledge of the 3D (three-dimensional) structure of this enzyme at atomic resolution is restricted to the association domain, a region at the extreme C-terminus. The catalytic domain of CaMKII shares high sequence similarity with CaMKI. The 3D structure of the catalytic core of CaMKI comprises ATP- and substrate-binding regions in a cleft between two distinct lobes, similar to the structures of all protein kinases solved to date. Mutation of Glu-60, a residue in the ATP-binding region of CaMKII, to glycine exerts different effects on phosphorylation of two peptide substrates, syntide and NR2B ( N -methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B) 17-mer. Although the mutation caused increases in the Km values for phosphorylation for both the peptide substrates, the effect on the kcat values for each was different. The kcat value decreased in the case of syntide, whereas it increased in the case of the NR2B peptide as a result of the mutation. This resulted in a significant decrease in the apparent kcat/Km value for syntide, but the change was minimal for the NR2B peptide. These results indicate that different catalytic mechanisms are employed by the kinase for the two peptides. Molecular modelling suggests structural changes are likely to occur at the peptide-binding pocket in the active state of the enzyme as a consequence of the Glu-60-->Gly mutation.