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A functionally active dimer of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Malate synthase G

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Abstract

Malate synthase G is an important housekeeping enzyme of glyoxylate shunt in mycobacterium. The pleotropic function of this protein by virtue of its intracellular/extracellular localization and its behavior as an adhesin and virulence factor is quite enigmatic. Despite its importance in mycobacterium persistence, we do not know much about its biophysical and biochemical properties. Earlier reports suggest that the enzyme exists only as a monomer in prokaryotes; however, we observed the existence of both active monomer and dimer forms of the enzyme under physiological conditions. The dimeric form of the enzymes is more stable as compared to the monomeric form as evident from various biophysical parameters. In addition, the dimeric enzyme also shows enhanced stability against proteolysis than the monomers. Based on these studies, it seems that dimerization is an important factor in regulating stability. The differential localization and diverse functions of malate synthase other than its enzymatic role might be triggering the stabilization of the enzyme dimer and modulation of activity and stability in vivo.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

MtbMS:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis malate synthase G

SEC:

Size exclusion chromatography

GdmHCl:

Guanidine hydrochloride

CD:

Circular dichroism

ICBS:

Inter-chain beta sheet

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Prof. S. James Remington of University of Oregon for providing the clone of MtbMS. RK thanks CSIR, New Delhi, for financial assistance. This paper is CDRI communication no. 7779.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Molecular and Structural Biology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, 226 001, India

    Ranjeet Kumar & Vinod Bhakuni

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  1. Ranjeet Kumar
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  2. Vinod Bhakuni
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Correspondence to Ranjeet Kumar.

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Kumar, R., Bhakuni, V. A functionally active dimer of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Malate synthase G. Eur Biophys J 39, 1557–1562 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-010-0598-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-010-0598-7

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