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DNA transformation is a widespread process allowing bacteria to capture free DNA by using filamentous nano-machines composed of type IV pilins. These proteins can act as DNA receptors as demonstrated by the finding that Neisseria meningitidis ComP minor pilin has intrinsic DNA-binding ability. ComP binds DNA better when it contains the DNA-uptake sequence (DUS) motif abundant in this species genome, playing a role in its trademark ability to selectively take up its own DNA. Here, we report high-resolution structures for meningococcal ComP and Neisseria subflava ComPsub, which recognize different DUS motifs. We show that they are structurally identical type IV pilins that pack readily into filament models and display a unique DD region delimited by two disulfide bonds. Functional analysis of ComPsub defines a new mode of DNA binding involving the DD region, adapted for exported DNA receptors.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.str.2016.04.001

Type

Journal article

Journal

Structure

Publication Date

07/06/2016

Volume

24

Pages

926 - 934

Keywords

Amino Acid Motifs, Binding Sites, Crystallography, X-Ray, DNA, Bacterial, Fimbriae Proteins, Fimbriae, Bacterial, Models, Molecular, Neisseria, Protein Binding, Protein Conformation, Protein Folding