Summary information and primary citation

PDB-id
6hp7; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB
Class
DNA binding protein
Method
X-ray (2.2 Å)
Summary
Arbitrium peptide receptor from spbeta phage in complex with 43 mer DNA
Reference
Gallego Del Sol F, Penades JR, Marina A (2019): "Deciphering the Molecular Mechanism Underpinning Phage Arbitrium Communication Systems." Mol.Cell, 74, 59-72.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.01.025.
Abstract
Bacillus phages use a communication system, termed "arbitrium," to coordinate lysis-lysogeny decisions. Arbitrium communication is mediated by the production and secretion of a hexapeptide (AimP) during lytic cycle. Once internalized, AimP reduces the expression of the negative regulator of lysogeny, AimX, by binding to the transcription factor, AimR, promoting lysogeny. We have elucidated the crystal structures of AimR from the Bacillus subtilis SPbeta phage in its apo form, bound to its DNA operator and in complex with AimP. AimR presents intrinsic plasticity, sharing structural features with the RRNPP quorum-sensing family. Remarkably, AimR binds to an unusual operator with a long spacer that interacts nonspecifically with the receptor TPR domain, while the HTH domain canonically recognizes two inverted repeats. AimP stabilizes a compact conformation of AimR that approximates the DNA-recognition helices, preventing AimR binding to the aimX promoter region. Our results establish the molecular basis of the arbitrium communication system.

Cartoon-block schematics in six views (download the tarball)

PyMOL session file Download PDB file View in 3Dmol.js