5AEO image
Entry Detail
PDB ID:
5AEO
Keywords:
Title:
Virulence-associated protein VapG from the intracellular pathogen Rhodococcus equi
Biological Source:
Source Organism:
Host Organism:
PDB Version:
Deposition Date:
2015-01-07
Release Date:
2015-03-25
Method Details:
Experimental Method:
Resolution:
1.80 Å
R-Value Free:
0.23
R-Value Work:
0.19
R-Value Observed:
0.20
Space Group:
P 41 21 2
Macromolecular Entities
Polymer Type:polypeptide(L)
Description:R. EQUI VAPG PROTEIN
Chain IDs:A, B
Chain Length:167
Number of Molecules:2
Biological Source:RHODOCOCCUS EQUI
Primary Citation
Structural Characterisation of the Virulence-Associated Protein Vapg from the Horse Pathogen Rhodococcus Equi.
Vet.Microbiol. 179 42 ? (2015)
PMID: 25746683 DOI: 10.1016/J.VETMIC.2015.01.027

Abstact

Virulence and host range in Rhodococcus equi depends on the variable pathogenicity island of their virulence plasmids. Notable gene products are a family of small secreted virulence-associated proteins (Vaps) that are critical to intramacrophagic proliferation. Equine-adapted strains, which cause severe pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals, produce a cell-associated VapA that is necessary for virulence, alongside five other secreted homologues. In the absence of biochemical insight, attention has turned to the structures of these proteins to develop a functional hypothesis. Recent studies have described crystal structures for VapD and a truncate of the VapA orthologue of porcine-adapted strains, VapB. Here, we crystallised the full-length VapG and determined its structure by molecular replacement. Electron density corresponding to the N-terminal domain was not visible suggesting that it is disordered. The protein core adopted a compact elliptical, anti-parallel β-barrel fold with β1-β2-β3-β8-β5-β6-β7-β4 topology decorated by a single peripheral α-helix unique to this family. The high glycine content of the protein allows close packing of secondary structural elements. Topologically, the surface has no indentations that indicate a nexus for molecular interactions. The distribution of polar and apolar groups on the surface of VapG is markedly uneven. One-third of the surface is dominated by exposed apolar side-chains, with no ionisable and only four polar side-chains exposed, giving rise to an expansive flat hydrophobic surface. Other surface regions are more polar, especially on or near the α-helix and a belt around the centre of the β-barrel. Possible functional significance of these recent structures is discussed.

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