Abstact

Bacteria sense and respond to osmolarity through the EnvZ-OmpR two-component system. The structure of the periplasmic sensor domain of EnvZ (EnvZ-PD) is not available yet. Here, we present the crystal structure of EnvZ-PD in the presence of CHAPS detergent. The structure of EnvZ-PD shows similar folding topology to the PDC domains of PhoQ, DcuS, and CitA, but distinct orientations of helices and β-hairpin structures. The CD and NMR spectra of EnvZ-PD in the presence of cholate, a major component of bile salts, are similar to those with CHAPS. Chemical cross-linking shows that the dimerization of EnvZ-PD is significantly inhibited by the CHAPS and cholate. Together with β-galactosidase assay, these results suggest that bile salts may affect the EnvZ structure and function in Escherichia coli.