A Minimum of Three Motifs Is Essential for Optimal Binding of Pseudomurein Cell Wall-Binding Domain of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus
2011

Binding of Pseudomurein Cell Wall-Binding Domain in Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Visweswaran Ganesh Ram R., Dijkstra Bauke W., Kok Jan

Primary Institution: University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Hypothesis

At least three motifs are essential for optimal binding of the pseudomurein cell wall-binding domain.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the PMB domain requires at least three motifs for binding to pseudomurein of methanogenic archaeal cells and that this binding is pH dependent.

Supporting Evidence

  • The PMB domain binds to pseudomurein of methanogenic archaeal cells.
  • Binding requires at least two of the three motifs present in the PMB domain.
  • The binding of the PMB domain is pH dependent, with optimal binding at pH 9.0.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific part of a protein needs at least three pieces to stick to a certain type of cell wall, and how well it sticks depends on the acidity of the environment.

Methodology

The study involved biochemical characterization of the PMB domain, including binding assays with various constructs and conditions.

Limitations

The study does not provide three-dimensional structures for the PMB domain, which could help explain the binding observations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021582

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