Structural highlights
Function
[MEXA_PSEAE] The periplasmic linker component of the MexAB-OprM efflux system that confers multidrug resistance. Also functions as the major efflux pump for n-hexane and p-xylene efflux. Over-expression of the pump increases antibiotic and solvent efflux capacities. Required for assembly of the MexA/MexB/OprM complex. Implicated in the secretion of the siderophore pyoverdine.[1] [2] [3] The ability to export antibiotics and solvents is dramatically decreased in the presence of the proton conductor carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), showing that an energized inner membrane is required for efflux. It is thought that the MexB subunit is a proton antiporter.[4] [5] [6]
Evolutionary Conservation
Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The MexAB-OprM efflux pump of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is central to multidrug resistance of this organism, which infects immunocompromised hospital patients. The MexA, MexB, and OprM subunits were assumed to function as the membrane fusion protein, the body of the transporter, and the outer membrane channel protein, respectively. For better understanding of this important xenobiotic transporter, we show the x-ray crystallographic structure of MexA at a resolution of 2.40 A. The global MexA structure showed unforeseen new features with a spiral assembly of six and seven protomers that were joined together at one end by a pseudo 2-fold image. The protomer showed a new protein structure with a tandem arrangement consisting of at least three domains and presumably one more. The rod domain had a long hairpin of twisted coiled-coil that extended to one end. The second domain adjacent to the rod alpha-helical domain was globular and constructed by a cluster of eight short beta-sheets. The third domain located distal to the alpha-helical rod was globular and composed of seven short beta-sheets and one short alpha-helix. The 13-mer was shaped like a woven rattan cylinder with a large internal tubular space and widely opened flared ends. The 6-mer and 7-mer had a funnel-like structure consisting of a tubular rod at one side and a widely opened flared funnel top at the other side. Based on these results, we constructed a model of the MexAB-OprM pump assembly. The three pairs of MexA dimers interacted with the periplasmic alpha-barrel domain of OprM via the alpha-helical hairpin, the second domain interacted with both MexB and OprM at their contact site, and the third and disordered domains probably interacted with the distal domain of MexB. In this fashion, the MexA subunit connected MexB and OprM, indicating that MexA is the membrane bridge protein.
Crystal structure of the membrane fusion protein, MexA, of the multidrug transporter in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.,Akama H, Matsuura T, Kashiwagi S, Yoneyama H, Narita S, Tsukihara T, Nakagawa A, Nakae T J Biol Chem. 2004 Jun 18;279(25):25939-42. Epub 2004 Apr 26. PMID:15117957[7]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Poole K, Krebes K, McNally C, Neshat S. Multiple antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: evidence for involvement of an efflux operon. J Bacteriol. 1993 Nov;175(22):7363-72. PMID:8226684
- ↑ Li XZ, Nikaido H, Poole K. Role of mexA-mexB-oprM in antibiotic efflux in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1995 Sep;39(9):1948-53. PMID:8540696
- ↑ Li XZ, Zhang L, Poole K. Role of the multidrug efflux systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in organic solvent tolerance. J Bacteriol. 1998 Jun;180(11):2987-91. PMID:9603892
- ↑ Poole K, Krebes K, McNally C, Neshat S. Multiple antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: evidence for involvement of an efflux operon. J Bacteriol. 1993 Nov;175(22):7363-72. PMID:8226684
- ↑ Li XZ, Nikaido H, Poole K. Role of mexA-mexB-oprM in antibiotic efflux in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1995 Sep;39(9):1948-53. PMID:8540696
- ↑ Li XZ, Zhang L, Poole K. Role of the multidrug efflux systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in organic solvent tolerance. J Bacteriol. 1998 Jun;180(11):2987-91. PMID:9603892
- ↑ Akama H, Matsuura T, Kashiwagi S, Yoneyama H, Narita S, Tsukihara T, Nakagawa A, Nakae T. Crystal structure of the membrane fusion protein, MexA, of the multidrug transporter in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Biol Chem. 2004 Jun 18;279(25):25939-42. Epub 2004 Apr 26. PMID:15117957 doi:10.1074/jbc.C400164200
