Nature Communications (Nov 2021)

Mechanism of actin-dependent activation of nucleotidyl cyclase toxins from bacterial human pathogens

  • Alexander Belyy,
  • Felipe Merino,
  • Undine Mechold,
  • Stefan Raunser

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26889-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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The nucleotidyl cyclase toxin exoenzyme Y (ExoY), which is secreted by the human pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio vulnificus is activated by actin. Here, the authors present the cryo-EM structures of PaExoY bound to F-actin and VvExoY in complex with G-actin-profilin. These structures together with molecular dynamics simulations and enzymatic assays provide insights into the activation mechanism for both bacterial cyclase toxin families that interact with either F- or G-actin.