Contribution of each membrane binding domain of the CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase-alpha dimer to its activation, membrane binding, and membrane cross-bridging

J Biol Chem. 2008 Oct 17;283(42):28137-48. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M802595200. Epub 2008 Aug 11.

Abstract

CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT), a rate-limiting enzyme in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, is regulated by reversible membrane interactions mediated by an amphipathic helical domain (M) that binds selectively to anionic lipids. CCT is a dimer; thus the functional unit has two M domains. To probe the functional contribution of each domain M we prepared a CCT heterodimer composed of one full-length subunit paired with a CCT subunit truncated before domain M that was also catalytically dead. We compared this heterodimer to the full-length homodimer with respect to activation by anionic vesicles, vesicle binding affinities, and promotion of vesicle aggregation. Surprisingly for all three functions the dimer with just one domain M behaved similarly to the dimer with two M domains. Full activation of the wild-type subunit was not impaired by loss of one domain M in its partner. Membrane binding affinities were the same for dimers with one versus two M domains, suggesting that the two M domains of the dimer do not engage a single bilayer simultaneously. Vesicle cross-bridging was also unhindered by loss of one domain M, suggesting that another motif couples with domain M for cross-bridging anionic membranes. Mutagenesis revealed that the positively charged nuclear localization signal sequence constitutes that second motif for membrane cross-bridging. We propose that the two M domains of the CCT dimer engage a single bilayer via an alternating binding mechanism. The tethering function involves the cooperation of domain M and the nuclear localization signal sequence, each engaging separate membranes. Membrane binding of a single M domain is sufficient to fully activate the enzymatic activity of the CCT dimer while sustaining the low affinity, reversible membrane interaction required for regulation of CCT activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Choline-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase / chemistry*
  • Choline-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase / metabolism
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / pharmacology
  • Cytidine Triphosphate / chemistry*
  • Dimerization
  • Glutaral / chemistry
  • Histidine / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Histidine
  • Cytidine Triphosphate
  • Choline-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase
  • Glutaral