Download MendeleyThe biosynthesis of the odorant 2-methylisoborneol is compartmentalized inside a protein shell.
Andreas, M.P., Giessen, T.W.(2024) Nat Commun 15: 9715-9715
- PubMed: 39521781
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54175-4
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9BHU, 9BHV, 9BI0 - PubMed Abstract:
Terpenoids are the largest class of natural products, found across all domains of life. One of the most abundant bacterial terpenoids is the volatile odorant 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), partially responsible for the earthy smell of soil and musty taste of contaminated water. Many bacterial 2-MIB biosynthetic gene clusters were thought to encode a conserved transcription factor, named EshA in the model soil bacterium Streptomyces griseus. Here, we revise the function of EshA, now referred to as Sg Enc, and show that it is a Family 2B encapsulin shell protein. Using cryo-electron microscopy, we find that Sg Enc forms an icosahedral protein shell and encapsulates 2-methylisoborneol synthase (2-MIBS) as a cargo protein. Sg Enc contains a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) binding domain (CBD)-fold insertion and a unique metal-binding domain, both displayed on the shell exterior. We show that Sg Enc CBDs do not bind cAMP. We find that 2-MIBS cargo loading is mediated by an N-terminal disordered cargo-loading domain and that 2-MIBS activity and Sg Enc shell structure are not modulated by cAMP. Our work redefines the function of EshA and establishes Family 2B encapsulins as cargo-loaded protein nanocompartments involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
