Characterization of the molecular properties of KtrC, a second RCK domain that regulates a Ktr channel in Bacillus subtilis

RCK (regulating conductance of K+) domains are common regulatory domains that control the activity of eukaryotic and prokaryotic K+ channels and transporters. In bacteria these domains play roles in osmoregulation, regulation of turgor and membrane potential and in pH homeostasis. Whole-genome sequencing unveiled RCK gene redundancy, however the biological role of this redundancy is not well understood. In Bacillus subtilis, there are two closely related RCK domain proteins (KtrA and KtrC) that regulate the activity of the Ktr cation channels. KtrA has been well characterized but little is known about KtrC. We have characterized the structural and biochemical proprieties of KtrC and conclude that KtrC binds ATP and ADP, just like KtrA. However, in solution KtrC exist in a dynamic equilibrium between octamers and non-octameric species that is dependent on the bound ligand, with ATP destabilizing the octameric ring relative to ADP. Accordingly, KtrC-ADP crystal structures reveal closed octameric rings similar to those in KtrA, while KtrC-ATP adopts an open assembly with RCK domains forming a super-helix. In addition, both KtrC-ATP and -ADP octamers are stabilized by the signaling molecule cyclic-di-AMP, which binds to KtrC with high affinity. In contrast, c-di-AMP binds with 100-fold lower affinity to KtrA. Despite these differences we show with an E. coli complementation assay that KtrC and KtrA are interchangeable and able to form functional transporters with both KtrB and KtrD. The distinctive properties of KtrC, in particular ligand-dependent assembly/disassembly, suggest that this protein has a specific physiological role that is distinct from KtrA.Work was supported by Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento through the FLAD Life Science 2020 award entitled “Bacterial K+ transporters are potential antimicrobial targets: mechanisms of transport and regulation” and by FEDER - Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 - Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029863 (PTDC/BIA-BQM/29863/2017) and of project "Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences" (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274). RR was supported by FCT fellowship (SFRH/BPD/111525/2015), CMT-D was supported by FCT fellowship (SFRH/BD/123761/2016 ).