| Popis: |
Escherichia coli protein SixA was the first identified histidine protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates the histidine‐containing phosphotransfer (HPt) domain of histidine kinase ArcB. The crystal structures of the free and tungstate‐bound forms of SixA revealed an α/ β architecture with a fold unlike those previously described in eukaryotic protein phosphatases, but related to a family of phosphatases containing the arginine‐histidine‐glycine (RHG) motif at their active sites. Compared with these RHG phosphatases, SixA lacks an extra α‐helical subdomain that forms a lid over the active site, thereby forming a relatively shallow groove important for accommodating the kidney‐shaped four‐helix bundle of the HPt domain. Sequence database searches revealed that a single SixA homolog was found in a variety of bacteria, where two homologs were found in some bacteria while no homolog was found in others. No SixA homologs were found in the majority of firmicutes and euryarchaea. Structure‐based examination and multiple alignment of sequences revealed SixA active residues from loop β 1‐H2, which might assist in the identification of SixA homologs among RHG phosphatases even with poor amino acid identity. |
