Biochemical and structural characterization of an inositol pyrophosphate kinase from a giant virus.
Zong, G., Desfougeres, Y., Portela-Torres, P., Kwon, Y.U., Saiardi, A., Shears, S.B., Wang, H.(2024) EMBO J 43: 462-480
- PubMed: 38216735 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-023-00005-0
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8T8U, 8T8V, 8T8W, 8T8X, 8T8Y, 8T8Z, 8T90, 8T91, 8T92, 8T93, 8T95, 8T96, 8T97, 8T98, 8T99, 8TF9, 8TFA - PubMed Abstract: 
Kinases that synthesize inositol phosphates (IPs) and pyrophosphates (PP-IPs) control numerous biological processes in eukaryotic cells. Herein, we extend this cellular signaling repertoire to viruses. We have biochemically and structurally characterized a minimalist inositol phosphate kinase (i.e., TvIPK) encoded by Terrestrivirus, a nucleocytoplasmic large ("giant") DNA virus (NCLDV). We show that TvIPK can synthesize inositol pyrophosphates from a range of scyllo- and myo-IPs, both in vitro and when expressed in yeast cells. We present multiple crystal structures of enzyme/substrate/nucleotide complexes with individual resolutions from 1.95 to 2.6 Å. We find a heart-shaped ligand binding pocket comprising an array of positively charged and flexible side chains, underlying the observed substrate diversity. A crucial arginine residue in a conserved "G-loop" orients the γ-phosphate of ATP to allow substrate pyrophosphorylation. We highlight additional conserved catalytic and architectural features in TvIPK, and support their importance through site-directed mutagenesis. We propose that NCLDV inositol phosphate kinases may have assisted evolution of inositol pyrophosphate signaling, and we discuss the potential biogeochemical significance of TvIPK in soil niches.
- Inositol Signaling Group, Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
Organizational Affiliation: