WD 40 domain of RqkA regulates its kinase activity and role in extraordinary radioresistance in Deinococcus radiodurans

Abstract

RqkA, a DNA damage responsive Serine / Threonine kinase is characterized for its role in DNA repair and cell division in D. radiodurans. It has a unique combination of a kinase domain at N-terminus and a WD40 type domain at C-terminus joined through a linker. WD40 domain is comprised of eight {beta} propeller repeats held together via "tryptophan-docking motifs" and forming a typical velcro closure structure. RqkA mutants lacking the WD40 region (hereafter referred to as WD mutant) could not complement RqkA loss in {gamma} radiation resistance in D. radiodurans and lacked {gamma} radiation mediated activation of kinase activity in vivo. WD mutants failed to phosphorylate its cognate substrate (e.g. DrRecA) in surrogate E. coli cells. Further, unlike wild type enzyme, the kinase activity of its WD40 mutants was not stimulated by Pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) indicating the role of the WD motifs in PQQ interaction and stimulation of its kinase activity. Together, results highlighted the importance of the WD40 domain in the regulation of RqkA kinase signaling functions in vivo and thus the role of WD40 domain in the regulation of any STPK is the first time demonstrated in bacteria. ImportanceThis study highlights the importance of the WD40 domain in activity regulation and signaling activity of bacterial serine/ threonine kinase for the first time in the bacterial response to gamma radiation and DNA damage.