Structure analysis of PH1161 protein, a transcriptional activator TenA homologue from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii

The crystal structure of the Bacillus subtilis TenA-homologue protein PH1161 from the hyperthermophilic archaebacterium Pyrococcus horikoshii was determined. TenA is known to belong to a new family of activators that stimulate the production of extracellular proteases in B. subtilis. A sequence-similarity search revealed that TenA-homologue proteins are widespread in bacteria and archaea, suggesting that this family of proteins plays an essential role in these organisms. In the present study, the first three-dimensional structure of a member of the TenA family of proteins was determined, unexpectedly revealing that the protein has a fold identical to that of haem oxygenase-1. Analysis has also shown that the protein has a unique ligand-binding pocket. Electron density of a bound ligand molecule was observed in this pocket. These results provide a valuable insight into the functional understanding of the TenA family of proteins.