RESUMO
ATP-Dependent protease LonA from E. coli (Ec-Lon), belonging to the superfamily of AAA+ proteins, is a key member of the protein quality control system in bacterial cells. Ec-Lon functions as homohexamer and degrades abnormal and defective polypeptides as well as a number of regulatory proteins by the processive mechanism. Ec-Lon subunit includes--the both ATPase and proteolytic components (AAA+ module and P domain) in addition to the unique non-catalytic region formed by the N-terminal (N) and the inserted c-helical (HI(CC)) domains. The mutant forms Lon-R164A, Lon-R192A and Lon-Y294A have been obtained and characterized in order to reveal the role of the HI (CC) domain for the enzyme functioning. C-Terminal part of the HI (CC) domain is shown to display an allosteric effect on the efficiency of the enzyme ATPase and proteolytic sites while its coiled-coil (CC) region is involved in the interaction with the protein substrate.
