Crystal structure and catalytic mechanism of PglD from Campylobacter jejuni

The carbohydrate 2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose (BacAc(2)) is found in a variety of eubacterial pathogens. In Campylobacter jejuni, PglD acetylates the C4 amino group on UDP-2-acetamido-4-amino-2,4,6-trideoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose (UDP-4-amino-sugar) to form UDP-BacAc2. Sequence analysis predicts PglD to be a member of the left-handed beta helix family of enzymes. However, poor sequence homology between PglD and left-handed beta helix enzymes with existing structural data precludes unambiguous identification of the active site. The co-crystal structures of PglD in the presence of citrate, acetyl coenzyme A, or the UDP-4-amino-sugar were solved. The biological assembly is a trimer with one active site formed between two protomers. Residues lining the active site were identified, and results from functional assays on alanine mutants suggest His-125 is critical for catalysis, whereas His-15 and His-134 are involved in substrate binding. These results are discussed in the context of implications for proteins homologous to PglD in other pathogens.