Accumulation of partly folded states in the equilibrium unfolding of the pneumococcal choline-binding module C-LytA

Choline-binding modules are present in some virulence factors and many other proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus). The most extensively studied choline-binding module is C-LytA, the C-terminal moiety of the pneumococcal cell-wall amidase LytA. The three-dimensional structure of C-LytA is built up from six loop-hairpin structures forming a left-handed solenoid with four choline-binding sites. The affinity of C-LytA for choline and other structural analogues allows its use as an efficient fusion tag for single-step purification of hybrid proteins. In the present study, we characterize the folding and stability of C-LytA by chemical and thermal equilibrium denaturation experiments. Unfolding experiments using guanidinium chloride at pH 7.0 and 20 degrees C suggest the existence of two partly folded states (1, and I,) in the following model: N (native) -> I-1 reversible arrow I-2. The N -> I-1 transition is non-co-operative and irreversible, and is significant even in the absence of a denaturant. In contrast, the I-1 reversible arrow I-2 transition is co-operative and reversible, with an associated free-energy change (AG) of 30.9 +/- 0.8 kJ center dot mol(-1). The residual structure in the I: state is unusually stable even in 7.4 M guanidinium chloride. Binding of choline stabilizes the structure of the native state, induces its dimerization and prevents the accumulation of the I-1 species ([N](2) reversible arrow [I-2](2), Delta G(0) =50.1 +/- 0.8 kJ center dot mol(-1)). Fluorescence and CD measurements, gel-filtration chromatography and limited proteolysis suggest that I-1 differs from N in the local unfolding of the N-terminal beta-hairpins, and that I-2 has a residual structure in the C-terminal region. Thermal denaturation of C-LytA suggests the accumulation of at least the I-1 species. These results might pave the way for an effective improvement of its biotechnological applications by protein engineering.