X-ray structure of a carpet-like antimicrobial defensin–phospholipid membrane disruption complex

Michael Järvå, Fung T. Lay, Thanh Kha Phan, Cassandra Humble, Ivan K. H. Poon, Mark R. Bleackley, Marilyn A. Anderson, Mark D. Hulett () and Marc Kvansakul ()
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Michael Järvå: La Trobe University
Fung T. Lay: La Trobe University
Thanh Kha Phan: La Trobe University
Cassandra Humble: La Trobe University
Ivan K. H. Poon: La Trobe University
Mark R. Bleackley: La Trobe University
Marilyn A. Anderson: La Trobe University
Mark D. Hulett: La Trobe University
Marc Kvansakul: La Trobe University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides expressed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms as a first line of defense against pathogens. Membrane targeting and disruption is a crucial function of many defensins, however the precise mechanism remains unclear. Certain plant defensins form dimers that specifically bind the membrane phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, thereby triggering the assembly of defensin–lipid oligomers that permeabilize cell membranes. To understand this permeabilization mechanism, here we determine the crystal structure of the plant defensin NaD1 bound to PA. The structure reveals a 20-mer that adopts a concave sheet- or carpet-like topology where NaD1 dimers form one face and PA acyl chains form the other face of the sheet. Furthermore, we show that Arg39 is critical for PA binding, oligomerization and fungal cell killing. These findings identify a putative defensin–phospholipid membrane attack configuration that supports a longstanding proposed carpet mode of membrane disruption.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04434-y

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