Oligopeptide Signaling through TbGPR89 Drives Trypanosome Quorum Sensing.

Trypanosome parasites control their virulence and spread by using quorum sensing (QS) to generate transmissible "stumpy forms" in their host bloodstream. However, the QS signal "stumpy induction factor" (SIF) and its reception mechanism are unknown. Although trypanosomes lack G protein-coupled receptor signaling, we have identified a surface GPR89-family protein that regulates stumpy formation. TbGPR89 is expressed on bloodstream "slender form" trypanosomes, which receive the SIF signal, and when ectopically expressed, TbGPR89 drives stumpy formation in a SIF-pathway-dependent process. Structural modeling of TbGPR89 predicts unexpected similarity to oligopeptide transporters (POT), and when expressed in bacteria, TbGPR89 transports oligopeptides. Conversely, expression of an E. coli POT in trypanosomes drives parasite differentiation, and oligopeptides promote stumpy formation in vitro. Furthermore, the expression of secreted trypanosome oligopeptidases generates a paracrine signal that accelerates stumpy formation in vivo. Peptidase-generated oligopeptide QS signals being received through TbGPR89 provides a mechanism for both trypanosome SIF production and reception.

Molecular architecture of the Mos1 paired-end complex: the structural basis of DNA transposition in a eukaryote.

A key step in cut-and-paste DNA transposition is the pairing of transposon ends before the element is excised and inserted at a new site in its host genome. Crystallographic analyses of the paired-end complex (PEC) formed from precleaved transposon ends and the transposase of the eukaryotic element Mos1 reveals two parallel ends bound to a dimeric enzyme. The complex has a trans arrangement, with each transposon end recognized by the DNA binding region of one transposase monomer and by the active site of the other monomer. Two additional DNA duplexes in the crystal indicate likely binding sites for flanking DNA. Biochemical data provide support for a model of the target capture complex and identify Arg186 to be critical for target binding. Mixing experiments indicate that a transposase dimer initiates first-strand cleavage and suggest a pathway for PEC formation.

Peripheral blood immune cell profiling of acute corneal transplant rejection.

Acute rejection (AR) of corneal transplants (CT) has a profound effect on subsequent graft survival but detailed immunological studies in human CT recipients are lacking. In this multi-site, cross-sectional study, clinical details and blood samples were collected from adults with clinically diagnosed AR of full-thickness (FT)-CT (n = 35) and posterior lamellar (PL)-CT (n = 21) along with Stable CT recipients (n = 177) and adults with non-transplanted corneal disease (n = 40). For those with AR, additional samples were collected 3 months later. Immune cell analysis was performed by whole-genome microarrays (whole blood) and high-dimensional multi-color flow cytometry (peripheral blood mononuclear cells). For both, no activation signature was identified within the B cell and T cell repertoire at the time of AR diagnosis. Nonetheless, in FT- but not PL-CT recipients, AR was associated with differences in B cell maturity and regulatory CD4+ T cell frequency compared to stable allografts. These data suggest that circulating B cell and T cell subpopulations may provide insights into the regulation of anti-donor immune response in human CT recipients with differing AR risk. Our results suggest that, in contrast to solid organ transplants, genetic or cellular assays of peripheral blood are unlikely to be clinically exploitable for prediction or diagnosis of AR.

Biochemical and transcript level differences between the three human phosphofructokinases show optimisation of each isoform for specific metabolic niches.

6-Phosphofructokinase-1-kinase (PFK) tetramers catalyse the phosphorylation of fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) to fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F16BP). Vertebrates have three PFK isoforms (PFK-M, PFK-L, and PFK-P). This study is the first to compare the kinetics, structures, and transcript levels of recombinant human PFK isoforms. Under the conditions tested PFK-M has the highest affinities for F6P and ATP (K0.5ATP 152 µM; K0.5F6P 147 µM), PFK-P the lowest affinities (K0.5ATP 276 µM; K0.5F6P 1333 µM), and PFK-L demonstrates a mixed picture of high ATP affinity and low F6P affinity (K0.5ATP 160 µM; K0.5F6P 1360 µM). PFK-M is more resistant to ATP inhibition compared with PFK-L and PFK-P (respectively, 23%, 31%, 50% decreases in specificity constants). GTP is an alternate phospho donor. Interface 2, which regulates the inactive dimer to active tetramer equilibrium, differs between isoforms, resulting in varying tetrameric stability. Under the conditions tested PFK-M is less sensitive to fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F26BP) allosteric modulation than PFK-L or PFK-P (allosteric constants [K0.5ATP+F26BP/K0.5ATP] 1.10, 0.92, 0.54, respectively). Structural analysis of two allosteric sites reveals one may be specialised for AMP/ADP and the other for smaller/flexible regulators (citrate or phosphoenolpyruvate). Correlations between PFK-L and PFK-P transcript levels indicate that simultaneous expression may expand metabolic capacity for F16BP production whilst preserving regulatory capabilities. Analysis of cancer samples reveals intriguing parallels between PFK-P and PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2), and simultaneous increases in PFK-P and PFKFB3 (responsible for F26BP production) transcript levels, suggesting prioritisation of metabolic flexibility in cancers. Our results describe the kinetic and transcript level differences between the three PFK isoforms, explaining how each isoform may be optimised for distinct roles.

Pyruvate kinase from Plasmodium falciparum: Structural and kinetic insights into the allosteric mechanism.

During its intra-erythrocytic growth phase, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on glycolysis for its energy requirements. Pyruvate kinase (PYK) is essential for regulating glycolytic flux and for ATP production, yet the allosteric mechanism of P. falciparum PYK (PfPYK) remains poorly understood. Here we report the first crystal structure of PfPYK in complex with substrate analogues oxalate and the ATP product. Comparisons of PfPYK structures in the active R-state and inactive T-state reveal a 'rock-and-lock' allosteric mechanism regulated by rigid-body rotations of each subunit in the tetramer. Kinetic data and structural analysis indicate glucose 6-phosphate is an activator by increasing the apparent maximal velocity of the enzyme. Intriguingly, the trypanosome drug suramin inhibits PfPYK, which points to glycolysis as a set of potential therapeutic targets against malaria.

The kinetic characteristics of human and trypanosomatid phosphofructokinases for the reverse reaction.

Eukaryotic ATP-dependent phosphofructokinases (PFKs) are often considered unidirectional enzymes catalysing the transfer of a phospho moiety from ATP to fructose 6-phosphate to produce ADP and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The reverse reaction is not generally considered to occur under normal conditions and has never been demonstrated for any eukaryotic ATP-dependent PFKs, though it does occur in inorganic pyrophosphate-dependent PFKs and has been experimentally shown for bacterial ATP-dependent PFKs. The evidence is provided via two orthogonal assays that all three human PFK isoforms can catalyse the reverse reaction in vitro, allowing determination of kinetic properties. Additionally, the reverse reaction was shown possible for PFKs from three clinically important trypanosomatids; these enzymes are contained within glycosomes in vivo This compartmentalisation may facilitate reversal, given the potential for trypanosomatids to have an altered ATP/ADP ratio in glycosomes compared with the cytosol. The kinetic properties of each trypanosomatid PFK were determined, including the response to natural and artificial modulators of enzyme activity. The possible physiological relevance of the reverse reaction in trypanosomatid and human PFKs is discussed.

MeCP2 recognizes cytosine methylated tri-nucleotide and di-nucleotide sequences to tune transcription in the mammalian brain.

Mutations in the gene encoding the methyl-CG binding protein MeCP2 cause several neurological disorders including Rett syndrome. The di-nucleotide methyl-CG (mCG) is the classical MeCP2 DNA recognition sequence, but additional methylated sequence targets have been reported. Here we show by in vitro and in vivo analyses that MeCP2 binding to non-CG methylated sites in brain is largely confined to the tri-nucleotide sequence mCAC. MeCP2 binding to chromosomal DNA in mouse brain is proportional to mCAC + mCG density and unexpectedly defines large genomic domains within which transcription is sensitive to MeCP2 occupancy. Our results suggest that MeCP2 integrates patterns of mCAC and mCG in the brain to restrain transcription of genes critical for neuronal function.

An allostatic mechanism for M2 pyruvate kinase as an amino-acid sensor.

We have tested the effect of all 20 proteinogenic amino acids on the activity of the M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase (M2PYK) and show that, within physiologically relevant concentrations, phenylalanine, alanine, tryptophan, methionine, valine, and proline act as inhibitors, while histidine and serine act as activators. Size exclusion chromatography has been used to show that all amino acids, whether activators or inhibitors, stabilise the tetrameric form of M2PYK. In the absence of amino-acid ligands an apparent tetramer-monomer dissociation Kd is estimated to be ∼0.9 µM with a slow dissociation rate (t1/2 ∼ 15 min). X-ray structures of M2PYK complexes with alanine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan show the M2PYK locked in an inactive T-state conformation, while activators lock the M2PYK tetramer in the active R-state conformation. Amino-acid binding in the allosteric pocket triggers rigid body rotations (11°) stabilising either T or R states. The opposing inhibitory and activating effects of the non-essential amino acids serine and alanine suggest that M2PYK could act as a rapid-response nutrient sensor to rebalance cellular metabolism. This competition at a single allosteric site between activators and inhibitors provides a novel regulatory mechanism by which M2PYK activity is finely tuned by the relative (but not absolute) concentrations of activator and inhibitor amino acids. Such 'allostatic' regulation may be important in metabolic reprogramming and influencing cell fate.

Redox regulation of pyruvate kinase M2 by cysteine oxidation and S-nitrosation.

We show here that the M2 isoform of human pyruvate kinase (M2PYK) is susceptible to nitrosation and oxidation, and that these modifications regulate enzyme activity by preventing the formation of the active tetrameric form. The biotin-switch assay carried out on M1 and M2 isoforms showed that M2PYK is sensitive to nitrosation and that Cys326 is highly susceptible to redox modification. Structural and enzymatic studies have been carried out on point mutants for three cysteine residues (Cys424, Cys358, and Cys326) to characterise their potential roles in redox regulation. Nine cysteines are conserved between M2PYK and M1PYK. Cys424 is the only cysteine unique to M2PYK. C424S, C424A, and C424L showed a moderate effect on enzyme activity with 80, 100, and 140% activity, respectively, compared with M2PYK. C358 had been previously identified from in vivo studies to be the favoured target for oxidation. Our characterised mutant showed that this mutation stabilises tetrameric M2PYK, suggesting that the in vivo resistance to oxidation for the Cys358Ser mutation is due to stabilisation of the tetrameric form of the enzyme. In contrast, the Cys326Ser mutant exists predominantly in monomeric form. A biotin-switch assay using this mutant also showed a significant reduction in biotinylation of M2PYK, confirming that this is a major target for nitrosation and probably oxidation. Our results show that the sensitivity of M2PYK to oxidation and nitrosation is regulated by its monomer-tetramer equilibrium. In the monomer state, residues (in particular C326) are exposed to oxidative modifications that prevent reformation of the active tetrameric form.

Molecular dynamics simulations of site point mutations in the TPR domain of cyclophilin 40 identify conformational states with distinct dynamic and enzymatic properties.

Cyclophilin 40 (Cyp40) is a member of the immunophilin family that acts as a peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase enzyme and binds to the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Its structure comprises an N-terminal cyclophilin domain and a C-terminal tetratricopeptide (TPR) domain. Cyp40 is overexpressed in prostate cancer and certain T-cell lymphomas. The groove for Hsp90 binding on the TPR domain includes residues Lys227 and Lys308, referred to as the carboxylate clamp, and is essential for Cyp40-Hsp90 binding. In this study, the effect of two mutations, K227A and K308A, and their combinative mutant was investigated by performing a total of 5.76 µs of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in explicit solvent. All simulations, except the K308A mutant, were found to adopt two distinct (extended or compact) conformers defined by different cyclophilin-TPR interdomain distances. The K308A mutant was only observed in the extended form which is observed in the Cyp40 X-ray structure. The wild-type, K227A, and combined mutant also showed bimodal distributions. The experimental melting temperature, Tm, values of the mutants correlate with the degree of compactness with the K308A extended mutant having a marginally lower melting temperature. Another novel measure of compactness determined from the MD data, the "coordination shell volume," also shows a direct correlation with Tm. In addition, the MD simulations show an allosteric effect with the mutations in the remote TPR domain having a pronounced effect on the molecular motions of the enzymatic cyclophilin domain which helps rationalise the experimentally observed increase in enzyme activity measured for all three mutations.

Protein-Protein Interactions Modulate the Docking-Dependent E3-Ubiquitin Ligase Activity of Carboxy-Terminus of Hsc70-Interacting Protein (CHIP).

CHIP is a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain protein that functions as an E3-ubiquitin ligase. As well as linking the molecular chaperones to the ubiquitin proteasome system, CHIP also has a docking-dependent mode where it ubiquitinates native substrates, thereby regulating their steady state levels and/or function. Here we explore the effect of Hsp70 on the docking-dependent E3-ligase activity of CHIP. The TPR-domain is revealed as a binding site for allosteric modulators involved in determining CHIP's dynamic conformation and activity. Biochemical, biophysical and modeling evidence demonstrate that Hsp70-binding to the TPR, or Hsp70-mimetic mutations, regulate CHIP-mediated ubiquitination of p53 and IRF-1 through effects on U-box activity and substrate binding. HDX-MS was used to establish that conformational-inhibition-signals extended from the TPR-domain to the U-box. This underscores inter-domain allosteric regulation of CHIP by the core molecular chaperones. Defining the chaperone-associated TPR-domain of CHIP as a manager of inter-domain communication highlights the potential for scaffolding modules to regulate, as well as assemble, complexes that are fundamental to protein homeostatic control.

MeCP2 binding to DNA depends upon hydration at methyl-CpG.

MeCP2 is an essential transcriptional repressor that mediates gene silencing through binding to methylated DNA. Binding specificity has been thought to depend on hydrophobic interactions between cytosine methyl groups and a hydrophobic patch within the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD). X-ray analysis of a methylated DNA-MBD cocrystal reveals, however, that the methyl groups make contact with a predominantly hydrophilic surface that includes tightly bound water molecules. This suggests that MeCP2 recognizes hydration of the major groove of methylated DNA rather than cytosine methylation per se. The MeCP2-DNA complex also identifies a unique structural role for T158, the residue most commonly mutated in Rett syndrome.

M2 pyruvate kinase provides a mechanism for nutrient sensing and regulation of cell proliferation.

We show that the M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (M2PYK) exists in equilibrium between monomers and tetramers regulated by allosteric binding of naturally occurring small-molecule metabolites. Phenylalanine stabilizes an inactive T-state tetrameric conformer and inhibits M2PYK with an IC50 value of 0.24 mM, whereas thyroid hormone (triiodo-L-thyronine, T3) stabilizes an inactive monomeric form of M2PYK with an IC50 of 78 nM. The allosteric activator fructose-1,6-bisphosphate [F16BP, AC50 (concentration that gives 50% activation) of 7 µM] shifts the equilibrium to the tetrameric active R-state, which has a similar activity to that of the constitutively fully active isoform M1PYK. Proliferation assays using HCT-116 cells showed that addition of inhibitors phenylalanine and T3 both increased cell proliferation, whereas addition of the activator F16BP reduced proliferation. F16BP abrogates the inhibitory effect of both phenylalanine and T3, highlighting a dominant role of M2PYK allosteric activation in the regulation of cancer proliferation. X-ray structures show constitutively fully active M1PYK and F16BP-bound M2PYK in an R-state conformation with a lysine at the dimer-interface acting as a peg in a hole, locking the active tetramer conformation. Binding of phenylalanine in an allosteric pocket induces a 13° rotation of the protomers, destroying the peg-in-hole R-state interface. This distinct T-state tetramer is stabilized by flipped out Trp/Arg side chains that stack across the dimer interface. X-ray structures and biophysical binding data of M2PYK complexes explain how, at a molecular level, fluctuations in concentrations of amino acids, thyroid hormone, and glucose metabolites switch M2PYK on and off to provide the cell with a nutrient sensing and growth signaling mechanism.

A Molecular Dynamics Study of Allosteric Transitions in Leishmania mexicana Pyruvate Kinase.

A comparative molecular dynamics analysis of the pyruvate kinase from Leishmania mexicana is presented in the absence and presence of the allosteric effector fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Comparisons of the simulations of the large 240 kDa apo and holo tetramers show that binding of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate cools the enzyme and reduces dynamic movement, particularly of the B-domain. The reduced dynamic movement of the holo form traps the pyruvate kinase tetramer in its enzymatically active state with the B-domain acting as a lid to cover the active site. The simulations are also consistent with a transition of the mobile active-site α6' helix, which would adopt a helical conformation in the active R-state and a less structured coil conformation in the inactive T-state. Analysis of the rigid body motions over the trajectory highlights the concerted anticorrelated rigid body rocking motion of the four protomers, which drives the T to R transition. The transitions predicted by these simulations are largely consistent with the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model for allosteric activation but also suggest that rigidification or cooling of the overall structure upon effector binding plays an additional role in enzyme activation.

Identification and activity of inhibitors of the essential nematode-specific metalloprotease DPY-31.

Infection by parasitic nematodes is widespread in the developing world causing extensive morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, infection of animals is a global problem, with a substantial impact on food production. Here we identify small molecule inhibitors of a nematode-specific metalloprotease, DPY-31, using both known metalloprotease inhibitors and virtual screening. This strategy successfully identified several µM inhibitors of DPY-31 from both the human filarial nematode Brugia malayi, and the parasitic gastrointestinal nematode of sheep Teladorsagia circumcincta. Further studies using both free living and parasitic nematodes show that these inhibitors elicit the severe body morphology defect 'Dumpy' (Dpy; shorter and fatter), a predominantly non-viable phenotype consistent with mutants lacking the DPY-31 gene. Taken together, these results represent a start point in developing DPY-31 inhibition as a totally novel mechanism for treating infection by parasitic nematodes in humans and animals.

Pyruvate kinases have an intrinsic and conserved decarboxylase activity.

The phosphotransfer mechanism of PYKs (pyruvate kinases) has been studied in detail, but the mechanism of the intrinsic decarboxylase reaction catalysed by PYKs is still unknown. 1H NMR was used in the present study to follow OAA (oxaloacetate) decarboxylation by trypanosomatid and human PYKs confirming that the decarboxylase activity is conserved across distantly related species. Crystal structures of TbPYK (Trypanosoma brucei PYK) complexed with the product of the decarboxylase reaction (pyruvate), and a series of substrate analogues (D-malate, 2-oxoglutarate and oxalate) show that the OAA analogues bind to the kinase active site with similar binding modes, confirming that both decarboxylase and kinase activities share a common site for substrate binding and catalysis. Decarboxylation of OAA as monitored by NMR for TbPYK has a relatively low turnover with values of 0.86 s-1 and 1.47 s-1 in the absence and presence of F26BP (fructose 2,6-bisphosphate) respectively. Human M1PYK (M1 isoform of PYK) has a measured turnover value of 0.50 s-1. The X-ray structures explain why the decarboxylation activity is specific for OAA and is not general for α-oxo acid analogues. Conservation of the decarboxylase reaction across divergent species is a consequence of piggybacking on the conserved kinase mechanism which requires a stabilized enol intermediate.

Trypanosomatid phosphoglycerate mutases have multiple conformational and oligomeric states.

Three structurally distinct forms of phosphoglycerate mutase from the trypanosomatid parasite Leishmania mexicana were isolated by standard procedures of bacterial expression and purification. Analytical size-exclusion chromatography coupled to a multi-angle scattering detector detected two monomeric forms of differing hydrodynamic radii, as well as a dimeric form. Structural comparisons of holoenzyme and apoenzyme trypanosomatid cofactor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase (iPGAM) X-ray crystal structures show a large conformational change between the open (apoenzyme) and closed (holoenzyme) forms accounting for the different monomer hydrodynamic radii. Until now iPGAM from trypanosomatids was considered to be only monomeric, but results presented here show the appearance of a dimeric form. Taken together, these observations are important for the choice of screening strategies to identify inhibitors of iPGAM for parasite chemotherapy and highlight the need to select the most biologically or functionally relevant form of the purified enzyme.

The unusual kinetics of lactate dehydrogenase of Schistosoma mansoni and their role in the rapid metabolic switch after penetration of the mammalian host.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from Schistosoma mansoni has peculiar properties for a eukaryotic LDH. Schistosomal LDH (SmLDH) isolated from schistosomes, and the recombinantly expressed protein, are strongly inhibited by ATP, which is neutralized by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). In the conserved FBP/anion binding site we identified two residues in SmLDH (Val187 and Tyr190) that differ from the conserved residues in LDHs of other eukaryotes, but are identical to conserved residues in FBP-sensitive prokaryotic LDHs. Three-dimensional (3D) models were generated to compare the structure of SmLDH with other LDHs. These models indicated that residues Val187, and especially Tyr190, play a crucial role in the interaction of FBP with the anion pocket of SmLDH. These 3D models of SmLDH are also consistent with a competitive model of SmLDH inhibition in which ATP (inhibitor) and FBP (activator) compete for binding in a well-defined anion pocket. The model of bound ATP predicts a distortion of the nearby key catalytic residue His195, resulting in enzyme inhibition. To investigate a possible physiological role of this allosteric regulation of LDH in schistosomes we made a kinetic model in which the allosteric regulation of the glycolytic enzymes can be varied. The model showed that inhibition of LDH by ATP prevents fermentation to lactate in the free-living stages in water and ensures complete oxidation via the Krebs cycle of the endogenous glycogen reserves. This mechanism of allosteric inhibition by ATP prevents the untimely depletion of these glycogen reserves, the only fuel of the free-living cercariae. Neutralization by FBP of this ATP inhibition of LDH prevents accumulation of glycolytic intermediates when S. mansoni schistosomula are confronted with the sudden large increase in glucose availability upon penetration of the final host. It appears that the LDH of S. mansoni is special and well suited to deal with the variations in glucose availability the parasite encounters during its life cycle.

The mitosis and neurodevelopment proteins NDE1 and NDEL1 form dimers, tetramers, and polymers with a folded back structure in solution.

Paralogs NDE1 (nuclear distribution element 1) and NDEL1 (NDE-like 1) are essential for mitosis and neurodevelopment. Both proteins are predicted to have similar structures, based upon high sequence similarity, and they co-complex in mammalian cells. X-ray diffraction studies and homology modeling suggest that their N-terminal regions (residues 8-167) adopt continuous, extended α-helical coiled-coil structures, but no experimentally derived information on the structure of their C-terminal regions or the architecture of the full-length proteins is available. In the case of NDE1, no biophysical data exists. Here we characterize the structural architecture of both full-length proteins utilizing negative stain electron microscopy along with our established paradigm of chemical cross-linking followed by tryptic digestion, mass spectrometry, and database searching, which we enhance using isotope labeling for mixed NDE1-NDEL1. We determined that full-length NDE1 forms needle-like dimers and tetramers in solution, similar to crystal structures of NDEL1, as well as chain-like end-to-end polymers. The C-terminal domain of each protein, required for interaction with key protein partners dynein and DISC1 (disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1), includes a predicted disordered region that allows a bent back structure. This facilitates interaction of the C-terminal region with the N-terminal coiled-coil domain and is in agreement with previous results showing N- and C-terminal regions of NDEL1 and NDE1 cooperating in dynein interaction. It sheds light on recently identified mutations in the NDE1 gene that cause truncation of the encoded protein. Additionally, analysis of mixed NDE1-NDEL1 complexes demonstrates that NDE1 and NDEL1 can interact directly.

`In crystallo' substrate binding triggers major domain movements and reveals magnesium as a co-activator of Trypanosoma brucei pyruvate kinase.

The active site of pyruvate kinase (PYK) is located between the AC core of the enzyme and a mobile lid corresponding to domain B. Many PYK structures have already been determined, but the first `effector-only' structure and the first with PEP (the true natural substrate) are now reported for the enzyme from Trypanosoma brucei. PEP soaked into crystals of the enzyme with bound allosteric activator fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F26BP) and Mg(2+) triggers a substantial 23° rotation of the B domain `in crystallo', resulting in a partially closed active site. The interplay of side chains with Mg(2+) and PEP may explain the mechanism of the domain movement. Furthermore, it is apparent that when F26BP is present but PEP is absent Mg(2+) occupies a position that is distinct from the two canonical Mg(2+)-binding sites at the active site. This third site is adjacent to the active site and involves the same amino-acid side chains as in canonical site 1 but in altered orientations. Site 3 acts to sequester Mg(2+) in a `priming' position such that the enzyme is maintained in its R-state conformation. In this way, Mg(2+) cooperates with F26BP to ensure that the enzyme is in a conformation that has a high affinity for the substrate.