The structure of a eukaryotic nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase reveals structural heterogeneity among type II PRTases.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential cofactor for cellular redox reactions and can act as an important substrate in numerous biological processes. As a result, nature has evolved multiple biosynthetic pathways to meet this high chemical demand. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the NAD salvage pathway relies on the activity of nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRTase), a member of the phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) superfamily. Here, we report the structure of a eukaryotic (yeast) NAPRTase at 1.75 A resolution (locus name: YOR209C, gene name: NPT1). The structure reveals a two-domain fold that resembles the architecture of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferases (QAPRTases), but with completely different dispositions that provide evidence for structural heterogeneity among the Type II PRTases. The identification of a third domain in NAPRTases provides a structural basis and possible mechanism for the functional modulation of this family of enzymes by ATP.