Mechanistic Insight into the Binding and Swelling Functions of Prepeptidase C-Terminal (PPC) Domains from Various Bacterial Proteases.

The bacterial prepeptidase C-terminal (PPC) domain can be found in the C termini of a wide variety of proteases that are secreted by marine bacteria. However, the functions of these PPC domains remain unknown due to a lack of systematic research. Here, the binding and swelling abilities of eight PPC domains from six different proteases were compared systematically via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enzyme assays, and fluorescence spectroscopy. These PPC domains all possess the ability to bind and swell insoluble collagen. PPC domains can expose collagen monomers but cannot disrupt the pyridinoline cross-links or unwind the collagen triple helix. This ability can play a synergistic role alongside collagenase in collagen hydrolysis. Site-directed mutagenesis of the PPC domain from Vibrio anguillarum showed that the conserved polar and aromatic residues Y6, D26, D28, Y30, W42, E53, C55, and Y65 and the hydrophobic residues V10, V18, and I57 played key roles in substrate binding. Molecular dynamic simulations were conducted to investigate the interactions between PPC domains and collagen. Most PPC domains have a similar mechanism for binding collagen, and the hydrophobic binding pocket of PPC domains may play an important role in collagen binding. This study sheds light on the substrate binding mechanisms of PPC domains and reveals a new function for the PPC domains of bacterial proteases in substrate degradation.IMPORTANCE Prepeptidase C-terminal (PPC) domains commonly exist in the C termini of marine bacterial proteases. Reports examining PPC have been limited, and its functions remain unclear. In this study, eight PPCs from six different bacteria were examined. Most of the PPCs possessed the ability to bind collagen, feathers, and chitin, and all PPCs could significantly swell insoluble collagen. PPCs can expose collagen monomers but cannot disrupt pyridinoline cross-links or unwind the collagen triple helix. This swelling ability may also play synergistic roles in collagen hydrolysis. Comparative structural analyses and the examination of PPC mutants revealed that the hydrophobic binding pockets of PPCs may play important roles in collagen binding. This study provides new insights into the functions and ecological significance of PPCs, and the molecular mechanism of the collagen binding of PPCs was clarified, which is beneficial for the protein engineering of highly active PPCs and collagenase in the pharmaceutical industry and of artificial biological materials.