A recombinant polypeptide model of the second nucleotide-binding fold of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator functions as an active ATPase, GTPase and adenylate kinase.

CFTR-NBF-2 expressed and purified in fusion with the maltose-binding protein was shown to catalyse the reaction ATP-->ADP+Pi by three different assays, monitoring ATP turnover, formation of ADP and release of Pi (Km 86 microM, rate constant 0.37 min(-1)). The reaction product ADP inhibits this ATPase activity. In a similar manner the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP and Pi was demonstrated (Km 40 microM, rate constant 0.29 min(-1)). In the presence of AMP the ATPase reaction was superseded by the formation of two ADP from ATP and AMP. As typical for adenylate kinases a distinct AMP-binding site could be verified for CFTR-NBF-2 by the inability of TNP-ATP and AMP to compete for binding. All three enzymatic activities were inhibited by the symmetric double-substrate-mimicking inhibitor Ap5A. As NBF-2 plays a central role in CFTR channel opening and closing the results reported here are fundamental in understanding mechanisms of CFTR channel activity regulation.