Crystal structure of the acid-induced arginine decarboxylase from Escherichia coli: reversible decamer assembly controls enzyme activity

The acid-induced arginine decarboxylase is part of an enzymatic system in Escherichia coli that contributes to making this organism acid resistant. The arginine decarboxylase is it vitamin B-6-dependent enzyme that is active at acidic pH. It consumes it proton in the decarboxylation of arginine to agmatine, and by working in tandem with an arginine-agmatine antiporter, this enzymatic cycle protects the organism by preventing the accumulation of protons inside the cell. We have determined the structure of the acid-induced arginine decarboxylase by X-ray crystallography to 2.4 angstrom resolution. The arginine decarboxylase structure revealed a ca. 800 kDa decamer composed as a pentamer of five homodimers. Each homodimer has an abundance of acidic surface residues, which at neutral pH prevents inactive homodimers from associating into active decamers. Conversely, acidic conditions favor the assembly of active decamers. Therefore, the structure of arginine decarboxylase presents a mechanism by which its activity is modulated by external pH.