GBB Seminar Series - PhD edition Andrei Zupnik

Andrei Zupnik

Xray Crystallography

Novel Insights into CorA-Mediated Magnesium Transport and Regulation

Magnesium (Mg²+) is an essential cellular cation involved in numerous enzymatic and metabolic processes. Due to its large, hydrated radius, Mg²+ transport across biological membranes requires specialized transport systems, among which CorA represents the most widespread family of divalent cation transporters in prokaryotes.

Here, we present structural and functional characterization of a CorA homolog from Bacteroides fragilis associated with a type III CRISPR-Cas locus. Cryo-EM analysis reveals structural features that distinguish this transporter from canonical CorA proteins, suggesting potential specialization in a CRISPR-associated cellular context. These structural differences may reflect adaptation of ion transport machinery to specific regulatory or stress-related pathways linked to CRISPR-Cas systems. To facilitate functional characterization, we developed a novel in vitro assay for monitoring magnesium uptake.

Thursday, July 2 / 4.15pm / room 5615.0150, Feringa building