NorQD AAA+ complex drives metal insertion by a twisting mechanism.
Kahle, M., Appelgren, S., Konig, F., Carroni, M., Adelroth, P., Wendler, P.(2026) Nat Commun 17
- PubMed: 41896537 Search on PubMedSearch on PubMed Central
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71044-4
- Primary Citation Related Structures: 
9QH4, 9QH6, 9QH7, 9QH8, 9QH9, 9QHD, 9QHE, 9QHF, 9QHG - PubMed Abstract: 
ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+ -ATPases) catalyse a wide range of remodelling events in all phyla. AAA+ -ATPases of the MoxR-like family typically co-operate with von Willebrand factor type A (VWA) domain containing proteins to facilitate target remodelling and metal ion insertion, but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. We studied the bacterial AAA+ -ATPase NorQ in complex with its VWA domain partner protein NorD, which are essential for nitric oxide reductase (NOR) activity. Our cryo-EM structures and biochemical analyses show that NorQ and NorD engage through two key interfaces: (i) a finger-like extension protruding from the VWA domain that penetrates the central pore of the NorQ hexamer, and (ii) the NorD C- terminus, which contacts the post-sensor 1 loop of NorQ. Our data reveal that NorQ activity remodels a linker region in NorD essential for metal insertion. Together, these findings support a model in which the NorQ complex exerts a twisting and stretching force on the NorD linker, thereby enabling metal insertion into its target NOR.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
Organizational Affiliation: 
















