The Functional State of Thermoplasma acidophilum Pyruvate Kinase Relies on an Extra Carboxyl-Terminal Sequence

Phylogenetic studies of the pyruvate kinase family reveal two clusters: the K⁺-dependent and -independent enzymes. <i>Thermoplasma acidophilum</i> pyruvate kinase belongs to the latter but possesses the conserved signature of those K⁺-dependent. Recently, we found two distinct ways for these groups to catalyze. It is interesting to elucidate how the <i>T. acidophilum</i> enzyme achieves its active conformation. A structural model of this enzyme revealed the presence of an extra C-terminal sequence (ECTS). To understand its role, an enzyme lacking this sequence from <i>T. acidophilum</i> was constructed. We then compared the kinetic parameters, far-UV CD spectra, thermal stability, molecular dynamics simulations, and oligomeric states of both the wild-type and truncated enzymes. We found that the truncated enzyme is aggregated and almost inactive, with residual 20% of the total interactions, and it exhibits a soluble fraction of smaller oligomeric states than the wild-type enzyme. These findings suggest that ECTS plays a crucial role in maintaining its active tetrameric state. This sequence is the first reported in an archaeal pyruvate kinase and is also found in other archaea and bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of ECTS in pyruvate kinases exhibits a sparse distribution that might be explained if ECTS represents an ancient domain prone to loss.