Cd2+ extrusion by P-type Cd2+-ATPase of Staphylococcus aureus 17810R via energy-dependent Cd2+/H+ exchange mechanism

Abstract

Cd2+ is highly toxic to Staphylococcus aureus since it blocks dithiols in cytoplasmic 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (ODHC) participating in energy conservation process. However, S. aureus 17810R is Cd2+-resistant due to possession of cadA-coded Cd2+ efflux system, recognized here as P-type Cd2+-ATPase. This Cd2+ pump utilizing cellular energy—ATP, ∆μH+ (electrochemical proton potential) and respiratory protons, extrudes Cd2+ from cytoplasm to protect dithiols in ODHC, but the mechanism of Cd2+ extrusion remains unknown. Here we propose that two Cd2+ taken up by strain 17810R via Mn2+ uniporter down membrane potential (∆ψ) generated during glutamate oxidation in 100 mM phosphate buffer (high PiB) are trapped probably by high affinity sites in cytoplasmic domain of Cd2+-ATPase, forming SCdS. This stops Cd2+ transport towards dithiols in ODHC, allowing undisturbed NADH production, its oxidation and energy conservation, while ATP could change orientation of SCdS towards facing transmembrane channel. Now, increased number of Pi-dependent protons pumped electrogenically via respiratory chain and countertransported through the channel down ∆ψ, extrude two trapped cytoplasmic Cd2+, which move to low affinity sites, being then extruded into extracellular space via ∆ψ-dependent Cd2+/H+ exchange. In 1 mM phosphate buffer (low PiB), external Cd2+ competing with decreased number of Pi-dependent protons, binds to ψs of Cd2+-ATPase channel, enters cytoplasm through the channel down ∆ψ via Cd2+/Cd2+ exchange and blocks dithiols in ODHC. However, Mg2+ pretreatment preventing external Cd2+ countertransport through the channel down ∆ψ, allowed undisturbed NADH production, its oxidation and extrusion of two cytoplasmic Cd2+ via Cd2+/H+ exchange, despite low PiB.