Crystal stuctures of MglB-2 (TP0684), a topologically variant d-glucose-binding protein from Treponema pallidum, reveal a ligand-induced conformational change.

Previously, we determined the crystal structure of apo-TpMglB-2, a d-glucose-binding component of a putative ABC transporter from the syphilis spirochete Treponema pallidum. The protein had an unusual topology for this class of proteins, raising the question of whether the d-glucose-binding mode would be different in TpMglB-2. Here, we present the crystal structures of a variant of TpMglB-2 with and without d-glucose bound. The structures demonstrate that, despite its aberrant topology, the protein undergoes conformational changes and binds d-glucose similarly to other Mgl-type proteins, likely facilitating d-glucose uptake in T. pallidum.