Active, Legionella pneumophila, Recombinant LotA-N

Background: LotA-N is a 28 kDa OTU fold class deubiquitylase (DUB) derived from the Legionella pneumophila effector protein LotA. In addition to the OTU fold, LotA-N has an extended β-hairpin and helical insert that create a deep S1′ cradle for the proximal ubiquitin. A high-resolution structure (PDB 7W54) revealed that the enzyme utilizes a mechanism for K6 recognition is uncommon to OTU DUBs. During infection LotA is translocated into the Legionella-containing vacuole, where it strips K6 chains that would otherwise recruit the p97/VCP segregase and promote lysosomal clearance of the vacuole.