Large-Scale Millisecond Intersubunit Dynamics in the B Subunit Homopentamer of the Toxin Derived from Escherichia coli O157

We report here solution NMR relaxation measurements that show millisecond time-scale intersubunit dynamics in the homopentameric B subunit (VTB) of the toxin derived from Escherichia coli O157. These data are consistent with interconversion between an axially symmetric form and a low-abundance (?10%, 45 °C) higher energy form. The higher energy state is depopulated on binding of a novel bivalent analogue (Pk dimer) of the natural carbohydrate acceptor globotriaosylceramide. The isothermal titration calorimetry isotherm for the binding of Pk dimer to VTB is consistent with a five-site sequential binding model which assumes that cooperative effects arise through communication only between neighboring binding sites. The resulting thermodynamic parameters (Ka1 = 114 ± 2.2 M-1, Ka2 = 283 ± 4.5 M-1, ?H1° = ?116.3 ± 0.55 kJ/mol, and ?H2° = ?50.3 ± 0.11 kJ/mol) indicate favorable entropic cooperativity that has not previously been observed in multivalent systems.