Structural insights into MltB from Acinetobacter baumannii: a conserved catalytic tunnel with unique domain arrangement

Lytic transglycosylases (LTs) play a central role in bacterial cell wall remodeling by cleaving the β-1,4-glycosidic bond in peptidoglycan via a non-hydrolytic mechanism, producing 1,6-anhydroMurNAc termini crucial for recycling and signaling. Among LTs, membrane-bound lytic transglycosylase B (MltB) contributes to peptidoglycan turnover, antibiotic resistance and protein–protein interactions. Despite its importance, the structural basis of MltB function in Acinetobacter baumannii, a multidrug-resistant pathogen, remains unclear. Here, we report the crystal structure of abMltB at 1.79 Å resolution. abMltB adopts a monomeric structure comprising three domains: an N-terminal domain (NTD), a catalytic domain (CD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD). The NTD connects to the CD via a flexible loop that partially occludes the active site, forming a tunnel-like cavity. Comparative analysis with homologous enzymes such as SltB1 and Slt35 reveals conserved catalytic residues, including Glu129 and key aromatic residues, while the CTD in abMltB adopts a distinct orientation. Notably, although calcium ions stabilize related enzymes, no metal binding was observed in abMltB. These findings highlight conserved mechanistic features and unique structural adaptations of abMltB, offering insight into its functional role in A. baumannii and potential as a novel antimicrobial target.