Electron Transport System Associated with Membranes of Bacillus cereus During Vegetative Growth and Sporulation

Membranes isolated from Bacillus cereus ATCC 4342 during vegetative growth and during sporulation contained cytochromes b, c and a + a(3) as well as flavoprotein as determined from reduced-minus-oxidized difference spectra. Although there appeared to be no qualitative change in the cytochromes, there was a significant increase in the amount of cytochromes associated with membranes isolated from sporulating cells. Succinate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form) (NADH) reduced the same cytochromes indicating similar pathways of electron transport. The electron transport inhibitors-cyanide, azide, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, dicumarol and atebrine-were examined for their effect on succinate oxidase (succinate: [O(2)] oxidoreductase) and NADH oxidase (NADH: [O(2)] oxidoreductase). NADH oxidase associated with vegetative cell membranes was less sensitive to certain inhibitors than was succinate oxidase, suggesting a branched electron transport pathway for NADH oxidation. In addition to electrons being passed to O(2) through a quinone-cytochrome chain, it appears that these intermediate carriers can be bypassed such that O(2) is reduced by electrons mediated by NADH dehydrogenase. Both oxidases associated with sporulating cell membranes were inhibited to a lesser degree than were the oxidases associated with vegetative cell membranes.     

Development of a Membrane-Bound Respiratory System Prior to and During Sporulation in Bacillus cereus and Its Relationship to Membrane Structure

Bulk membrane fragments were prepared from cells of Bacillus cereus ATCC 4342 harvested at different stages of growth and sporulation and examined for enzymes involved in electron transport functions. The presence of succinate: DCPIP oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.99.1), succinate: cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.2.1), NADH:DCPIP oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.1), NADH:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.2.1), succinate oxidase [succinate: (O(2)) oxidoreductase, EC 1.3.3.1], and NADH oxidase [NADH:(O(2)) oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.3.1] were demonstrated in membrane fragments from vegetative cells, early and late stationary-phase cells, and in cells undergoing sporulation. During the transition from a vegetative cell to a spore, there was a significant increase in the levels of enzymes associated with energy production via the electron transport system. Cytochromes of the a, b, and c type were detected in all membrane preparations; however, there was a marked increase in the level of cytochromes by the end of vegetative growth which remained throughout sporulation; there were no qualitative changes in the cytochromes throughout growth and sporulation. Sporulation was inhibited by cyanide, stressing the significance of the electron transport system. Enzyme activities were partially masked in washed membrane fragments; however, unmasking (stimulation) was achieved by sodium deoxycholate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, or Triton X-100. The degree of enzyme masking was less in vegetative cell membrane fragments than in membranes prepared from stationary-phase or sporulating cells. Results indicate the development of a membrane-bound electron transport system in B. cereus by the end of growth and prior to sporulation, which results in an increased masking of a number of enzymes associated with the terminal respiratory system of the cell.     

Changes in Terminal Respiratory Pathways of Bacillus subtilis During Germination, Outgrowth, and Vegetative Growth

The chemical and enzymatic properties of the cytochrome system in the particulate preparations obtained from dormant spores, germinated spores, young vegetative cells, and vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis PCI219 were investigated. Difference spectra of particulate fractions from dormant spores of this strain suggested the presence of cytochromes a, a(3), b, c(+c(1)), and o. All of the cytochrome components were present in dormant spores and in germinated spores and vegetative cells at all stages which were investigated. Concentrations of cytochromes a, a(3), b, and c(+c(1)) increased during germination, outgrowth, and vegetative growth, but that of cytochrome o was highest in dormant spores. As the cytochrome components were reducible by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), they were believed to be metabolically active. Difference spectra of whole-cell suspensions of dormant spores and vegetative cells were coincident with those of the particulate fractions. NADH oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase were present in dormant spores, germinated spores, and vegetative cells at all stages after germination, but succinate cytochrome c reductase was not present in dormant spores. Cytochrome c oxidase and succinate cytochrome c reductase activities increased with growth, but NADH oxidase activity was highest in germinated spores and lowest in vegetative cells. There was no striking difference between the effects of respiratory inhibitors on NADH oxidase in dormant spores and those on NADH oxidase in vegetative cells.     

Cyanide-resistant electron transport in sporulating Bacillus megaterium KM.

The NADH oxidase activity of stage V mother-cell membranes, isolated from sporulating Bacillus megaterium KM, shows a greater inhibition by cyanide and displays this response at lower concentrations of cyanide than the stage V forespore inner membrane. Comparison of the effects of various respiratory inhibitors reveals that the difference in cyanide sensitivity between these membranes is located on the oxidase side of the 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide-sensitive step. Both membranes contain cytochromes a+a3, b-562, b-555, c and d, with three potential oxidases: cytochromes a+a3, o and d. Cyanide difference spectra suggest that cytochromes b-562 and d may be the components involved in the cyanide-resistant electron transport pathway. Membrane ascorbate-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphenylenediamine and ascorbate 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol oxidase activities are highly sensitive to cyanide. Evidence is presented for terminal branching of the respiratory chain with branches differing in cyanide sensitivity. The cyanide sensitivity of the NADH oxidase of membranes prepared from various stages of sporulation is compared. Morphogenesis of the mother-cell plasma membrane to a cyanide-sensitive form during stages II and III of sporulation is postulated.     

Protein synthesis and breakdown in the mother-cell and forespore compartments during spore morphogenesis in Bacillus megaterium

Recently developed techniques for isolating forespores from bacilli at all stages of spore morphogenesis have been exploited to investigate the contribution of each of the two compartments of the sporulating cell to the overall pattern of protein synthesis and degradation during sporulation in Bacillus megaterium. These studies have shown: (1) that protein synthesis continues in both compartments throughout spore morphogenesis; (2) that the degradation of proteins made at all times during vegetative growth and sporulation is confined to the mother-cell compartment; (3) that proteins synthesized in the mother-cell compartment during sporulation are subsequently degraded more rapidly than proteins synthesized during vegetative growth. This rate of degradation increases the later the proteins are synthesized in the sporulation sequence. Mature spores were disrupted, and the percentage of the total protein in soluble and particulate fractions was determined. Pulse-labelling experiments were performed to investigate the extent to which the proteins of these two fractions are newly synthesized during sporulation. These data were used to calculate the extent of capture of vegetative cell protein at the time of formation of the forespore septum. The value obtained is consistent with evidence from electron micrographs and supports a model for the origin of spore protein in which there is no protein turnover in the developing forespore.     

Role of menaquinone in inactivation and activation of the Bacillus cereus forespore respiratory system.

The respiratory systems of the Bacillus cereus mother cell, forespore, and dormant and germinated spore were studied. The results indicated that the electron transfer capacity during sporulation, dormancy, and germination is related to the menaquinone levels in the membrane. During the maturation stages of sporulation (stages III to VI), forespore NADH oxidase activity underwent inactivation concomitant with a sevenfold decrease in the content of menaquinone and without major changes in the content of cytochromes and segment transfer activities. During the same period, NADH oxidase and menaquinone levels in the mother cell compartment steadily decreased to about 50% at the end of stage VI. Dormant spore membranes contained high levels of NADH dehydrogenase and cytochromes, but in the presence of NADH, they exhibited very low levels of O2 uptake and cytochrome reduction. Addition of menadione to dormant spore membranes restored NADH-dependent respiration and cytochrome reduction. During early germination, NADH-dependent respiration and cytochrome reduction were restored simultaneously with a fourfold increase in the menaquinone content; during germination, no significant changes in cytochrome levels or segment electron transfer activities of the respiratory system took place.     

Localization of Enzymes in Mycoplasma.

Pollack, J. D. (University of Connecticut, Storrs), Shmuel Razin, and Robert C. Cleverdon. Localization of enzymes in Mycoplasma. J. Bacteriol. 90:617-622. 1965.-Cells of eight parasitic and two saprophytic Mycoplasma strains were lysed by use of osmotic shock, and the membranes were separated from the soluble fraction by use of differential centrifugation. Cell fractions were tested for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) oxidase, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH(2)) oxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, ribonuclease, and deoxyribonuclease activities. Adenosine triphosphatase was confined to the membrane fraction of all Mycoplasma strains. The NADH(2) oxidase activity was associated with the membranes of the saprophytic M. laidlawii and with the soluble fraction of the parasitic Mycoplasma strains. NADPH(2) oxidase activity was detected only in the soluble fraction of the parasitic strains. Glusose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was demonstrated only in the soluble fraction of M. laidlawii. Ribonuclease activity was found usually in both membrane and soluble fractions, but was generally higher in the membrane fraction. In the human and bovine Mycoplasma strains, deoxyribonuclease activity could not be demonstrated in the soluble fraction; in the remaining strains, activity was highest in the soluble fraction. Dissolution of M. laidlawii strain B membranes by sodium deoxycholate significantly increased membrane-NADH(2) oxidase and adenosine triphosphatase activities.     

Respiratory systems of the Bacillus cereus mother cell and forespore.

The respiratory systems of the mother cells and forespores of Bacillus cereus were compared throughout the maturation stages (III to VI) of sporulation. The results indicated that both cell compartments contain the same assortment of oxidoreductases and cytochromes. However membrane fractions from young forespores were clearly distinct from those of the mother cell, i.e., lower content of cytochrome aa3, lower cytochrome c oxidase activity, higher concentration of cytochrome o, and a lower sensitivity of the respiration to the inhibiting effect of cyanide. This suggests that the cyanide-resistant pathway contributes more importantly to forespore respiratory activity than to activity in the mother cell compartment. During the maturation stages, the forespore NADH oxidase activity declined faster than in the mother cells. Other activities studied decreased steadily in both cell compartments. These findings together with the analysis of the kinetics of NADH-dependent reduction of cytochromes in the mature spore membranes indicated an impairment of electron flow between NADH dehydrogenase and cytochrome b. This impairment could be overcome by the addition of menadione.     

Effects of L-malate on mitochondrial oxidoreductases in liver of aged rats

Accumulation of oxidative damage has been implicated to be a major causative factor in the decline in physiological functions that occur during the aging process. The mitochondrial respiratory chain is a powerful source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), considered as the pathogenic agent of many diseases and aging. L-malate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate, plays an important role in transporting NADH from cytosol to mitochondria for energy production. Previous studies in our laboratory reported L-malate as a free radical scavenger in aged rats. In the present study we focused on the effect of L-malate on the activities of electron transport chain in young and aged rats. We found that mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase, NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c oxidase in liver of aged rats were significantly decreased when compared to young control rats. Supplementation of L-malate to aged rats for 30 days slightly increased MMP and improved the activities of NADH-dehydrogenase, NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase and cytochrome c oxidase in liver of aged rats when compared with aged control rats. In young rats, L-malate administration increased only the activity of NADH-dehydrogenase. Our result suggested that L-malate could improve the activities of electron transport chain enzymes in aged rats.     

Oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by particles from Mycobacterium lepraemurium.

Particles from Mycobacterium lepraemurium catalysed the oxidation of NADH with oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. The preparations contained cytochromes of the a + a3'b and c types, as well as CO-binding pigments. The NADH oxidase activity was sensitive to inhibitors of the flavoprotein system as well as to HQNO and antimycin A. In addition, a cytochrome oxidase sensitive to cyanide was also present. The system was inhibited by the thiol-binding agent, PCMB, and thus indicated the involvement of sulphydryl group in the enzymatic oxidation of NADH. The sensitivity of the NADH oxidase system to all the inhibitors of the respiratory chain and the effect of these inhibitors on the absorption spectra suggested that cytochromes of the b, c, a + a3 types are involved in the transfer of electrons in NADH oxidation.     

Effect of inhibitors on the substrate-dependent quenching of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence in inside-out membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli.

The effect of various inhibitors on the substrate-dependent quenching of the fluorescence of 9-aminoacridine was measured in inside-out membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli. The rate of fluorescence quenching in the presence of inhibitors was dependent on the rate of electron transfer through the respiratory chain with NADH, succinate, D-lactate or DL-glycerol 3-phosphate as substrates. Several patterns of response were given by the inhibitors. Inhibitors competitive with substrate, or those acting only on the dehydrogenases, gave a direct relationship between the extent of inhibition of oxidase activity and the rate of quenching. A biphasic relationship was given by 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide and piericidin A which was due to these compounds acting both as inhibitors of the respiratory chain and, at higher concentrations, as uncoupling agents. Uncouplers inhibited fluorescence quenching with minimal inhibition of oxidase activity. The transmembrane pH difference was calculated from the extent of fluorescence quenching and the intravesicular volume. The maximum pH difference of 3.3--3.7 units was generated by each of the substrates tested.     

The Structure and Function of the Spore Outer Membrane in Dormant and Germinating Spores of Bacillus megaterium

Attempts to demonstrate the presence of the spore outer membrane in mature, dormant spores of a strain of Bacillus megaterium are described. The outer, integument, layers of this organism were found to contain one-third of the total spore cytochrome content, several enzymes of the electron transport chain (specifically NADH oxidase, dehydrogenase, cytochrome c reductase and NADPH dehydrogenase) and a large number of polypeptides extractable with sodium dodecylsulphate in the presence of dithiothreitol and protease inhibitors. These all suggest the presence of a membraneous element. Electron microscopic evidence is presented on the structure of the dormant integument enzymes. Changes in the integument enzymes and in the gel electrophoresis profile of the extractable integument polypeptides which occur during spore gemination, are described and compared with those that take place in the spore inner membrane. The heat sensitivity of the integument enzymes is compared with that of the inner membrane enzymes and the implications for theories of spore heat resistance discussed.     

Isolation and characterization of two distinct fractions from the inner membrane of dormant Bacillus megaterium spores

Two distinct membrane bands were obtained after sucrose velocity gradient centrifugation of crude inner membranes from dormant Bacillus megaterium spores disrupted under conditions which minimized endogenous enzyme action. These two inner membrane fractions (termed LD and HD) contained similar amounts of total and individual phospholipid species. However, LD and HD differed significantly in phospholipid/protein ratios (4.3 and 0.47 mg/mg, respectively), equilibrium densities (1.12 and 1.18 g/cm3), NADH oxidase specific activity (less than 0.01 and 0.13 mumol/min X mg), and content of specific proteins. In contrast, crude membranes prepared in identical fashion from germinated spores gave only a single inner membrane band (termed G) on sucrose velocity gradients. G had a phospholipid/protein ratio of 0.98 mg/mg, an equilibrium density of 1.16 g/cm3, and an NADH oxidase specific activity of 2.1 mumol/min X mg. Essentially all of the proteins present in LD or HD or both were found in G, consistent with the latter membrane being derived from a mixture of LD and HD. No evidence was found suggesting that there is significant degradation of dormant spore inner membrane protein upon spore germination.     

Synthesis of a spore-specific surface antigen during sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Antisera raised against purified yeast ascospores caused agglutination of both ascospores and vegetative cells. A spore-specific activity was obtained by absorbing out anti-vegetative activity with vegetative cells. The anti-vegetative cell activity was directed against mannan, and was probably due to exposure of some spore coat mannan at the spore surface since concanavalin A and lentil lectin also caused agglutination of ascospores. The spore-specific activity was probably determined by a protein or proteins, since extraction of spores with a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulphate and dithiothreitol markedly affected their agglutination by the spore-specific serum. The spore-specific antigen was synthesized in a soluble form during sporulation several hours before the appearance of the spore surface and the pool of soluble antigen declined as the spore was assembled. Synthesis of the soluble antigen was inhibited by adding cycloheximide at all times up to its first appearance in the sporulating cell.     

Decreased particulate NADH oxidase activity in Bacillus subtilis spores after polymyxin B treatment

The activities of several enzymes of polymyxin B-treated dormant and germinated spores of Bacillus subtilis were examined. The particulate NADH oxidase of the antibiotic-treated spores showed considerably lower specific and total activities compared with those of untreated ones. The specific and total NADH oxidase activities of untreated spores increased 12- and 15-fold respectively during germination, whereas increases during germination of polymyxin B-treated spores were inhibited. The specific and total activities of particulate NADH cytochrome c reductase of dormant spores were decreased by polymyxin B treatment in almost the same proportion as those of the particulate NADH oxidase. The specific activity of NADH dehydrogenase of dormant spores remained unchanged after antibiotic treatment but the total activity fell considerably. The activities of other enzymes examined were similar for untreated dormant and germinated spores and antibiotic-treated spores. The respiration of polymyxin B-treated dormant spores was inhibited at the same time as the start of germination. Morphologically, polymyxin B-treated dormant spores lost a laminar structure of the cortex and details of the spore protoplast. The inhibitory mechanism of particulate NADH oxidase activity of polymyxin B-treated dormant spores is discussed.     

Masking of Bacillus megaterium KM membrane reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase and solubilization studies

Solubilization of a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-2,6 dichlorophenol indophenol (DCIP) oxidoreductase associated with the membrane NADH oxidase system of Bacillus megaterium KM was effected by treatment with 0.2% sodium deoxycholate, 8 m urea, or buffer (pH 9.0) in the presence of ethyl-enediaminetetraacetate. These treatments inactivated membrane NADH oxidase. It was found that membrane NADH oxidase and NADH-DCIP oxidoreductase were masked in membranes. Several procedures, including brief sonic oscillation, treatment with 0.05% deoxycholate, prolonged stirring at 4 C with 10% glycerol, and washing in the absence of Mg(2+), unmasked the oxidase and oxidoreductase activities. It was necessary to study the masking and unmasking of these activities to quantitate adequately the effects of solubilization procedures. Further information on the localization of oxidase and oxidoreductase in subcellular fractions and the effects of electron transport inhibitors on NADH oxidation was also obtained.     

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activity in membranes and cytoplasm of Acholeplasma laidlawii and Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri.

The properties of the membrane-bound reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase of Acholeplasma laidlawii were compared with those of the corresponding cytoplasmic activity of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri. The striking differences in pH optima, susceptibility to inhibitors and detergents, and heat inactivation between the NADH oxidase activity, with oxygen as an electron acceptor, and the NADH oxidoreductase activity, with dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) as an alternate electron acceptor, support the presence of more than one catalytic protein in both the membrane-bound and soluble enzyme systems. The detection of more than one band positive for the NADH-nitroblue tetrazolium oxidoreductase reaction on electrophoresis of either the membranes of A. laidlawii or the cytoplasm of M mycoides subsp. capri also points in the same direction. The membrane-bound enzyme system differed, however, form the soluble one because it had a lower ratio of oxidase activity to oxidoreductase activity, and because it was less susceptible to heat inactivation and more readily incorporated incorporated into reaggregated membranes. In addition, the specific activity of the membrane-bound enzyme system increased as the culture aged, whereas that of the soluble system decreased as the culture aged. It is suggested that the different location in the cell could be responsible for some of the differences between the membrane-bound NADH oxidase activity of A. laidlawii and that found in the cytoplasm of M. mycoides subsp. capri.     

Purification and Identification of a Plasma Membrane Associated Electron Transport Protein from Maize (Zea mays L.) Roots

Plasma membranes isolated from three-day-old maize (Zea mays L.) roots by aqueous two-phase partitioning were used as starting material for the purification of a novel electron transport enzyme. The detergent-solubilized enzyme was purified by dyeligand affinity chromatography on Cibacron blue 3G-A-agarose. Elution was achieved with a gradient of 0 to 30 micromolar NADH. The purified protein fraction exhibited a single 27 kilodalton silver nitrate-stained band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretograms. Staining intensity correlated with the enzyme activity profile when analyzed in affinity chromatography column fractions. The enzyme was capable of accepting electrons from NADPH or NADH to reduce either ferricyanide, juglone, duroquinone, or cytochrome c, but did not transfer electrons to ascorbate free-radical or nitrate. The high degree of purity of plasma membranes used as starting material as well as the demonstrated insensitivity to mitochondrial electron transport inhibitors confirmed the plasma membrane origin of this enzyme. The purified reductase was stimulated upon prolonged incubation with flavin mononucleotide suggesting that the enzyme may be a flavoprotein. Established effectors of plasma membrane electron transport systems had little effect on the purified enzyme, with the exception of the sulfhydryl inhibitor p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonate, which was a strong inhibitor of ferricyanide reducing activity.     

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activity and H2O2 formation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Cell-free extracts of Mycoplasma pneumoniae showed two distinct reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) oxidase activities in the supernatant fraction. By ammonium sulfate fractionation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, one activity not requiring flavine co-factors was precipitated by 50 to 70% ammonium sulfate concentration and identified with a slower-moving band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis; a second NADH(2) oxidase activity was flavine mononucleotide (FMN) dependent and associated with a more rapidly moving band; it could only be partially precipitated by ammonium sulfate concentrations ranging from 50 to 100%. Studies with alternate electron acceptors indicated the presence of a menadione, a 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol and a very weak ferricyanide oxido-reductase activity, but no cytochrome c oxido-reductase, in the cell-free preparations. The NADH(2) oxidase activities of all fractions were relatively cyanide insensitive and were only minimally inhibited by flavoprotein and other respiratory chain inhibitors. H(2)O(2) formation was negligible unless FMN, but not flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD), was added to the crude NADH(2) oxidase system; upon fractionation and electrophoresis, the H(2)O(2) formation was associated with the FMN-dependent, more rapidly moving NADH(2) oxidase band. This FMN-dependent NADH(2) oxidase-H(2)O(2) generating system may be a mechanism for the H(2)O(2) formation observed during glucose oxidation in the intact organism.     

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dependent reduction of fumarate coupled to membrane energization in a cytochrome deficient mutant of Escherichia coli K12.

Escherichia coli SASX76 does not form cytochromes unless supplemented with 5-aminolevulinic acid. It can grow anaerobically on glycerol and DL-glycerol 3-phosphate in the absence of 5-aminolevulinic acid with fumarate but not with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase, glycerol 3-phosphate- and NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase activities are induced by anaerobic growth on a glycerol-fumarate medium. The pathway of electrons from substrate to fumarate involves menaquinone. The NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase and cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase systems are inhibited by piericidin A, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide, and iron chelating agents. Both systems can energize the membrane particles as indicated by quenching of atebrin fluorescence.