Partial Characterization of Phosphoribosyl Transferase, Phosphoribosyl Anthranilate Isomerase, and Indole Glycerol Phosphate Synthase from Serratia marcescens

The molecular organization of the enzymes phosphoribosyl (PR) transferase, phosphoribosyl anthranilate (PRA) isomerase, and indole glycerol phosphate (InGP) synthase of the tryptophan biosynthetic pathway of Serratia marcescens was investigated and compared with that reported in other enteric bacteria. PRA isomerase and InGP synthase activities were found to reside in a single polypeptide chain, a situation analogous to that in Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aerobacter aerogenes. This bifunctional enzyme was purified to near homogeneity. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 48,000. PR transferase was found unassociated with PRA isomerase and InGP synthase after gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Whereas in other enteric organisms PR transferase has been reported to form an aggregate with anthranilate synthase, it is a distinct entity in S. marcescens.     

Polyamine Limitation of Growth Slows the Rate of Polypeptide Chain Elongation in Escherichia coli

The rate of polypeptide chain elongation during steady-state, polyamine-limited growth of a mutant of Escherichia coli was measured by two independent techniques. Analysis of polysome patterns gave values of 17.5 and 9.5 amino acids per s at 37 C in unstarved and polyamine-limited cells, respectively. From the kinetics of entry of labeled amino acids into polypeptides of defined molecular weights, values at 30 C of 10.1 and 5.8 amino acids per s were obtained for unstarved and polyamine-limited cultures, respectively. Correction of these values to 37 C resulted in rates of 15.0 and 8.7 amino acids per s. These results support the previous conclusion, based on the kinetics of beta-galactosidase induction, that polyamine starvation decreases the rate of protein synthesis by limiting the velocity of polypeptide chain elongation.     

Superoxide Dismutases of Escherichia coli: Intracellular Localization and Functions

Escherichia coli B contains two superoxide dismutases which differ with respect to their localization within the cell, the nature of their prosthetic metals, their responses to changes in (p)O(2), and their functions. One of these enzymes, which was liberated from the cells by osmotic shock and which was therefore presumed to be localized in the periplasmic space, is an iron-containing superoxide dismutase. The amount of this iron enzyme did not vary in response to changes in (p)O(2) during growth. In contrast, the other superoxide dismutase was not solubilized by osmotic shock, was a mangano-protein, and was found in greater amounts in cells which had been grown at high (p)O(2). E. coli, which had low levels of the iron-enzyme and high levels of the mangano-enzyme, as a consequence of growth in iron-deficient aerated medium, was killed by exposure to an exogenous flux of O(2) (-) which was generated either photochemically or enzymatically. The addition of bovine superoxide dismutase to the suspending medium protected these cells against this stress. On the other hand, E. coli, which had high levels of the iron-enzyme and low levels of the mangano-enzyme, as a consequence of growth in iron-rich anaerobic medium, was resistant to exogeneous O(2) (-). On the basis of these and of previously reported results (4a, Yost, F. J. and I. Fridovich, J. Biol. Chem., 1973, in press), it appears that the iron superoxide dismutase, of the periplasmic space, serves as a defense against exogenous O(2) (-), whereas the mangano-superoxide dismutase, in the matrix of these cells, serves to counter the toxicity of endogenous O(2) (-).     

De Novo Biosynthesis of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in Escherichia coli: Excretion of Quinolinic Acid by Mutants Lacking Quinolinate Phosphoribosyl Transferase

The excretion of quinolinic acid was studied in growing and resting cells of Escherichia coli K-12 nadC(13). Under optimal conditions, this organism could synthesize quinolinic acid in several-fold excess of the amount which would be required for normal growth. The excretion of quinolinic acid was controlled by the concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursors available to the organism either during growth or during incubation in dense cell suspensions. These observations suggest that biosynthesis of NAD de novo is regulated by both repression and feedback inhibition. Analogues of niacin which inhibit bacterial growth also inhibited and repressed the synthesis (excretion) of quinolinic acid. The pH optimum for quinolinic acid excretion agreed favorably with the optimum observed for its synthesis in vitro. The rate of quinolinic acid excretion was strongly influenced by the concentration of ribose or glycerol in the medium.     

Localization of FtsL to the Escherichia coli septal ring

In Escherichia coli, nine gene products are known to be essential for assembly of the division septum. One of these, FtsL, is a bitopic membrane protein whose precise function is not understood. Here we use fluorescence microscopy to study the subcellular localization of FtsL, both in a wild-type strain and in a merodiploid strain that expresses a GFP-FtsL fusion protein. We show that FtsL localizes to the cell septum where it forms a ring analogous to the cytoplasmic FtsZ ring. FtsL localization is dependent upon the function of FtsZ, FtsA and FtsQ, but not FtsI. In a reverse approach, we use fusions of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to FtsZ, FtsA and ZipA to show that these proteins localize to the division site in an FtsL-independent fashion. We propose that FtsL is a relatively late recruit to the ring structure that mediates septation.     

Outer Membrane Proteins of Escherichia coli III. Evidence that the Major Protein of Escherichia coli O111 Outer Membrane Consists of Four Distinct Polypeptide Species

Previous studies have shown that the outer membrane of Escherichia coli O111 gives a single, major, 42,000-dalton protein peak when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at neutral pH. Further studies have shown that this peak consists of more than a single polypeptide species, and on alkaline SDS-gel electrophoresis this single peak is resolved into three subcomponents designated as proteins 1, 2, and 3. By chromatography of solubilized, outer membrane protein on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose followed by chromatography on Sephadex G-200 in the presence of SDS, it was possible to separate the 42,000-dalton major protein into four distinct protein fractions. Comparison of cyanogen bromide peptides derived from these fractions indicated that they represented at least four distinct polypeptide species. Two of these proteins migrated as proteins 1 and 2 on alkaline gels. The other two proteins migrated as protein 3 on alkaline gels and cannot be separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In purified form, these major proteins do not contain bound lipopolysaccharide, phospholipid, or phosphate. These proteins may contain a small amount of carbohydrate, as evidenced by the labeling of these proteins by glucosamine, and to a lesser extent by glucose, under conditions where the metabolism of these sugars to amino acids and lipids is blocked. All of the proteins were labeled to the same extent by these sugars. Thus, it was concluded that there are at least four distinct polypeptide species with apparent molecular masses of about 42,000 daltons in the outer membrane of E. coli O111.     

Chromosomal Localization of the Structural Genes of the Polypeptide Chain Elongation Factors

A survey of the polypeptide chain elongation factors in potentially sexually compatible genera was carried out. Factors from Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis were found to be clearly distinguishable by immunochemical and electrophoretic techniques. Mapping of the structural genes of these factors was undertaken by a study of the gene products in genetically defined E. coli-P. mirabilis hybrid diploid strains. It was found that the EF G factor mapped within 5 min of the streptomycin resistance locus, but the EF Ts factor did not map in this region.     

烟草质体分裂蛋白NtFtsZs在大肠杆菌中的定位分析

分别构建了两个烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)质体分裂基因NtFtsZ1和NtFtsZ2与编码绿色荧光蛋白的gfpS65A、V68L、S72A基因相融合的原核表达载体,并导入大肠杆菌( Escherichia coli ) JM109菌株中进行表达.全长NtFtsZs∶GFP融合蛋白在菌体中有规律地定位,暗示NtFtsZs能识别大肠杆菌潜在的分裂位点,并能与大肠杆菌的内源FtsZ发生聚合作用;融合蛋白的诱导表达抑制了宿主菌的分裂,形成了明显的丝状菌体,证明真核生物的 ftsZ 基因与大肠杆菌的 ftsZ 基因有相似的作用.同时构建了NtFtsZs不同缺失的原核表达载体,对这两个基因所编码蛋白不同结构域的功能做了初步分析.实验结果表明,烟草FtsZ蛋白的C端结构域与其在大肠杆菌细胞中的正确定位有关;而N端结构域与NtFtsZs∶GFP融合蛋白的聚合有关.     

烟草质体分裂蛋白NtFtsZs在大肠杆菌中的定位分析

分别构建了两个烟草 (NicotianatabacumL .)质体分裂基因NtFtsZ1和NtFtsZ2与编码绿色荧光蛋白的gfpS65A、V68L、S72A基因相融合的原核表达载体 ,并导入大肠杆菌 (Escherichiacoli)JM10 9菌株中进行表达。全长NtFtsZs∶GFP融合蛋白在菌体中有规律地定位 ,暗示NtFtsZs能识别大肠杆菌潜在的分裂位点 ,并能与大肠杆菌的内源FtsZ发生聚合作用 ;融合蛋白的诱导表达抑制了宿主菌的分裂 ,形成了明显的丝状菌体 ,证明真核生物的ftsZ基因与大肠杆菌的ftsZ基因有相似的作用。同时构建了NtFtsZs不同缺失的原核表达载体 ,对这两个基因所编码蛋白不同结构域的功能做了初步分析。实验结果表明 ,烟草FtsZ蛋白的C端结构域与其在大肠杆菌细胞中的正确定位有关 ;而N端结构域与NtFtsZs∶GFP融合蛋白的聚合有关。     

Regulation of the Escherichia coli secA Gene Is Mediated by Two Distinct RNA Structural Conformations

Expression from the secA gene, encoding a key component of the general secretory pathway of Escherichia coli, is influenced by the secretion status of the cell, autogenous translational repression, and translational coupling to the upstream gene, X. SecA binds to its mRNA in a region overlapping its ribosome binding site, thus competing with ribosomes that would initiate secA translation. Mapping of the geneX-secA mRNA secondary structure has demonstrated that the RNA can adopt two distinct conformations in solution. The first conformation arises from the base-pairing of the secA Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence with the geneX terminus. The second conformation, in which the secA SD sequence is no longer paired with the geneX terminus, contains a GC-rich stem upstream of the secA SD sequence. The presence of this GC-rich stem is supported by structure mapping of a mutant RNA containing a deletion in the geneX terminus. The former structure appears to be involved in translational coupling by directly linking the geneX and secA sequences, where geneX translation activates secA translational initiation through the unpairing and unmasking of the secA SD sequence. As indicated by SecA-RNA binding assays, the latter structure is probably involved in SecA binding and translational repression of the secA gene. The stabilizing effect of magnesium ions toward occlusion of the secA SD sequence supports the presence of RNA tertiary structure in this regulatory domain. Received: 30 July 1998 / Accepted: 18 September 1998     

Polypeptide binding of Escherichia coli FtsH (HflB)

The Escherichia coli FtsH protein is a membrane-bound and ATP-dependent protease. In this study, we describe ATP-dependent conformational changes in FtsH as well as a polypeptide binding ability of this protein. A 33 kDa segment of FtsH became trypsin resistant in the presence of ATP. ATP and ATPγS prevented self-aggregation of detergent-solubilized FtsH-His₆-Myc at 37°C, again suggesting that the binding of ATP induces a conformational change in FtsH. Affinity chromatography showed that FtsH-His₆-Myc can associate with denatured alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) but not with the native enzyme. Denatured PhoA also prevented the aggregation of FtsH, and these two proteins co-sedimented through a sucrose gradient. Binding between FtsH-His₆-Myc and detergent-solubilized SecY was also demonstrated. Although FtsH-bound SecY was processed further for ATP-dependent proteolysis, FtsH-bound PhoA was not. Thus, FtsH association with denatured PhoA is uncoupled from proteolysis. Overproduction of FtsH significantly increased the cytoplasmic localization of the PhoA moiety of a MalF–PhoA hybrid protein, in which a charged residue had been introduced into a transmembrane segment. Thus, denatured PhoA binding of FtsH may also occur in vivo .     

Synthesis of Two Polypeptide Subunits of an Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetase as a Single Polypeptide Chain

Abstract

E. coli aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are typically comprised of a single type of polypeptide chain. Glycine tRNA synthetase is an exception, and is comprised of two different subunits. Previous work showed that glyS encodes both subunits in a tandem arrangement of coding regions which are in the same reading frame. Nine nucleotides separate the TAA stop of the first coding segment (α-subunit) from the ATG start of the second one (β-subunit). A plasmid containing glyS was put into four different ochre suppressor strains. In three of them, significant quantities of an α-beta; fusion protein were synthesized in maxicells, in genetic backgrounds which retained cellular proteases. This shows that the fusion protein is stable in vivo and suggests that Gly-tRNA synthetase is operationally a single polypeptide which is the ancestor of the two subunits.     

The Variable Hinge Region of Novel PKCs Determines Localization to Distinct Regions of the Immunological Synapse

The immunological synapse (IS) formed between a T cell and its cognate antigen-presenting cell (APC) enables the directional secretion of cytolytic and inflammatory molecules. Synaptic architecture is established in part by a two-step cascade of novel protein kinase C (nPKC) isozymes. PKCε and PKCη arrive at the IS first, and occupy the entire synaptic membrane. Then, PKCθ accumulates in a smaller zone at the center of the contact. We investigated the molecular basis for this differential recruitment behavior using chimeric nPKC constructs and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Our studies revealed that the V3 linker just N-terminal to the kinase domain plays a crucial role in specifying nPKC localization. Substitution of this linker switched the scope and the kinetics of PKCθ accumulation to that of PKCε and PKCη, and vice versa. Although the V3 was necessary for synaptic compartmentalization, it was not sufficient, as the tandem C1 domains were also required to mediate membrane association. Together, these results suggest a model whereby the V3 linker controls nPKC sub-compartmentalization after initial C1 domain-mediated accumulation at the IS.     

Polypeptide involved in the Escherichia coli plasmid-mediated citrate transport system.

A genetic determinant conferring on Escherichia coli the ability to utilize citrate as a sole source of carbon and energy was subcloned into pBR322 from a naturally occurring, citrate utilization (Cit+) plasmid, pOH30221, and was localized to a 1.6-kilobase region by cloning and subsequent deletion analysis. Genetic expression of the Cit+ determinant in E. coli minicells revealed that the Cit+ determinant encoded a single, membrane-associated polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 35,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This polypeptide seemed not to be synthesized as a precursor with an amino-terminal signal sequence.     

Localization of the Tat translocon components in Escherichia coli

The Tat system has the ability to translocate folded proteins across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. In Escherichia coli, three functionally different translocon components have been identified, namely TatA, TatB, and TatC. These proteins were fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and their localization was determined by confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. TatA-GFP was distributed in the membrane, often with higher abundance at the poles. TatB-GFP was found in distinct spots at the poles of the cells. The fluorescence of TatC-GFP was very low and required a constitutive expression system to become higher than background, but then appearing polar. All three constructs complemented the chain-formation phenotype of corresponding mutant strains, indicating the functionality of the fusion proteins. TatB-GFP and TatC-GFP also complemented TMAO respiration deficiency and TatA-GFP the SDS-sensitivity of the mutant strains. The localization of the translocon-GFP fusions coincides with the fluorescence pattern of GFP fusions to Tat substrate signal sequences. We suggest that the active translocon complexes are mainly present at polar positions in Escherichia coli.