Mutations conferring resistance to quinol oxidation (Qz) inhibitors of the cyt bc1 complex of Rhodobacter capsulatus.

Several spontaneous mutants of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus resistant to myxothiazol, stigmatellin and mucidin--inhibitors of the ubiquinol: cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cyt bc1 complex)--were isolated. They were grouped into eight different classes based on their genetic location, growth properties and inhibitor cross-resistance. The petABC (fbcFBC) cluster that encodes the structural genes for the Rieske FeS protein, cyt b and cyt c1 subunits of the cyt bc1 complex was cloned out of the representative isolates and the molecular basis of inhibitor-resistance was determined by DNA sequencing. These data indicated that while one group of mutations was located outside the petABC(fbcFBC) cluster, the remainder were single base pair changes in codons corresponding to phylogenetically conserved amino acid residues of cyt b. Of these substitutions, F144S conferred resistance to myxothiazol, T163A and V333A to stigmatellin, L106P and G152S to myxothiazol + mucidin and M140I and F144L to myxothiazol + stigmatellin. In addition, a mutation (aer126) which specifically impairs the quinol oxidase (Qz) activity of the cyt bc1 complex of a non-photosynthetic mutant (R126) was identified to be a glycine to an aspartic acid replacement at position 158 of cyt b. Six of these mutations were found between amino acid residues 140 and 163, in a region linking the putative third and fourth transmembrane helices of cyt b. The non-random clustering of several inhibitor-resistance mutations around the non-functional aer126 mutation suggests that this region may be involved in the formation of the Qz inhibitor binding/quinol oxidation domain(s) of the cyt bc1 complex. Of the two remaining mutations, the V333A replacement conferred resistance to stigmatellin exclusively and was located in another region toward the C terminus of cyt b. The L106P substitution, on the other hand, was situated in the transmembrane helix II that carries two conserved histidine residues (positions 97 and 111 in R. capsulatus) considered to be the axial ligands for the heme groups of cyt b. The structural and functional roles of the amino acid residues involved in the acquisition of Qz inhibitor resistance are discussed in terms of the primary structure of cyt b and in relation to the natural inhibitor-resistance of various phylogenetically related cyt bc/bf complexes.     

Molecular basis of resistance to cytochrome bc1 inhibitors

Inhibitors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme cytochrome bc ₁ (respiratory complex III) have been developed as antimicrobial agents. They are used in agriculture to control plant pathogenic fungi and in medicine against human pathogens, such as the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum , or Pneumocystis jiroveci (an opportunistic pathogenic fungus life-threatening in immuno-compromised patients). These respiratory inhibitors are thus effective against a broad range of important pathogens. Unfortunately, the problem of acquired resistance has rapidly emerged. A growing number of pathogen isolates resistant to inhibitor treatment have been reported, and this resistance is often linked to mutation within cytochrome b , one of the essential catalytic subunits of the complex. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an invaluable model in order to assess the impact of the mutations on the sensitivity to the drugs, on the respiratory capacity and the fitness of cells. In this minireview, the inhibitors, their mode of action, and the mutations implicated in resistance and studied in yeast are briefly reviewed. Four mutations that are of particular importance in medicine and in agriculture are briefly reviewed and described in more detail and the molecular basis of resistance and of evolution of the mutations is discussed succinctly.     

petR, located upstream of the fbcFBC operon encoding the cytochrome bc1 complex, is homologous to bacterial response regulators and necessary for photosynthetic and respiratory growth of Rhodobacter capsulatus

Interposon mutagenesis of a region upstream of the petABC(fbcFBC) operon, encoding the ubiquinol: cytochrome c2 oxidoreductase (bc1 complex) of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus revealed the presence of two genes, petP and petR. DNA nucleotide sequence determination of this region indicated that petP and petR are transcribed in the same direction as the petABC(fbcFBC) operon, and are translationally coupled. A silent insertion located in the interoperonal region separating petPR and the petABC(fbcFBC) genes indicated that these clusters have separate promoters. The deduced amino acid sequence of the putative petR gene product is homologous to various bacterial response regulators, especially to those of the OmpR subgroup. Moreover, it was found that PetR mutants are unable to grow on rich or minimal media by either photosynthesis or respiration, demonstrating that these gene products are essential for growth of R. capsulatus.     

Roles of the amino acid side chains in the actin-binding S-site of myosin heavy chain

The heptapeptide Ile-Arg-Ile-Cys-Arg-Lys-Gly-OEt is the analog of the S-site, one of the actin-binding sites in myosin [Suzuki et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11410-11412]. Various substituted heptapeptides were synthesized, and the dissociation constants of each acto-heptapeptide complex was measured. Comparison of the dissociation constants indicated that the hydrophobic side chain of Ile-1 was critical for the binding with F-actin, but not that of Ile-3. The positive charge and the side chain length of Arg-2 were also important. The presence of a sulfur atom in the Cys-4 was also necessary. The affinity of the N-terminal Ile-Arg-Ile part for F-actin was influenced by the kind of residues in the C-terminal tetrapeptide part. Based on these results, the side chains of Ile(702), Arg(703), and Cys(SH1)(705) in myosin subfragment-1 heavy chain were assigned to be critical for the binding with F-actin. The amino acid sequence of S-1 heavy chain containing these critical residues for the S-site from residue number 700 to 717 can be predicted as an analogue of the segment B of the ATP-binding site [Walker et al. (1982) EMBO J. 1, 945-951]. The actin-binding S-site possibly shares a part of the ATP-binding site in myosin. We discuss the possibility that the S-site is an inhibitory site of myosin ATPase and the so-called actin-activation of myosin ATPase is a deinhibition induced by transient binding of F-actin to the S-site.     

Translocation of precytochrome C2 into intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles of Rhodobacter capsulatus requires a peripheral membrane protein

Rhodobacter capsulatus is a member of the group α-purple bacteria which are closely related to the ancestral endosymbiont that gave rise to mitochondria. It has therefore been hypothesized that the molecular mechanisms governing protein export in α-purple bacteria have been conserved during the evolution of mitochondria. To enable analysis of protein export in α-purple bacteria we describe here the development of a homologous cell-free synthesis/export system consisting entirely of components of R. capsulatus. Translocation of precytochrome C₂ into intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles of this organism was found to require the proton-motive force and proceed at a significantly higher efficiency when membranes were present during protein synthesis. Furthermore, we show that, in this cell-free system, translocation depends on a preparation of peripheral membrane proteins Which do not possess detectable SecA- and SecB-like actvities.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations of the cytochrome bc1 complex from Rhodobacter capsulatus.

The cytochrome bc(1) complex from Rhodobacter capsulatus was investigated by protein electrochemistry and visible/IR spectroscopy. Infrared difference spectra, which represent redox-induced conformational changes of cofactors and their protein environments, show signals of the hemes, the quinone Q(i), and small conformational changes of the protein backbone. Furthermore, band features were tentatively assigned to protonated aspartic or glutamic acids involved in the redox transition of each of the b hemes, a proline in that of the [2Fe-2S] protein, and an arginine in that of cytochrome b(H). The midpoint potential of the [2Fe-2S] protein was determined for the first time at physiological temperature to be +290 mV at pH 8.7. The reduced minus oxidized difference extinction coefficients of the alpha-bands of the cytochromes were calculated as 11.5, 19, and 6.7 mM(-1) cm(-1) for cytochromes c(1), b(H), and b(L), respectively. A novel method has been developed to quantify protonation reactions of the complex during the redox reactions of its cofactors by evaluation of the buffer signals in the midinfrared region. Values will be discussed in relation to the pH dependence of the midpoint potentials.     

The F1 genes of the F1F0 ATP synthase from the acidophilic bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans complement Escherichia coli F1unc mutants

Abstract Because of the allelic variations within the M protein gene ( emm gene) of group A streptococci, reliable typing of this important human pathogen can be accomplished by the use of emm gene-specific oligonucleotide probes. Two technical modifications (a reverse dot blot and a reverse line blot hybridization assay) of a novel approach for the type-specific identification of emm genes have been developed. Both procedures involved amplification of an emm gene by polymerase chain reaction. The non-radioactively labeled amplicon was subsequently hybridized to a membrane carrying an array of immobilized emm gene-specific oligonucleotide probes, thus allowing the simultaneous analysis of the gene polymorphism in a single hybridization reaction. The feasibility of these rapid and easy to perform methods was shown for the unequivocal identification of reference strains and clinical isolates belonging to 16 different M serotypes.     

Deletion of the gene encoding cytochrome b562 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Abstract Cryptococcus humicola strains secrete killer toxins inhibitory (at pH values ranging from 3 to 5.5) to many ascomycetous and basidiomycetous yeast-like fungi. RNA or DNA plasmids were not detected in the killers. The amino acid-containing toxins were of low M _r, soluble in methanol, resistant to proteolysis, thermostable, cellophane-diffusible and were specified as microcins. These findings show that the killer phenomenon in yeasts such as bacteriocinogeny may be due to excretion of two types of killer toxins: mycocins and microcins.     

Pertussis Toxin-Insensitive Signaling of the ORL1 Receptor: Coupling to Gz and G16 Proteins

Abstract: Nociceptin/OFQ is the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled opioid receptor-like (ORL₁) receptor. To elucidate the cellular functions of the ORL₁ receptor, we examined its ability to interact with G_z and G₁₆, two pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive G proteins that are known molecular partners for the opioid receptors. In HEK 293 cells transiently expressing the ORL₁ and dopamine D₁ receptors, nociceptin/OFQ dose-dependently inhibited dopamine-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in a PTX-sensitive manner. However, PTX failed to block the nociceptin/OFQ-induced inhibition of dopamine-stimulated cAMP accumulation in HEK 293 cells co-expressing the α-subunit of G_z. This result indicates functional interaction between the ORL₁ receptor and G_z. A similar result was obtained with retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, which endogenously express both the ORL₁ receptor and G_z. When the ORL₁ receptor was transiently co-expressed in COS-7 cells with the α-subunit of G₁₆, nociceptin/OFQ dose-dependently stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates. Nociceptin-induced stimulation of phospholipase C was absolutely dependent on the co-expression of α₁₆ and exhibited the appropriate ligand selectivity. In terms of its ability to interact with PTX-insensitive G proteins, the ORL₁ receptor behaves very much like the opioid receptors.     

D1 and D2 Dopaminergic Regulation of Acetylcholine Release from Striata of Freely Moving Rats

The effects of selective D1 and D2 dopaminergic agents on the extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) content in striata of freely moving rats were determined by the microdialysis technique. LY 171555, a selective D2 agonist, reduced ACh output by approximately 30% within 20 min at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg, i.p., whereas the D2 antagonists (-)-remoxipride (10 mg/kg, s.c.) and L-sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced maximal increases of approximately 50% within 10 and 20 min, respectively. In contrast, the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg, s.c.) decreased the extracellular ACh content by approximately 30% in 20 min, but lower doses--0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg--had no such effect. The stimulation of ACh release by LY 171555 was prevented by (-)-remoxipride but not by SCH 23390 (0.25 mg/kg, s.c.). In addition, the D1 agonist SKF 38393 failed to modify the ACh increasing effect of (-)-remoxipride. Thus, the D1 and D2 receptors subserve opposing functions on ACh release. The D1/D2 dopaminergic agonist R-apomorphine, at the does of 1 mg/kg, i.p., reduced ACh output by approximately 35% only when D1 receptors were blocked by SCH 23390 (0.025 mg/kg, s.c.). The results provide clear in vivo evidence of the tonic inhibition exerted by dopaminergic nigrostriatal input on the cholinergic system of the basal ganglia through D1 and D2 receptors.     

H2 and CO2 production from methanol or formaldehyde by the methanogenic bacterium strain Gö1 treated with 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid

Abstract In cell suspensions of the methanogenic bacterium strain Gö1 or Methanosarcina barkeri H₂ formation from methanol in the presence of 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) was strictly dependent on sodium ions; apparent K _S for Na⁺, 1.3±0.3 mM.H₂ formation was inhibited by the uncoupler tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), but this inhibition could be temporarily overcome, when a sodium pulse (100 mM) was given to the cell suspension. On the other hand, H₂ formation from formaldehyde in the presence of BES (rate: 300 nmol H₂/h·mg protein as compared to 25 nmol H₂/h·mg protein from methanol) was not sodium-dependent, not TCS-sensitive and not inhibited by addition of monensin. H₂ formation was accompanied by CO₂ formation in stoichiometric amounts, 3 H₂:1 CO₂ for methanol and 2 H₂:1 CO₂ for formaldehyde oxidation.     

Roles of Prostaglandins D2 and E2 in Interleukin-1-Induced Activation of Norepinephrine Turnover in the Brain and Peripheral Organs of Rats

Abstract: Possible roles of prostaglandins (PGs) in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced activation of noradrenergic neurons were examined by assessing norepinephrine (NE) turnover in the brain and peripheral organs of rats. An intraperitoneal injection of human recombinant IL-1β accelerated NE turnover in the hypothalamus, spleen, lung, diaphragm, and pancreas. A similar increase in NE turnover was also observed after intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Pretreatment with indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) abolished the IL-1-induced, but not the CRH-induced, increase in hypothalamic and splenic NE turnover. To elucidate which eicosanoid-cyclooxygenase product(s) is responsible for accelerating NE turnover, PGD₂, PGE₂, PGF_2α, U-46619 (stable thromboxane A₂ analogue), or carbacyclin (stable prostacyclin analogue) was administered intracerebroventricularly. Among them, PGE₂ was the only eicosanoid effective in increasing NE turnover in spleen, whereas PGD₂ was effective in the hypothalamus. The stimulative effect of PGD₂ was abolished by pretreatment with intracerebroventricular injection of a CRH antiserum. These results suggest that the action of IL-1 is mediated through PGD₂ production to activate the noradrenergic neurons in the hypothalamus, and through PGE₂ production to increase sympathetic nerve activity in spleen.     

Hopanoids of the methylotrophic bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylomonas sp. as possible precursors of C29 and C30 hopanoid chemical fossils

Abstract The majority of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Australia since 1980 carries a determinant encoding resistance to a variety of nucleic acid-binding (NAB) compounds, including ethidium bromide (EB) acriflavine and propamidine isothionate. In addition, an EB-resistance determinant is frequently located on conjugative plasmids encoding aminoglycoside resistance. A comparison of these two determinants revealed that the EB-resistance determinant also encoded resistance to several NAB compounds. However, the NAB- and the EB-resistance determinants differed in both the number of NAB-compounds to which they expressed resistance, and the level of resistance expressed towards these compounds. Whilst these 2 determinants have several features in common, the results suggest that the NAB- and EB-resistance determinants are not identical.     

Cell wall component and mycotoxin moieties involved in the binding of fumonisin B1 and B2 by lactic acid bacteria

Aims:  The ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to bind fumonisins B₁ and B₂ (FB₁, FB₂) in fermented foods and feeds and in the gastrointestinal tract could contribute to decrease their bioavailability and toxic effects on farm animals and humans. The aim of this work was to identify the bacterial cell wall component(s) and the functional group(s) of FB involved in the LAB–FB interaction.
Methods and Results:  The effect of physicochemical, enzymatic and genetic treatments of bacteria and the removal/inactivation of the functional groups of FB on toxin binding were evaluated. Treatments affecting the bacterial wall polysaccharides, lipids and proteins increased binding, while those degrading peptidoglycan (PG) partially decreased it. In addition, purified PG from Gram-positive bacteria bound FB in a manner analogue to that of intact LAB. For FB, tricarballylic acid (TCA) chains play a significant role in binding as hydrolysed FB had less affinity for LAB.
Conclusions:  Peptidoglycan and TCA are important components of LAB and FB, respectively, involved in the binding interaction.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Lactic acid bacteria binding efficiency seems related to the peptide moiety structure of the PG. This information can be used to select probiotics with increased FB binding efficiency.     

Identification of amino acid residues essential for reconstitutive activity of subunit IV of the cytochrome bc1 complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

A region of subunit IV comprising residues 77-85 is identified as essential for interaction with the core complex to restore the bc₁ activity (reconstitutive activity). Recombinant subunit IV mutants with single or multiple alanine substitution at this region were generated and characterized to identify the essential amino acid residues. Residues 81-84, with sequence of YRYR, are required for reconstitutive activity of subunit IV, because a mutant with these four residues substituted with alanine has little activity, while a mutant with alanine substitution at residues 77-80 and 85 have the same reconstitutive activity as that of the wild-type IV. The positively charged group at R-82 and R-84 and both the hydroxyl group and aromatic group at Y-81 and Y-83 are essential. The interactions between these four residues of subunit IV and residues of core subunits are also responsible for the stability of the complex. However, these interactions are not essential for the incorporation of subunit IV into the bc₁ complex.