Synthesis of [32P]-c-di-GMP for Diguanylate Cyclase and Phosphodiesterase Activity Determinations

Author(s):  
Barbara I. Kazmierczak
Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (9) ◽  
pp. 2873-2886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Lacey ◽  
Jonathan D. Partridge ◽  
Jeffrey Green

The Escherichia coli K-12 yfgF gene encodes a protein with domains associated with cyclic di-GMP signalling: GGDEF (associated with diguanylate cyclase activity) and EAL (associated with cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity). Here, it is shown that yfgF is expressed under anaerobic conditions from a class II FNR (regulator of fumarate and nitrate reduction)-dependent promoter. Anaerobic expression of yfgF is greatest in stationary phase, and in cultures grown at 28 °C, suggesting that low growth rates promote yfgF expression. Mutation of yfgF resulted in altered cell surface properties and enhanced sensitivity when anaerobic cultures were exposed to peroxides. The purified YfgF GGDEF-EAL (YfgFGE) and EAL (YfgFE) domains possessed cyclic di-GMP-specific phosphodiesterase activity, but lacked diguanylate cyclase activity. However, the catalytically inactive GGDEF domain was required for YfgFGE dimerization and enhanced cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity in the presence of physiological concentrations of Mg2+. The cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity of YfgFGE and YfgFE was inhibited by the product of the reaction, 5′-phosphoguanylyl-(3′–5′)-guanosine (pGpG). Thus, it is shown that the yfgF gene encodes an anaerobic cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase that is involved in remodelling the cell surface of E. coli K-12 and in the response to peroxide shock, with implications for integrating three global regulatory networks, i.e. oxygen regulation, cyclic di-GMP signalling and the oxidative stress response.


2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (22) ◽  
pp. 8165-8178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry L. Kuchma ◽  
Kimberly M. Brothers ◽  
Judith H. Merritt ◽  
Nicole T. Liberati ◽  
Frederick M. Ausubel ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The intracellular signaling molecule, cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP), has been shown to influence bacterial behaviors, including motility and biofilm formation. We report the identification and characterization of PA4367, a gene involved in regulating surface-associated behaviors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The PA4367 gene encodes a protein with an EAL domain, associated with c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity, as well as a GGDEF domain, which is associated with a c-di-GMP-synthesizing diguanylate cyclase activity. Deletion of the PA4367 gene results in a severe defect in swarming motility and a hyperbiofilm phenotype; thus, we designate this gene bifA, for biofilm formation. We show that BifA localizes to the inner membrane and, in biochemical studies, that purified BifA protein exhibits phosphodiesterase activity in vitro but no detectable diguanylate cyclase activity. Furthermore, mutational analyses of the conserved EAL and GGDEF residues of BifA suggest that both domains are important for the observed phosphodiesterase activity. Consistent with these data, the ΔbifA mutant exhibits increased cellular pools of c-di-GMP relative to the wild type and increased synthesis of a polysaccharide produced by the pel locus. This increased polysaccharide production is required for the enhanced biofilm formed by the ΔbifA mutant but does not contribute to the observed swarming defect. The ΔbifA mutation also results in decreased flagellar reversals. Based on epistasis studies with the previously described sadB gene, we propose that BifA functions upstream of SadB in the control of biofilm formation and swarming.


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