scholarly journals Characterization of the Bacillus subtilis GTPase YloQ and its role in ribosome function

2005 ◽  
Vol 389 (3) ◽  
pp. 843-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey L. Campbell ◽  
Denis M. Daigle ◽  
Eric D. Brown

We present an analysis of the cellular phenotype and biochemical activity of a conserved bacterial GTPase of unknown function (YloQ and YjeQ in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli respectively) using a collection of antibiotics of diverse mechanisms and chemical classes. We created a yloQ deletion strain, which exhibited a slow growth phenotype and formed chains of filamentous cells. Additionally, we constructed a conditional mutant in yloQ, where growth was dependent on inducible expression from a complementing copy of the gene. In phenotypic studies, depletion of yloQ sensitized cells to antibiotics that bind at the peptide channel or peptidyl transferase centre, providing the first chemical genetic evidence linking this GTPase to ribosome function. Additional experiments using these small-molecule probes in vitro revealed that aminoglycoside antibiotics severely affected a previously characterized ribosome-associated GTPase activity of purified, recombinant YjeQ from E. coli. None of the antibiotics tested competed with YjeQ for binding to 30 or 70 S ribosomes. A closer examination of YloQ depletion revealed that the polyribosome profiles were altered and that decreased expression of YloQ led to the accumulation of ribosomal subunits at the expense of intact 70 S ribosomes. The present study provides the first evidence showing that YloQ/YjeQ may be involved in several areas of cellular metabolism, including cell division and ribosome function.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Prakash ◽  
Travis Lantz ◽  
Krupal P. Jethava ◽  
Gaurav Chopra

Amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients primarily consists of amyloid beta 1-42 (Ab42). Commercially, Ab42 is synthetized using peptide synthesizers. We describe a robust methodology for expression of recombinant human Ab(M1-42) in Rosetta(DE3)pLysS and BL21(DE3)pLysS competent E. coli with refined and rapid analytical purification techniques. The peptide is isolated and purified from the transformed cells using an optimized set-up for reverse-phase HPLC protocol, using commonly available C18 columns, yielding high amounts of peptide (~15-20 mg per 1 L culture) in a short time. The recombinant Ab(M1-42) forms characteristic aggregates similar to synthetic Ab42 aggregates as verified by western blots and atomic force microscopy to warrant future biological use. Our rapid, refined, and robust technique to purify human Ab(M1-42) can be used to synthesize chemical probes for several downstream in vitro and in vivo assays to facilitate AD research.


Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 2129-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taku Oshima ◽  
Francis Biville

Functional characterization of unknown genes is currently a major task in biology. The search for gene function involves a combination of various in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. Available knowledge from the study of more than 21 LysR-type regulators in Escherichia coli has facilitated the classification of new members of the family. From sequence similarities and its location on the E. coli chromosome, it is suggested that ygiP encodes a lysR regulator controlling the expression of a neighbouring operon; this operon encodes the two subunits of tartrate dehydratase (TtdA, TtdB) and YgiE, an integral inner-membrane protein possibly involved in tartrate uptake. Expression of tartrate dehydratase, which converts tartrate to oxaloacetate, is required for anaerobic growth on glycerol as carbon source in the presence of tartrate. Here, it has been demonstrated that disruption of ygiP, ttdA or ygjE abolishes tartrate-dependent anaerobic growth on glycerol. It has also been shown that tartrate-dependent induction of the ttdA-ttdB-ygjE operon requires a functional YgiP.


2003 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. A558
Author(s):  
Suzana D. Savkovic ◽  
Farol L. Tomson ◽  
Michelle Muza ◽  
Gail Hecht
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 657 ◽  
pp. 78-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinmayi R. Kaundinya ◽  
Handanahal S. Savithri ◽  
K. Krishnamurthy Rao ◽  
Petety V. Balaji

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles T. Lauhon

ABSTRACT In bacteria, tRNAs that decode 4-fold degenerate family codons and have uridine at position 34 of the anticodon are typically modified with either 5-methoxyuridine (mo5U) or 5-methoxycarbonylmethoxyuridine (mcmo5U). These modifications are critical for extended recognition of some codons at the wobble position. Whereas the alkylation steps of these modifications have been described, genes required for the hydroxylation of U34 to give 5-hydroxyuridine (ho5U) remain unknown. Here, a number of genes in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis are identified that are required for wild-type (wt) levels of ho5U. The yrrMNO operon is identified in B. subtilis as important for the biosynthesis of ho5U. Both yrrN and yrrO are homologs to peptidase U32 family genes, which includes the rlhA gene required for ho5C synthesis in E. coli. Deletion of either yrrN or yrrO, or both, gives a 50% reduction in mo5U tRNA levels. In E. coli, yegQ was found to be the only one of four peptidase U32 genes involved in ho5U synthesis. Interestingly, this mutant shows the same 50% reduction in (m)cmo5U as that observed for mo5U in the B. subtilis mutants. By analyzing the genomic context of yegQ homologs, the ferredoxin YfhL is shown to be required for ho5U synthesis in E. coli to the same extent as yegQ. Additional genes required for Fe-S biosynthesis and biosynthesis of prephenate give the same 50% reduction in modification. Together, these data suggest that ho5U biosynthesis in bacteria is similar to that of ho5C, but additional genes and substrates are required for complete modification. IMPORTANCE Modified nucleotides in tRNA serve to optimize both its structure and function for accurate translation of the genetic code. The biosynthesis of these modifications has been fertile ground for uncovering unique biochemistry and metabolism in cells. In this work, genes that are required for a novel anaerobic hydroxylation of uridine at the wobble position of some tRNAs are identified in both Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. These genes code for Fe-S cluster proteins, and their deletion reduces the levels of the hydroxyuridine by 50% in both organisms. Additional genes required for Fe-S cluster and prephenate biosynthesis and a previously described ferredoxin gene all display a similar reduction in hydroxyuridine levels, suggesting that still other genes are required for the modification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 523-536
Author(s):  
Essam S. Soliman ◽  
Rania T. Hamad ◽  
Mona S. Abdallah

Background and Aim: Probiotics improve intestinal balance through bacterial antagonism and competitive exclusion. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, as well as the in vivo preventive, immunological, productive, and histopathological modifications produced by probiotic Bacillus subtilis. Materials and Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activities of B. subtilis (5×106 CFU/g; 0.5, 1.0*, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L) were tested against Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes after exposure times of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 h using minimal inhibitory concentration procedures. A total of 320 1-day-old female Ross broiler chickens were divided into five groups. Four out of the five groups were supplemented with 0.5, 1.0*, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L probiotic B. subtilis from the age of 1 day old. Supplemented 14-day-old broiler chickens were challenged with only E. coli O157: H7 (4.5×1012 CFU/mL) and S. Typhimurium (1.2×107 CFU/mL). A total of 2461 samples (256 microbial-probiotic mixtures, 315 sera, 315 duodenal swabs, and 1575 organs) were collected. Results: The in vitro results revealed highly significant (p<0.001) killing rates at all-time points in 2.0 g/L B. subtilis: 99.9%, 90.0%, 95.6%, and 98.8% against E. coli, S. Typhimurium, C. albicans, and T. mentagrophytes, respectively. Broilers supplemented with 1.5 and 2.0 g/L B. subtilis revealed highly significant increases (p<0.01) in body weights, weight gains, carcass weights, edible organs' weights, immune organs' weights, biochemical profile, and immunoglobulin concentrations, as well as highly significant declines (p<0.01) in total bacterial, Enterobacteriaceae, and Salmonella counts. Histopathological photomicrographs revealed pronounced improvements and near-normal pictures of the livers and hearts of broilers with lymphoid hyperplasia in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen after supplementation with 2.0 g/L B. subtilis. Conclusion: The studies revealed that 1.5-2.0 g of probiotic B. subtilis at a concentration of 5×106 CFU/g/L water was able to improve performance, enhance immunity, and tissue architecture, and produce direct antimicrobial actions.


2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (24) ◽  
pp. 8871-8879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhibiao Fu ◽  
Niles P. Donegan ◽  
Guido Memmi ◽  
Ambrose L. Cheung

ABSTRACT The mazEF homologs of Staphylococcus aureus, designated mazEFsa , have been shown to cotranscribe with the sigB operon under stress conditions. In this study, we showed that MazEF Sa , as with their Escherichia coli counterparts, compose a toxin-antitoxin module wherein MazF Sa leads to rapid cell growth arrest and loss in viable CFU upon overexpression. MazF Sa is a novel sequence-specific endoribonuclease which cleaves mRNA to inhibit protein synthesis. Using ctpA mRNA as the model substrate both in vitro and in vivo, we demonstrated that MazF Sa cleaves single-strand RNA preferentially at the 5′ side of the first U or 3′ side of the second U residue within the consensus sequences VUUV′ (where V and V′ are A, C, or G and may or may not be identical). Binding studies confirmed that the antitoxin MazE Sa binds MazF Sa to form a complex to inhibit the endoribonuclease activity of MazF Sa . Contrary to the system in E. coli, exposure to selected antibiotics augmented mazEFsa transcription, akin to what one would anticipate from the environmental stress response of the sigB system. These data indicate that the mazEF system of S. aureus differs from the gram-negative counterparts with respect to mRNA cleavage specificity and antibiotic stresses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Ramaniuk ◽  
Martin Převorovský ◽  
Jiří Pospíšil ◽  
Dragana Vítovská ◽  
Olga Kofroňová ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe σIsigma factor fromBacillus subtilisis a σ factor associated with RNA polymerase (RNAP) that was previously implicated in adaptation of the cell to elevated temperature. Here, we provide a comprehensive characterization of this transcriptional regulator. By transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of wild-type (wt) and σI-null strains at 37°C and 52°C, we identified ∼130 genes affected by the absence of σI. Further analysis revealed that the majority of these genes were affected indirectly by σI. The σIregulon, i.e., the genes directly regulated by σI, consists of 16 genes, of which eight (thedhbandykuoperons) are involved in iron metabolism. The involvement of σIin iron metabolism was confirmed phenotypically. Next, we set up anin vitrotranscription system and defined and experimentally validated the promoter sequence logo that, in addition to −35 and −10 regions, also contains extended −35 and −10 motifs. Thus, σI-dependent promoters are relatively information rich in comparison with most other promoters. In summary, this study supplies information about the least-explored σ factor from the industrially important model organismB. subtilis.IMPORTANCEIn bacteria, σ factors are essential for transcription initiation. Knowledge about their regulons (i.e., genes transcribed from promoters dependent on these σ factors) is the key for understanding how bacteria cope with the changing environment and could be instrumental for biotechnologically motivated rewiring of gene expression. Here, we characterize the σIregulon from the industrially important model Gram-positive bacteriumBacillus subtilis. We reveal that σIaffects expression of ∼130 genes, of which 16 are directly regulated by σI, including genes encoding proteins involved in iron homeostasis. Detailed analysis of promoter elements then identifies unique sequences important for σI-dependent transcription. This study thus provides a comprehensive view on this underexplored component of theB. subtilistranscription machinery.


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