scholarly journals An RNA pseudoknot is essential for standby-mediated translation of the tisB toxin mRNA in Escherichia coli

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (21) ◽  
pp. 12336-12347
Author(s):  
Cédric Romilly ◽  
Anne Lippegaus ◽  
E Gerhart H Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Toxin Gene ◽  
Type I ◽  
Escherichia Coli Cells ◽  
Mrna Variants ◽  
Single Stranded Region ◽  
Rna Pseudoknot

Abstract In response to DNA damage, Escherichia coli cells activate the expression of the toxin gene tisB of the toxin–antitoxin system tisB-istR1. Of three isoforms, only the processed, highly structured +42 tisB mRNA is active. Translation requires a standby site, composed of two essential elements: a single-stranded region located 100 nucleotides upstream of the sequestered RBS, and a structure near the 5′-end of the active mRNA. Here, we propose that this 5′-structure is an RNA pseudoknot which is required for 30S and protein S1-alone binding to the mRNA. Point mutations that prevent formation of this pseudoknot inhibit formation of translation initiation complexes, impair S1 and 30S binding to the mRNA, and render the tisB mRNA non-toxic in vivo. A set of mutations created in either the left or right arm of stem 2 of the pseudoknot entailed loss of toxicity upon overexpression of the corresponding mRNA variants. Combining the matching right-left arm mutations entirely restored toxicity levels to that of the wild-type, active mRNA. Finally, since many pseudoknots have high affinity for S1, we predicted similar pseudoknots in non-homologous type I toxin–antitoxin systems that exhibit features similar to that of tisB-IstR1, suggesting a shared requirement for standby acting at great distances.

scholarly journals In Vivo Evidence for TonB Dimerization

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (19) ◽  
pp. 5747-5754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Sauter ◽  
S. Peter Howard ◽  
Volkmar Braun
Keyword(s):  
Single Point ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Ferric Citrate ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Toxin Gene ◽  
Transmembrane Region ◽  
Dimer Formation ◽  
Citrate Transport ◽  
Hybrid Proteins

ABSTRACT TonB, in complex with ExbB and ExbD, is required for the energy-dependent transport of ferric siderophores across the outer membrane of Escherichia coli, the killing of cells by group B colicins, and infection by phages T1 and φ80. To gain insights into the protein complex, TonB dimerization was studied by constructing hybrid proteins from complete TonB (containing amino acids 1 to 239) [TonB(1-239)] and the cytoplasmic fragment of ToxR which, when dimerized, activates the transcription of the cholera toxin gene ctx. ToxR(1-182)-TonB(1-239) activated the transcription of lacZ under the control of the ctx promoter (P ctx ::lacZ). Replacement of the TonB transmembrane region by the ToxR transmembrane region resulted in the hybrid proteins ToxR(1-210)-TonB(33-239) and ToxR(1-210)-TonB(164-239), of which only the latter activated P ctx ::lacZ transcription. Dimer formation was reduced but not abolished in a mutant lacking ExbB and ExbD, suggesting that these complex components may influence dimerization but are not strictly required and that the N-terminal cytoplasmic membrane anchor and the C-terminal region are important for dimer formation. The periplasmic TonB fragment, TonB(33-239), inhibits ferrichrome and ferric citrate transport and induction of the ferric citrate transport system. This competition provided a means to positively screen for TonB(33-239) mutants which displayed no inhibition. Single point mutations of inactive fragments selected in this manner were introduced into complete TonB, and the phenotypes of the TonB mutant strains were determined. The mutations located in the C-terminal half of TonB, three of which (Y163C, V188E, and R204C) were obtained separately by site-directed mutagenesis, as was the isolated F230V mutation, were studied in more detail. They displayed different activity levels for various TonB-dependent functions, suggesting function-related specificities which reflect differences in the interactions of TonB with various transporters and receptors.

scholarly journals The Escherichia coli cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended −10’ class of bacterial promoters

1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Belyaeva ◽  
L Griffiths ◽  
S Minchin ◽  
J Cole ◽  
S Busby
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Run Off ◽  
A Site ◽  
Specific Sequences

The Escherichia coli cysG promoter has been subcloned and shown to function constitutively in a range of different growth conditions. Point mutations identify the -10 hexamer and an important 5′-TGN-3′ motif immediately upstream. The effects of different deletions suggest that specific sequences in the -35 region are not essential for the activity of this promoter in vivo. This conclusion was confirmed by in vitro run-off transcription assays. The DNAase I footprint of RNA polymerase at the cysG promoter reveals extended protection upstream of the transcript start, and studies with potassium permanganate as a probe suggest that the upstream region is distorted in open complexes. Taken together, the results show that the cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended -10’ class of promoters, and the base sequence is similar to that of the P1 promoter of the E. coli galactose operon, another promoter in this class. In vivo, messenger initiated at the cysG promoter appears to be processed by cleavage at a site 41 bases downstream from the transcript start point.

scholarly journals Detection of spacer precursors formed in vivo during primed CRISPR adaptation

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna A. Shiriaeva ◽  
Ekaterina Savitskaya ◽  
Kirill A. Datsenko ◽  
Irina O. Vvedenskaya ◽  
Iana Fedorova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Dna Degradation ◽  
Type I ◽  
Dna Fragments ◽  
Crispr Array ◽  
Foreign Dna ◽  
And Function

Abstract Type I CRISPR-Cas loci provide prokaryotes with a nucleic-acid-based adaptive immunity against foreign DNA. Immunity involves adaptation, the integration of ~30-bp DNA fragments, termed prespacers, into the CRISPR array as spacers, and interference, the targeted degradation of DNA containing a protospacer. Interference-driven DNA degradation can be coupled with primed adaptation, in which spacers are acquired from DNA surrounding the targeted protospacer. Here we develop a method for strand-specific, high-throughput sequencing of DNA fragments, FragSeq, and apply this method to identify DNA fragments accumulated in Escherichia coli cells undergoing robust primed adaptation by a type I-E or type I-F CRISPR-Cas system. The detected fragments have sequences matching spacers acquired during primed adaptation and function as spacer precursors when introduced exogenously into cells by transformation. The identified prespacers contain a characteristic asymmetrical structure that we propose is a key determinant of integration into the CRISPR array in an orientation that confers immunity.

scholarly journals Shiga Toxin Gene Loss and Transfer In Vitro and In Vivo during Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26 Infection in Humans

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 3144-3150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Bielaszewska ◽  
Rita Prager ◽  
Robin Köck ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Wenlan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Gene Loss ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Toxin Gene ◽  
Shiga Toxins ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli serogroup O26 consists of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC). The former produces Shiga toxins (Stx), major determinants of EHEC pathogenicity, encoded by bacteriophages; the latter is Stx negative. We have isolated EHEC O26 from patient stools early in illness and aEPEC O26 from stools later in illness, and vice versa. Intrapatient EHEC and aEPEC isolates had quite similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, suggesting that they might have arisen by conversion between the EHEC and aEPEC pathotypes during infection. To test this hypothesis, we asked whether EHEC O26 can lose stx genes and whether aEPEC O26 can be lysogenized with Stx-encoding phages from EHEC O26 in vitro. The stx 2 loss associated with the loss of Stx2-encoding phages occurred in 10% to 14% of colonies tested. Conversely, Stx2- and, to a lesser extent, Stx1-encoding bacteriophages from EHEC O26 lysogenized aEPEC O26 isolates, converting them to EHEC strains. In the lysogens and EHEC O26 donors, Stx2-converting bacteriophages integrated in yecE or wrbA. The loss and gain of Stx-converting bacteriophages diversifies PFGE patterns; this parallels findings of similar but not identical PFGE patterns in the intrapatient EHEC and aEPEC O26 isolates. EHEC O26 and aEPEC O26 thus exist as a dynamic system whose members undergo ephemeral interconversions via loss and gain of Stx-encoding phages to yield different pathotypes. The suggested occurrence of this process in the human intestine has diagnostic, clinical, epidemiological, and evolutionary implications.

scholarly journals Bacterial protein translocation requires only one copy of the SecY complex in vivo

2012 ◽  
Vol 198 (5) ◽  
pp. 881-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunyong Park ◽  
Tom A. Rapoport
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Bacterial Protein ◽  
Oligomeric State ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cotranslational Translocation ◽  
Escherichia Coli Cells

The transport of proteins across the plasma membrane in bacteria requires a channel formed from the SecY complex, which cooperates with either a translating ribosome in cotranslational translocation or the SecA ATPase in post-translational translocation. Whether translocation requires oligomers of the SecY complex is an important but controversial issue: it determines channel size, how the permeation of small molecules is prevented, and how the channel interacts with the ribosome and SecA. Here, we probe in vivo the oligomeric state of SecY by cross-linking, using defined co- and post-translational translocation intermediates in intact Escherichia coli cells. We show that nontranslocating SecY associated transiently through different interaction surfaces with other SecY molecules inside the membrane. These interactions were significantly reduced when a translocating polypeptide inserted into the SecY channel co- or post-translationally. Mutations that abolish the interaction between SecY molecules still supported viability of E. coli. These results show that a single SecY molecule is sufficient for protein translocation.

Bacterial in-cell NMR of human α-synuclein: a disordered monomer by nature?

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 950-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Binolfi ◽  
Francois-Xavier Theillet ◽  
Philipp Selenko
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Protein Structure ◽  
Intracellular Protein ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Escherichia Coli Cells ◽  
Rule Out ◽  
In Cells

The notion that human α-synuclein is an intrinsically disordered monomeric protein was recently challenged by a postulated α-helical tetramer as the physiologically relevant protein structure. The fact that this alleged conformation had evaded detection for so many years was primarily attributed to a widely used denaturation protocol to purify recombinant α-synuclein. In the present paper, we provide in-cell NMR evidence obtained directly in intact Escherichia coli cells that challenges a tetrameric conformation under native in vivo conditions. Although our data cannot rule out the existence of other intracellular protein states, especially in cells of higher organisms, they indicate clearly that inside E. coli α-synuclein is mostly monomeric and disordered.

scholarly journals Structure of hibernating ribosomes studied by cryoelectron tomography in vitro and in situ

2010 ◽  
Vol 190 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio O. Ortiz ◽  
Florian Brandt ◽  
Valério R.F. Matias ◽  
Lau Sennels ◽  
Juri Rappsilber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Escherichia Coli Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional Configuration

Ribosomes arranged in pairs (100S) have been related with nutritional stress response and are believed to represent a “hibernation state.” Several proteins have been identified that are associated with 100S ribosomes but their spatial organization has hitherto not been characterized. We have used cryoelectron tomography to reveal the three-dimensional configuration of 100S ribosomes isolated from starved Escherichia coli cells and we have described their mode of interaction. In situ studies with intact E. coli cells allowed us to demonstrate that 100S ribosomes do exist in vivo and represent an easily reversible state of quiescence; they readily vanish when the growth medium is replenished.

scholarly journals Why Does Escherichia coli Grow More Slowly on Glucosamine than on N-Acetylglucosamine? Effects of Enzyme Levels and Allosteric Activation of GlcN6P Deaminase (NagB) on Growth Rates

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (9) ◽  
pp. 2974-2982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura I. Álvarez-Añorve ◽  
Mario L. Calcagno ◽  
Jacqueline Plumbridge
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Sugar Transport ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Phosphotransferase System ◽  
Allosteric Activation

ABSTRACT Wild-type Escherichia coli grows more slowly on glucosamine (GlcN) than on N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) as a sole source of carbon. Both sugars are transported by the phosphotransferase system, and their 6-phospho derivatives are produced. The subsequent catabolism of the sugars requires the allosteric enzyme glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P) deaminase, which is encoded by nagB, and degradation of GlcNAc also requires the nagA-encoded enzyme, N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcNAc6P) deacetylase. We investigated various factors which could affect growth on GlcN and GlcNAc, including the rate of GlcN uptake, the level of induction of the nag operon, and differential allosteric activation of GlcN6P deaminase. We found that for strains carrying a wild-type deaminase (nagB) gene, increasing the level of the NagB protein or the rate of GlcN uptake increased the growth rate, which showed that both enzyme induction and sugar transport were limiting. A set of point mutations in nagB that are known to affect the allosteric behavior of GlcN6P deaminase in vitro were transferred to the nagB gene on the Escherichia coli chromosome, and their effects on the growth rates were measured. Mutants in which the substrate-induced positive cooperativity of NagB was reduced or abolished grew even more slowly on GlcN than on GlcNAc or did not grow at all on GlcN. Increasing the amount of the deaminase by using a nagC or nagA mutation to derepress the nag operon improved growth. For some mutants, a nagA mutation, which caused the accumulation of the allosteric activator GlcNAc6P and permitted allosteric activation, had a stronger effect than nagC. The effects of the mutations on growth in vivo are discussed in light of their in vitro kinetics.

scholarly journals Topology and Boundaries of the Aerotaxis Receptor Aer in the Membrane of Escherichia coli

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 894-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya N. Amin ◽  
Barry L. Taylor ◽  
Mark S. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Lateral Diffusion ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Type I ◽  
Membrane Anchor ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Membrane Spanning

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli chemoreceptors are type I membrane receptors that have a periplasmic sensing domain, a cytosolic signaling domain, and two transmembrane segments. The aerotaxis receptor, Aer, is different in that both its sensing and signaling regions are proposed to be cytosolic. This receptor has a 38-residue hydrophobic segment that is thought to form a membrane anchor. Most transmembrane prediction programs predict a single transmembrane-spanning segment, but such a topology is inconsistent with recent studies indicating that there is direct communication between the membrane flanking PAS and HAMP domains. We studied the overall topology and membrane boundaries of the Aer membrane anchor by a cysteine-scanning approach. The proximity of 48 cognate cysteine replacements in Aer dimers was determined in vivo by measuring the rate and extent of disulfide cross-linking after adding the oxidant copper phenanthroline, both at room temperature and to decrease lateral diffusion in the membrane, at 4°C. Membrane boundaries were identified in membrane vesicles using 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein and methoxy polyethylene glycol 5000 (mPEG). To map periplasmic residues, accessible cysteines were blocked in whole cells by pretreatment with 4-acetamido-4′-maleimidylstilbene-2, 2′ disulfonic acid before the cells were lysed in the presence of mPEG. The data were consistent with two membrane-spanning segments, separated by a short periplasmic loop. Although the membrane anchor contains a central proline residue that reaches the periplasm, its position was permissive to several amino acid and peptide replacements.

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