The bifunctional peptidoglycan lysin of Streptococcus agalactiae bacteriophage B30

Microbiology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 150 (7) ◽  
pp. 2079-2087 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Pritchard ◽  
Shengli Dong ◽  
John R. Baker ◽  
Jeffrey A. Engler
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Ions ◽  
Lysozyme Activity ◽  
Exponential Phase ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Oral Streptococci ◽  
Early Exponential Phase ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Endopeptidase Activity ◽  
Reducing Activity ◽  
Group B

A group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteriophage lysin gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant enzyme, calculated to have a molecular mass of 49 677 Da, lysed GBS cells. The susceptibility of GBS cells to lysis by the enzyme depended upon the growth stage at which they were harvested, with early exponential phase cells most sensitive. Calcium ions enhanced the activity of the enzyme. The enzyme also lysed other β-haemolytic streptococci, including groups A, C, E and G streptococci, but not common oral streptococci, including Streptococcus mutans. The generation of both reducing activity and N-terminal alanine residues during lysis indicated that the lysin is a bifunctional enzyme, possessing both glycosidase and endopeptidase activities. This is consistent with the presence of two conserved sequence domains, an Acm (acetylmuramidase) domain associated with lysozyme activity, and a CHAP (cysteine, histidine-dependent amidohydrolases/peptidases) domain associated with endopeptidase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved cysteine and histidine residues in the CHAP domain and conserved aspartate and glutamate residues in the Acm domain confirmed their importance for lysozyme and endopeptidase activity respectively.

Identification of an upstream regulatory sequence that mediates the transcription of mox genes in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

Microbiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 151 (11) ◽  
pp. 3723-3728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Kelly A. FitzGerald ◽  
Mary E. Lidstrom
Keyword(s):  
Promoter Activity ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Regulatory Sequence ◽  
Methylobacterium Extorquens ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Enhancer Element ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Genetic Constructs ◽  
Transcriptional Fusions

A multiple A-tract sequence has been identified in the promoter regions for the mxaF, pqqA, mxaW, mxbD and mxcQ genes involved in methanol oxidation in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, a facultative methylotroph. Site-directed mutagenesis was exploited to delete or change this conserved sequence. Promoter-xylE transcriptional fusions were used to assess promoter activity in these mutants. A fiftyfold drop in the XylE activity was observed for the mxaF and pqqA promoters without this sequence, and a five- to sixfold drop in the XylE activity was observed for the mxbD and mxcQ promoters without this sequence. Mutants were generated in the chromosomal copies in which this sequence was either deleted or altered, and these mutants were unable to grow on methanol. When one of these sequences was added to Plac of Escherichia coli, which is a weak constitutive promoter in M. extorquens AM1, the activity increased two- to threefold. These results suggest that this sequence is essential for normal expression of these genes in M. extorquens AM1, and may serve as a general enhancer element for genetic constructs in this bacterium.

scholarly journals Analysis of Dibenzothiophene Desulfurization in a Recombinant Pseudomonas putida Strain

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 875-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Calzada ◽  
Mar�a T. Zamarro ◽  
Almudena Alc�n ◽  
Victoria E. Santos ◽  
Eduardo D�az ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Putida ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Exponential Phase ◽  
Cell Process ◽  
Growth Phases ◽  
Early Exponential Phase ◽  
Sharp Maximum ◽  
Resting Cell

ABSTRACT Biodesulfurization was monitored in a recombinant Pseudomonas putida CECT5279 strain. DszB desulfinase activity reached a sharp maximum at the early exponential phase, but it rapidly decreased at later growth phases. A model two-step resting-cell process combining sequentially P. putida cells from the late and early exponential growth phases was designed to significantly increase biodesulfurization.

Activation Control of pur Gene Expression inLactococcus lactis: Proposal for a Consensus Activator Binding Sequence Based on Deletion Analysis and Site-Directed Mutagenesis of purC and purD Promoter Regions

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (15) ◽  
pp. 3900-3906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mogens Kilstrup ◽  
Stine G. Jessing ◽  
Stephanie B. Wichmand-Jørgensen ◽  
Mette Madsen ◽  
Dan Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Deletion Analysis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Similar Region ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
High Level ◽  
Transcriptional Start Sites ◽  
Binding Sequence

ABSTRACT A comparison of the purC and purD upstream regions from Lactococcus lactis revealed the presence of a conserved ACCGAACAAT decanucleotide sequence located precisely between −79 and −70 nucleotides upstream from the transcriptional start sites. Both promoters have well-defined −10 regions but lack sequences resembling −35 regions for ς70 promoters. Fusion studies indicated the importance of the conserved sequence in purine-mediated regulation. Adjacent to the conserved sequence in purC is a second and similar region required for high-level expression of the gene. A consensus PurBox sequence (AWWWCCGAACWWT) could be proposed for the three regions. By site-directed mutagenesis we found that mutation of the central G in the PurBox sequence to C resulted in low levels of transcription and the loss of purine-mediated regulation at thepurC and purD promoters. Deletion analysis also showed that the nucleotides before the central CCGAAC core in the PurBox sequence are important. All results support the idea thatpurC and purD transcription is regulated by a transcriptional activator binding to the PurBox sequence.

Structure analysis and site‐directed mutagenesis of defined key residues and motives for pilus‐related sortase C1 in group B Streptococcus

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1874-1886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Cozzi ◽  
Enrico Malito ◽  
Annalisa Nuccitelli ◽  
Mariapina D'Onofrio ◽  
Manuele Martinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structure Analysis ◽  
Group B Streptococcus ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Group B ◽  
Key Residues

scholarly journals NeuA Sialic Acid O-Acetylesterase Activity Modulates O-Acetylation of Capsular Polysaccharide in Group B Streptococcus

2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (38) ◽  
pp. 27562-27571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Lewis ◽  
Hongzhi Cao ◽  
Silpa K. Patel ◽  
Sandra Diaz ◽  
Wesley Ryan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Group B Streptococcus ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Synthetase Activity ◽  
Bacterial Surface ◽  
Acetylneuraminic Acid ◽  
Single Polypeptide ◽  
Group B

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. A major GBS virulence determinant is its sialic acid (Sia)-capped capsular polysaccharide. Recently, we discovered the presence and genetic basis of capsular Sia O-acetylation in GBS. We now characterize a GBS Sia O-acetylesterase that modulates the degree of GBS surface O-acetylation. The GBS Sia O-acetylesterase operates cooperatively with the GBS CMP-Sia synthetase, both part of a single polypeptide encoded by the neuA gene. NeuA de-O-acetylation of free 9-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2) was enhanced by CTP and Mg2+, the substrate and co-factor, respectively, of the N-terminal GBS CMP-Sia synthetase domain. In contrast, the homologous bifunctional NeuA esterase from Escherichia coli K1 did not display cofactor dependence. Further analyses showed that in vitro, GBS NeuA can operate via two alternate enzymatic pathways: de-O-acetylation of Neu5,9Ac2 followed by CMP activation of Neu5Ac or activation of Neu5,9Ac2 followed by de-O-acetylation of CMP-Neu5,9Ac2. Consistent with in vitro esterase assays, genetic deletion of GBS neuA led to accumulation of intracellular O-acetylated Sias, and overexpression of GBS NeuA reduced O-acetylation of Sias on the bacterial surface. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved asparagine residue 301 abolished esterase activity but preserved CMP-Sia synthetase activity, as evidenced by hyper-O-acetylation of capsular polysaccharide Sias on GBS expressing only the N301A NeuA allele. These studies demonstrate a novel mechanism regulating the extent of capsular Sia O-acetylation in intact bacteria and provide a genetic strategy for manipulating GBS O-acetylation in order to explore the role of this modification in GBS pathogenesis and immunogenicity.

scholarly journals Genetic Manipulation of Arterivirus Alternative mRNA Leader-Body Junction Sites Reveals Tight Regulation of Structural Protein Expression

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (24) ◽  
pp. 11642-11653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander O. Pasternak ◽  
Alexander P. Gultyaev ◽  
Willy J. M. Spaan ◽  
Eric J. Snijder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
The Body ◽  
Equine Arteritis Virus ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Progeny Virus ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Conserved Sequence

ABSTRACT To express its structural proteins, the arterivirus Equine arteritis virus (EAV) produces a nested set of six subgenomic (sg) RNA species. These RNA molecules are generated by a mechanism of discontinuous transcription, during which a common leader sequence, representing the 5′ end of the genomic RNA, is attached to the bodies of the sg RNAs. The connection between the leader and body parts of an mRNA is formed by a short, conserved sequence element termed the transcription-regulating sequence (TRS), which is present at the 3′ end of the leader as well as upstream of each of the structural protein genes. With the exception of RNA3, only one body TRS was previously assumed to be used to join the leader and body of each EAV sg RNA. Here we show that for the synthesis of two other sg RNAs, RNA4 and RNA5, alternative leader-body junction sites that differ substantially in transcriptional activity are used. By site-directed mutagenesis of an EAV infectious cDNA clone, the alternative TRSs used to generate RNA3, -4, and -5 were inactivated, which strongly influenced the corresponding RNA levels and the production of infectious progeny virus. The relative amounts of RNA produced from alternative TRSs differed significantly and corresponded to the relative infectivities of the virus mutants. This strongly suggested that the structural proteins that are expressed from these RNAs are limiting factors during the viral life cycle and that the discontinuous step in sg RNA synthesis is crucial for the regulation of their expression. On the basis of a theoretical analysis of the predicted RNA structure of the 3′ end of the EAV genome, we propose that the local secondary RNA structure of the body TRS regions is an important factor in the regulation of the discontinuous step in EAV sg mRNA synthesis.

scholarly journals Characterization of iduronate sulphatase mutants affecting N-glycosylation sites and the cysteine-84 residue

1997 ◽  
Vol 326 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles MILLAT ◽  
Roseline FROISSART ◽  
Irène MAIRE ◽  
Dominique BOZON
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Activity ◽  
Amino Acid Position ◽  
Cysteine Residue ◽  
Glycosylation Site ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Cos Cells ◽  
Conserved Sequence ◽  
Glycosylation Sites

Iduronate sulphatase (IDS) is responsible for mucopolysaccharidosis type II, a rare recessive X-linked lysosomal storage disease. The aim of this work was to evaluate the functional importance of each N-glycosylation site, and of the cysteine-84 residue. IDS mutant cDNAs, lacking one of the eight potential N-glycosylation sites, were expressed in COS cells. Although each of the potential sites was used, none of the eight glycosylation sites appeared to be essential for lysosomal targeting. Another important sulphatase co- or post-translational modification for generating catalytic activity involves the conversion of a cysteine residue surrounded by a conserved sequence C-X-P-S-R into a 2-amino-3-oxopropionic acid residue [Schmidt, Selmer, Ingendoh and von Figura (1995) Cell 82, 271–278]. This conserved cysteine, located at amino acid position 84 in IDS, was replaced either by an alanine (C84A) or by a threonine (C84T) using site-directed mutagenesis. C84A and C84T mutant cDNAs were expressed either in COS cells or in human lymphoblastoid cells deleted for the IDS gene. C84A had a drastic effect both for IDS processing and for catalytic activity. The C84T mutation produced a small amount of mature forms but also abolished enzyme activity, confirming that the cysteine residue at position 84 is required for IDS activity.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Porphyromonas gingivalis Client Proteins That Bind to Streptococcus oralis Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

2012 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 753-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiko Maeda ◽  
Hideki Nagata ◽  
Masae Kuboniwa ◽  
Miki Ojima ◽  
Tsukasa Osaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Interaction Analysis ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Oral Streptococci ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Streptococcus Oralis ◽  
Client Proteins

ABSTRACTCoaggregation ofPorphyromonas gingivalisand oral streptococci is thought to play an important role inP. gingivaliscolonization. Previously, we reported thatP. gingivalismajor fimbriae interacted withStreptococcus oralisglyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and that amino acid residues 166 to 183 of GAPDH exhibited strong binding activity towardP. gingivalisfimbriae (H. Nagata, M. Iwasaki, K. Maeda, M. Kuboniwa, E. Hashino, M. Toe, N. Minamino, H. Kuwahara, and S. Shizukuishi, Infect. Immun.77:5130–5138, 2009). The present study aimed to identify and characterizeP. gingivaliscomponents other than fimbriae that interact withS. oralisGAPDH. A pulldown assay was performed to detect potential interactions betweenP. gingivalisclient proteins andS. oralisrecombinant GAPDH with amino acid residues 166 to 183 deleted by site-directed mutagenesis. Seven proteins, namely,tonB-dependent receptor protein (RagA4), arginine-specific proteinase B, 4-hydroxybutyryl-coenzyme A dehydratase (AbfD), lysine-specific proteinase, GAPDH, NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by proteomic analysis using tandem mass spectrometry. Interactions between these client proteins andS. oralisGAPDH were analyzed with a biomolecular interaction analysis system.S. oralisGAPDH showed high affinity for five of the seven client proteins (RagA4, AbfD, GAPDH, GDH, and MDH). Interactions betweenP. gingivalisandS. oraliswere measured by a turbidimetric method and fluorescence microscopy. RagA4, AbfD, and GDH enhanced coaggregation, whereas GAPDH and MDH inhibited coaggregation. Furthermore, the expression ofluxSinP. gingivaliswas upregulated by RagA4, AbfD, and GDH but was downregulated by MDH. These results indicate that the fiveP. gingivalisclient proteins function as regulators inP. gingivalisbiofilm formation with oral streptococci.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document