Influence of High Pressure on the Dimerization of ToxR, a Protein Involved in Bacterial Signal Transduction
2008 ◽
Vol 74
(24)
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pp. 7821-7823
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Keyword(s):
ABSTRACT High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is suggested to influence the structure and function of membranes and/or integrated proteins. We demonstrate for the first time HHP-induced dimer dissociation of membrane proteins in vivo with Vibrio cholerae ToxR variants in Escherichia coli reporter strains carrying ctx::lacZ fusions. Dimerization ceased at 20 to 50 MPa depending on the nature of the transmembrane segments rather than on changes in the ToxR lipid bilayer environment.