scholarly journals Genetic Basis for Biosynthesis of the(α1→4)-LinkedN-Acetyl-d-Glucosamine 1-Phosphate Capsuleof Neisseria meningitidis SerogroupX

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 6712-6720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yih-Ling Tzeng ◽  
Corie Noble ◽  
David S. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
Amino Acid Similarity ◽  
Biosynthesis Gene ◽  
Multiple Strains ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT The genetic basis for biosynthesis of the (α1→4)-linked N-acetyl-d-glucosamine 1-phosphate capsule of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X was defined. The biosynthesis gene cassette was a ∼4.2-kb region located between ctrA of the capsule transport operon and galE, which encodes the UDP-glucose-4-epimerase. This location was identical to the locations of the biosynthesis cassettes in other meningococcal serogroups. Three open reading frames unique to meningococcus serogroup X were identified. Deletion-insertion mutation and colony immunoblotting confirmed that these three genes were essential for serogroup X capsule expression, and the genes were designated xcbA, xcbB, and xcbC (serogroup X capsule biosynthesis). Reverse transcriptase PCR indicated that the xcbABC genes form an operon and are cotranscribed divergently from ctrA. XcbA exhibited 52% amino acid similarity to SacB, the putative capsule polymerase of meningococcus serogroup A, suggesting that it plays a role as the serogroup X capsule polymerase. An IS1016 element was found within the intergenic region separating ctrA and xcbA in multiple strains, and this element did not interfere with capsule expression.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Gene Cassette Required for Biosynthesis of the (α1→6)-LinkedN-Acetyl-d-Mannosamine-1-Phosphate Capsule of Serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (6) ◽  
pp. 1533-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Swartley ◽  
Li-Jun Liu ◽  
Yoon K. Miller ◽  
Larry E. Martin ◽  
Srilatha Edupuganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Intergenic Region ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
Amino Acid Identity ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Capsule Production ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT The (α1→6)-linkedN-acetyl-d-mannosamine-1-phosphate meningococcal capsule of serogroup A Neisseria meningitidisis biochemically distinct from the sialic acid-containing capsules produced by other disease-associated meningococcal serogroups (e.g., B, C, Y, and W-135). We defined the genetic cassette responsible for expression of the serogroup A capsule. The cassette comprised a 4,701-bp nucleotide sequence located between the outer membrane capsule transporter gene, ctrA, and galE, encoding the UDP-glucose-4-epimerase. Four open reading frames (ORFs) not found in the genomes of the other meningococcal serogroups were identified. The first serogroup A ORF was separated from ctrA by a 218-bp intergenic region. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and primer extension studies of serogroup A mRNA showed that all four ORFs were cotranscribed in the opposite orientation to ctrA and that transcription of the ORFs was initiated from the intergenic region by a ς-70-type promoter that overlapped the ctrA promoter. The first ORF exhibited 58% amino acid identity with the UDP-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) 2-epimerase of Escherichia coli, which is responsible for the conversion of UDP-GlcNAc into UDP-N-acetyl-d-mannosamine. Polar or nonpolar mutagenesis of each of the ORFs resulted in an abrogation of serogroup A capsule production as determined by colony immunoblots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Replacement of the serogroup A biosynthetic gene cassette with a serogroup B cassette by transformation resulted in capsule switching from a serogroup A capsule to a serogroup B capsule. These data indicate that assembly of the serogroup A capsule likely begins with monomeric UDP-GlcNAc and requires proteins encoded by three other genes found in the serogroup A N. meningitidis-specific operon located betweenctrA and galE.

scholarly journals Sequence and domain organization of scruin, an actin-cross-linking protein in the acrosomal process of Limulus sperm.

1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Way ◽  
M Sanders ◽  
C Garcia ◽  
J Sakai ◽  
P Matsudaira
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Limited Proteolysis ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Molar Ratio ◽  
Domain Organization ◽  
Ring Canals ◽  
Drosophila Protein ◽  
Reading Frames

The acrosomal process of Limulus sperm is an 80-microns long finger of membrane supported by a crystalline bundle of actin filaments. The filaments in this bundle are crosslinked by a 102-kD protein, scruin present in a 1:1 molar ratio with actin. Recent image reconstruction of scruin decorated actin filaments at 13-A resolution shows that scruin is organized into two equally sized domains bound to separate actin subunits in the same filament. We have cloned and sequenced the gene for scruin from a Limulus testes cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of scruin reflects the domain organization of scruin: it consists of a tandem pair of homologous domains joined by a linker region. The domain organization of scruin is confirmed by limited proteolysis of the purified acrosomal process. Three different proteases cleave the native protein in a 5-kD Protease-sensitive region in the middle of the molecule to generate an NH2-terminal 47-kD and a COOH-terminal 56-kD protease-resistant domains. Although the protein sequence of scruin has no homology to any known actin-binding protein, it has similarities to several proteins, including four open reading frames of unknown function in poxviruses, as well as kelch, a Drosophila protein localized to actin-rich ring canals. All proteins that show homologies to scruin are characterized by the presence of an approximately 50-amino acid residue motif that is repeated between two and seven times. Crystallographic studies reveal this motif represents a four beta-stranded fold that is characteristic of the "superbarrel" structural fold found in the sialidase family of proteins. These results suggest that the two domains of scruin seen in EM reconstructions are superbarrel folds, and they present the possibility that other members of this family may also bind actin.

scholarly journals A Stress-Induced Bias in the Reading of the Genetic Code in Escherichia coli

mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adi Oron-Gottesman ◽  
Martina Sauert ◽  
Isabella Moll ◽  
Hanna Engelberg-Kulka
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Ribosomal Protein ◽  
Genetic Code ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Translation Machinery ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Universal Characteristic ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli mazEF is an extensively studied stress-induced toxin-antitoxin (TA) system. The toxin MazF is an endoribonuclease that cleaves RNAs at ACA sites. Thereby, under stress, the induced MazF generates a stress-induced translation machinery (STM), composed of MazF-processed mRNAs and selective ribosomes that specifically translate the processed mRNAs. Here, we further characterized the STM system, finding that MazF cleaves only ACA sites located in the open reading frames of processed mRNAs, while out-of-frame ACAs are resistant. This in-frame ACA cleavage of MazF seems to depend on MazF binding to an extracellular-death-factor (EDF)-like element in ribosomal protein bS1 (bacterial S1), apparently causing MazF to be part of STM ribosomes. Furthermore, due to the in-frame MazF cleavage of ACAs under stress, a bias occurs in the reading of the genetic code causing the amino acid threonine to be encoded only by its synonym codon ACC, ACU, or ACG, instead of by ACA. IMPORTANCE The genetic code is a universal characteristic of all living organisms. It defines the set of rules by which nucleotide triplets specify which amino acid will be incorporated into a protein. Our results represent the first existing report on a stress-induced bias in the reading of the genetic code. We found that in E. coli , under stress, the amino acid threonine is encoded only by its synonym codon ACC, ACU, or ACG, instead of by ACA. This is because under stress, MazF generates a stress-induced translation machinery (STM) in which MazF cleaves in-frame ACA sites of the processed mRNAs.

scholarly journals Construction and Characterization of Murine Cytomegaloviruses That Contain Transposon Insertions at Open Reading Frames m09 and M83

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (16) ◽  
pp. 7411-7421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Zhan ◽  
Manfred Lee ◽  
Jianqiao Xiao ◽  
Fenyong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Scid Mice ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Murine Cytomegalovirus ◽  
Wild Type Virus ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
Type Virus ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT A transposon derived from Escherichia coliTn3 was introduced into the genome of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to generate a pool of viral mutants, including two recombinant viruses that contained the transposon sequence within open reading frames m09 and M83. Our studies provide the first direct evidence to suggest that m09 is not essential for viral replication in mouse NIH 3T3 cells. Studies in cultured cells and in both BALB/c-Byj and CB17 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice indicated that the transposon insertion is stable during viral propagation both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the virus that contained the insertion mutation in m09 exhibited a titer similar to that of the wild-type virus in the salivary glands, lungs, livers, spleens, and kidneys of both the BALB/c and SCID mice and was as virulent as the wild-type virus in killing the SCID mice when these animals were intraperitoneally infected with these viruses. These results suggest that m09 is dispensable for viral growth in these organs and that the presence of the transposon sequence in the viral genome does not significantly affect viral replication in vivo. In contrast, the virus that contained the insertion mutation in M83 exhibited a titer of at least 60-fold lower than that of the wild-type virus in the organs of the SCID mice and was attenuated in killing the SCID mice. These results demonstrate the utility of using the Tn3-based system as a mutagenesis approach for studying the function of MCMV genes in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient animals.

scholarly journals Identification of Genetic Loci Required for Capsular Expression in Vibrio vulnificus

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1091-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy B. Smith ◽  
Ronald J. Siebeling
Keyword(s):  
Unknown Function ◽  
Gene Locus ◽  
Insertion Sequence ◽  
Capsular Polysaccharide ◽  
Vibrio Vulnificus ◽  
Virulent Strain ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Genetic Loci ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Transposon mutagenesis of an encapsulated, virulent strain of Vibrio vulnificus 1003(O) led to the identification of four genetic regions that are essential to capsular polysaccharide (CPS) expression and virulence. Of the four regions, three are believed to be part of a capsule gene locus comprised of biosynthesis, polymerization, and transport genes clustered on a single chromosomal fragment. Genes indicating a Wzy-dependent system of polymerization and transmembrane export are present, suggesting that the CPS of V. vulnificus is lipid linked. The fourth region, while it contains a gene essential for CPS expression, is characteristic of an integron-gene cassette region, similar to the super integron of V. cholerae. It is not believed to be part of a CPS gene locus and is located in a region of the chromosome separate from the putative CPS loci. It is comprised of open reading frames (ORFs) carrying genes of unknown function surrounded by direct repeats. This region also contains IS492, an insertion sequence located numerous times throughout a region of the genome, demonstrating a restriction fragment length polymorphism among an encapsulated and nonencapsulated morphotype of V. vulnificus. Collectively, 22 ORFs were recognized: 13 capsule synthesis genes, 4 insertion sequences, 1 truncated biosynthesis gene, and 4 genes of unknown function. This study has led to the identification of previously unrecognized genetic loci that may help to increase the understanding of capsular genetics and antigenic diversity among V. vulnificus strains.

scholarly journals A plasmid-encoded papB paralogue modulates autoaggregation of Escherichia coli transconjugants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Monarrez ◽  
Iruka Okeke
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Enteric Bacteria ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Element Bearing ◽  
Reading Frames

Abstract Objective: Plasmids are key to antimicrobial resistance transmission among enteric bacteria. It is becoming increasingly clear that resistance genes alone do not account for the selective advantage of plasmids and bacterial strains that harbor them. Deletion of a 32 Kb fitness-conferring region of pMB2, a conjugative resistance plasmid, produced a hyper-autoaggregation phenotype in laboratory Escherichia coli. This study sought to determine the genetic basis for hyper-autoaggregation conferred by the pMB2-derived mini-plasmid. Results: The 32 Kb fragment deleted from pMB2 included previously characterized nutrient acquisition genes as well as putative transposase and integrase genes, a 272 bp papB/ pefB-like gene, and several open-reading frames of unknown function. We cloned the papB/ pefB paralogue and found it sufficient to temper the hyper-autoaggregation phenotype. Hyper-autoaggregation conferred by the mini-plasmid did not occur in a fim-negative background. This study has identified and characterized a gene capable of down-regulating host adhesins and has shown that trans-acting papB/pefB paralogues can occur outside the context of an adhesin cluster. This plasmid-mediated modification of a bacterial host’s colonization program may optimize horizontal transfer of the mobile element bearing the genes.

scholarly journals Genetic Basis for Lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen Biosynthesis in Bordetellae

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 3763-3767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Preston ◽  
Andrew G. Allen ◽  
Joanna Cadisch ◽  
Richard Thomas ◽  
Kim Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insertion Sequence ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Genetic Locus ◽  
Bordetella Bronchiseptica ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Bordetella Parapertussis ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
Surface Polysaccharide ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella parapertussis express a surface polysaccharide, attached to a lipopolysaccharide, which has been called O antigen. This structure is absent from Bordetella pertussis. We report the identification of a large genetic locus in B. bronchiseptica and B. parapertussis that is required for O-antigen biosynthesis. The locus is replaced by an insertion sequence in B. pertussis, explaining the lack of O-antigen biosynthesis in this species. The DNA sequence of the B. bronchiseptica locus has been determined and the presence of 21 open reading frames has been revealed. We have ascribed putative functions to many of these open reading frames based on database searches. Mutations in the locus in B. bronchiseptica andB. parapertussis prevent O-antigen biosynthesis and provide tools for the study of the role of O antigen in infections caused by these bacteria.

scholarly journals Isolation and Characterization of Genes Responsible for Naphthalene Degradation from Thermophilic Naphthalene Degrader, Geobacillus sp. JF8

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Miyazawa ◽  
Le Thi Ha Thanh ◽  
Akio Tani ◽  
Masaki Shintani ◽  
Nguyen Hoang Loc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Thermophilic Bacterium ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Naphthalene Degradation ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Dihydrodiol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Reading Frames

Geobacillus sp. JF8 is a thermophilic biphenyl and naphthalene degrader. To identify the naphthalene degradation genes, cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase was purified from naphthalene-grown cells, and its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined. Using a DNA probe encoding the N-terminal region of the dehydrogenase, a 10-kb DNA fragment was isolated. Upstream of nahB, a gene for dehydrogenase, there were two open reading frames which were designated as nahAc and nahAd, respectively. The products of nahAc and nahAd were predicted to be alpha and beta subunit of ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of NahB indicated that it did not belong to the cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase group that includes those of classical naphthalene degradation pathways. Downstream of nahB, four open reading frames were found, and their products were predicted as meta-cleavage product hydrolase, monooxygenase, dehydrogenase, and gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase, respectively. A reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis showed that transcription of nahAcAd was induced by naphthalene. These findings indicate that we successfully identified genes involved in the upper pathway of naphthalene degradation from a thermophilic bacterium.

scholarly journals Biosynthesis of the β-Methylarginine Residue of Peptidyl Nucleoside Arginomycin in Streptomyces arginensis NRRL 15941

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
pp. 5021-5027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Feng ◽  
Jun Wu ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
Zhigui Xia ◽  
Zixin Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Enzymatic Conversion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Adenosyl Methionine ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACTThe peptidyl nucleoside arginomycin is active against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi but displays much lower toxicity to mice than its analog blasticidin S. It features a rare amino acid, β-methylarginine, which is attached to the deoxyhexose moiety via a 4′-aminoacyl bond. We here report cloning of the complete biosynthetic gene cluster for arginomycin fromStreptomyces arginensisNRRL 15941. Among the 14 putative essential open reading frames,argM, encoding an aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), and adjacentargN, encoding anS-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase, are coupled to catalyze arginine and yield β-methylarginine inEscherichia coli. Purified ArgM can transfer the α-amino group ofl-arginine to α-ketoglutaric acid to give glutamate and thereby convertsl-arginine to 5-guanidino-2-oxopentanoic acid, which is methylated at the C-3 position by ArgN to form 5-guanidino-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid. Iteratively, ArgM specifically catalyzes transamination from the donorl-aspartate to the resulting 5-guanidino-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoic acid, generating β-methylarginine. The complete and concise biosynthetic pathway for the rare and bioactive amino acid revealed by this study may pave the way for the production of β-methylarginine either by enzymatic conversion or by engineered living cells.

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