scholarly journals Distinct Domains of CheA Confer Unique Functions in Chemotaxis and Cell Length in Azospirillum brasilense Sp7

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (13) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Gullett ◽  
Amber Bible ◽  
Gladys Alexandre
Keyword(s):  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Azospirillum Brasilense ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Functional Divergence ◽  
Cell Length ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evolutionary Event ◽  
Cellular Behaviors

ABSTRACT Chemotaxis is the movement of cells in response to gradients of diverse chemical cues. Motile bacteria utilize a conserved chemotaxis signal transduction system to bias their motility and navigate through a gradient. A central regulator of chemotaxis is the histidine kinase CheA. This cytoplasmic protein interacts with membrane-bound receptors, which assemble into large polar arrays, to propagate the signal. In the alphaproteobacterium Azospirillum brasilense, Che1 controls transient increases in swimming speed during chemotaxis, but it also biases the cell length at division. However, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms for Che1-dependent control of multiple cellular behaviors are not known. Here, we identify specific domains of the CheA1 histidine kinase implicated in modulating each of these functions. We show that CheA1 is produced in two isoforms: a membrane-anchored isoform produced as a fusion with a conserved seven-transmembrane domain of unknown function (TMX) at the N terminus and a soluble isoform similar to prototypical CheA. Site-directed and deletion mutagenesis combined with behavioral assays confirm the role of CheA1 in chemotaxis and implicate the TMX domain in mediating changes in cell length. Fluorescence microscopy further reveals that the membrane-anchored isoform is distributed around the cell surface while the soluble isoform localizes at the cell poles. Together, the data provide a mechanism for the role of Che1 in controlling multiple unrelated cellular behaviors via acquisition of a new domain in CheA1 and production of distinct functional isoforms. IMPORTANCE Chemotaxis provides a significant competitive advantage to bacteria in the environment, and this function has been transferred laterally multiple times, with evidence of functional divergence in different genomic contexts. The molecular principles that underlie functional diversification of chemotaxis in various genomic contexts are unknown. Here, we provide a molecular mechanism by which a single CheA protein controls two unrelated functions: chemotaxis and cell length. Acquisition of this multifunctionality is seemingly a recent evolutionary event. The findings illustrate a mechanism by which chemotaxis function may be co-opted to regulate additional cellular functions.

scholarly journals TheTreponema denticolaPAS Domain-Containing Histidine Kinase Hpk2 Is a Heme Binding Sensor of Oxygen Levels

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juni Sarkar ◽  
Daniel P. Miller ◽  
Lee D. Oliver ◽  
Richard T. Marconi
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Histidine Kinase ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Treponema Denticola ◽  
Pas Domain ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTPeriodontal disease (PD) results from a shift in the composition of the microbial community of the subgingival crevice. As the bacterial population transitions from Gram-positive bacteria to predominantly Gram-negative anaerobes and spirochetes, dramatic changes occur in the physiological and immunological environment at diseased sites.Treponema denticolathrives in periodontal pockets, indicating that it has a unique ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Hpk2 (tde1970), a Per-Arnt-Sim motif (PAS) domain-containing histidine kinase (HK), is part of theT. denticolaHpk2-Rrp2 (tde1969) two-component regulatory (TCR) system. This TCR system is growth phase regulated and has been postulated to play a key role in adaptive responses. In this study, we employ predictive structural analyses and site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the functional role of specific amino acid residues located within the Hpk2 PAS domain. Specific substitutions impacted autophosphorylation (AP), phosphotransfer (PT), oligomerization, and hemin binding. The AP, PT, hemin binding, and oligomerization potential of some mutated Hpk2 proteins differed under aerobic versus anaerobic reaction conditions. The data presented here suggest that the regulatory activity of Hpk2 is linked to diatomic gas levels. In a broader sense, this study highlights the importance of studying proteins produced by anaerobes under conditions that approximate the environment in which they thrive.IMPORTANCEPeriodontal disease affects nearly 60% of the global adult population. Its costs to individuals, and to society as a whole, are enormous. As periodontal disease develops, there is a shift in the composition of the oral microbial community. The bacteria that become dominant are able to cause significant damage to the tissues that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss.Treponema denticolais one of the keystone pathogens associated with periodontal disease. An earlier study demonstrated that the Hpk2 and Rrp2 proteins play an important role in adaptive responses. Here, we explore the role of specific Hpk2 amino acids in environmental sensing and function, using structural analyses and site-directed mutagenesis.

scholarly journals Distinct Requirements for Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein Biogenesis in Escherichia coli

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Peschke ◽  
Mélanie Le Goff ◽  
Gregory M. Koningstein ◽  
Norbert O. Vischer ◽  
Abbi Abdel-Rehim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Signal Recognition Particle ◽  
Membrane Insertion ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
C Terminus

ABSTRACT Tail-anchored membrane proteins (TAMPs) are a distinct subset of inner membrane proteins (IMPs) characterized by a single C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) that is responsible for both targeting and anchoring. Little is known about the routing of TAMPs in bacteria. Here, we have investigated the role of TMD hydrophobicity in tail-anchor function in Escherichia coli and its influence on the choice of targeting/insertion pathway. We created a set of synthetic, fluorescent TAMPs that vary in the hydrophobicity of their TMDs and corresponding control polypeptides that are extended at their C terminus to create regular type II IMPs. Surprisingly, we observed that TAMPs have a much lower TMD hydrophobicity threshold for efficient targeting and membrane insertion than their type II counterparts. Using strains conditional for the expression of known membrane-targeting and insertion factors, we show that TAMPs with strongly hydrophobic TMDs require the signal recognition particle (SRP) for targeting. Neither the SecYEG translocon nor YidC appears to be essential for the membrane insertion of any of the TAMPs studied. In contrast, corresponding type II IMPs with a TMD of sufficient hydrophobicity to promote membrane insertion followed an SRP- and SecYEG translocon-dependent pathway. Together, these data indicate that the capacity of a TMD to promote the biogenesis of E. coli IMPs is strongly dependent upon the polypeptide context in which it is presented. IMPORTANCE A subset of membrane proteins is targeted to and inserted into the membrane via a hydrophobic transmembrane domain (TMD) that is positioned at the very C terminus of the protein. The biogenesis of these so-called tail-anchored proteins (TAMPs) has been studied in detail in eukaryotic cells. Various partly redundant pathways were identified, the choice for which depends in part on the hydrophobicity of the TMD. Much less is known about bacterial TAMPs. The significance of our research is in identifying the role of TMD hydrophobicity in the routing of E. coli TAMPs. Our data suggest that both the nature of the TMD and its role in routing can be very different for TAMPs versus “regular” membrane proteins. Elucidating these position-specific effects of TMDs will increase our understanding of how prokaryotic cells face the challenge of producing a wide variety of membrane proteins.

scholarly journals The Enigmatic Genome of an Obligate Ancient Spiroplasma Symbiont in a Hadal Holothurian

2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Sheng He ◽  
Pei-Wei Zhang ◽  
Jiao-Mei Huang ◽  
Fang-Chao Zhu ◽  
Antoine Danchin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Cucumber ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mariana Trench ◽  
Sea Cucumbers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sugar Transporters ◽  
Basal Group ◽  
Microbial Toxin

ABSTRACTProtective symbiosis has been reported in many organisms, but the molecular mechanisms of the mutualistic interactions between the symbionts and their hosts are unclear. Here, we sequenced the 424-kbp genome of “CandidatusSpiroplasma holothuricola,” which dominated the hindgut microbiome of a sea cucumber, a major scavenger captured in the Mariana Trench (6,140 m depth). Phylogenetic relationships indicated that the dominant bacterium in the hindgut was derived from a basal group ofSpiroplasmaspecies. In this organism, the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of amino acids, glycolysis, and sugar transporters were lost, strongly suggesting endosymbiosis. The highly decayed genome consists of two chromosomes and harbors genes coding for proteolysis, microbial toxin, restriction-methylation systems, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), composed of threecasgenes and 76 CRISPR spacers. The holothurian host is probably protected against invading viruses from sediments by the CRISPRs/Cas and restriction systems of the endosymbiotic spiroplasma. The protective endosymbiosis indicates the important ecological role of the ancientSpiroplasmasymbiont in the maintenance of hadal ecosystems.IMPORTANCESea cucumbers are major inhabitants in hadal trenches. They collect microbes in surface sediment and remain tolerant against potential pathogenic bacteria and viruses. This study presents the genome of endosymbiotic spiroplasmas in the gut of a sea cucumber captured in the Mariana Trench. The extreme reduction of the genome and loss of essential metabolic pathways strongly support its endosymbiotic lifestyle. Moreover, a considerable part of the genome was occupied by a CRISPR/Cas system to provide immunity against viruses and antimicrobial toxin-encoding genes for the degradation of microbes. This novel species ofSpiroplasmais probably an important protective symbiont for the sea cucumbers in the hadal zone.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis TmeA Directly Activates N-WASP To Promote Actin Polymerization and Functions Synergistically with TarP during Invasion

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Keb ◽  
Joshua Ferrell ◽  
Kaylyn R. Scanlon ◽  
Travis J. Jewett ◽  
Kenneth A. Fields
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Divergence ◽  
Infection Process ◽  
Intracellular Parasite ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obligate Intracellular ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Obligate Intracellular Parasite

ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis is a medically significant human pathogen and is an epithelial-tropic obligate intracellular parasite. Invasion of nonprofessional phagocytes represents a crucial step in the infection process and has likely promoted the evolution of a redundant mechanism and routes of entry. Like many other viral and invasive bacterial pathogens, manipulation of the host cell cytoskeleton represents a focal point in Chlamydia entry. The advent of genetic techniques in C. trachomatis, such as creation of complete gene deletions via fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM), is providing important tools to unravel the contributions of bacterial factors in these complex pathways. The type III secretion chaperone Slc1 directs delivery of at least four effectors during the invasion process. Two of these, TarP and TmeA, have been associated with manipulation of actin networks and are essential for normal levels of invasion. The functions of TarP are well established, whereas TmeA is less well characterized. We leverage chlamydial genetics and proximity labeling here to provide evidence that TmeA directly targets host N-WASP to promote Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization. Our work also shows that TmeA and TarP influence separate, yet synergistic pathways to accomplish chlamydial entry. These data further support an appreciation that a pathogen, confined by a reductionist genome, retains the ability to commit considerable resources to accomplish bottle-neck steps during the infection process. IMPORTANCE The increasing genetic tractability of Chlamydia trachomatis is accelerating the ability to characterize the unique infection biology of this obligate intracellular parasite. These efforts are leading to a greater understanding of the molecular events associated with key virulence requirements. Manipulation of the host actin cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role throughout Chlamydia infection, yet a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms initiating and orchestrating actin rearrangements has lagged. Our work highlights the application of genetic manipulation to address open questions regarding chlamydial invasion, a process essential to survival. We provide definitive insight regarding the role of the type III secreted effector TmeA and how that activity relates to another prominent effector, TarP. In addition, our data implicate at least one source that contributes to the functional divergence of entry mechanisms among chlamydial species.

scholarly journals Mechanism of Attenuation of Uranyl Toxicity by Glutathione in Lactococcus lactis

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 3563-3571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad H. Obeid ◽  
Jana Oertel ◽  
Marc Solioz ◽  
Karim Fahmy
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Metal Toxicity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTBoth prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms possess mechanisms for the detoxification of heavy metals, and these mechanisms are found among distantly related species. We investigated the role of intracellular glutathione (GSH), which, in a large number of taxa, plays a role in protection against the toxicity of common heavy metals. Anaerobically grownLactococcus lactiscontaining an inducible GSH synthesis pathway was used as a model organism. Its physiological condition allowed study of putative GSH-dependent uranyl detoxification mechanisms without interference from additional reactive oxygen species. By microcalorimetric measurements of metabolic heat during cultivation, it was shown that intracellular GSH attenuates the toxicity of uranium at a concentration in the range of 10 to 150 μM. In this concentration range, no effect was observed with copper, which was used as a reference for redox metal toxicity. At higher copper concentrations, GSH aggravated metal toxicity. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed the endothermic binding of U(VI) to the carboxyl group(s) of GSH rather than to the reducing thiol group involved in copper interactions. The data indicate that the primary detoxifying mechanism is the intracellular sequestration of carboxyl-coordinated U(VI) into an insoluble complex with GSH. The opposite effects on uranyl and on copper toxicity can be related to the difference in coordination chemistry of the respective metal-GSH complexes, which cause distinct growth phase-specific effects on enzyme-metal interactions.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding microbial metal resistance is of particular importance for bioremediation, where microorganisms are employed for the removal of heavy metals from the environment. This strategy is increasingly being considered for uranium. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of uranyl detoxification. Existing studies of different taxa show little systematics but hint at a role of glutathione (GSH). Previous work could not unequivocally demonstrate a GSH function in decreasing the presumed uranyl-induced oxidative stress, nor could a redox-independent detoxifying action of GSH be identified. Combining metabolic calorimetry with cell number-based assays and genetics analysis enables a novel and general approach to quantify toxicity and relate it to molecular mechanisms. The results show that GSH-expressing microorganisms appear advantageous for uranyl bioremediation.

scholarly journals Cadmium Causes Misfolding and Aggregation of Cytosolic Proteins in Yeast

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Jacobson ◽  
Smriti Priya ◽  
Sandeep K. Sharma ◽  
Stefanie Andersson ◽  
Sofia Jakobsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cadmium Toxicity ◽  
Cytosolic Proteins ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Folded Proteins ◽  
Protein Folding Disorders ◽  
Induced Aggregation

ABSTRACT Cadmium is a highly poisonous metal and is classified as a human carcinogen. While its toxicity is undisputed, the underlying in vivo molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that cadmium induces aggregation of cytosolic proteins in living Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Cadmium primarily targets proteins in the process of synthesis or folding, probably by interacting with exposed thiol groups in not-yet-folded proteins. On the basis of in vitro and in vivo data, we show that cadmium-aggregated proteins form seeds that increase the misfolding of other proteins. Cells that cannot efficiently protect the proteome from cadmium-induced aggregation or clear the cytosol of protein aggregates are sensitized to cadmium. Thus, protein aggregation may contribute to cadmium toxicity. This is the first report on how cadmium causes misfolding and aggregation of cytosolic proteins in vivo. The proposed mechanism might explain not only the molecular basis of the toxic effects of cadmium but also the suggested role of this poisonous metal in the pathogenesis of certain protein-folding disorders.

scholarly journals Regulation of the Peptidoglycan Polymerase Activity of PBP1b by Antagonist Actions of the Core Divisome Proteins FtsBLQ and FtsN

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Boes ◽  
Samir Olatunji ◽  
Eefjan Breukink ◽  
Mohammed Terrak
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Specific Role ◽  
Multiprotein Complex ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Shed Light

ABSTRACTPeptidoglycan (PG) is an essential constituent of the bacterial cell wall. During cell division, PG synthesis localizes at midcell under the control of a multiprotein complex, the divisome, allowing the safe formation of two new cell poles and separation of daughter cells. Genetic studies inEscherichia colipointed out that FtsBLQ and FtsN participate in the regulation of septal PG (sPG) synthesis; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remained largely unknown. Here we show that FtsBLQ subcomplex directly interacts with the PG synthase PBP1b and with the subcomplex FtsW-PBP3, mainly via FtsW. Strikingly, we discovered that FtsBLQ inhibits the glycosyltransferase activity of PBP1b and that this inhibition was antagonized by the PBP1b activators FtsN and LpoB. The same results were obtained in the presence of FtsW-PBP3. Moreover, using a simple thioester substrate (S2d), we showed that FtsBLQ also inhibits the transpeptidase domain of PBP3 but not of PBP1b. As the glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase activities of PBP1b are coupled and PBP3 activity requires nascent PG substrate, the results suggest that PBP1b inhibition by FtsBLQ will block sPG synthesis by these enzymes, thus maintaining cell division as repressed until the maturation of the divisome is signaled by the accumulation of FtsN, which triggers sPG synthesis and the initiation of cell constriction. These results confirm that PBP1b plays an important role inE. colicell division and shed light on the specific role of FtsN, which seems to counterbalance the inhibitory effect of FtsBLQ to restore PBP1b activity.IMPORTANCEBacterial cell division is governed by a multiprotein complex called divisome, which facilitates a precise cell wall synthesis at midcell and daughter cell separation. Protein-protein interactions and activity studies using different combinations of the septum synthesis core of the divisome revealed that the glycosyltransferase activity of PBP1b is repressed by FtsBLQ and that the presence of FtsN or LpoB suppresses this inhibition. Moreover, FtsBLQ also inhibits the PBP3 activity on a thioester substrate. These results provide enzymatic evidence of the regulation of the peptidoglycan synthase PBP1b and PBP3 within the divisome. The results confirm that PBP1b plays an important role inE. colicell division and shed light on the specific role of FtsN, which functions to relieve the repression on PBP1b by FtsBLQ and to initiate septal peptidoglycan synthesis.

scholarly journals CONTROL OF ADIPOGENIC COMMITMENT BY A STAT3-VSTM2A AXIS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manal Al Dow ◽  
Maruhen Amir Datsch Silveira ◽  
Audrée Poliquin ◽  
Laura Tribouillard ◽  
Éric Fournier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Stat3 Phosphorylation ◽  
Energy Excess ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Transcription 3 ◽  
Novel Protein

White adipose tissue (WAT) is a dynamic organ that plays crucial roles in controlling metabolic homeostasis. During development and periods of energy excess, adipose progenitors are recruited and differentiate into adipocytes to promote lipid storage capability. The identity of adipose progenitors and the signals that promote their recruitment are still incompletely characterized. We have recently identified V-set and transmembrane domain-containing protein 2A (VSTM2A) as a novel protein enriched in preadipocytes that amplifies adipogenic commitment. Despite the emerging role of VSTM2A in promoting adipogenesis, the molecular mechanisms regulating Vstm2a expression in preadipocytes are still unknown. To define the molecular mechanisms controlling Vstm2a expression, we have treated preadipocytes with an array of compounds capable of modulating established regulators of adipogenesis. Here, we report that Vstm2a expression is positively regulated by PI3K/mTOR and cAMP-dependent signaling pathways and repressed by the MAPK pathway and the glucocorticoid receptor. By integrating the impact of all the molecules tested, we identified signal transduced and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as a novel downstream transcription factor affecting Vstm2a expression. We show that activation of STAT3 increased Vstm2a expression, whereas its inhibition repressed this process. In mice, we found that STAT3 phosphorylation is elevated in the early phases of WAT development, an effect that strongly associates with Vstm2a expression. Our findings identify STAT3 as a key transcription factor regulating Vstm2a expression in preadipocytes.

scholarly journals Alginate Polymerization and Modification Are Linked in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fata Moradali ◽  
Ivan Donati ◽  
Ian M. Sims ◽  
Shirin Ghods ◽  
Bernd H. A. Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Aggregation ◽  
Activation Mechanism ◽  
Cellulose Synthesis ◽  
Multiprotein Complex ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACTThe molecular mechanisms of alginate polymerization/modification/secretion by a proposed envelope-spanning multiprotein complex are unknown. Here, bacterial two-hybrid assays and pulldown experiments showed that the catalytic subunit Alg8 directly interacts with the proposed copolymerase Alg44 while embedded in the cytoplasmic membrane. Alg44 additionally interacts with the lipoprotein AlgK bridging the periplasmic space. Site-specific mutagenesis of Alg44 showed that protein-protein interactions and stability were independent of conserved amino acid residues R17 and R21, which are involved in c-di-GMP binding, the N-terminal PilZ domain, and the C-terminal 26 amino acids. Site-specific mutagenesis was employed to investigate the c-di-GMP-mediated activation of alginate polymerization by the PilZAlg44domain and Alg8. Activation was found to be different from the proposed activation mechanism for cellulose synthesis. The interactive role of Alg8, Alg44, AlgG (epimerase), and AlgX (acetyltransferase) on alginate polymerization and modification was studied by using site-specific deletion mutants, inactive variants, and overproduction of subunits. The compositions, molecular masses, and material properties of resulting novel alginates were analyzed. The molecular mass was reduced by epimerization, while it was increased by acetylation. Interestingly, when overproduced, Alg44, AlgG, and the nonepimerizing variant AlgG(D324A) increased the degree of acetylation, while epimerization was enhanced by AlgX and its nonacetylating variant AlgX(S269A). Biofilm architecture analysis showed that acetyl groups promoted cell aggregation while nonacetylated polymannuronate alginate promoted stigmergy. Overall, this study sheds new light on the arrangement of the multiprotein complex involved in alginate production. Furthermore, the activation mechanism and the interplay between polymerization and modification of alginate were elucidated.IMPORTANCEThis study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the synthesis of the unique polysaccharide, alginate, which not only is an important virulence factor of the opportunistic human pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosabut also has, due to its material properties, many applications in medicine and industry. Unraveling the assembly and composition of the alginate-synthesizing and envelope-spanning multiprotein complex will be of tremendous significance for the scientific community. We identified a protein-protein interaction network inside the multiprotein complex and studied its relevance with respect to alginate polymerization/modification as well as the c-di-GMP-mediated activation mechanism. A relationship between alginate polymerization and modification was shown. Due to the role of alginate in pathogenesis as well as its unique material properties harnessed in numerous applications, results obtained in this study will aid the design and development of inhibitory drugs as well as the commercial bacterial production of tailor-made alginates.

scholarly journals A possible role of DNA methylation in functional divergence of a fast evolving duplicate gene encoding odorant binding protein 11 in the honeybee

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1833) ◽  
pp. 20160558 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kucharski ◽  
J. Maleszka ◽  
R. Maleszka
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Functional Divergence ◽  
Duplicate Gene ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanism ◽  
Duplicated Genes ◽  
Functional Diversification ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Odorant Binding

Although gene duplication is seen as the main path to evolution of new functions, molecular mechanisms by which selection favours the gain versus loss of newly duplicated genes and minimizes the fixation of pseudo-genes are not well understood. Here, we investigate in detail a duplicate honeybee gene obp11 belonging to a fast evolving insect gene family encoding odorant binding proteins (OBPs). We report that obp11 is expressed only in female bees in rare antennal sensilla basiconica in contrast to its tandem partner obp10 that is expressed in the brain in both females and males (drones). Unlike all other obp genes in the honeybee, obp11 is methylated suggesting that functional diversification of obp11 and obp10 may have been driven by an epigenetic mechanism. We also show that increased methylation in drones near one donor splice site that correlates with higher abundance of a transcript variant encoding a truncated OBP11 protein is one way of controlling its contrasting expression. Our data suggest that like in mammals and plants, DNA methylation in insects may contribute to functional diversification of proteins produced from duplicated genes, in particular to their subfunctionalization by generating complementary patterns of expression.

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