scholarly journals General Mutagenesis of F Plasmid TraI Reveals Its Role in Conjugative Regulation

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (17) ◽  
pp. 6346-6353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rembrandt J. F. Haft ◽  
Gilberto Palacios ◽  
Tran Nguyen ◽  
Manuela Mally ◽  
Eliora G. Gachelet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
F Plasmid ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Catalytic Domains ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Negative Regulatory Role

ABSTRACT Bacteria commonly exchange genetic information by the horizontal transfer of conjugative plasmids. In gram-negative conjugation, a relaxase enzyme is absolutely required to prepare plasmid DNA for transit into the recipient via a type IV secretion system. Here we report a mutagenesis of the F plasmid relaxase gene traI using in-frame, 31-codon insertions. Phenotypic analysis of our mutant library revealed that several mutant proteins are functional in conjugation, highlighting regions of TraI that can tolerate insertions of a moderate size. We also demonstrate that wild-type TraI, when overexpressed, plays a dominant-negative regulatory role in conjugation, repressing plasmid transfer frequencies ∼100-fold. Mutant TraI proteins with insertions in a region of approximately 400 residues between the consensus relaxase and helicase sequences did not cause conjugative repression. These unrestrictive TraI variants have normal relaxase activity in vivo, and several have wild-type conjugative functions when expressed at normal levels. We postulate that TraI negatively regulates conjugation by interacting with and sequestering some component of the conjugative apparatus. Our data indicate that the domain responsible for conjugative repression resides in the central region of TraI between the protein's catalytic domains.

scholarly journals Intragenic suppression among CDC34 (UBC3) mutations defines a class of ubiquitin-conjugating catalytic domains.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5635-5644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Liu ◽  
N Mathias ◽  
C N Steussy ◽  
M G Goebl
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Catalytic Domains ◽  
Conserved Regions ◽  
E2 Enzymes ◽  
Key Residues

Ubiquitin-conjugating (E2) enzymes contain several regions within their catalytic domains that are highly conserved. However, within some of these conserved regions are several residues that may be used to define different classes of catalytic domains for the E2 enzymes. One class can be defined by the Ubc1 protein, which contains K-65, D-90, and D-120, while the corresponding positions within the Cdc34 (Ubc3) protein, which defines a second class of enzymes, contain S-73, S-97, and S-139, respectively. The presence of these differences within otherwise highly conserved regions of this family suggests that these residues may be critical for the specificity of Cdc34 function or regulation. Therefore, we have constructed a series of cdc34 alleles encoding mutant proteins in which these serine residues have been changed to other amino acid residues, including alanine and aspartic acid. In vivo complementation studies showed that S-97, which lies near the active site C-95, is essential for Cdc34 function. The addition of a second mutation in CDC34, which now encoded both the S97D and S73K changes, restored partial function to the Cdc34 enzyme. Moreover, the deletion of residues 103 to 114 within Cdc34, which are not present in the Ubc1-like E2s, allowed the S73K/S97D mutant to function as efficiently as wild-type Cdc34 protein. Finally, the cloning and sequencing of the temperature-sensitive alleles of CDC34 indicated that A-62 is also unique to the Cdc34 class of E2 enzymes and that mutations at this position can be detrimental to Cdc34 function. Our results suggest that several key residues within conserved regions of the E2 enzyme family genetically interact with each other and define a class of E2 catalytic domains.

scholarly journals Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB6 Protein Participates in Formation of VirB7 and VirB9 Complexes Required for Type IV Secretion

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (9) ◽  
pp. 2867-2878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Jakubowski ◽  
Vidhya Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Peter J. Christie
Keyword(s):  
Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein ◽  
Substrate Transfer

ABSTRACT This study characterized the contribution of Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB6, a polytopic inner membrane protein, to the formation of outer membrane VirB7 lipoprotein and VirB9 protein multimers required for type IV secretion. VirB7 assembles as a disulfide cross-linked homodimer that associates with the T pilus and a VirB7-VirB9 heterodimer that stabilizes other VirB proteins during biogenesis of the secretion machine. Two presumptive VirB protein complexes, composed of VirB6, VirB7, and VirB9 and of VirB7, VirB9, and VirB10, were isolated by immunoprecipitation or glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays from detergent-solubilized membrane extracts of wild-type A348 and a strain producing only VirB6 through VirB10 among the VirB proteins. To examine the biological importance of VirB6 complex formation for type IV secretion, we monitored the effects of nonstoichiometric VirB6 production and the synthesis of VirB6 derivatives with 4-residue insertions (VirB6.i4) on VirB7 and VirB9 multimerization, T-pilus assembly, and substrate transfer. A virB6 gene deletion mutant accumulated VirB7 dimers at diminished steady-state levels, whereas complementation with a plasmid bearing wild-type virB6 partially restored accumulation of the dimers. VirB6 overproduction was correlated with formation of higher-order VirB9 complexes or aggregates and also blocked substrate transfer without a detectable disruption of T-pilus production; these phenotypes were displayed by cells grown at 28°C, a temperature that favors VirB protein turnover, but not by cells grown at 20°C. Strains producing several VirB6.i4 mutant proteins assembled novel VirB7 and VirB9 complexes detectable by nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and two strains producing the D60.i4 and L191.i4 mutant proteins translocated IncQ plasmid and VirE2 effector protein substrates in the absence of a detectable T pilus. Our findings support a model that VirB6 mediates formation of VirB7 and VirB9 complexes required for biogenesis of the T pilus and the secretion channel.

scholarly journals Enterococcus faecalis PcfC, a Spatially Localized Substrate Receptor for Type IV Secretion of the pCF10 Transfer Intermediate

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (10) ◽  
pp. 3632-3645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqing Chen ◽  
Xiaolin Zhang ◽  
Dawn Manias ◽  
Hye-Jeong Yeo ◽  
Gary M. Dunny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Accessory Factor ◽  
Processed Form

ABSTRACT Upon sensing of peptide pheromone, Enterococcus faecalis efficiently transfers plasmid pCF10 through a type IV secretion (T4S) system to recipient cells. The PcfF accessory factor and PcfG relaxase initiate transfer by catalyzing strand-specific nicking at the pCF10 origin of transfer sequence (oriT). Here, we present evidence that PcfF and PcfG spatially coordinate docking of the pCF10 transfer intermediate with PcfC, a membrane-bound putative ATPase related to the coupling proteins of gram-negative T4S machines. PcfC and PcfG fractionated with the membrane and PcfF with the cytoplasm, yet all three proteins formed several punctate foci at the peripheries of pheromone-induced cells as monitored by immunofluorescence microscopy. A PcfC Walker A nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) binding site mutant (K156T) fractionated with the E. faecalis membrane and also formed foci, whereas PcfC deleted of its N-terminal putative transmembrane domain (PcfCΔN103) distributed uniformly throughout the cytoplasm. Native PcfC and mutant proteins PcfCK156T and PcfCΔN103 bound pCF10 but not pcfG or ΔoriT mutant plasmids as shown by transfer DNA immunoprecipitation, indicating that PcfC binds only the processed form of pCF10 in vivo. Finally, purified PcfCΔN103 bound DNA substrates and interacted with purified PcfF and PcfG in vitro. Our findings support a model in which (i) PcfF recruits PcfG to oriT to catalyze T-strand nicking, (ii) PcfF and PcfG spatially position the relaxosome at the cell membrane to stimulate substrate docking with PcfC, and (iii) PcfC initiates substrate transfer through the pCF10 T4S channel by an NTP-dependent mechanism.

scholarly journals Investigation of the in vitro and in vivo activity of the type IV pilus extension ATPase BfpD

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinlei Zhao ◽  
Shahista Nisa ◽  
Michael S. Donnenberg
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Multifunctional Protein ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Kinetics Of

AbstractType IV pili (T4Ps) are multifunctional protein fibers found in many bacteria and archaea. All T4P systems have an extension ATPase, which provides the energy required to push structural subunits out of the membrane. We previously reported that the BfpD T4P ATPase from enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) has the expected hexameric structure and ATPase activity, the latter enhanced by the presence of the N-terminal cytoplasmic domains of its partner proteins BfpC and BfpE. In this study, we further investigated the kinetics of the BfpD ATPase. Despite high purity of the proteins, the reported enhanced ATPase activity was found to be from (an) ATPase(s) contaminating the N-BfpC preparation. Furthermore, although two mutations in highly conserved bfpD sites led to loss of function in vivo, the purified mutant proteins retained some ATPase activity, albeit less than the wild-type protein. Therefore, the observed ATPase activity of BfpD was also affected by (a) contaminating ATPase(s). Expression of the mutant bfpD alleles did not interfere with BfpD function in bacteria that also expressed wild-type BfpD. However, a similar mutation of bfpF, which encodes the retraction ATPase, blocked the function of wild-type BfpF when both were present. These results highlight similarities and differences in function and activity of T4P extension and retraction ATPases in EPEC.

scholarly journals An RpoH-Like Heat Shock Sigma Factor Is Involved in Stress Response and Virulence in Brucella melitensis 16M

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (21) ◽  
pp. 7707-7710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Delory ◽  
Régis Hallez ◽  
Jean-Jacques Letesson ◽  
Xavier De Bolle
Keyword(s):  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Brucella Melitensis ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Type Iv Secretion System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Encoding Genes

ABSTRACT B. melitensis 16M genome analysis revealed the presence of six putative sigma factor-encoding genes: rpoD, rpoH1, rpoH2, rpoE1, rpoE2, and rpoN. We mutated all these genes except rpoD. Phenotypic analysis of the mutants reveals that a strain carrying an rpoH2 null mutation (ΔrpoH2) is impaired for growth at 21 and 42°C and shows increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. Compared to the wild-type strain, the ΔrpoH2 mutant is attenuated in all virulence models tested. Three other null mutants (ΔrpoH1, ΔrpoE1, and ΔrpoE2 mutants) are also defective for survival in mice at 4 weeks postinfection. We also demonstrated that rpoH2 deletion strongly reduces the expression of two major virulence factors in B. melitensis, the type IV secretion system and the flagellum.

scholarly journals GAGA Factor Isoforms Have Distinct but Overlapping Functions In Vivo

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 8565-8574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Greenberg ◽  
Paul Schedl
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Functional Difference ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Gaga Factor ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Alternatively Spliced

ABSTRACT The Drosophila melanogaster GAGA factor (encoded by the Trithorax-like [Trl] gene) is required for correct chromatin architecture at diverse chromosomal sites. The Trl gene encodes two alternatively spliced isoforms of the GAGA factor (GAGA-519 and GAGA-581) that are identical except for the length and sequence of the C-terminal glutamine-rich (Q) domain. In vitro and tissue culture experiments failed to find any functional difference between the two isoforms. We made a set of transgenes that constitutively express cDNAs coding for either of the isoforms with the goal of elucidating their roles in vivo. Phenotypic analysis of the transgenes in Trl mutant background led us to the conclusion that GAGA-519 and GAGA-581 perform different, albeit largely overlapping, functions. We also expressed a fusion protein with LacZ disrupting the Q domain of GAGA-519. This LacZ fusion protein compensated for the loss of wild-type GAGA factor to a surprisingly large extent. This suggests that the Q domain either is not required for the essential functions performed by the GAGA protein or is exclusively used for tetramer formation. These results are inconsistent with a major role of the Q domain in chromatin remodeling or transcriptional activation. We also found that GAGA-LacZ was able to associate with sites not normally occupied by the GAGA factor, pointing to a role of the Q domain in binding site choice in vivo.

Effects of truncated neurofilament proteins on the endogenous intermediate filaments in transfected fibroblasts

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.S. Chin ◽  
P. Macioce ◽  
R.K. Liem
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Cultured Fibroblasts ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Carboxyl Terminal

The expression and assembly characteristics of carboxyl- and amino-terminal deletion mutants of rat neurofilament low Mr (NF-L) and neurofilament middle Mr (NF-M) proteins were examined by transient transfection of cultured fibroblasts. Deletion of the carboxyl-terminal tail domain of either protein indicated that this region was not absolutely essential for co-assembly into the endogenous vimentin cytoskeleton. However, deletion into the alpha-helical rod domain resulted in an inability of the mutant proteins to co-assemble with vimentin into filamentous structures. Instead, the mutant proteins appeared to be assembled into unusual tubular-vesicular structures. Additionally, these latter deletions appeared to act as dominant negative mutants which induced the collapse of the endogenous vimentin cytoskeleton as well as the constitutively expressed NF-H and NF-M cytoskeletons in stably transfected cell lines. Thus, an intact alpha-helical rod domain was essential for normal IF co-assembly whereas carboxyl-terminal deletions into this region resulted in dramatic alterations of the existing type III and IV intermediate filament cytoskeletons in vivo. Deletions from the amino-terminal end into the alpha-helical rod region gave different results. With these deletions, the transfected protein was not co-assembled into filaments and the endogenous vimentin IF network was not disrupted, indicating that these deletion mutants are recessive. The dominant negative mutants may provide a novel approach to studying intermediate filament function within living cells.

scholarly journals Rad51 catalytic mutants differentially affect the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament in vivo

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen M. Mundia ◽  
Alissa C. Magwood ◽  
Mark D. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Strand Exchange ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Hybridoma Cell Lines ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACTIn this study, we utilized mouse hybridoma cell lines stably expressing ectopic wild-type Rad51, or the Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R catalytic mutants deficient in ATP binding and ATP hydrolysis, respectively, to investigate effects on the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament in vivo. Immunoprecipitation studies reveal interactions between ectopic wild-type Rad51, Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R and endogenous Rad51, Brca2 and p53 proteins. Importantly, the expression of Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R catalytic mutants (but not wild-type Rad51) targets endogenous Rad51, Brca2 and p53 proteins for proteasome-mediated degradation. Expression of Rad51-K133R significantly reduces nascent DNA synthesis (3’ polymerization) during homologous recombination (HR), but the effects of Rad51-K133A on 3’ polymerization are considerably more severe. Provision of additional wild-type Rad51 in cell lines expressing Rad51-K133A or Rad51-K133R does not restore diminished levels of endogenous Brca2, Rad51 or p53, nor restore the deficiency in 3’ polymerization. Cells expressing Rad51-K133A are also significantly reduced in their capacity to drive strand exchange through regions of heterology. Our results reveal an interesting mechanistic dichotomy in the way mutant Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R proteins influence 3’ polymerization and provide novel insight into the mechanism of their dominant-negative phenotypes.

scholarly journals Mutant tryptophan aporepressors with altered specificities of corepressor recognition.

Genetics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
D N Arvidson ◽  
M Shapiro ◽  
P Youderian
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Repressor Complex ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Active Repressor

Abstract The Escherichia coli trpR gene encodes tryptophan aporepressor, which binds the corepressor ligand, L-tryptophan, to form an active repressor complex. The side chain of residue valine 58 of Trp aporepressor sits at the bottom of the corepressor (L-tryptophan) binding pocket. Mutant trpR genes encoding changes of Val58 to the other 19 naturally occurring amino acids were made. Each of the mutant proteins requires a higher intracellular concentration of tryptophan for activation of DNA binding than wild-type aporepressor. Whereas wild-type aporepressor is activated better by 5-methyltryptophan (5-MT) than by tryptophan, Ile58 and other mutant aporepressors prefer tryptophan to 5-MT as corepressor, and Ala58 and Gly58 prefer 5-MT much more strongly than wild-type aporepressor in vivo. These mutant aporepressors are the first examples of DNA-binding proteins with altered specificities of cofactor recognition.

scholarly journals The Helicobacter pylori Autotransporter ImaA Tempers the Bacterium's Interaction with α5β1 Integrin

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Sause ◽  
Daniela Keilberg ◽  
Soufiane Aboulhouda ◽  
Karen M. Ottemann
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Type Iv Secretion ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
Α5β1 Integrin ◽  
Cell Interface

ABSTRACT The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori uses the host receptor α5β1 integrin to trigger inflammation in host cells via its cag pathogenicity island (cag PAI) type IV secretion system (T4SS). Here, we report that the H. pylori ImaA protein (HP0289) decreases the action of the cag PAI T4SS via tempering the bacterium's interaction with α5β1 integrin. Previously, imaA-null mutants were found to induce an elevated inflammatory response that was dependent on the cag PAI T4SS; here we extend those findings to show that the elevated response is independent of the CagA effector protein. To understand how ImaA could be affecting cag PAI T4SS activity at the host cell interface, we utilized the Phyre structural threading program and found that ImaA has a region with remote homology to bacterial integrin-binding proteins. This region was required for ImaA function. Unexpectedly, we observed that imaA mutants bound higher levels of α5β1 integrin than wild-type H. pylori, an outcome that required the predicted integrin-binding homology region of ImaA. Lastly, we report that ImaA directly affected the amount of host cell β1 integrin but not other cellular integrins. Our results thus suggest a model in which H. pylori employs ImaA to regulate interactions between integrin and the T4SS and thus alter the host inflammatory strength.

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