scholarly journals Naturally Occurring Adenines within mRNA Coding Sequences Affect Ribosome Binding and Expression in Escherichia coli

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (2) ◽  
pp. 501-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay E. Brock ◽  
Robert L. Paz ◽  
Patrick Cottle ◽  
Gary R. Janssen

ABSTRACT Translation initiation requires the precise positioning of a ribosome at the start codon. The major signals of bacterial mRNA that direct the ribosome to a translational start site are the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence within the untranslated leader and the start codon. Evidence for the presence of many non-SD-led genes in prokaryotes provides a motive for studying additional interactions between ribosomes and mRNA that contribute to translation initiation. A high incidence of adenines has been reported downstream of the start codon for many Escherichia coli genes, and addition of downstream adenine-rich sequences increases expression from several genes in E. coli. Here we describe site-directed mutagenesis of the E. coli aroL, pncB, and cysJ coding sequences that was used to assess the contribution of naturally occurring adenines to in vivo expression and in vitro ribosome binding from mRNAs with different SD-containing untranslated leaders. Base substitutions that decreased the downstream adenines by one or two nucleotides decreased expression significantly from aroL-, pncB-, and cysJ-lacZ fusions; mutations that increased downstream adenines by one or two nucleotides increased expression significantly from aroL- and cysJ-lacZ fusions. Using primer extension inhibition (toeprint) and filter binding assays to measure ribosome binding, the changes in in vivo expression correlated closely with changes in in vitro ribosome binding strength. Our data are consistent with a model in which downstream adenines influence expression through their effects on the mRNA-ribosome association rate and the amount of ternary complex formed. This work provides evidence that adenine-rich sequence motifs might serve as a general enhancer of E. coli translation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 199 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Ahana Ayyub ◽  
Divya Dobriyal ◽  
Umesh Varshney

ABSTRACT Initiation factor 3 (IF3) is one of the three conserved prokaryotic translation initiation factors essential for protein synthesis and cellular survival. Bacterial IF3 is composed of a conserved architecture of globular N- and C-terminal domains (NTD and CTD) joined by a linker region. IF3 is a ribosome antiassociation factor which also modulates selection of start codon and initiator tRNA. All the functions of IF3 have been attributed to its CTD by in vitro studies. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings has not been investigated. By generating complete and partial IF3 (infC) knockouts in Escherichia coli and by complementation analyses using various deletion constructs, we show that while the CTD is essential for E. coli survival, the NTD is not. Polysome profiles reaffirm that CTD alone can bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and carry out the ribosome antiassociation function. Importantly, in the absence of the NTD, bacterial growth is compromised, indicating a role for the NTD in the fitness of cellular growth. Using reporter assays for in vivo initiation, we show that the NTD plays a crucial role in the fidelity function of IF3 by avoiding (i) initiation from non-AUG codons and (ii) initiation by initiator tRNAs lacking the three highly conserved consecutive GC pairs (in the anticodon stem) known to function in concert with IF3. IMPORTANCE Initiation factor 3 regulates the fidelity of eubacterial translation initiation by ensuring the formation of an initiation complex with an mRNA bearing a canonical start codon and with an initiator tRNA at the ribosomal P site. Additionally, IF3 prevents premature association of the 50S ribosomal subunit with the 30S preinitiation complex. The significance of our work in Escherichia coli is in demonstrating that while the C-terminal domain alone sustains E. coli for its growth, the N-terminal domain adds to the fidelity of initiation of protein synthesis and to the fitness of the bacterial growth.


1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1694-1701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward T. Ryan ◽  
Thomas I. Crean ◽  
Manohar John ◽  
Joan R. Butterton ◽  
John D. Clements ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae secretes cholera toxin (CT) and the closely related heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) of Escherichia coli, the latter when expressed in V. cholerae. Both toxins are also potent immunoadjuvants. Mutant LT molecules that retain immunoadjuvant properties while possessing markedly diminished enterotoxic activities when expressed by E. coli have been developed. One such mutant LT molecule has the substitution of a glycine residue for arginine-192 [LT(R192G)]. Live attenuated strains of V. cholerae that have been used both as V. cholerae vaccines and as vectors for inducing mucosal and systemic immune responses directed against expressed heterologous antigens have been developed. In order to ascertain whether LT(R192G) can act as an immunoadjuvant when expressed in vivo by V. cholerae, we introduced a plasmid (pCS95) expressing this molecule into three vaccine strains ofV. cholerae, Peru2, ETR3, and JRB14; the latter two strains contain genes encoding different heterologous antigens in the chromosome of the vaccine vectors. We found that LT(R192G)was expressed from pCS95 in vitro by both E. coli andV. cholerae strains but that LT(R192G) was detectable in the supernatant fraction of V. choleraecultures only. In order to assess potential immunoadjuvanticity, groups of germfree mice were inoculated with the three V. cholerae vaccine strains alone and compared to groups inoculated with the V. cholerae vaccine strains supplemented with purified CT as an oral immunoadjuvant or V. choleraevaccine strains expressing LT(R192G) from pCS95. We found that mice continued to pass stool containing V. cholerae strains with pCS95 for at least 4 days after oral inoculation, the last day evaluated. We found that inoculation withV. cholerae vaccine strains containing pCS95 resulted in anti-LT(R192G) immune responses, confirming in vivo expression. We were unable to detect immune responses directed against the heterologous antigens expressed at low levels in any group of animals, including animals that received purified CT as an immunoadjuvant. We were, however, able to measure increased vibriocidal immune responses against vaccine strains in animals that receivedV. cholerae vaccine strains expressing LT(R192G) from pCS95 compared to the responses in animals that received V. cholerae vaccine strains alone. These results demonstrate that mutant LT molecules can be expressed in vivo by attenuated vaccine strains of V. cholerae and that such expression can result in an immunoadjuvant effect.


1987 ◽  
Vol 248 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Charlier ◽  
R Sanchez

In contrast with most aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, the lysyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli is coded for by two genes, the normal lysS gene and the inducible lysU gene. During its purification from E. coli K12, lysyl-tRNA synthetase was monitored by its aminoacylation and adenosine(5′)tetraphospho(5′)adenosine (Ap4A) synthesis activities. Ap4A synthesis was measured by a new assay using DEAE-cellulose filters. The heterogeneity of lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) was revealed on hydroxyapatite; we focused on the first peak, LysRS1, because of its higher Ap4A/lysyl-tRNA activity ratio at that stage. Additional differences between LysRS1 and LysRS2 (major peak on hydroxyapatite) were collected. LysRS1 was eluted from phosphocellulose in the presence of the substrates, whereas LysRS2 was not. Phosphocellulose chromatography was used to show the increase of LysRS1 in cells submitted to heat shock. Also, the Mg2+ optimum in the Ap4A-synthesis reaction is much higher for LysRS1. LysRS1 showed a higher thermostability, which was specifically enhanced by Zn2+. These results in vivo and in vitro strongly suggest that LysRS1 is the heat-inducible lysU-gene product.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 2343-2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Komp Lindgren ◽  
Linda L. Marcusson ◽  
Dorthe Sandvang ◽  
Niels Frimodt-Møller ◽  
Diarmaid Hughes

ABSTRACT Resistance to fluoroquinolones in urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli is associated with multiple mutations, typically those that alter DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV and those that regulate AcrAB-TolC-mediated efflux. We asked whether a fitness cost is associated with the accumulation of these multiple mutations. Mutants of the susceptible E. coli UTI isolate Nu14 were selected through three to five successive steps with norfloxacin. Each selection was performed with the MIC of the selected strain. After each selection the MIC was measured; and the regions of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE, previously associated with resistance mutations, and all of marOR and acrR were sequenced. The first selection step yielded mutations in gyrA, gyrB, and marOR. Subsequent selection steps yielded mutations in gyrA, parE, and marOR but not in gyrB, parC, or acrR. Resistance-associated mutations were identified in almost all isolates after selection steps 1 and 2 but in less than 50% of isolates after subsequent selection steps. Selected strains were competed in vitro, in urine, and in a mouse UTI infection model against the starting strain, Nu14. First-step mutations were not associated with significant fitness costs. However, the accumulation of three or more resistance-associated mutations was usually associated with a large reduction in biological fitness, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, in some lineages a partial restoration of fitness was associated with the accumulation of additional mutations in late selection steps. We suggest that the relative biological costs of multiple mutations may influence the evolution of E. coli strains that develop resistance to fluoroquinolones.


1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Belyaeva ◽  
L Griffiths ◽  
S Minchin ◽  
J Cole ◽  
S Busby

The Escherichia coli cysG promoter has been subcloned and shown to function constitutively in a range of different growth conditions. Point mutations identify the -10 hexamer and an important 5′-TGN-3′ motif immediately upstream. The effects of different deletions suggest that specific sequences in the -35 region are not essential for the activity of this promoter in vivo. This conclusion was confirmed by in vitro run-off transcription assays. The DNAase I footprint of RNA polymerase at the cysG promoter reveals extended protection upstream of the transcript start, and studies with potassium permanganate as a probe suggest that the upstream region is distorted in open complexes. Taken together, the results show that the cysG promoter belongs to the ‘extended -10’ class of promoters, and the base sequence is similar to that of the P1 promoter of the E. coli galactose operon, another promoter in this class. In vivo, messenger initiated at the cysG promoter appears to be processed by cleavage at a site 41 bases downstream from the transcript start point.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2149-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Feng ◽  
L E Gunter ◽  
E L Organ ◽  
D R Cavener

The importance to in vivo translation of sequences immediately upstream of the Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) start codon was examined at two developmental stages. Mutations were introduced into the Adh gene in vitro, and the mutant gene was inserted into the genome via germ line transformation. An A-to-T substitution at the -3 position did not affect relative translation rates of the ADH protein at the second-instar larval stage but resulted in a 2.4-fold drop in translation of ADH at the adult stage. A second mutant gene, containing five mutations in the region -1 to -9, was designed to completely block translation initiation. However, transformant lines bearing these mutations still exhibit detectable ADH, albeit at substantially reduced levels. The average fold reduction at the second-instar larval stage was 5.9, while at the adult stage a 12.5-fold reduction was observed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Madeleine Huber

Operons wurden zuerst im Jahre 1961 beschrieben. Bis heute ist bekannt, dass die prokaryotischen Domänen Bacteria und Archaea Gene sowohl in monocistronischen als auch in bi- oder polycistronischen Transkripten exprimieren können. Häufig überlappen Gene sogar in ihren Sequenzen. Diese überlappenden Genpaare stehen nicht in Korrelation mit der Kompaktheit ihres Genoms. Das führt zu der Annahme, dass eine Art der Regulation vorliegt, welche weitere Proteine oder Gene nicht benötigt. Diese könnte eine gekoppelte Translation sein. Das bedeutet die Translation des stromabwärts-liegenden Gens ist abhängig von der Translation eines stromaufwärts-liegenden Gens. Diese Abhängigkeit kann zum Beispiel durch lang reichende Sekundärstrukturen entstehen, bei welchen Ribosomenbindestellen (RBS) des stromabwärts-liegenden Gens blockiert sind. Die de novo-Initiation am stromabwärts-liegenden Gen kann nur stattfinden, wenn das erste Gen translatiert wird und dabei die Sekundärstruktur an der RBS aufgeschmolzen wird. Für Genpaare in E. coli ist dieser Mechanismus gut untersucht. Ein anderes Beispiel für die Translationskopplung ist die Termination-Reinitiation, bei welcher ein Ribosom das erste Gen translatiert bis zum Stop-Codon, dort terminiert und direkt am stromabwärts-liegenden Start-Codon reinitiiert. Der Mechanismus via Termination-Reinitiation ist bis jetzt nur für eukaryontische Viren beschrieben worden. Im Gegensatz zu einer Kopplung über Sekundärstrukturen kommt es bei der Termination-Reinitiation am stromabwärts-liegenden Gen nicht zu einer de novo-Initiation sondern eine Reinitiation des Ribosoms findet statt. Diese Arbeit analysiert jene Art der Translationskopplung an Genen polycistronischer mRNAs in jeweils einem Modellorganismus als Vertreter der Archaea (Haloferax volcanii) und Bacteria (Escherichia coli). Hierfür wurden Reportergenvektoren erstellt, welche die überlappenden Genpaare an Reportergene fusionierten. Für diese Reportergene ist es möglich die Transkriptmenge zu quantifizieren sowie für die exprimierten Proteine Enzymassays durchgeführt werden können. Aus beiden Werten können Translationseffizienzen berechnet werden indem jeweils die Enzymaktivität pro Transkriptmenge ermittelt wird. Durch ein prämatures Stop-Codon in diesen Konstrukten ist es möglich zu unterscheiden ob es für die Translation des zweiten Gens essentiell ist, dass das Ribosom den Überlapp erreicht. Hiermit konnte für neun Genpaare in H. volcanii und vier Genpaare in E. coli gezeigt werden, dass eine Art der Kopplung stattfindet bei der es sich um eine Termination-Reinitiation handelt. Des Weiteren wurde analysiert, welche Auswirkungen intragene Shine-Dalgarno Sequenzen bei dem Event der Translationskopplung besitzen. Durch die Mutation solcher Motive und dem Vergleich der Translationseffizienzen der Konstrukte, mit und ohne einer SD Sequenz, wird für alle analysierten Genpaare beider Modellorganismen gezeigt, dass die SD Sequenz einen Einfluss auf diese Art der Kopplung hat. Zwischen den Genpaaren ist dieser Einfluss jedoch stark variabel. Weiterhin wurde der maximale Abstand zwischen zwei bicistronischen Genen untersucht, für welchen Translationskopplung via Termination-Reinitiation noch stattfinden kann. Hierfür wird durch site-directed mutagenesis jeweils ein prämatures Stop-Codon im stromaufwärts-liegenden Gen eingebracht, welches den intergenen Abstand zwischen den Genen in den jeweiligen Konstrukten vergrößert. Der Vergleich aller Konstrukte eines Genpaars zeigt in beiden Modellorganismen, dass die Termination-Reinitiation vom intergenen Abstand abhängig ist und die Translationseffizienz des stromabwärts-liegenden Reporters bereits ab 15 Nukleotiden Abstand abnimmt. Eine weitere Fragestellung dieser Arbeit war es, den genauen Mechanismus der Termination-Reinitiation zu analysieren. Für Ribosomen gibt es an der mRNA nach der Termination der Translation zwei Möglichkeiten: Entweder als 70S Ribosom bestehen zu bleiben und ein weiteres Start-Codon auf der mRNA zu suchen oder in seine beiden Untereinheiten zu dissoziieren, während die 50S Untereinheit die mRNA verlässt und die 30S Untereinheit über Wechselwirkungen an der mRNA verbleiben kann. Um diesen Mechanismus auf molekularer Ebene zu untersuchen, wird ein Versuchsablauf vorgestellt. Dieser ermöglicht das Event bei der Termination-Reinitiation in vitro zu analysieren. Eine Unterscheidung von 30S oder 70S Ribosomen bei der Reinitiation der Translation des stromabwärts-liegenden Gens wird ermöglicht. Die Idee dabei basiert auf einem ribosome display, bei welchem Translationskomplexe am Ende der Translation nicht in ihre Bestandteile zerfallen können, da die eingesetzte mRNA kein Stop-Codon enthält Der genaue Versuchsablauf, die benötigten Bestandteile sowie proof-of-principal Versuche sind in der Arbeit dargestellt und mögliche Optimierungen werden diskutiert.


2020 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 15550-15558
Author(s):  
Amégninou Agban ◽  
Yao Hoekou ◽  
Passimna Pissang ◽  
Tchadjobo Tchacondo ◽  
Komlan Batawila

Objectif : L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer in vitro l’activité antimicrobienne des extraits de feuilles et tige de Jatropha multifida sur la croissance de Candida albicans, Escherichia coli et Staphylococcus aureus, puis d’évaluer in vivo la toxicité de cette plante. Méthodologie et résultats : Les méthodes de diffusion en milieu gélosé et de microdilution en milieu liquide ont été utilisées pour évaluer l’effet antimicrobien. Une étude en subaigüe était réalisée afin d’explorer les effets toxiques de l’extrait aqueux des feuilles. Les résultats des tests antimicrobiens montrent une activité des extraits de feuilles et tige de J. multifida sur la croissance des souches utilisées avec des diamètres de zones d’inhibition allant de 8 à 25 mm et des concentrations minimales inhibitrices (CMI) variant de 0,039 mg/mL à 1,25 mg/mL à l’exception des souches de E. coli qui sont résistantes aux extraits de la tige. L’administration en subaigüe de l’extrait aqueux des feuilles de J. multifida à la dose de 600 mg/kg entraîne une perte significative de poids chez les souris. Conclusion et applications des résultats : Les extraits aqueux, éthanolique et hydroéthanolique des feuilles et tige de J. multifida possèdent d’activité antimicrobienne et pourraient être utilisés dans le traitement des Candidoses à C. albicans et des infections à S. aureus. Mais l’essai de toxicité subaigüe montre que l’extrait aqueux de la plante serait toxique. Des études toxicologiques approfondies restent donc nécessaires sur ces extraits afin de mieux élucider leur inocuité. Mots-clés : Jatropha multifida, extraits de feuilles et de tige, activités antifongique et antibactérienne, toxicité. Agban et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2020 Evaluation du potentiel antimicrobien et de la toxicité des extraits de Jatropha multifida Linn, (Euphorbiaceae) 15551 Evaluation of antimicrobial potential and toxicity of Jatropha multifida Linn, (Euphorbiaceae) extracts ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial activity of leaves and stem of Jatropha multifida extracts against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and then to evaluate in vivo the toxicity of this plant. Methodology and Results: The agar well-diffusion and the NCCLS broth microdilution methods were used to assess the antimicrobial effect. A subacute study was carried out to explore the toxic effects of the aqueous extract of the leaves. The results of the antimicrobial tests show an activity of the extracts of leaves and stems of J. multifida on the growth of the strains used with diameters of inhibitory zones ranging from 8 to 25 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) varying from 0.039 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL exception E. coli strains which are resistant to extracts from the stem. Subacute administration of the aqueous extract of the leaves of J. multifida at a dose of 600 mg/kg leads to a significant loss of weight in the mice. Conclusion and application of findings : The aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves and stem of J. multifida have antimicrobial activity and could be used in the treatment of Candidiasis and bacterial infections due respectively to C. albicans and S. aureus. But the subacute toxicity test shows that the aqueous extract of the plant would be toxic. Extensive toxicological studies therefore remain necessary on these extracts in order to better elucidate their safety. Keywords: Jatropha multifida extracts of leaves and stem, antifungal and antibacterial activities, toxicity


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
Joanna Kaczorowska ◽  
Eoghan Casey ◽  
Gabriele A. Lugli ◽  
Marco Ventura ◽  
David J. Clarke ◽  
...  

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Shigella ssp. infections are associated with high rates of mortality, especially in infants in developing countries. Due to increasing levels of global antibiotic resistance exhibited by many pathogenic organisms, alternative strategies to combat such infections are urgently required. In this study, we evaluated the stability of five coliphages (four Myoviridae and one Siphoviridae phage) over a range of pH conditions and in simulated gastric conditions. The Myoviridae phages were stable across the range of pH 2 to 7, while the Siphoviridae phage, JK16, exhibited higher sensitivity to low pH. A composite mixture of these five phages was tested in vivo in a Galleria mellonella model. The obtained data clearly shows potential in treating E. coli infections prophylactically.


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