scholarly journals An Aspartate-Specific Solute-Binding Protein Regulates Protein Kinase G Activity To Control Glutamate Metabolism in Mycobacteria

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabanita Bhattacharyya ◽  
Irene Nailain Nkumama ◽  
Zaccheus Newland-Smith ◽  
Li-Ying Lin ◽  
Wen Yin ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSignaling by serine/threonine phosphorylation controls diverse processes in bacteria, and identification of the stimuli that activate protein kinases is an outstanding question in the field. Recently, we showed that nutrients stimulate phosphorylation of the protein kinase G substrate GarA inMycobacterium smegmatisandMycobacterium tuberculosisand that the action of GarA in regulating central metabolism depends upon whether it is phosphorylated. Here we present an investigation into the mechanism by which nutrients activate PknG. Two unknown genes were identified as co-conserved and co-expressed with PknG: their products were a putative lipoprotein, GlnH, and putative transmembrane protein, GlnX. Using a genetic approach, we showed that the membrane protein GlnX is functionally linked to PknG. Furthermore, we determined that the ligand specificity of GlnH matches the amino acids that stimulate GarA phosphorylation. We determined the structure of GlnH in complex with different amino acid ligands (aspartate, glutamate, and asparagine), revealing the structural basis of ligand specificity. We propose that the amino acid concentration in the periplasm is sensed by GlnH and that protein-protein interaction allows transmission of this information across the membrane via GlnX to activate PknG. This sensory system would allow regulation of nutrient utilization in response to changes in nutrient availability. The sensor, signaling, and effector proteins are conserved throughout theActinobacteria, including the important human pathogenMycobacterium tuberculosis, industrial amino acid producerCorynebacterium glutamicum, and antibiotic-producingStreptomycesspecies.IMPORTANCETuberculosis (TB) kills 5,000 people every day, and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB is increasing in every country. The processes by which the pathogenMycobacterium tuberculosissenses and responds to changes in its environment are attractive targets for drug development. Bacterial metabolism differs dramatically between growing and dormant cells, and these changes are known to be important in pathogenesis of TB. Here, we used genetic and biochemical approaches to identify proteins that allowM. tuberculosisto detect amino acids in its surroundings so that it can regulate its metabolism. We have also shown how individual amino acids are recognized. The findings have broader significance for other actinobacterial pathogens, such as nontuberculous mycobacteria, as well asActinobacteriaused to produce billions of dollars of amino acids and antibiotics every year.

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saqib Kidwai ◽  
Rania Bouzeyen ◽  
Sohini Chakraborti ◽  
Neha Khare ◽  
Sumana Das ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern, and this situation has further worsened due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the failure of BCG vaccine to impart protection. There is an imperative need to develop highly sensitive, specific diagnostic tools, novel therapeutics, and vaccines for the eradication of TB. In the present study, a chemical screen of a pharmacologically active compound library was performed to identify antimycobacterial compounds. The phenotypic screen identified a few novel small-molecule inhibitors, including NU-6027, a known CDK-2 inhibitor. We demonstrate that NU-6027 inhibits Mycobacterium bovis BCG growth in vitro and also displayed cross-reactivity with Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein kinase D (PknD) and protein kinase G (PknG). Comparative structural and sequence analysis along with docking simulation suggest that the unique binding site stereochemistry of PknG and PknD accommodates NU-6027 more favorably than other M. tuberculosis Ser/Thr protein kinases. Further, we also show that NU-6027 treatment induces the expression of proapoptotic genes in macrophages. Finally, we demonstrate that NU-6027 inhibits M. tuberculosis growth in both macrophage and mouse tissues. Taken together, these results indicate that NU-6027 can be optimized further for the development of antimycobacterial agents.


1994 ◽  
Vol 179 (3) ◽  
pp. 1035-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pulido ◽  
S F Schlossman ◽  
H Saito ◽  
M Streuli

The CD45 transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase plays an essential role in lymphocyte activation. In humans, CD45 is composed of five isoforms that are generated by alternative splicing of three exons of a common precursor mRNA. Expression of the smallest molecular mass 180-kD CD45 isoform (CD45-O) results from splicing out of exons 4(A), 5(B), and 6(C), which encode peptide regions near the NH2 terminus, and is regulated during T cell maturation and activation. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb), UCHL1 (anti-CD45RO) and A6 (anti-CD45RO-like), were studied that selectively bind to murine transfectant cells expressing the human CD45-O isoform. The anti-CD45RO-like A6 mAb, but not the anti-CD45RO UCHL1 mAb, also weakly reacted with transfectant cells expressing the human CD45 isoforms that contained exons 4 and 5(AB), or exon 5(B) encoded sequences. The structural basis of the antigen specificities of these two different human anti-CD45RO mAbs was investigated at the molecular level by using potential glycosylation-defective CD45-O isoform variants containing amino acid substitutions at the junction of exons 3 and 7. Replacement of the threonine residue at position 8 (last amino acid encoded in exon 3 and a putative O-linked carbohydrate anchorage site) by an alanine, completely abrogated the reactivity of the UCHL1 mAb, but did not affect that of the A6 mAb. Conversely, replacement of either the asparagine at position 174 or the serine at position 176 (the first two putative carbohydrate anchorage sites in exon 7) by alanine, abrogated the reactivity of the A6 mAb, but not that of the UCHL1 mAb. Both the UCHL1 and A6 epitopes were dependent on the presence of O-linked carbohydrates; and the UCHL1, but not the A6 epitope, was dependent on the presence of sialic acid. These results demonstrate a pivotal role for the amino acids encoded at the junction of exons 3 and 7 for the generation of glycosylation-related CD45RO epitopes that are expressed in a cell lineage- and activation-regulated fashion.


mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajdeep Banerjee ◽  
Erin Weisenhorn ◽  
Kevin J. Schwartz ◽  
Kevin S. Myers ◽  
Jeremy D. Glasner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Pathogenicity islands and plasmids bear genes for pathogenesis of various Escherichia coli pathotypes. Although there is a basic understanding of the contribution of these virulence factors to disease, less is known about variation in regulatory networks in determining disease phenotypes. Here, we dissected a regulatory network directed by the conserved iron homeostasis regulator, ferric uptake regulator (Fur), in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain CFT073. Comparing anaerobic genome-scale Fur DNA binding with Fur-dependent transcript expression and protein levels of the uropathogen to that of commensal E. coli K-12 strain MG1655 showed that the Fur regulon of the core genome is conserved but also includes genes within the pathogenicity/genetic islands. Unexpectedly, regulons indicative of amino acid limitation and the general stress response were also indirectly activated in the uropathogen fur mutant, suggesting that induction of the Fur regulon increases amino acid demand. Using RpoS levels as a proxy, addition of amino acids mitigated the stress. In addition, iron chelation increased RpoS to the same levels as in the fur mutant. The increased amino acid demand of the fur mutant or iron chelated cells was exacerbated by aerobic conditions, which could be partly explained by the O2-dependent synthesis of the siderophore aerobactin, encoded by an operon within a pathogenicity island. Taken together, these data suggest that in the iron-poor environment of the urinary tract, amino acid availability could play a role in the proliferation of this uropathogen, particularly if there is sufficient O2 to produce aerobactin. IMPORTANCE Host iron restriction is a common mechanism for limiting the growth of pathogens. We compared the regulatory network controlled by Fur in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) to that of nonpathogenic E. coli K-12 to uncover strategies that pathogenic bacteria use to overcome iron limitation. Although iron homeostasis functions were regulated by Fur in the uropathogen as expected, a surprising finding was the activation of the stringent and general stress responses in the uropathogen fur mutant, which was rescued by amino acid addition. This coordinated global response could be important in controlling growth and survival under nutrient-limiting conditions and during transitions from the nutrient-rich environment of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract to the more restrictive environment of the urinary tract. The coupling of the response of iron limitation to increased demand for amino acids could be a critical attribute that sets UPEC apart from other E. coli pathotypes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Surashree S. Kulkarni ◽  
Joseph J. Johnston ◽  
Yongtao Zhu ◽  
Zachary T. Hying ◽  
Mark J. McBride

ABSTRACTFlavobacterium johnsoniaeSprB moves rapidly along the cell surface, resulting in gliding motility. SprB secretion requires the type IX secretion system (T9SS). Proteins secreted by the T9SS typically have conserved C-terminal domains (CTDs) belonging to the type A CTD or type B CTD family. Attachment of 70- to 100-amino-acid type A CTDs to a foreign protein allows its secretion. Type B CTDs are common but have received little attention. Secretion of the foreign protein superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) fused to regions spanning the SprB type B CTD (sfGFP-CTDSprB) was analyzed. CTDs of 218 amino acids or longer resulted in secretion of sfGFP, whereas a 149-amino-acid region did not. Some sfGFP was secreted in soluble form, whereas the rest was attached on the cell surface. Surface-attached sfGFP was rapidly propelled along the cell, suggesting productive interaction with the motility machinery. This did not result in rapid cell movement, which apparently requires additional regions of SprB. Secretion of sfGFP-CTDSprBrequired coexpression withsprF, which lies downstream ofsprB. SprF is similar in sequence toPorphyromonas gingivalisPorP. MostF. johnsoniaegenes encoding proteins with type B CTDs lie immediately upstream ofporP/sprF-like genes. sfGFP was fused to the type B CTD from one such protein (Fjoh_3952). This resulted in secretion of sfGFP only when it was coexpressed with its cognate PorP/SprF-like protein. These results highlight the need for extended regions of type B CTDs and for coexpression with the appropriate PorP/SprF-like protein for efficient secretion and cell surface localization of cargo proteins.IMPORTANCETheF. johnsoniaegliding motility adhesin SprB is delivered to the cell surface by the type IX secretion system (T9SS) and is rapidly propelled along the cell by the motility machinery. How this 6,497-amino-acid protein interacts with the secretion and motility machines is not known. Fusion of the C-terminal 218 amino acids of SprB to a foreign cargo protein resulted in its secretion, attachment to the cell surface, and rapid movement by the motility machinery. Efficient secretion of SprB required coexpression with the outer membrane protein SprF. Secreted proteins that have sequence similarity to SprB in their C-terminal regions are common in the phylumBacteroidetesand may have roles in adhesion, motility, and virulence.


1977 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Yeaman ◽  
P Cohen ◽  
D C Watson ◽  
G H Dixon

The known amino acid sequences at the two sites on phosphorylase kinase that are phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase were extended. The sequences of 42 amino acids around the phosphorylation site on the alpha-subunit and of 14 amino acids around the phosphorylation site on the beta-subunit were shown to be: alpha-subunit Phe-Arg-Arg-Leu-Ser(P)-Ile-Ser-Thr-Glu-Ser-Glx-Pro-Asx-Gly-Gly-His-Ser-Leu-Gly-Ala-Asp-Leu-Met-Ser-Pro-Ser-Phe-Leu-Ser-Pro-Gly-Thr-Ser-Val-Phe(Ser,Pro,Gly)His-Thr-Ser-Lys; beta-subunit, Ala-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-Ser-Gly-Ser(P)-VALIle-Tyr-Glu-Pro-Leu-Lys. The sites on histone H2B which are phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro were identified as serine-36 and serine-32. The amino acid sequence in this region is: Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-Arg-Ser32(P)-Arg-Lys-Glu-Ser36(P)-Tyr-Ser-Val-Tyr-Val- [Iwai, K., Ishikawa, K. & Hayashi, H. (1970) Nature (London) 226, 1056-1058]. Serine-36 was phosphorylated at 50% of the rate at which the beta-subunit of phosphorylase kinase was phosphorylated, and it was phosphorylated 6-7-fold more rapidly than was serine-32. The amino acid sequences when compared with those at the phosphorylation sites of other physiological substrates suggest that the presence of two adjacent basic amino acids on the N-terminal side of the susceptible serine residue may be critical for specific substrate recognition in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-143
Author(s):  
William Renzo Cortez-Vega ◽  
Irene Rodrigues Freitas ◽  
Sandriane Pizato ◽  
Carlos Prentice

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids. Design/methodology/approach – The proximate composition, essential amino acid composition, in vitro digestibility, apparent bioavailability, chemical score of amino acids and SDS-PAGE were determined for the isolated croaker proteins. Findings – The isolated protein showed a high level of protein 92.21 percent and low amount of lipids 0.57 percent. The protein is rich in lysine and leucine, 108.73 and 96.75 mg/g protein, respectively. The protein isolate had high digestibility, 94.32 percent, which indicates proper utilization of this protein source, while the tryptophan had lower bioavailability (12.58 mg amino acid/mg protein). The high chemical scores were found for the amino acids lysine, methionine+cysteine (6.79 and 5.14). SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted showed appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa), actin (50 kDa) and other fractions, with molecular weight between 20 and 50 kDa, such as troponin I, C and T. Originality/value – The products obtained from croaker muscle can be incorporated as a high value supplements in human diets. The isolated protein exhibited a high content of essential amino acids and digestibility, indicating that the protein has a high nutritional quality.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 3576-3584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaoyan Wang ◽  
David C. Manns ◽  
John J. Churey ◽  
Randy W. Worobo

ABSTRACTThurincin H is an antimicrobial peptide produced byBacillus thuringiensisSF361. With a helical back bone, the 31 amino acids of thurincin H form a hairpin structure maintained by four pairs of very unique sulfur-to-α-carbon thioether bonds. The production of thurincin H depends on a putative gene cluster containing 10 open reading frames. The gene cluster includes three tandem structural genes (thnA1,thnA2, andthnA3) encoding three identical 40-amino-acid thurincin H prepeptides and seven other genes putatively responsible for prepeptide processing, regulation, modification, exportation, and self-immunity. A homologous thurincin H expression system was developed by transforming a thurincin H-deficient host with a novel expression vector, pGW133. The host, designatedB. thuringiensisSF361 ΔthnA1ΔthnA2ΔthnA3, was constructed by deletion of the three tandem structural genes from the chromosome of the natural thurincin H producer. The thurincin H expression vector pGW133 was constructed by cloning the thurincin H native promoter,thnA1, and a Cry protein terminator into theEscherichia coli-B. thuringiensisshuttle vector pHT315. Thirty-three different pGW133 variants, each containing a different point mutation in thethnA1gene, were generated and separately transformed intoB. thuringiensisSF361 ΔthnA1ΔthnA2ΔthnA3. Those site-directed mutants contained either a single radical or conservative amino acid substitution on the thioether linkage-forming positions or a radical substitution on all other nonalanine amino acids. The bacteriocin activities ofB. thuringiensisSF361 ΔthnA1ΔthnA2ΔthnA3carrying different pGW133 variants against three different indicator strains were subsequently compared.


Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirbhay Singh ◽  
Anu Chauhan ◽  
Ram Kumar ◽  
Sudheer Kumar Singh

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids, but their biosynthetic pathway is absent in mammals. Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (IlvC) is a BCAA biosynthetic enzyme that is coded by Rv3001c in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb-Rv) and MRA_3031 in M. tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb-Ra). IlvCs are essential in Mtb-Rv as well as in Escherichia coli . Compared to wild-type and IlvC-complemented Mtb-Ra strains, IlvC knockdown strain showed reduced survival at low pH and under low pH+starvation stress conditions. Further, increased expression of IlvC was observed under low pH and starvation stress conditions. Confirmation of a role for IlvC in pH and starvation stress was achieved by developing E. coli BL21(DE3) IlvC knockout, which was defective for growth in M9 minimal medium, but growth could be rescued by isoleucine and valine supplementation. Growth was also restored by complementing with over-expressing constructs of Mtb-Ra and E. coli IlvCs. The E. coli knockout also had a survival deficit at pH=5.5 and 4.5 and was more susceptible to killing at pH=3.0. The biochemical characterization of Mtb-Ra and E. coli IlvCs confirmed that both have NADPH-dependent activity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the functional complementation of E. coli IlvC by Mtb-Ra IlvC and also suggests that IlvC has a role in tolerance to low pH and starvation stress.


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