Sequence, Structure, and Function of DNA-Binding Protein in Deinococcus Wulumuqiensis R12
Abstract Deinococcus wulumuqiensis R12, which was isolated from arid irradiated soil in Xinjiang province of China, belongs to a genus Deinococcus that is well-known for its extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and oxidative stress. The DNA-binding protein Dps has been studied for its great contribution to oxidative resistance. To explore the role of Dps in D. wulumuqiensis R12, the Dps sequence and homologous structure were analyzed. In addition, the dps gene was knocked out and proteomics was used to verify the functions of Dps in D. wulumuqiensis R12. Docking data and DNA binding experiments in vitro showed that the R12 Dps has a better DNA binding ability with the N-terminal than the R1 Dps1. When the dps gene was deleted in D. wulumuqiensis R12, its resistance to H2O2 and UV rays was greatly reduced, and the cell envelope was destroyed by H2O2 treatment. Additionally, the qRT-PCR and proteomics data suggested that when the dps gene was deleted, the catalase gene was significantly down-regulated in cells. And the proteomics data indicated the metabolism, transport and oxidation-reduction processes in D. wulumuqiensis R12 were down-regulated after the deletion of dps gene. Dps protein might play an important role in Deinococcus wulumuqiensis R12.