scholarly journals A Conserved Glycine Residue of Trimeric Autotransporter Domains Plays a Key Role in Yersinia Adhesin A Autotransport

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (24) ◽  
pp. 9011-9019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Grosskinsky ◽  
Monika Schütz ◽  
Michaela Fritz ◽  
Yvonne Schmid ◽  
Marina C. Lamparter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Cells ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Membrane Pore ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Glycine Residue ◽  
Trimeric Autotransporter Adhesin ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Cell Cytokine Production

ABSTRACT The Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) is a trimeric autotransporter adhesin of enteric yersiniae. It consists of three major domains: a head mediating adherence to host cells, a stalk involved in serum resistance, and an anchor that forms a membrane pore and is responsible for the autotransport function. The anchor contains a glycine residue, nearly invariant throughout trimeric autotransporter adhesins, that faces the pore lumen. To address the role of this glycine, we replaced it with polar amino acids of increasing side chain size and expressed wild-type and mutant YadA in Escherichia coli. The mutations did not impair the YadA-mediated adhesion to collagen and to host cells or the host cell cytokine production, but they decreased the expression levels and stability of YadA trimers with increasing side chain size. Likewise, autoagglutination and resistance to serum were decreased in these mutants. We found that the periplasmic protease DegP is involved in the degradation of YadA and that in an E. coli degP deletion strain, mutant versions of YadA were expressed almost to wild-type levels. We conclude that the conserved glycine residue affects both the export and the stability of YadA and consequently some of its putative functions in pathogenesis.

scholarly journals Arabidopsis Disulfide Reductase, Trx-h2, Functions as an RNA Chaperone under Cold Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6865
Author(s):  
Eun Seon Lee ◽  
Joung Hun Park ◽  
Seong Dong Wi ◽  
Ho Byoung Chae ◽  
Seol Ki Paeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rna Chaperone ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
Thioredoxin H ◽  
Functional Rnas

The thioredoxin-h (Trx-h) family of Arabidopsis thaliana comprises cytosolic disulfide reductases. However, the physiological function of Trx-h2, which contains an additional 19 amino acids at its N-terminus, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the molecular function of Trx-h2 both in vitro and in vivo and found that Arabidopsis Trx-h2 overexpression (Trx-h2OE) lines showed significantly longer roots than wild-type plants under cold stress. Therefore, we further investigated the role of Trx-h2 under cold stress. Our results revealed that Trx-h2 functions as an RNA chaperone by melting misfolded and non-functional RNAs, and by facilitating their correct folding into active forms with native conformation. We showed that Trx-h2 binds to and efficiently melts nucleic acids (ssDNA, dsDNA, and RNA), and facilitates the export of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm under cold stress. Moreover, overexpression of Trx-h2 increased the survival rate of the cold-sensitive E. coli BX04 cells under low temperature. Thus, our data show that Trx-h2 performs function as an RNA chaperone under cold stress, thus increasing plant cold tolerance.

scholarly journals The Role of Arg13 in Protein Phosphatase M tPphA from Thermosynechococcus elongatus

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyong Su ◽  
Karl Forchhammer
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Arginine Residue ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Catalytic Center ◽  
Nitrophenyl Phosphate ◽  
Reduced Activity ◽  
Amino Acid Variants

A highly conserved arginine residue is close to the catalytic center of PPM/PP2C-type protein phosphatases. Different crystal structures of PPM/PP2C homologues revealed that the guanidinium side chain of this arginine residue can adopt variable conformations and may bind ligands, suggesting an important role of this residue during catalysis. In this paper, we randomly mutated Arginine 13 of tPphA, a PPM/PP2C-type phosphatase from Thermosynechococcus elongatus, and obtained 18 different amino acid variants. The generated variants were tested towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate and various phosphopeptides. Towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate, twelve variants showed 3–7 times higher Km values than wild-type tPphA and four variants (R13D, R13F, R13L, and R13W) completely lost activity. Strikingly, these variants were still able to dephosphorylate phosphopeptides, although with strongly reduced activity. The specific inability of some Arg-13 variants to hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl phosphate highlights the importance of additional substrate interactions apart from the substrate phosphate for catalysis. The properties of the R13 variants indicate that this residue assists in substrate binding.

Mannose-binding lectin genetics: from A to Z

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1461-1466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Garred
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Mannose Binding Lectin ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Lectin Pathway ◽  
Mannose Binding ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Genetically Determined ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Binding Lectin

MBL (mannose-binding lectin) is primarily a liver-derived collagen-like serum protein. It binds sugar structures on micro-organisms and on dying host cells and is one of the four known mediators that initiate activation of the complement system via the lectin pathway. Common variant alleles situated both in promoter and structural regions of the human MBL gene (MBL2) influence the stability and the serum concentration of the protein. Epidemiological studies have suggested that genetically determined variations in MBL serum concentrations influence the susceptibility to and the course of different types of infectious, autoimmune, neoplastic, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, but this is still a subject under discussion. The fact that these genetic variations are very frequent, indicates a dual role of MBL. This overview summarizes the current molecular understanding of human MBL2 genetics.

scholarly journals Role of Vif in Stability of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Core

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (23) ◽  
pp. 11055-11066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Öhagen ◽  
Dana Gabuzda
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Dna Synthesis ◽  
Virus Entry ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
The Core ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Hiv 1

ABSTRACT The Vif protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is important for virion infectivity. Previous studies have shown thatvif-defective virions exhibit structural abnormalities in the virus core and are defective in the ability to complete proviral DNA synthesis in acutely infected cells. We developed novel assays to assess the relative stability of the core in HIV-1 virions. Using these assays, we examined the role of Vif in the stability of the HIV-1 core. The integrity of the core was examined following virion permeabilization or removal of the lipid envelope and treatment with various triggers, including S100 cytosol, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, detergents, NaCl, and buffers of different pH to mimic aspects of the uncoating and disassembly process which occurs after virus entry but preceding or during reverse transcription.vif mutant cores were more sensitive to disruption by all triggers tested than wild-type cores, as determined by endogenous reverse transcriptase (RT) assays, biochemical analyses, and electron microscopy. RT and the p7 nucleocapsid protein were released more readily from vif mutant virions than from wild-type virions, suggesting that the internal nucleocapsid is less stably packaged in the absence of Vif. Purified cores could be isolated from wild-type but not vif mutant virions by sedimentation through detergent-treated gradients. These results demonstrate that Vif increases the stability of virion cores. This may permit efficient viral DNA synthesis by preventing premature degradation or disassembly of viral nucleoprotein complexes during early events after virus entry.

Role of the β1-integrin cytoplasmic tail in mediating invasin-promoted internalization of Yersinia

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (13) ◽  
pp. 2669-2678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Gustavsson ◽  
Annika Armulik ◽  
Cord Brakebusch ◽  
Reinhard Fässler ◽  
Staffan Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marked Reduction ◽  
Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Β1 Integrin ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Similar Reduction ◽  
Focal Complex ◽  
Β1 Integrins

Invasin of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis binds to β1-integrins on host cells and triggers internalization of the bacterium. To elucidate the mechanism behind the β1-integrin-mediated internalization of Yersinia, a β1-integrin-deficient cell line, GD25, transfected with wild-type β1A, β1B or different mutants of the β1A subunit was used. Both β1A and β1B bound to invasin-expressing bacteria, but only β1A was able to mediate internalization of the bacteria. The cytoplasmic region of β1A, differing from β1B, contains two NPXY motifs surrounding a double threonine site. Exchanging the tyrosines of the two NPXYs to phenylalanines did not inhibit the uptake, whereas a marked reduction was seen when the first tyrosine (Y783) was exchanged to alanine. A similar reduction was seen when the two nearby threonines (TT788-9) were exchanged with alanines. It was also noted that cells affected in bacterial internalization exhibited reduced spreading capability when seeded onto invasin, suggesting a correlation between the internalization of invasin-expressing bacteria and invasin-induced spreading. Likewise, integrins defective in forming peripheral focal complex structures was unable to mediate uptake of invasin-expressing bacteria.

scholarly journals Fluorescence-Reported Allelic Exchange Mutagenesis-Mediated Gene Deletion Indicates a Requirement for Chlamydia trachomatis Tarp during In Vivo Infectivity and Reveals a Specific Role for the C Terminus during Cellular Invasion

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susmita Ghosh ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ruelke ◽  
Joshua C. Ferrell ◽  
Maria D. Bodero ◽  
Kenneth A. Fields ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Allelic Exchange ◽  
Binding Domains

ABSTRACT The translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein (Tarp) is a multidomain type III secreted effector used by Chlamydia trachomatis. In aggregate, existing data suggest a role of this effector in initiating new infections. As new genetic tools began to emerge to study chlamydial genes in vivo, we speculated as to what degree Tarp function contributes to Chlamydia’s ability to parasitize mammalian host cells. To address this question, we generated a complete tarP deletion mutant using the fluorescence-reported allelic exchange mutagenesis (FRAEM) technique and complemented the mutant in trans with wild-type tarP or mutant tarP alleles engineered to harbor in-frame domain deletions. We provide evidence for the significant role of Tarp in C. trachomatis invasion of host cells. Complementation studies indicate that the C-terminal filamentous actin (F-actin)-binding domains are responsible for Tarp-mediated invasion efficiency. Wild-type C. trachomatis entry into HeLa cells resulted in host cell shape changes, whereas the tarP mutant did not. Finally, using a novel cis complementation approach, C. trachomatis lacking tarP demonstrated significant attenuation in a murine genital tract infection model. Together, these data provide definitive genetic evidence for the critical role of the Tarp F-actin-binding domains in host cell invasion and for the Tarp effector as a bona fide C. trachomatis virulence factor.

OmpD but not OmpC is involved in adherence ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium to human cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 719-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bochiwe Hara-Kaonga ◽  
Thomas G Pistole
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Human Macrophages ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

Conflicting reports exist regarding the role of porins OmpC and OmpD in infections due to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. This study investigated the role of these porins in bacterial adherence to human macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells. ompC and ompD mutant strains were created by transposon mutagenesis using P22-mediated transduction of Tn10 and Tn5 insertions, respectively, into wild-type strain 14028. Fluorescein-labeled wild-type and mutant bacteria were incubated with host cells at various bacteria to cell ratios for 1 h at 37 °C and analyzed by flow cytometry. The mean fluorescence intensity of cells with associated wild-type and mutant bacteria was used to estimate the number of bacteria bound per host cell. Adherence was also measured by fluorescence microscopy. Neither assay showed a significant difference in binding of the ompC mutant and wild-type strains to the human cells. In contrast, the ompD mutant exhibited lowered binding to both cell types. Our findings suggest that OmpD but not OmpC is involved in the recognition of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium by human macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells.Key words: Salmonella, adherence, porins, intestinal epithelial cells, macrophage.

scholarly journals The role of an evolutionarily conserved cis-proline in the thioredoxin-like domain of human class Alpha glutathione transferase A1-1

2003 ◽  
Vol 372 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris NATHANIEL ◽  
Louise A. WALLACE ◽  
Jonathan BURKE ◽  
Heini W. DIRR
Keyword(s):  
Glutathione Transferase ◽  
Conformational Stability ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Catalytic Function ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Glutathione S Transferases ◽  
Equilibrium Unfolding ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Unfolding Kinetics

The thioredoxin-like fold has a βαβαββα topology, and most proteins/domains with this fold have a topologically conserved cis-proline residue at the N-terminus of β-strand 3. This residue plays an important role in the catalytic function and stability of thioredoxin-like proteins, but is reported not to contribute towards the stability of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) [Allocati, Casalone, Masulli, Caccarelli, Carletti, Parker and Di Ilio (1999) FEBS Lett. 445, 347–350]. In order to further address the role of the cis-proline in the structure, function and stability of GSTs, cis-Pro-56 in human GST (hGST) A1-1 was replaced with a glycine, and the properties of the P56G mutant were compared with those of the wild-type protein. Not only was the catalytic function of the mutant dramatically reduced, so was its conformational stability, as indicated by equilibrium unfolding and unfolding kinetics experiments with urea as denaturant. These findings are discussed in the context of other thioredoxin-like proteins.

The Bβ-sheet in the PAI-1 Molecule Plays an Important Role for Its Stability

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (06) ◽  
pp. 896-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang-Chao Sui ◽  
Björn Wiman
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Ph Dependence ◽  
The Other ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Reactive Center ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Β Sheet ◽  
Pai 1

SummaryWe have investigated the B β-sheet in PAI-1 regarding its role for the stability of the molecule. The residues from His219 to Tyr241 (except for Gly230 and Pro240), covering the s2B and s3B strands, and in addition His185 and His190 were substituted by amino acids with opposite properties. The 23 generated single-site changed mutants and also wild type PAI-1 (wtPAI-1) were expressed in E. coli. Subsequently they were purified by heparin-Sepharose and anhydrotrypsin agarose affinity chromatographies. The stability of the purified PAI-1 variants was analyzed at 37° C and at different pHs (5.5, 6.5 or 7.5). At pH 7.5 and 37° C, single substitutions of the residues in the central portions of both strands 2 and 3 in the B β-sheet (Ile223 to Leu226 on s2B and Met235 to Ile237 on s3B), caused a significant decrease in stability, yielding half-lives of about 10–25% as compared to wtPAI-1. On the other hand, mutations at both sides of the central portion of the B β-sheet (Tyr221, Asp222, Tyr228 and Thr232) frequently resulted in an increased PAI-1 stability (up to 7-fold). While wtPAI-1 exhibited prolonged half-lives at pH 6.5 and 5.5, the PAI-1 variant Y228S was more stable at neutral pH (half-life of 9.6 h at pH 7.5) as compared to its half-life at pH 5.5 (1.1 h). One of the 4 modified histidine residues (His229) resulted in a variant with a clearly affected stability as a function of pH, suggesting that it may, at least in part, be of importance for the pH dependence of the PAI-1 stability. Thus, our data demonstrate that the B β-sheet is of great importance for the stability of the molecule. Modifications in this part causes decreased or increased stability in a certain pattern, suggesting effects on the insertion rate of the reactive center loop into the A β-sheet of the molecule.

scholarly journals Transposon Insertion in the purL Gene Induces Biofilm Depletion in Escherichia coli ATCC 25922

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Virginio Cepas ◽  
Victoria Ballén ◽  
Yaiza Gabasa ◽  
Miriam Ramírez ◽  
Yuly López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Transposon Insertion ◽  
De Novo Purine Biosynthesis

Current Escherichia coli antibiofilm treatments comprise a combination of antibiotics commonly used against planktonic cells, leading to treatment failure. A better understanding of the genes involved in biofilm formation could facilitate the development of efficient and specific new antibiofilm treatments. A total of 2578 E. coli mutants were generated by transposon insertion, of which 536 were analysed in this study. After sequencing, Tn263 mutant, classified as low biofilm-former (LF) compared to the wild-type (wt) strain (ATCC 25922), showed an interruption in the purL gene, involved in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway. To elucidate the role of purL in biofilm formation, a knockout was generated showing reduced production of curli fibres, leading to an impaired biofilm formation. These conditions were restored by complementation of the strain or addition of exogenous inosine. Proteomic and transcriptional analyses were performed to characterise the differences caused by purL alterations. Thirteen proteins were altered compared to wt. The corresponding genes were analysed by qRT-PCR not only in the Tn263 and wt, but also in clinical strains with different biofilm activity. Overall, this study suggests that purL is essential for biofilm formation in E. coli and can be considered as a potential antibiofilm target.

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