Gin mutants that can be suppressed by a Fis-independent mutation

The Gin invertase of bacteriophage Mu mediates recombination between two inverted gix sites. Recombination requires the presence of a second protein, Fis, which binds to an enhancer sequence. We have isolated 24 different mutants of Gin that are impaired in DNA inversion but proficient in DNA binding. Six of these mutants could be suppressed for inversion by introduction of a second mutation, which when present in the wild-type gin gene causes a Fis-independent phenotype. Only one of the six resulting double mutants shows an inversion efficiency which is comparable to that of the wild-type Gin and which is independent of Fis. The corresponding mutation, M to I at position 108 (M108I), is located in a putative alpha-helical structure, which in the homologous gamma delta resolvase has been implicated in dimerization. The properties of the M108I mutant suggest that in Gin this dimerization helix might also be the target for Fis interaction. The five other mutants that show a restored inversion after introduction of a Fis-independent mutation appear to be completely dependent on Fis for this inversion. The corresponding mutations are located in different domains of the protein. The properties of these mutants in connection with the role of Fis in inversion will be discussed.

Protein-DNA interactions and alterations in the DNA structure upon UvrB-DNA preincision complex formation during nucleotide excision repair in Escherichia coli

The UvrB-DNA preincision complex is a key intermediate in the repair of damaged DNA by the UvrABC endonuclease from Escherichia coli. DNaseI footprinting of this complex on DNA with a cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpG)-N7(1),N7(2)]] adduct provided global information on the protein binding site on this substrate [Visse, R., et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7609-7617]. By applying a method developed by Fairall and Rhodes [Fairall, L., & Rhodes, D. (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 4727-4731], who have used the size and shape of DNasI for the interpretation of a footprint, we were able to define in more detail the region where UvrB-DNA interactions in the preincision complex occur. The potential interactions with phosphate groups could be reduced to less then 14 in the damaged and to 12 in the nondamaged strand. The main UvrB-DNA interactions seem restricted to the major groove on both sides of the lesion. As a consequence UvrB crosses the minor groove just downstream of the damage. Such a binding of UvrB orients the protein away from the damage. The more detailed interpretation of UvrB-DNA interactions was supported by methylation protection experiments. The structure of the DNA in the preincision complex formed on cis-[Pt(NH3)2[GpG-N7(1),N7(2)]] is altered as could be shown diethylpyrocarbonate sensitivity of adenines just downstream of the lesion. However the adenines just downstream of another cisplatin adduct, cis-[Pt(NH3)2[d(GpCpG)-N7(1),N7(3)]], did not become diethylpyrocarbonate sensitive in the preincision complex although this complex is incision proficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Helicase motifs V and VI of the Escherichia coli UvrB protein of the UvrABC endonuclease are essential for the formation of the preincision complex

The UvrB protein is a subunit of the UvrABC endonuclease which is involved in the repair of a large variety of DNA lesions. We have 91 isolated random uvrB mutants which are impaired in the repair of UV-damage in vivo. These mutants were classified on the basis of the ability to form normal levels of protein and the position of the mutations in the gene. The amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal part or in the C-terminal part of the UvrB protein are exclusively found in the conserved boxes of the so-called "helicase motifs" present in these parts of the protein, indicating that these motifs are essential for UvrB function. The proteins of four C-terminal mutants were purified: two mutants in motif V (E514K and G509S), one mutant in motif VI (R544H) and a double mutant in both motifs (E514K + R541H). In vitro experiments with these mutant proteins show that the helicase motifs V and VI are involved in the induction of ATP hydrolysis in the presence of (damaged) DNA and in the strand-displacement activity of the UvrA2B complex as is observed in a helicase assay. Furthermore, our results suggest that this strand-displacement activity is correlated to a local unwinding, which seems to be used to form the UvrB-DNA preincision complex.

The HimA and HimD subunits of integration host factor can specifically bind to DNA as homodimers

Integration host factor (IHF) is a heterodimeric protein from Escherichia coli which specifically binds to an asymmetric consensus sequence. We have isolated the individual subunits of IHF, HimA and HimD, and show that an active IHF protein can be reconstituted from these subunits. The HimA and HimD polypeptides alone are capable of specifically recognizing the same ihf sequence. The mobilities of the protein-DNA complexes in a gel-retardation assay suggest that the proteins bind as homodimers. The stability of the HimD-DNA complex is approximately 100-fold lower than that of the IHF-DNA complex. The HimA-DNA complex is even less stable and is only observed when a large excess of HimA is used. This instability is possibly due to the inability of HimA to form stable homodimers. By domain swapping between HimA and HimD, we have constructed an IHF fusion protein which has the putative DNA-binding domains of only HimA. This fusion protein forms stable dimers and makes specific protein-DNA complexes with a high efficiency. A comparable fusion protein with only the DNA-binding domains of HimD forms less stable complexes, suggesting that sequence-specific contacts between IHF and the ihf consensus are mainly provided by the HimA subunit.

Transposase A binding sites in the attachment sites of bacteriophage Mu that are essential for the activity of the enhancer and A binding sites that promote transposition towards Fpro-lac

In this paper we determine which of the A binding sites in the attachment sites of phage Mu are required for the stimulatory activity of the transpositional enhancer (IAS). For this purpose the transposition frequencies of mini-Mu's with different truncated attachment sites to an Ftet target were measured both in the presence and the absence of the IAS. The results show that in our in vivo assay the L3 and R3 sites are dispensable for functioning of the IAS. An additional deletion of L2 or R2 however abolishes the stimulating activity of the enhancer suggesting an interaction between A molecules bound to these sites and the IAS. The residual transposition activity of a IAS-containing mini Mu in which R2 (and R3) are deleted is much lower than the activity of the comparable construct without the IAS. This means that in the absence of R2 the IAS is inhibiting transposition. Such an inhibition is not observed when L2 (and L3) are deleted. This suggests that the IAS interacts with the attachment sites in an ordered fashion, first with attL and then with attR. Furthermore we show that mini-Mu transposition is enhanced when Fpro-lac is used as a target instead of Ftet. We show that this elevated transposition is dependent on the Mu A binding sites L2,L3 and R2. These sequences could possibly mediate an interaction between the mini-Mu plasmid and sequences present on Fpro-lac.

Inhibition of bacteriophage Mu transposition by Mu repressor and Fis

In this paper we show that the Escherichia coli protein Fis has a regulatory function in Mu transposition in the presence of Mu repressor. Fis can lower the transposition frequency of a mini-Mu 3-80-fold, but only if the Mu repressor is expressed simultaneously. In this novel type of regulation of transposition by the concerted action of Fis and repressor, the IAS, the internal activating sequence, is also involved as deletion of this site lead to the loss of the Fis effect. As the IAS contains strong repressor binding sites these are probably the target for the repressor in the observed negative regulation by Fis and repressor. However, the role of Fis and repressor is not only to inactivate the IAS, since a 4 bp insertion in the IAS, which changes the spacing of the repressor-binding site, abolishes the enhancing function of the IAS but leaves the repressor-Fis effect intact. A likely target for Fis in this regulation is a strong Fis-binding site, which is located adjacent to the L2 transposase-binding site. However, when this Fis-binding sequence was substituted by a random sequence and Fis no longer showed specific binding to this site, the Fis effect was still observed. Although it is still possible that Fis can function by binding to this non-specific site in a particular complex, it seems more likely that Fis is directly or indirectly involved in determining the level of the repressor.

DNA inversions in phages and bacteria

In certain phages and bacteria, there is a recombination system that specifically promotes the inversion of a DNA fragment. These inversion events appear to act as genetic switches allowing the alternate expression of different sets of genes which in general code for surface proteins. The mechanism of inversion in one class of inversion systems (Gin/Hin) has been studied in detail. It involves the formation of a highly specific nucleoprotein complex in which not only the two recombination sites and the DNA invertase participate but also a recombinational enhancer to which the DNA-bending protein Fis is bound.

Molecular cloning of RAD16, a gene involved in differential repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have cloned the RAD16 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and determined its nucleotide sequence. The gene complements the UV sensitivity of a rad16 mutant and restores the ability to repair the transcriptionally inactive HML alpha locus that is absent in this mutant. Disruption mutants that were constructed using the cloned gene are viable and UV sensitive and show no detectable growth defect. Moreover, such a mutant is deficient for repair of the HML alpha locus. The nucleotide sequence shows that the gene codes for a protein of 790 amino acids that has two potential zinc binding domains and shares homology with two other yeast proteins: the RAD54 gene product involved in recombinational repair and SNF2, a transcription factor that possibly functions in transcription activation through an interaction with chromatin components that allows access of other factors involved in transcription. The role of RAD16 in the repair of HML alpha might be to change the chromatin structure of silenced genes to provide access for excision repair enzymes.

A 24-amino-acid polypeptide is essential for the biosynthesis of the coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone

At least four genes are required for the biosynthesis of the coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone (PQQ) in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The DNA region where one of these genes was mapped codes for a polypeptide of only 24 amino acids. Here we show that indeed this small peptide is essential for PQQ synthesis. Site-directed mutagenesis shows that at least one glutamate and one tyrosine residue of the polypeptide are essential for its function.

A single amino acid substitution changes the substrate specificity of quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase in Gluconobacter oxydans

Gluconobacter oxydans contains pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). Two isogenic G. oxydans strains, P1 and P2, which differ in their substrate specificity with respect to oxidation of sugars have been analysed. P1 can oxidize only D-glucose, whereas P2 is also capable of the oxidation of the disaccharide maltose. To investigate the nature of this maltose-oxidizing property we cloned the gene encoding GDH from P2. Expression of P2 gdh in P1 enables the latter strain to oxidize maltose, indicating that a mutation in the P2 gdh gene is responsible for the change in substrate specificity. This mutation could be ascribed to a 1 bp substitution resulting in the replacement of His 787 by Asn.

Analysis of the IHF binding site in the regulatory region of bacteriophage Mu

In bacteriophage Mu the converging early and repressor transcriptions are both stimulated by binding of IHF to the same region, which is located just upstream of the early promoter (Pe) and 100 base pairs downstream of the repressor promoter (Pc). Within this region two sequences are present (ihfa and ihfb) that match the consensus sequence for IHF binding. These sequences are partially overlapping and in inverted orientation. In this paper we describe the effect of mutations in the non-overlapping part of ihfa and ihfb on the binding of IHF. We show that IHF has a very strong preference to bind to ihfb even when a mutated ihfa has a better match with the consensus. A stretch of A residues located nine base pairs from the ihfb sequence appears to play an important role in the stability of the DNA-IHF complex, but not in the discrimination between the two putative binding sites. In addition we describe the effect of the mutations on the stimulation of early and repressor transcription. We show that for activation of the Pc promoter a stable complex between IHF and the DNA is required, whereas for normal Pe stimulation a much weaker DNA-IHF interaction is sufficient.

DNA insertions in the 'silent' regions of the 2 microns plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae influence plasmid stability

The 2 microns plasmid of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is in principle a suitable vector for expression of foreign genes, due to its high copy number and extreme stability. However, the cloning of genes into 2 microns often results in a reduced copy number and/or reduced stability. One reason for this observed instability could be that the inserts in general were made in one of the several open reading frames (ORFs) of the plasmid. Therefore we studied the effect on stability of insertions in the silent regions of 2 microns without interrupting any known essential regions or ORFs. Using the SnaBI site, a yeast-integrating plasmid (Yip5) was introduced into the region between the ARS and STB locus in two possible orientations. The resulting plasmids could be stably maintained in the cells without the need for complementation by the wild-type 2 microns plasmid. However, the stability of these plasmids in a cir. host was still one to two orders of magnitude lower (0.2% and 0.8% respectively) as reported for the wild-type 2 microns (0.01%). Removal of 2 kb of the bacterial sequences from Yip5 did not increase stability. The stability was dependent on the orientation of the insert. We found that in the less stable orientation, transcription originating from the insert was running into the STB region. DNA inserted in the XmaIII site located outside the ORFs in the REP2/FLP intergenic region influenced both stability and copy number of the plasmid. These effects are strongly dependent on the size of the insert. Insertion of a 2 kb DNA fragment increased the copy number, probably through an effect on FLP expression.

Cloning, mapping, and sequencing of the gene encoding Escherichia coli quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase

Escherichia coli contains pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase. We cloned and sequenced the gene (gcd) encoding this enzyme and showed that the derived amino acid sequence is highly homologous to that of the gdhA gene product of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. Stretches of homology also exist between the amino acid sequence of E. coli glucose dehydrogenase and other pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent dehydrogenases from several bacterial species. The position of gcd on the chromosomal map of E. coli was determined to be at 3.1 min.

Regulation of phage Mu repressor transcription by IHF depends on the level of the early transcription

Integration Host Factor (IHF) of E. coli can stimulate both early and repressor transcription of bacteriophage Mu. We introduced several mutations in the early promoter (Pe) and studied the effect of these mutations on the stimulation of early and repressor transcription by IHF. All mutant promoters are still positive regulated by IHF, but the level of stimulation is dependent on the strength of the promoter. The strength of the early promoter has an even greater impact on the regulation of the repressor promoter by IHF: stimulation is observed in the presence of a relatively weak Pe, whereas with a strong Pe the repressor promoter Pc is inhibited by IHF. This inhibition is most probably due to an interference of the early transcription with the opposing repressor transcription. The implication of this type of regulation for the Mu life cycle is discussed.

Cloning, characterization and DNA sequencing of the gene encoding the Mr 50,000 quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Recently we described the cloning of the gene coding for a Mr 87,000 glucose dehydrogenase (GDH-A) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. In this report we describe the cloning of a gene coding for a second GDH (GDH-B) with a Mr of 50,000 from the same organism. This gene was isolated using a 20-mer synthetic oligonucleotide, derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified GDH-B as a probe to screen a genomic bank. From the DNA sequence of the gdhB gene, a protein can be derived of Mr 52,772 with a 24 amino acid signal peptide which is removed, resulting in the mature protein with a Mr 50,231. In vitro transcription-translation of the gdhB clone shows the mature and the precursor protein. The derived amino acid sequence has no obvious homology with GDH-A of A. calcoaceticus. We show that disaccharides are specific GDH-B substrates and that 2-deoxyglucose is specific for GDH-A.

Cloning of the genes encoding the two different glucose dehydrogenases from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) is a PQQ dependent bacterial enzyme which converts aldoses to their corresponding acids. A. calcoaceticus contains two different PQQ dependent glucose dehydrogenases designated GDH-A which is active in vivo and GDH-B of which only in vitro activity can be shown. We cloned the genes coding for the two GDH enzymes. The DNA sequences of both gdh genes were determined. There is no obvious homology between gdhA and gdhB. Both GDH enzymes oxidize D-glucose in vitro but disaccharides are specific GDH-B substrates and 2-deoxyglucose is specifically oxidized by GDH-A.

Genes involved in the biosynthesis of PQQ from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

From a gene bank of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus genome a plasmid was isolated that complements four different classes of PQQ- mutants. Subclones of this plasmid revealed that the four corresponding PQQ genes are located on a fragment of 5 kilobases. The nucleotide sequence of this 5 kb fragment was determined and by means of Tn5 insertion mutants the reading frames of the PQQ genes could be identified. Three of the PQQ genes code for proteins of Mr 29700 (gene I), Mr 10800 (gene II) and Mr 43600 (gene III) respectively. In the DNA region where gene IV was mapped however the largest possible reading frame encodes for a polypeptide of only 24 amino acids. A possible role for this small polypeptide will be discussed. Finally we show that expression of the four PQQ genes in Acinetobacter 1woffi and Escherichia coli lead to the synthesis of the coenzyme in these organisms.

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus genes involved in biosynthesis of the coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone: nucleotide sequence and expression in Escherichia coli K-12

Synthesis of the coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone (PQQ) from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus requires the products of at least four different genes. In this paper we present the nucleotide sequence of a 5,085-base-pair DNA fragment containing these four genes. Within the DNA fragment three reading frames are present, coding for proteins of Mr 10,800, 29,700, and 43,600 and corresponding to three of the PQQ genes. In the DNA region where the fourth PQQ gene was mapped the largest possible reading frame encodes for a polypeptide of only 24 amino acids. Still, the expression of this region is essential for the biosynthesis of PQQ. A possible role for this DNA region is discussed. Sandwiched between two PQQ genes an additional reading frame is present, coding for a protein of Mr 33,600. This gene, which is probably transcribed in the same operon as three of the PQQ genes, seems not required for PQQ synthesis. Expression of the PQQ genes in Acinetobacter lwoffi and Escherichia coli K-12 led to the synthesis of the coenzyme in these organisms.

Integration host factor of Escherichia coli regulates early- and repressor transcription of bacteriophage Mu by two different mechanisms

Integration host factor (IHF) of E. coli positively regulates both early and repressor transcription of bacteriophage Mu. In this paper we show that although binding of IHF to the same binding site is responsible for both types of transcription regulation, the mechanisms by which these regulations occur are different: Activation of transcription from the early promoter (Pe) requires a helix-dependent orientation of IHF- and RNA polymerase binding sites on the DNA helix with a limited distance between both sites. Activation of repressor transcription shows no helix dependency between promoter and IHF binding site and the distance between both sites can be enlarged at least by 100 base pairs without affecting the positive control. A possible mechanism for both types of transcription stimulation will be discussed.

Cloning of the gene encoding quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus: evidence for the presence of a second enzyme

We cloned the gene coding for the quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. This clone complements gdh mutations in A. calcoaceticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The gene codes for a protein with an Mr of 83,000. Evidence is presented for the presence of two different glucose dehydrogenase enzymes in A. calcoaceticus: a protein with an Mr of 83,000 and a dimer of two identical subunits with an Mr of 50,000.

Cloning of the genes involved in synthesis of coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Mutants of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus LMD79.41 were isolated that are defective in the synthesis of the coenzyme pyrrolo-quinoline-quinone (PQQ). A gene bank of the wild-type. A. calcoaceticus genome was constructed with the binary plasmid system pLV21-RP4 delta Km. The DNA of A. calcoaceticus LMD79.41 was partially digested with Sau3A, and fragments of about 15 kilobases were inserted into the BamHI site of pLV21. The hybrid plasmids maintained in Escherichia coli were transferred by conjugation to the PQQ- mutants of A. calcoaceticus. One hybrid plasmid was isolated that complements all isolated PQQ- mutants. Subcloning of this plasmid in the vector pRK290 resulted in an insert of 5 kilobases on which at least four different genes involved in PQQ synthesis could be indicated. With Tn5 insertions the four PQQ genes were mapped, and it was shown that these genes are most probably located in three operons.

Role of ner protein in bacteriophage Mu transposition

The Ner protein of bacteriophage Mu negatively regulates transcription initiated at the early promoter and at the major repressor promoter. The construction and isolation of a Ner- mutant of Mu is described. Ner is an essential function for Mu, because the mutant phage only forms plaques when complemented for Ner. Mutations in the repressor protein did not abolish the need for Ner. However, when transcription of the repressor gene c was blocked by deleting the major repressor promoter, Ner was no longer essential for normal Mu development.

Regulation of Mu transposition. II. The escherichia coli HimD protein positively controls two repressor promoters and the early promoter of bacteriophage Mu

Two leftward Pc promoters for the repressor gene of bacteriophage Mu have been localized by fusions of the promoter region to the structural galK gene and by S1 nuclease mapping. Transcription initiated at the left-end-proximal promoter (Pc-1) starts 23 bp ahead of the c gene. The second promoter (Pc-2) is located 200 bp from the translation start codon of gene c. The RNA initiated from Pc-2 overlaps 35 bp with the rightward transcript from the early Mu promoter (Pe). The expression from Pe and both repressor promoters is positively regulated by the Escherichia coli HimD (Hip) protein, probably acting as a subunit of the integration host factor (IHF). Two overlapping sequences matching the consensus for the IHF binding site (ihf) are found between Pe and Pc-1.