Copies of proteins L7 and L12 and heterogeneity of the large subunit of Escherichia coli ribosome

A new method for stoichiometric analysis of proteins in complex mixture--reevaluation of the stoichiometry of E. coli ribosomal proteins

A novel way is presented for determination of the stoichiometry of ribosomal proteins in the ribosome. The 70S E. coli r-proteins, completely separated on a two-dimensional gel system, were used throughout our experiments. The method is based on our previous observation that the amount of Coomassie R bound to a protein molecule is directly proportional to the number of positive charges on that protein. By plotting the amount of bound Coomassie as a function of the number of positive charges of each r-protein, and relating the experimental amount of the dye bound to each r-protein to the value obtained from the linear regression line based on all (a total of some 50 proteins), one can obtain the molar concentration of every protein in the ribosome. A parallel experiment can be carried out, which relates the radioactivity contributed by 3H-labeled amino acid in each r-protein to its amino acid content in that molecule. The two sets of data, which are completely independent of each other, are well correlated. Further verification of the validity of our procedure is provided by the fact that we found the known proportions of four copies of L7/L12 and one copy of S6 per ribosome. The rationale behind the present study was our finding that recalculation of Hardy's data (Hardy, S.J.S. (1975) Mol. Gen. Genet. 140, 253-274), with the accurate molecular weight value of the r-proteins provided by Giri et al. (Adv. Protein Chem. (1984) 36, 1-78), raises some doubt with regard to his experimental results, although we agree with his final conclusion that E. coli ribosome is homogeneous with respect to its proteins.

Cloning and characterization of the genes for ribosomal proteins L10 and L12 from Synechocystis Sp. PCC 6803: comparison of gene clustering pattern and protein sequence homology between cyanobacteria and chloroplasts

The endosymbiont theory proposes that chloroplasts have originated from ancestral cyanobacteria through a process of engulfment and subsequent symbiotic adaptation. The molecular data for testing this theory have mainly been the nucleotide sequence of rRNAs and of photosystem component genes. In order to provide additional data in this area, we have isolated genomic clones of Synechocystis DNA containing the ribosomal protein gene cluster rplJL. The nucleotide sequence of this cluster and flanking regions was determined and the derived amino acid sequences were compared to the available homologous sequences from other eubacteria and chloroplasts. In Escherichia coli these two genes are part of a larger cluster, i.e., rplKAJL-rpoBC. In Synechocystis, the genes for the RNA polymerase subunit (rpoBC) are shown to be widely separated from the r-protein genes. The Synechocystis gene arrangement is similar to that in the chloroplast system, where the rpoBC1C2 and rplKAJL clusters are separated and located in two cell compartments, the chloroplast and the nucleus, respectively.

Disruption of single-copy genes encoding acidic ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using the cloned genes coding for the ribosomal acidic proteins L44 and L45, constructions were made which deleted part of the coding sequence and inserted a DNA fragment at that site carrying either the URA3 or HIS3 gene. By gene disruption techniques with linearized DNA from these constructions, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were obtained which lacked a functional gene for either protein L44 or protein L45. The disrupted genes in the transformants were characterized by Southern blots. The absence of the proteins was verified by electrofocusing and immunological techniques, but a compensating increase of the other acidic ribosomal proteins was not detected. The mutant lacking L44 grew at a rate identical to the parental strain in complex as well as in minimal medium. The L45-disrupted strain also grew well in both media but at a slower rate than the parental culture. A diploid strain was obtained by crossing both transformants, and by tetrad analysis it was shown that the double transformant lacking both genes is not viable. These results indicated that proteins L44 and L45 are independently dispensable for cell growth and that the ribosome is functional in the absence of either of them.

Disruption of single-copy genes encoding acidic ribosomal proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Using the cloned genes coding for the ribosomal acidic proteins L44 and L45, constructions were made which deleted part of the coding sequence and inserted a DNA fragment at that site carrying either the URA3 or HIS3 gene. By gene disruption techniques with linearized DNA from these constructions, strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were obtained which lacked a functional gene for either protein L44 or protein L45. The disrupted genes in the transformants were characterized by Southern blots. The absence of the proteins was verified by electrofocusing and immunological techniques, but a compensating increase of the other acidic ribosomal proteins was not detected. The mutant lacking L44 grew at a rate identical to the parental strain in complex as well as in minimal medium. The L45-disrupted strain also grew well in both media but at a slower rate than the parental culture. A diploid strain was obtained by crossing both transformants, and by tetrad analysis it was shown that the double transformant lacking both genes is not viable. These results indicated that proteins L44 and L45 are independently dispensable for cell growth and that the ribosome is functional in the absence of either of them.

The ribosomal domain of the bacterial release factors. The carboxyl-terminal domain of the dimer of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 located in the body of the ribosome is important for release factor interaction

1. Polyclonal antibodies (pAb 1-73 and pAb 26-120) have been raised against both an N-terminal fragment of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 (amino acids 1-73), and a fragment lacking part of the N-terminal domain (amino acids 26-120). 2. Only pAb 26-120 inhibited release-factor-dependent in vitro termination functions on the ribosome. This antibody binds over the length of the stalk of the large subunit of the ribosome as determined by immune electron microscopy, thereby not distinguishing between the C-terminal domains of the two L7/L12 dimers, those in the stalk or those in the body of the subunit. 3. A monoclonal antibody against an epitope of the C-terminal two thirds of the protein (mAb 74-120), which binds both to the distal tip of the stalk as well as to a region at its base, reflecting the positions of the two dimers is strongly inhibitory of release factor function. 4. A monoclonal antibody against an epitope of the N-terminal fragment of L7/L12 (mAb 1-73), previously shown to remove the dimer of L7/L12 in the 50S subunit stalk but still bind to the body of the particle, partially inhibited release-factor-mediated events. 5. The mAb 74-120 inhibited in vitro termination with a similar profile when the stalk dimer of L7/L12 was removed with mAb 1-73, indicating that the body L7/L12 dimer, and in particular its C-terminal domains, are important for release factor/ribosome interaction. 6. The two release factors have subtle differences in their binding domains with respect to L7/L12.

Cloning and analysis of an Escherichia coli operon containing the rpmF gene for ribosomal protein L32 and the gene for a 30-kilodalton protein

The chromosomal DNA fragments of Escherichia coli K-12 were cloned into a mini-F cosmid, pRE435, after partial digestion with restriction endonuclease Sau3AI. The clones were first screened for PyrC+ and then for other genes, including rpmF encoding ribosomal protein L32 that had been mapped near pyrC (I. Janda, M. Kitakawa, and K. Isono, Mol. Gen. Genet. 201:443-436, 1985). Thus, we obtained a total of five rpmF-containing clones. The rpmF gene was located on the chromosomal segment in one of the clones (pAY2-5) by insertional mutagenesis with transposon gamma delta, followed by analysis of the gene products by the maxicell method. Hybridization analysis of clone pAY2-5 with the ordered clone bank (Y. Kohara, K. Akiyama, and K. Isono, Cell 50:495-508, 1987) indicates that a gap at the 1,510-kilobase coordinates in the physical map of E. coli can be bridged by this clone. The nucleotide sequence of the region containing rpmF was accordingly established. In addition, the RNA transcripts from the chromosomal region containing rpmF were analyzed, and the transcriptional initiation sites were determined. The results suggest that rpmF forms an operon with the gene termed g30k which codes for a 30-kilodalton protein of unknown function. At least four transcripts were found to code for ribosomal protein L32.

Long-range translational coupling in the rplJL-rpoBC operon of Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli the genes encoding ribosomal proteins L10 and L7/L12, rplJ and rplL, are cotranscribed, and translation of both cistrons is regulated by binding of L10 or a complex of L10 and L7/L12 to a single target in the mRNA leader region. Co-ordinated regulation is assured by some kind of translational coupling, the mechanism of which was investigated here by deletion analysis of plasmids carrying either the intact rplL gene or rplL-lacZ gene fusions. Unless the rplL ribosome binding site was modified by deletion, efficient initiation of translation required translation of a region located more than 500 nucleotides upstream on the transcript within the rplJ cistron. It is proposed that the wild-type rplL ribosome binding site is blocked by long-range RNA base-pairing to this region, when translation of the rplJ sequence is inhibited.

The complete sequence of a chicken-muscle cDNA encoding the acidic ribosomal protein P1

We have isolated and sequenced a complete cDNA encoding the acidic phosphoprotein P1 from chicken. The analysis of the deduced protein sequence and its comparison with the known sequence of P proteins from human, rat and Artemia salina indicates that the central, alanine-rich region of these proteins was probably generated by internal duplications of the gene followed by modifications within each repeat. This observation explains the length heterogeneity and sequence divergence of this particular region when compared with the highly conserved structure of the remaining segments of the protein.

Three-dimensional structure of 50 S Escherichia coli ribosomal subunits depleted of proteins L7/L12

A structural study of Escherichia coli 50 S ribosomal subunits depleted selectively of proteins L7/L12 and visualized by low-dose electron microscopy has been carried out by multivariate statistical analysis, classification schemes and the new reconstruction technique from single-exposure, random-conical tilt series. This approach has allowed us to solve the three-dimensional structure of the depleted 50 S subunits at a resolution of 3 nm-1. In addition, two distinct morphological populations of subunits (cores) have been identified in the electron micrographs analyzed and have been separately studied in three dimensions. Depleted subunits in the two morphological states present as main features common to these two structures but different from those of the non-depleted subunit (1) the absence of the stalk, (2) a rearrangement of the stalk-base that changes the overall structure of this region. This morphological change is quite noticeable and important, since this region is mapped as a part of the GTPase center. The two conformations differ mainly in the orientation of the area between the L1 region and the head (the probable localization of the peptidyl transferase center) and in the accessibility of the region located below the head. A possible relationship of these structural changes to the functional dynamics of the ribosome is suggested.

The structure and dynamics of ribosomal protein L12

The protein L12 in bacterial ribosomes is essential for the proper function of a number of factors involved in protein synthesis. The protein is mostly described in terms of a rigid structure despite the repeated observation of high flexibility. This paper gives a review of the structure and flexibility of L12 in relation to its function.

Topography and stoichiometry of acidic proteins in large ribosomal subunits from Artemia salina as determined by crosslinking

The 60S subunits isolated from Artemia salina ribosomes were treated with the crosslinking reagent 2-iminothiolane under mild conditions. Proteins were extracted and fractions containing crosslinked acidic proteins were obtained by stepwise elution from CM-cellulose. Each fraction was analyzed by "diagonal" (two-dimensional nonreducing-reducing) NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Crosslinked proteins below the diagonal were radioiodinated and identified by two-dimensional acidic urea-NaDodSO4 gel electrophoresis. Each of the acidic proteins P1 and P2 was crosslinked individually to the same third protein, P0. The fractions containing acidic proteins were also analyzed by two-dimensional nonequilibrium isoelectric focusing-NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two crosslinked complexes were observed that coincide in isoelectric positions with monomeric P1 and P2, respectively. Both P1 and P2 appear to form crosslinked homodimers. These results suggest the presence in the 60S subunit of (P1)2 and (P2)2 dimers, each of which is anchored to P0. Protein P0 appears to play the same role as L10 in Escherichia coli ribosomes and may form a pentameric complex with the two dimers in the 60S subunits.

Structure of the C-terminal domain of the ribosomal protein L7/L12 from Escherichia coli at 1.7 A

The structure of a C-terminal fragment of the ribosomal protein L7/L12 from Escherichia coli has been refined using crystallographic data to 1.7 A resolution. The R-value is 17.4%. Six residues at the N terminus are too disordered in the structure to be localized. These residues are probably part of a hinge in the complete L7/L12 molecule. The possibility that a 2-fold crystallographic axis is a molecular 2-fold axis is discussed. A patch of invariant residues on the surface of the dimer is probably involved in functional interactions with elongation factors.

Transcription products from the rplKAJL-rpoBC gene cluster

Transcripts from the rplKAJL-rpoBC ribosomal protein-RNA polymerase gene cluster have been quantified and their ends mapped using RNA-DNA hybridization, sucrose density-gradient sedimentation, Northern hybridization and S1 nuclease protection. The results indicate that the most abundant transcript is the 2600 nucleotide tetracistronic L11-L1-L10-L12 mRNA initiated at the upstream major PL11 promoter and terminated at the transcription attenuator in the L12-beta intergenic space. Somewhat less abundant 1300 nucleotide L11-L1 and L10-L12 bicistronic transcripts were observed. The 3' ends of the L11-L1 transcripts were heterogeneous; most of the ends were localized to three sites within a 110 base-pair region in the L1-L10 intergenic space. This intergenic space encodes also the major PL10 promoter and the mRNA binding site for the L10 translational control protein. Two 5' ends were observed for L10-L12 bicistronic mRNA, one at the PL10 promoter and the other 150 nucleotides further downstream in a region in which promoter activity has not been detected. It is suggested that this second downstream 5' end is generated by processing of the transcripts initiated at the major PL10 promoter. No transcript initiation in the L10-L12 intergenic space was detected. About 80% of the transcripts reading through the L12 gene were terminated in the vicinity of the transcription attenuator that is responsible for the reduction in the expression of the downstream RNA polymerase genes. Transcripts reading through the attenuator were partially processed by RNase III within a potential hairpin structure in the RNA transcript. Processing appears to produce 3' and 5' transcript end sites separated by about ten nucleotides. No other major 5' ends were observed in the L12-beta intergenic space. These results indicate that the two major promoters, PL11 and PL10, are both utilized to drive the interrelated transcriptional expression of this ribosomal protein-RNA polymerase gene cluster.

Identification and chemical synthesis of a ribosomal protein antigenic determinant in systemic lupus erythematosus

The characteristics of eukaryotic ribosomal proteins P0, P1, and P2 (P proteins) and their antigenic determinants were studied using the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). P0, P1, and P2 were isolated as a macromolecular complex by preparative isoelectric focusing and anion-exchange chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea. The apparent molecular size of the complex was 140 kDa as determined by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-200 column. P0 may, therefore, be the eukaryotic equivalent of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L10. In addition, all three P proteins were detected in the postribosomal supernatant of HeLa cells, and P0 and P1 were found to be more acidic than their ribosome-bound counterparts. Partial proteolysis experiments revealed that SLE anti-P sera recognized one or both ends of the P2 equivalent protein from Artemia salina (eL12). Sixteen SLE sera containing antibodies to P0, P1, and P2 reacted with a carboxyl-terminal peptide 22 amino acids in length of eL12 and not with an amino-terminal peptide of 20 amino acids. Even though the carboxyl-terminal peptide completely inhibited the ability of the antiserum to react with all three proteins on an immunological blot, the same peptide produced only small decreases in binding of the SLE antibody to the native, nondenatured P proteins. These findings indicate that SLE anti-P antibodies react with a single sequential (linear) antigenic determinant on all three P proteins, but that additional antibodies recognize a conformational determinant(s).

An altered ribosomal protein in an edeine-resistant mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The r-proteins of an edeine-resistant mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were compared to those of the wild-type strain by using two different two-dimensional electrophoretic techniques: (1) the Kaltschmidt-Wittmann method and, (2) the Kaltschmidt-Wittmann system, in the first dimension and the Na Dodecyl-SO4 system in the second. With the first technique, the results indicate that the patterns of basic ribosomal proteins are similar in the two strains. However, the pattern of acidic ribosomal proteins of the mutant revealed an additional protein band with respect to the normal one. Using the other technique, the patterns of basic and acidic ribosomal proteins of the mutant demonstrated a similarity to the corresponding pattern of the wild-type strain. The data disclose that an acidic ribosomal protein of the mutant may have two forms with different electrophoretic mobilities and similar molecular weights.

Gene rpmF for ribosomal protein L32 and gene rimJ for a ribosomal protein acetylating enzyme are located near pyrC (23.4 min) in Escherichia coli

An Escherichia coli mutant harbouring altered ribosomal protein L32 has been isolated and genetically characterized. The mutation leading to this alteration (rpmF) and the temperature-sensitive mutation (ts-1517) present in the same strain were found to map near pyrC (23.4 min), being cotransducible not only with pyrC but also with fabD, flaT and purB in P1 phage mediated transductions. Furthermore, we found that the gene rimJ, which encodes an enzyme that acetylates the N-terminal alanine of protein S5 and the temperature-sensitive mutation, ts-386, present in the rimJ mutant strain (Cumberlidge and Isono 1979) also mapped in this region. Thus, the order of genes is deduced to be: ts-386-pyrC-ts-1517-rimJ-flaT-fabD-rpmF-purB+ ++.

Species-specific proteins of the 50S subunit of the chloroplast ribosome in the genus Nicotiana

The large subunits (50S) of chloroplast ribosomes were isolated from Nicotiana tabacum, a species of the Western Hemisphere, and from N. excelsior and N. gossei, Australian species. Their proteins were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A pair of proteins (T12 and T12) observed in N. tabacum has electrophoretic mobilities which differ from those of a similarly migrating, and probably homologous, pair of proteins observed in N. excelsior and N. gossei. The species-specific proteins in N. tabacum differ slightly in electrophoretic mobilities based on both charge and molecular weight from those in N. excelsior and N. gossei. Tryptic digests of radioiodinated proteins reveal that the peptide maps of all six proteins are similar. These results suggest that chemically altered forms of one or more proteins of the 50S chloroplast ribosome subunit may exist in vivo.

The mechanism of N-terminal acetylation of proteins

N alpha-acetylation is almost exclusively restricted to eukaryotic structural proteins. As a rule it is a post-initiational process, requiring the presence of the enzyme N alpha-acetyltransferase and the acetyl donor acetylcoenzyme A. N alpha-acetyltransferases appear to have a narrow substrate specificity, which is very similar for enzymes from different tissues and species. Amino acids predominantly present at the N terminus of N alpha-acetylated proteins are alanine, serine, and methionine. The occurrence of these residues is apparently a prerequisite for acetylation. The region following these amino acids is also important. If methionine is at the N terminus, the second position is always occupied by a strongly hydrophilic amino acid. Two- and three-dimensional structural characteristics of the protein do not seem to play a major role in N alpha-acetylation. Up to now the exact function for N alpha-acetylation is not known.

Localization of Lys-51 of L7/L12 on 50S ribosomes from Escherichia coli

Ribosomal protein L7/L12 from Escherichia coli was modified specifically at Lys-51 with 4-(6-formyl-3-azido-phenoxy)butyrimidate. Reconstitution of ribosomal cores, lacking L7/L12, with imidate-modified L7/L12 resulted in back formation of 50S particles which were fully active in elongation-factor-dependent processes. By use of the formylazidophenoxy moiety as hapten, the position of Lys-51 of L7/L12 on the 50S ribosome was determined by immune electron microscopy. The results show that an L7/L12 dimer is present in the L7/L12 stalk in such a way that Lys-51 is located at the far cytoplasmic end of the stalk. The experimental data are discussed in relation to a proposed model for the L7/L12 dimer.

Ribosomal proteins L7/L12 of Escherichia coli. Localization and possible molecular mechanism in translation

Experiments were performed in order to determine the minimal requirement for the proteins L7/L12 in polyphenylalanine synthesis and elongation factor EF-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis. Via reconstitution, ribosomal particles were prepared containing variable amounts of L7/L12. The L7/L12 content of these particles was carefully determined by the use of 3H-labelled L7/L12 and by radioimmunoassay. The activity of the particles was determined as a function of the L7/L12 content. Our results show that only one dimer of L7/L12 is required for full activity in EF-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis. On the other hand, two L7/L12 dimers are required for polyphenylalanine synthesis. In addition, we have determined the relation between the number of L7/L12 stalks, as observed by electron microscopy, and the L7/L12 content of the 50 S particles. Our interpretation of these results is that each ribosomal particle possesses two L7/L12 binding sites, each site being involved in binding one dimer. Binding of L7/L12 dimer in one site gives rise to formation of the L7/L12 stalk, whereas binding in the other site has no effect on the number of visible stalks.

Insertions of transposon Tn5 into ribosomal protein PNA polymerase operons

The genetic organization and interrelationships between the two ribosomal protein transcription units (the L11 and L10 operons) from near 89 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome were studied by using insertional mutations generated by the kanamycin-resistant transposable element Tn5. The polar effects of Tn5 insertions on the expression of the L11, L1, L10, and L12 ribosomal protein genes and the beta RNA polymerase subunit gene were examined (i) by the level of beta-galactosidase activity generated from L10-lacZ and beta-lacZ gene fusions, (ii) by direct sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the proteins specified by plasmid ribosomal protein genes in UV-irradiated maxicells, and (iii) by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of plasmid- and chromosome-specified L12 protein. The results confirmed the organization of these genes into two transcription units as follows: PL11, rplK (L11), rplA (L1), PL10, rplJ (L10), rplL (L12), rpoB (beta). . .; they also localized the position of the PL10 promoter within an 80-nucleotide region near the end of the L1 gene. The results also support the idea that the translational regulatory proteins for the L11 and L10 operons are L1 and L10, respectively, and that the expression of the L12 gene is closely linked to L10 gene expression.

Characterization of the region on protein L7/L12 involved in binding to ribosomal particles

Tryptic digestion of reductively methylated protein L7/L12 yields a large tryptic fragment, which comprises amino acids 1-59. At the most, two molecules of this fragment can bind to a 50-S ribosomal particle, deprived of protein L7/L12. Besides, binding of each single 1-59 fragment competes with binding of one dimeric L7/L12 molecule. Molecular weight studies on the fragment reveal a monomeric structure. Digestion of the 1-59 fragment with carboxypeptidase Y leads to the formation of a 1-55 fragment. The binding characteristics of the latter fragment are similar to those of the 1-59 fragment. The results suggest that a monomeric stretch of L7/L12, comprising the first 55 amino acids, is sufficient for attaching L7/L12 to the ribosome.

Fluorescence studies on the location of L7/L12 relative to L10 in the 50S ribosome of Escherichia coli

The localization of the protein L7/L12 relative to protein L10 in the Escherichia coli ribosome was studied by fluorescence energy transfer. N-[7-(Dimethylamino)-4-methylcoumarinyl]maleimide, coupled to Cys-70 of L10, served as a donor for fluorescein which was attached to Lys-51 or to the N terminus of L7/L12. The binding of the fluorescein-L7/L12 dimers to a strong and a weak binding site in 50S ribosomes could be distinguished. Therefore, it was possible to measure the distances between Cys-70 of L10 and Lys-51 and the N terminus of each L7/L12 dimer. For L7/L12 in the strong binding site, these two distances are both about 43 A, and for L7/L12 in the weak binding site, both are about 56 A.

Preparation and characterization of fluorescent 50S ribosomes. Specific labeling of ribosomal proteins L7/L12 and L10 of Escherichia coli

So that the topographic and dynamic properties of the L7/L12--L10 complex in the 50S ribosome of Escherichia coli could be studied, methods and reagents were developed in order to introduce fluorescent groups at specific positions of these proteins. In the case of L7/L12, this was done by attaching an aldehyde group to Lys-51 of the protein by using 4-(4-formylphenoxy)butyrimidate or by converting the amino terminus of L12 into an aldehyde group by periodate oxidation. Subsequent reaction of the aldehyde groups with newly developed hydrazine derivatives of fluorescein and coumarin resulted in specifically labeled L7/L12 derivatives. L10 was modified at the single cysteine residue with N-[7-(dimethylamino)-4-methylcoumarinyl]maleimide. The fluorescent proteins L10 and L7/L12 could be reconstituted into 50S ribosomes. The resulting specifically labeled 50S ribosomes show 25--100% activity in elongation factor G dependent GTPase as well as in polyphenylalanine synthesis. The fluorescent properties of the labeled 50S ribosomes show that these fluorescent derivatives are suitable for energy transfer studies.

Studies on the modification of Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 by succinic anhydride

Lysine modification by increasing quantities of succinic anhydride in the Escherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 produces loss of its ability in reconstitution of elongation-factor-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis and polyphenylalanine synthesis activities, showing lower antigenicity and loss of antigenic determinants.

Ribosomal protein modification in Escherichia coli. III. Studies of mutants lacking an acetylase activity specific for protein L12

Among mutants of E. coli selected for temperature-sensitive growth, four were found to possess alterations in ribosomal proteins L7/L12. Of these, three apparently lack protein L7, the acetylated form of protein L12. Genetic analyses have revealed that the mutation responsible for this alteration maps at a locus around 34 min of the current E. coli genetic map, which is clearly different from the location for the structural gene for protein L7/L12 which is situated at 89 min. Hence, the gene affected in these mutants was termed rimL. Tryptic and thermolysin fingerprints of the protein L12 purified from the rimL mutants showed a profile indistinguishable from that of wild-type protein. It was found that the assayed in vitro, in the high-speed supernatant prepared from mutant cells. These results indicated that the three mutants contain mutations in the gene rimL codes for an acetylating enzyme specific for ribosomal protein L12.

Chemistry and biology of E. coli ribosomal protein L12

E. coli ribosomal protein L12, because of its unique features, has been studied in more detail than perhaps any of the other ribosomal proteins. Unlike the other ribosomal proteins that are generally present in stoichiometric amounts, there are four copies of L12 per ribosome, some of which are acetylated on the N-terminal serine. The acetylated species, referred to as L7, has not been shown, as yet, to possess any different biological activity than L12. A specific enzyme that acetylates L12 to form L7, using acetyl-CoA as the acetyl donor, has been purified from E. coli extracts. L12 is also unique in that it does not contain cysteine, tryptophan, histidine, or tyrosine, is very acidic (pI: 4.85) and has a high content of ordered secondary structure (approximately 50%). The protein is normally found in solution as a dimer and also forms a tight complex with ribosomal protein L10. There are three methionine residues in L12, located in the N-terminal region of the protein, one or more of which are essential for biological activity. Oxidation of the methionines to methionine sulfoxide prevents dimer formation and inactivates the protein. The four copies of L12 are located in the crest region(s) of the 50S ribosomal subunit. There is good evidence that the soluble factors, such as IF-2, EF-Tu, EF-G and RF, interact with L12 on the ribosome during the process of protein synthesis. This interaction is essential for the proper functioning of each of the factors and for GTP hydrolysis associated with the individual partial reactions of protein synthesis. The L12 gene is located on an operon that contains the genes for L10 and beta beta' subunits of RNA polymerase at about 88 min on the bacterial chromosome. DNA-directed in vitro systems have been used to study the unique regulation of the expression of these genes. Autogenous regulation, translational control, and transcription attenuation are regulatory mechanisms that function to control the synthesis of these proteins.

Synthesis of ribosomal proteins in merodiploid strains of Escherichia coli

The regulation of the synthesis of r-proteins in Escherichia coli was investigated by increasing the dosage of the genes for a limited number of ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) using either transducing phage lambda fus 3 (Lindahl et al. 1977) or lambda rifd 18 (Kirschbaum and Konrad 1973). During exponential growth the presence in the cell of either lysogenised transducing phage did not increase the rate of synthesis or degradation of any of the 31 r-proteins whose genes are duplicated. Experiments were also performed to determine whether r-protein synthesis during the period of unbalanced r-protein synthesis that follows nutritional enrichment was sensitive to an increase in gene dosage. Duplication of the 27 r-protein genes on lambda fus 3 did not alter the rate of synthesis of any of the r-proteins after enrichment. However, gene dosage effects were detected for at least 3 of the r-proteins whose genes were duplicated on lambda rifd 18.