The location of purine phosphoribosyltransferase activities in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli competence gene homologs are essential for competitive fitness and the use of DNA as a nutrient

Natural genetic competence is the ability of cells to take up extracellular DNA and is an important mechanism for horizontal gene transfer. Another potential benefit of natural competence is that exogenous DNA can serve as a nutrient source for starving bacteria because the ability to "eat" DNA is necessary for competitive survival in environments containing limited nutrients. We show here that eight Escherichia coli genes, identified as homologs of com genes in Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are necessary for the use of extracellular DNA as the sole source of carbon and energy. These genes also confer a competitive advantage to E. coli during long-term stationary-phase incubation. We also show that homologs of these genes are found throughout the proteobacteria, suggesting that the use of DNA as a nutrient may be a widespread phenomenon.

Enterobactin synthase polypeptides of Escherichia coli are present in an osmotic-shock-sensitive cytoplasmic locality

The terminal reactions in the synthesis of the siderophore enterobactin (Ent) by Escherichia coli require the EntD, E, F and B/G polypeptides. The idea that these molecules form a complex (Ent synthase) that is membrane-associated was re-evaluated. In vitro results provided no evidence in support of the proposal: (i) Ent synthase activity occurred normally under conditions where membrane was either absent or disrupted by high concentrations of neutral detergents, and (ii) immunoprecipitation experiments conducted on extracts engaged in Ent synthesis failed to detect any association among the Ent polypeptides. However, Western blot analyses showed that EntE, F and B/G were released from cells by osmotic shock and freeze/thaw treatment but not by conversion of cells to spheroplasts. These results demonstrated that EntE, F and B/G belong to the Beacham group D class of proteins. The shockability of a given group D Ent protein was unaffected by the absence of either EntB/G or EntD and, for EntB/G, the N-terminus was sufficient for release by osmotic shock. The behaviour of group D proteins is generally attributed to their association (partial, loose or transient) with cytoplasmic membrane; therefore, the results are indirect evidence that Ent synthase interacts with membrane in vivo. At the very least, the data indicate that EntE, F and B/G are compartmentalized in E. coli and, because other biosynthetic enzymes for siderophores and surfactants are related to these Ent proteins, suggest that this entire protein class may be sequestered in vivo.

Purification and characterization of the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

1. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was purified 9400-fold by affinity chromatography giving rise to an electrophoretically homogeneous preparation. 2. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined by gel filtration with Sephadex G-100 and by sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis. Both methods reveal a molecular weight of 51,000. 3. The enzyme requires Mg2+ and has its pH optimum at 8.5. 4. Isoelectric focussing as well as gel electrophoresis of the purified extract reveals a single band which exhibits enzyme activity. The isoelectric point of the enzyme is 5.1. 5. The enzyme displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics with apparent Michaelis constants for hypoxanthine, guanine and phosphoribosylpyrophosphate of 23 microns, 18 microns, and 50 microns respectively.