The amino acid sequence of the cytochrome c2 from the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas globiformis

Genome Sequence of the Acidophilic Nonsulfur Purple Photosynthetic Alphaproteobacterium Rhodovastum atsumiense, a Divergent Member of the Acetobacteraceae Family

The genome sequence of the acidophile Rhodovastum atsumiense was determined for comparison with that of Rhodopila globiformis . Both genomes are unusually large for purple bacteria (7.10 Mb and 7.25 Mb, respectively), and they have an average nucleotide identity of 72%. This value is remarkably similar to the average nucleotide identity values for Acidisphaera , Elioraea , and Paracraurococcus , all aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs.

New insights into the metabolic potential of the phototrophic purple bacterium Rhodopila globiformis DSM 161T from its draft genome sequence and evidence for a vanadium-dependent nitrogenase

Rhodopila globiformis: is the most acidophilic anaerobic anoxygenic phototrophic purple bacterium and was isolated from a warm acidic sulfur spring in Yellowstone Park. Its genome is larger than genomes of other phototrophic purple bacteria, containing 7248 Mb with a G + C content of 67.1% and 6749 protein coding and 53 RNA genes. The genome revealed some previously unknown properties such as the presence of two sets of structural genes pufLMC for the photosynthetic reaction center genes and two types of nitrogenases (Mo-Fe and V-Fe nitrogenase), capabilities of autotrophic carbon dioxide fixation and denitrification using nitrite. Rhodopila globiformis assimilates sulfate and utilizes the C1 carbon substrates CO and methanol and a number of organic compounds, in particular, sugars and aromatic compounds. It is among the few purple bacteria containing a large number of pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent dehydrogenases. It has extended capacities to resist stress by heavy metals, demonstrates different resistance mechanisms to antibiotics, and employs several toxin/antitoxin systems.

Evidence from the structure and function of cytochromes c(2) that nonsulfur purple bacterial photosynthesis followed the evolution of oxygen respiration

Cytochromes c(2) are the nearest bacterial homologs of mitochondrial cytochrome c. The sequences of the known cytochromes c(2) can be placed in two subfamilies based upon insertions and deletions, one subfamily is most like mitochondrial cytochrome c (the small C2s, without significant insertions and deletions), and the other, designated large C2, shares 3- and 8-residue insertions as well as a single-residue deletion. C2s generally function between cytochrome bc(1) and cytochrome oxidase in respiration (ca 80 examples known to date) and between cytochrome bc(1) and the reaction center in nonsulfur purple bacterial photosynthesis (ca 21 examples). However, members of the large C2 subfamily are almost always involved in photosynthesis (12 of 14 examples). In addition, the gene for the large C2 (cycA) is associated with those for the photosynthetic reaction center (pufBALM). We hypothesize that the insertions in the large C2s, which were already functioning in photosynthesis, allowed them to replace the membrane-bound tetraheme cytochrome, PufC, that otherwise mediates between the small C2 or other redox proteins and photosynthetic reaction centers. Based upon our analysis, we propose that the involvement of C2 in nonsulfur purple bacterial photosynthesis was a metabolic feature subsequent to the evolution of oxygen respiration.

Photoinduced cyclic electron transfer in Rhodocyclus tenuis cells: participation of HiPIP or cyt c8 depending on the ambient redox potential

We demonstrate the participation of a cytochrome c8 and a high-potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) in the photoinduced electron transfer in whole cells of Rhodocyclus tenuis depending on the redox state or background continuous illumination. At high redox potentials (above 350 mV) or under a strong background illumination (5 W m-2), the cytochrome c8 acts as the physiological electron donor to the photo-oxidized high-potential hemes of the tetraheme cytochrome bound to the reaction center. For redox potentials ranging from 200 to 310 mV or under weak background illumination (1. 25 W m-2), the electron carrier is the HiPIP. The electron transfer between cyt c8 and HiPIP and the tetraheme cytochrome has half-times of 300 and 480 micros, respectively. A slow electrogenic phase of the membrane potential is linked to their rereduction. This phase is sensitive to a specific inhibitor of the cyt bc1 complex, indicating involvement of cyt c8 and HiPIP in the photoinduced cyclic electron transfer at these two redox conditions.

The distance between bacterial species in sequence space

Despite the revolution caused by information from macromolecular sequences, the basis of bacterial classification remains the genus and the species. How do these terms relate to the variety of bacteria that exist on earth? In this paper, the inter- and intraspecies differences in amino acid sequence of several bacterial electron transport proteins, cytochromes c, and blue copper proteins are compared. For the soil and water organisms studied, bacterial species can be classed as "tight" when there is little intraspecies variation, or "loose" when this variation is large. For this set of proteins and organisms, interspecies variation is much larger than that within a species. Examples of "tight" species are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Rhodobacter sphaeroides, while Pseudomonas stutzeri and Rhodopseudomonas palustris are loose species. The results are discussed in the context of the origin and age of bacterial species, and the distribution of genomes in "sequence space." The situation is probably different for commensal or pathogenic bacteria, whose population structure and evolution are linked to the properties of another organism.

Reversible super-reduction of the cubane [4Fe-4S](3+;2+;1+) in the high-potential iron-sulfur protein under non-denaturing conditions. EPR spectroscopic and electrochemical studies

The reversible 2 x 1 e- reduction of the cubane cluster from oxidized to reduced to super-reduced states ([4Fe-4S]3+<-->[4Fe-4S]2+<-->[4Fe-4S]1+) was studied in high-potential iron-sulfur proteins (HiPIPs). Super-reduction to the 1+ state was not observed in any of the seven HiPIPs tested during cyclic voltammetry (down to -0.95 V). However, equilibration at low potential (pH 7.5) of Rhodopila globiformis HiPIP yields a transient peak around -0.47 V due to the oxidation of super-reduced HiPIP adsorbed at the electrode. The peak area depends on the equilibration potential according to a one-electron Nernst curve with a half-wave potential at -0.91 V. Reduction of R. globiformis HiPIP with titanium (III)citrate at pH 9.5 is very slow [pseudo-first-order half-life of 23 min with a 100-fold excess Ti(III)] but is reversible, and the EPR spectrum with g values of 2.04 and 1.92 is similar to that of reduced [4Fe-4S]1+ ferredoxins. Chemical or electrochemical reoxidation of the super-reduced form resulted in an EPR spectrum with g parallel = 2.12 and g perpendicular = 2.03, i.e. identical to that of oxidized HiPIP. From the equilibrium concentration of super-reduced HiPIP at a low concentration of Ti(III), a reduction potential of -0.64 V can be estimated. Super-reduction of the large HiPIP (iso-2) from Rhodospirillum salinarum is also possible with Ti(III)(gz = 2.05) but the super-reduced state is unstable. No super-reduction with Ti(III) was observed for the other HiPIPs. The difference between the electrochemically observed reduction potential and oxidation potential is explained by a fast and reversible conformational change upon super-reduction. The rate of super-reduction with Ti(III) is limited by the small amount (0.1%) of HiPIP in the 2+ state with the super-reduced conformation.

Amino acid sequences of cytochromes c2 and c' from the moderately halophilic purple phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum salexigens

Rhodospirillum salexigens is a moderately halophilic purple phototrophic bacterium which grows optimally in 8% NaCl. The amino acid sequences of the two principal soluble cytochromes c have been determined. One of these is a cytochrome c2, similar in size to mitochondrial cytochrome c. While clearly of the same sequence class as mitochondrial cytochrome c and the proteins from several other Gram-negative bacteria, it does not show particular affinity to any already known sequence in terms of the percentage sequence identity. The other protein is a cytochrome c', but is also a divergent member of this widespread group. The lack of appreciable sequence identity to other species is probably due to a limit of divergence which has been reached for the majority of purple bacterial species. However, the numbers of insertions and deletions and their locations in cytochromes c2 and c' suggest that R salexigens may be related to Rhodospirillum molischianum. Like other electron transport proteins from halophiles, both of these cytochromes are notable for their high content of arginine as compared with lysine and both are acidic. However, they do not show any particular sequence homology to electron transport proteins that have been characterized from the extremely halophilic phototrophes of the genus Ectothiorhodospira. Thus, it appears that adaptation to halophilic habitats has independently occurred more than once in purple bacteria.

1H-NMR investigation of oxidized and reduced high-potential iron-sulfur protein from Rhodopseudomonas globiformis

1H one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectra have been recorded for the oxidized and reduced forms of the high-potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) from Rhodopseudomonas globiformis which has the highest known reduction potential. The spectrum of the oxidized protein is similar to that of Chromatium vinosum and Rhodocyclus gelatinosus HiPIP but different from that of the HiPIP II from Ectothiorhodospira halophila. Surprisingly, site-specific assignment has shown that in the oxidized protein the distribution of oxidation numbers within the cluster is very similar to that found for E. halophila HiPIP II and different from that of the other two proteins. The spectrum of the reduced species is very similar to that of all other HiPIPs known to date, indicating very similar electronic and geometric structures for the reduced forms. These findings are discussed in terms of cluster structure in HiPIPs and of redox potentials.

Sequence variability in bacterial cytochromes c

Cytochromes c are proteins that can be defined both phenotypically and by their possession of a characteristic sequence motif. Many sequences from bacterial sources are known, and new ones are being reported every year. An analysis can be made as to what fraction of new sequences are members of already known classes or subclasses, and how many map into previously uninhabited regions of sequence space.

The distribution of soluble metallo-redox proteins in purple phototrophic bacteria

A comparison is made of types and distribution of cytochromes and certain ferredoxins (HiPIP) among photosynthetic bacteria. These are subdivided as to the type of reaction center each species is believed to contain. The proteins listed are assumed to be of periplasmic origin. Interrelationships suggested by the comparison are discussed.

Amino acid sequences of Euglena viridis ferredoxin and cytochromes c

The Order Euglenida comprises many species and perhaps 40 genera, but almost all biochemical and genetic studies have been limited to a single species. Euglena gracilis, because of its ease of growth in the laboratory. Sequence studies of chloroplast and mitochondrial proteins from E. gracilis show that they have diverged widely from other eukaryotic lines. In the present paper we report the sequences of three proteins from another euglenoid, Euglena viridis, using material isolated from a natural bloom. The mitochondrial cytochrome c shows more than 90% sequence identity with that from E. gracilis, and contains the same characteristic features. The chloroplast cytochrome c6 has diverged to a greater extent and shows only 77% identity. The chloroplast ferredoxin from E. viridis is similar in sequence to those of cyanobacteria and algal chloroplasts, with sequence identities of up to 75%. Details of the purification, analysis and sequence determination experiments on the peptides have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50163 (32 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1991) 273, 5.

Two distinct azurins function in the electron-transport chain of the obligate methylotroph Methylomonas J

Methylomonas J is an obligate methylotroph although it is unable to grow on methane. Like Pseudomonas AM1, it produces two blue copper proteins when growing on methylamine, one of which is the recipient of electrons from the methylamine dehydrogenase. When grown on methanol, only the other blue copper protein is produced. We have determined the amino acid sequences of these blue copper proteins, and show that they are both true azurins. The sequences are clearly homologous to those of the proteins characterized from fluorescent pseudomonads and various species of Alcaligenes, and can be aligned with them and with each other without the need to postulate any internal insertions or deletions in the sequences. The iso-1 azurin, the one produced during both methanol and methylamine growth, shows 59-65% identity with these other azurins, whereas the iso-2 protein shows only 47-53% identity. The proteins show 52% identity with each other. The two functionally equivalent blue copper proteins from Pseudomonas AM1 belong to two sequence classes that are quite distinct from the true azurins. Detailed evidence for the amino acid sequences of the proteins has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50151 (23 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1989) 257, 5.

The phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata sp108 encodes an indigenous class A beta-lactamase

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.37 kb DNA fragment derived from cloning a total DNA digest of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata sp108 was determined. The DNA codes for a beta-lactamase, a protein showing sequence similarity to the ampR protein of Enterobacter cloacae and an unidentified open reading frame. Hybridization experiments with a probe carrying DNA from within the beta-lactamase gene suggests a chromosomal location for the coding sequences in strain sp108 and in sp109, a penicillin-sensitive revertant of sp108 in which the enzyme is not inducible. A protein-sequence comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the Rps. capsulata beta-lactamase indicates that it is a Class A enzyme and that its sequence can be aligned with those of the characterized beta-lactamases from Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus licheniformis and the Escherichia coli plasmid (R-TEM enzyme), with only a few insertions or deletions. The corresponding DNA sequence is, however, characteristically rhodopseudomonad, suggesting that it is not a recently transposed gene.

Effect of aerobic growth conditions on the soluble cytochrome content of the purple phototrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides: induction of cytochrome c554

When grown anaerobically in the light, Rhodobacter sphaeroides contains appreciable quantities of cytochromes c2 and c', but smaller amounts of other soluble cytochromes such as cytochrome c551.5, cytochrome c554, and an oxygen-binding heme protein. When R. sphaeroides is mass cultured aerobically in the dark to stationary phase, the content of cytochrome c2 does not change appreciably, whereas cytochrome c554 is approximately 8-fold more abundant, cytochrome c' is at least 10-fold less abundant, and cytochrome c551.5 is fivefold lower than in the phototrophically grown cells. These observations confirm previous literature reports that in this organism a cytochrome c553 (or c554 in our experience) is more abundant when cells are grown aerobically. Furthermore, the aerobic cytochrome c554 is positively identified with the previously characterized minor cytochrome c554 component of anaerobic photosynthetic cells. Preliminary sequence results show that cytochrome c554 is a member of the cytochrome c' structural family, but differs from normal cytochromes c' in having a methionine sixth ligand to the heme. The levels of electron carrier proteins of low redox potential had previously been reported to be less in aerobic than in photoheterotrophic cells and we have verified that observation for the specific examples of cytochromes c' and c551.5. The oxygen binding heme protein, SHP, is not induced by aerobic growth.