The F- or V-type Na(+)-ATPase of the thermophilic bacterium Clostridium fervidus

Correlation of genomic and physiological traits of thermoanaerobacter species with biofuel yields

Thermophilic anaerobic noncellulolytic Thermoanaerobacter species are of great biotechnological importance in cellulosic ethanol production due to their ability to produce high ethanol yields by simultaneous fermentation of hexose and pentose. Understanding the genome structure of these species is critical to improving and implementing these bacteria for possible biotechnological use in consolidated bioprocessing schemes (CBP) for cellulosic ethanol production. Here we describe a comparative genome analysis of two ethanologenic bacteria, Thermoanaerobacter sp. X514 and Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E. Compared to 39E, X514 has several unique key characteristics important to cellulosic biotechnology, including additional alcohol dehydrogenases and xylose transporters, modifications to pentose metabolism, and a complete vitamin B₁₂ biosynthesis pathway. Experimental results from growth, metabolic flux, and microarray gene expression analyses support genome sequencing-based predictions which help to explain the distinct differences in ethanol production between these strains. The availability of whole-genome sequence and comparative genomic analyses will aid in engineering and optimizing Thermoanaerobacter strains for viable CBP strategies.

The ntp operon encoding the Na+ V-ATPase of the thermophile Caloramator fervidus

The V-type ATPase of the thermophile Caloramator fervidus is an ATP-driven Na+ pump. The nucleotide sequence of the ntpFIKECGABD operon containing the structural genes coding for the nine subunits of the enzyme complex was determined. The identity of the proteins in two pairs of subunits (D, E and F, G) that have very similar mobilities on SDS-PAGE of the purified complex (24.3 and 22.7 kDa, and 12.3 and 11.6 kDa) was established by tryptic digestion of the protein bands followed by mass spectrometric analysis of the peptides.

A structural model of the vacuolar ATPase from transmission electron microscopy

Vacuolar ATPases (V-ATPases) are large, membrane bound, multisubunit protein complexes which function as ATP hydrolysis driven proton pumps. V-ATPases and related enzymes are found in the endomembrane system of eukaryotic organsims, the plasma membrane of specialized cells in higher eukaryotes, and the plasma membrane of prokaryotes. The proton pumping action of the vacuolar ATPase is involved in a variety of vital intra- and inter-cellular processes such as receptor mediated endocytosis, protein trafficking, active transport of metabolites, homeostasis and neurotransmitter release. This review summarizes recent progress in the structure determination of the vacuolar ATPase focusing on studies by transmission electron microscopy. A model of the subunit architecture of the vacuolar ATPase is presented which is based on the electron microscopic images and the available information from genetic, biochemical and biophysical experiments.

Rotary molecular motors

The F-, V-, and A-adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) represent a family of evolutionarily related ion pumps found in every living cell. They either function to synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) at the expense of an ion gradient or they act as primary ion pumps establishing transmembrane ion motive force at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. The A-, F-, and V-ATPases are rotary motor enzymes. Synthesis or hydrolysis of ATP taking place in the three catalytic sites of the membrane extrinsic domain is coupled to ion translocation across the single ion channel in the membrane-bound domain via rotation of a central part of the complex with respect to a static portion of the enzyme. This chapter reviews recent progress in the structure determination of several members of the family of F-, A-, and V-ATPases and our current understanding of the rotary mechanism of energy coupling.

The evolution of A-, F-, and V-type ATP synthases and ATPases: reversals in function and changes in the H+/ATP coupling ratio

Members of the FoF1, AoA1 and VoV1 family of ATP synthases and ATPases have undergone at least two reversals in primary function. The first was from a progenitor proton-pumping ATPase to a proton-driven ATP synthase. The second involved transforming the synthase back into a proton-pumping ATPase. As proposed earlier [FEBS Lett. 259 (1990) 227], these reversals required changes in the H+/ATP coupling ratio from an optimal value of about 2 for an ATPase function to about 4 for an ATP synthase function. The doubling of the ratio that occurred at the ATPase-to-Synthase transition was accomplished by duplicating the gene that encodes the nucleotide-binding catalytic subunits followed by loss of function in one of the genes. The halving of the ratio that occurred at the Synthase-to-ATPase transition was achieved by a duplication/fusion of the gene that encodes the proton-binding transporter subunits, followed by a loss of function in one half of the double-sized protein. These events allowed conservation of quaternary structure, while maintaining a sufficient driving force to sustain an adequate phosphorylation potential or electrochemical gradient. Here, we describe intermediate evolutionary steps and a fine-tuning of the H+/ATP coupling ratio to optimize synthase function in response to different environments. In addition, we propose a third reversal of function, from an ATPase back to an ATP synthase. In contrast to the first two reversals which required a partial loss in function, the change in coupling ratio required for the third reversal is explained by a gain in function.

Stator structure and subunit composition of the V(1)/V(0) Na(+)-ATPase of the thermophilic bacterium Caloramator fervidus

The V-type Na(+)-ATPase of the thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium Caloramator fervidus was purified to homogeneity. The subunit compositions of the catalytic V(1) and membrane-embedded V(0) parts were determined and the structure of the enzyme complex was studied by electron microscopy. The V(1) headpiece consists of seven subunits present in one to three copies, and the V(0) part of two subunits in a ratio of 5:2. An analysis of over 7500 single particle images obtained by electron microscopy of the purified V(1)V(0) enzyme complex revealed that the stalk region, connecting the V(1) and V(0) parts, contains two peripheral stalks in addition to a central stalk. One of the two is connected to the V(0) part, while the other is connected to the first via a bar-like structure that is positioned just above V(0), parallel with the plane of the membrane. In projection, this bar seems to contact the central stalk. The data show that the stator structure that prevents rotation of the static part of V(0) relative to V(1) in the rotary catalysis mechanism of energy coupling in ATPases/ATPsynthases is more complex than previously thought.

Sodium-dependent glutamate uptake by an alkaliphilic, thermophilic Bacillus strain, TA2.A1

A strain of Bacillus designated TA2.A1, isolated from a thermal spring in Te Aroha, New Zealand, grew optimally at pH 9.2 and 70 degrees C. Bacillus strain TA2.A1 utilized glutamate as a sole carbon and energy source for growth, and sodium chloride (>5 mM) was an obligate requirement for growth. Growth on glutamate was inhibited by monensin and amiloride, both inhibitors that collapse the sodium gradient (DeltapNa) across the cell membrane. N, N-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide inhibited the growth of Bacillus strain TA2.A1, suggesting that an F1F0-ATPase (H type) was being used to generate cellular ATP needed for anabolic reactions. Vanadate, an inhibitor of V-type ATPases, did not affect the growth of Bacillus strain TA2.A1. Glutamate transport by Bacillus strain TA2.A1 could be driven by an artificial membrane potential (DeltaPsi), but only when sodium was present. In the absence of sodium, the rate of DeltaPsi-driven glutamate uptake was fourfold lower. No glutamate transport was observed in the presence of DeltapNa alone (i.e., no DeltaPsi). Glutamate uptake was specifically inhibited by monensin, and the Km for sodium was 5.6 mM. The Hill plot had a slope of approximately 1, suggesting that sodium binding was noncooperative and that the glutamate transporter had a single binding site for sodium. Glutamate transport was not affected by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, suggesting that the transmembrane pH gradient was not required for glutamate transport. The rate of glutamate transport increased with increasing glutamate concentration; the Km for glutamate was 2.90 microM, and the Vmax was 0.7 nmol. min-1 mg of protein. Glutamate transport was specifically inhibited by glutamate analogues.

An Na+-pumping V1V0-ATPase complex in the thermophilic bacterium Clostridium fervidus

Energy transduction in the anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium Clostridium fervidus relies exclusively on Na+ as the coupling ion. The Na+ ion gradient across the membrane is generated by a membrane-bound ATPase (G. Speelmans, B. Poolman, T. Abee, and W. N. Konings, J. Bacteriol. 176:5160-5162, 1994). The Na+-ATPase complex was purified to homogeneity. It migrates as a single band in native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and catalyzes Na+-stimulated ATPase activity. Denaturing gel electrophoresis showed that the complex consists of at least six different polypeptides with apparent molecular sizes of 66, 61, 51, 37, 26, and 17 kDa. The N-terminal sequences of the 66- and 51-kDa subunits were found to be significantly homologous to subunits A and B, respectively, of the Na+-translocating V-type ATPase of Enterococcus hirae. The purified V1V0 protein complex was reconstituted in a mixture of Escherichia coli phosphatidylethanolamine and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine and shown to catalyze the uptake of Na+ ions upon hydrolysis of ATP. Na+ transport was completely abolished by monensin, whereas valinomycin stimulated the uptake rate. This is indicative of electrogenic sodium transport. The presence of the protonophore SF6847 had no significant effect on the uptake, indicating that Na+ translocation is a primary event and in the cell is not accomplished by an H+-translocating pump in combination with an Na+-H+ antiporter.

Sodium-coupled energy transduction in the newly isolated thermoalkaliphilic strain LBS3

Strain LBS3 is a novel anaerobic thermoalkaliphilic bacterium that grows optimally at pH 9.5 and 50 degrees C. Since a high concentration of Na+ ions is required for growth, we have analyzed the primary bioenergetic mechanism of energy transduction in this organism. For this purpose, a method was devised for the isolation of right-side-out membrane vesicles that are functional for the energy-dependent uptake of solutes. A strict requirement for Na+ was observed for the uptake of several amino acids, and in the case of L-leucine, it was concluded that amino acid uptake occurs in symport with Na+ ions. Further characterization of the leucine transport system revealed that its pH and temperature optima closely match the conditions that support the growth of strain LBS3. The ATPase activity associated with inside-out membrane vesicles was found to be stimulated by both Na+ and Li+ ions. These data suggest that the primary mechanism of energy transduction in the anaerobic thermoalkaliphilic strain LBS3 is dependent on sodium cycling. The implications of this finding for the mechanism of intracellular pH regulation are discussed.

Is the Paracoccus halodenitrificans ATPase a chimeric enzyme?

Membranes from Paracoccus halodenitrificans contain an ATPase that is most active in the absence of NaCl. The most unusual characteristic of the enzyme is its pattern of sensitivity to various inhibitors. Azide and rhodamine 6G, inhibitors of F1F0-ATPases, inhibit ATP hydrolysis as do bafilomycin A1, concanamycin A (folimycin), N-ethylmaleimide, and p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate which are inhibitors of vacuolar ATPases. This indiscriminate sensitivity suggests that this ATPase may be a hybrid and that caution should be exercised when using inhibition as a diagnostic for distinguishing between F1F0-ATPases and vacuolar ATPases.