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Xu T, Mitra R, Tan D, Li Z, Zhou C, Chen T, Xie Z, Han J. Utilization of gene manipulation system for advancing the biotechnological potential of halophiles: A review. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108302. [PMID: 38101552 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Halophiles are salt-loving microorganisms known to have their natural resistance against media contamination even when cultivated in nonsterile and continuous bioprocess system, thus acting as promising cell factories for Next Generation of Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB). NGIB - a successor to the traditional industrial biotechnology, is a more sustainable and efficient bioprocess technology while saving energy and water in a more convenient way as well as reducing the investment cost and skilled workforce requirement. Numerous studies have achieved intriguing outcomes during synthesis of different metabolite using halophiles such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), ectoine, biosurfactants, and carotenoids. Present-day development in genetic maneuverings have shown optimistic effects on the industrial applications of halophiles. However, viable and competent genetic manipulation system and gene editing tools are critical to accelerate the process of halophile engineering. With the aid of such powerful gene manipulation systems, exclusive microbial chassis are being crafted with desirable features to breed another innovative area of research such as synthetic biology. This review provides an aerial perspective on how the expansion of adaptable gene manipulation toolkits in halophiles are contributing towards biotechnological advancement, and also focusses on their subsequent application for production improvement. This current methodical and comprehensive review will definitely help the scientific fraternity to bridge the gap between challenges and opportunities in halophile engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruchira Mitra
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; International College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Tan
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengjun Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; College of Biochemical Engineering, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (MOE), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengwei Xie
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China; College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China.
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Akinyemi TS, Shao N, Lyu Z, Drake IJ, Liu Y, Whitman WB. Tuning Gene Expression by Phosphate in the Methanogenic Archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3028-3039. [PMID: 34665610 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methanococcus maripaludis is a rapidly growing, hydrogenotrophic, and genetically tractable methanogen with unique capabilities to convert formate and CO2 to CH4. The existence of genome-scale metabolic models and an established, robust system for both large-scale and continuous cultivation make it amenable for industrial applications. However, the lack of molecular tools for differential gene expression has hindered its application as a microbial cell factory to produce biocatalysts and biochemicals. In this study, a library of differentially regulated promoters was designed and characterized based on the pst promoter, which responds to the inorganic phosphate concentration in the growth medium. Gene expression increases by 4- to 6-fold when the medium phosphate drops to growth-limiting concentrations. Hence, this regulated system decouples growth from heterologous gene expression without the need for adding an inducer. The minimal pst promoter is identified and contains a conserved AT-rich region, a factor B recognition element, and a TATA box for phosphate-dependent regulation. Rational changes to the factor B recognition element and start codon had no significant impact on expression; however, changes to the transcription start site and the 5' untranslated region resulted in the differential protein production with regulation remaining intact. Compared to a previous expression system based upon the histone promoter, this regulated expression system resulted in significant improvements in the expression of a key methanogenic enzyme complex, methyl-coenzyme M reductase, and the potentially toxic arginine methyltransferase MmpX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiwo S. Akinyemi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Nana Shao
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Zhe Lyu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Ian J. Drake
- Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, United States
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, United States
| | - William B. Whitman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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Rodríguez-Herrero V, Peris A, Camacho M, Bautista V, Esclapez J, Bonete MJ. Novel Glutamate-Putrescine Ligase Activity in Haloferax mediterranei: A New Function for glnA-2 Gene. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081156. [PMID: 34439822 PMCID: PMC8394153 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genome of the halophilic archaea Haloferax mediterranei contains three ORFs that show homology with glutamine synthetase (GS) (glnA-1, glnA-2, and glnA-3). Previous studies have focused on the role of GlnA-1, suggesting that proteins GlnA-2 and GlnA-3 could play a different role to that of GS. Glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) belongs to the class of ligases, including 20 subclasses of other different enzymes, such as aspartate–ammonia ligase (EC 6.3.1.1), glutamate–ethylamine ligase (EC 6.3.1.6), and glutamate–putrescine ligase (EC 6.3.1.11). The reaction catalyzed by glutamate–putrescine ligase is comparable to the reaction catalyzed by glutamine synthetase (GS). Both enzymes can bind a glutamate molecule to an amino group: ammonium (GS) or putrescine (glutamate–putrescine ligase). In addition, they present the characteristic catalytic domain of GS, showing significant similarities in their structure. Although these proteins are annotated as GS, the bioinformatics and experimental results obtained in this work indicate that the GlnA-2 protein (HFX_1688) is a glutamate–putrescine ligase, involved in polyamine catabolism. The most significant results are those related to glutamate–putrescine ligase’s activity and the analysis of the transcriptional and translational expression of the glnA-2 gene in the presence of different nitrogen sources. This work confirms a new metabolic pathway in the Archaea domain which extends the knowledge regarding the utilization of alternative nitrogen sources in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Rodríguez-Herrero
- Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain; (V.R.-H.); (M.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Arnau Peris
- Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I2SysBio, Campus Burjassot, University of Valencia-CSIC, 46908 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Mónica Camacho
- Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain; (V.R.-H.); (M.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Vanesa Bautista
- Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain; (V.R.-H.); (M.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Julia Esclapez
- Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain; (V.R.-H.); (M.C.); (V.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.E.); (M.-J.B.); Tel.: +34-965-903-880 (J.E. & M.-J.B.)
| | - María-José Bonete
- Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, 03080 Alicante, Spain; (V.R.-H.); (M.C.); (V.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.E.); (M.-J.B.); Tel.: +34-965-903-880 (J.E. & M.-J.B.)
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Karim AA, Gestaut DR, Fincker M, Ruth JC, Holmes EC, Sheu W, Spormann AM. Fine-Tuned Protein Production in Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1874-1885. [PMID: 29920209 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea can be integrated into a sustainable, carbon-neutral cycle for producing organic chemicals from C1 compounds if the rate, yield, and titer of product synthesis can be improved using metabolic engineering. However, metabolic engineering techniques are limited in methanogens by insufficient methods for controlling cellular protein levels. We conducted a systematic approach to tune protein levels in Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A, a model methanogen, by regulating transcription and translation initiation. Rationally designed core promoter and ribosome binding site mutations in M. acetivorans C2A resulted in a predicable change in protein levels over a 60 fold range. The overall range of protein levels was increased an additional 3 fold by introducing the 5' untranslated region of the mcrB transcript. This work demonstrates a wide range of precisely controlled protein levels in M. acetivorans C2A, which will help facilitate systematic metabolic engineering efforts in methanogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann A. Karim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Daniel R. Gestaut
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Maeva Fincker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John C. Ruth
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Eric C. Holmes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Wayne Sheu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alfred M. Spormann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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5
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Oliveira GP, Andrade ACDSP, Rodrigues RAL, Arantes TS, Boratto PVM, Silva LKDS, Dornas FP, Trindade GDS, Drumond BP, La Scola B, Kroon EG, Abrahão JS. Promoter Motifs in NCLDVs: An Evolutionary Perspective. Viruses 2017; 9:v9010016. [PMID: 28117683 PMCID: PMC5294985 DOI: 10.3390/v9010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
For many years, gene expression in the three cellular domains has been studied in an attempt to discover sequences associated with the regulation of the transcription process. Some specific transcriptional features were described in viruses, although few studies have been devoted to understanding the evolutionary aspects related to the spread of promoter motifs through related viral families. The discovery of giant viruses and the proposition of the new viral order Megavirales that comprise a monophyletic group, named nucleo-cytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV), raised new questions in the field. Some putative promoter sequences have already been described for some NCLDV members, bringing new insights into the evolutionary history of these complex microorganisms. In this review, we summarize the main aspects of the transcription regulation process in the three domains of life, followed by a systematic description of what is currently known about promoter regions in several NCLDVs. We also discuss how the analysis of the promoter sequences could bring new ideas about the giant viruses’ evolution. Finally, considering a possible common ancestor for the NCLDV group, we discussed possible promoters’ evolutionary scenarios and propose the term “MEGA-box” to designate an ancestor promoter motif (‘TATATAAAATTGA’) that could be evolved gradually by nucleotides’ gain and loss and point mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziele Pereira Oliveira
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Ana Cláudia Dos Santos Pereira Andrade
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Araújo Lima Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Thalita Souza Arantes
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Victor Miranda Boratto
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Ludmila Karen Dos Santos Silva
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Pio Dornas
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Giliane de Souza Trindade
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Betânia Paiva Drumond
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63 CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1095, Aix-Marseille Université., 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Faculté de Médecine, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France.
| | - Erna Geessien Kroon
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Jônatas Santos Abrahão
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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6
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Giroux X, MacNeill SA. A novel archaeal DNA repair factor that acts with the UvrABC system to repair mitomycin C-induced DNA damage in a PCNA-dependent manner. Mol Microbiol 2015; 99:1-14. [PMID: 26337406 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) plays a vital role in a number of DNA repair pathways in eukaryotes and archaea by acting as a stable platform onto which other essential protein factors assemble. Many of these proteins interact with PCNA via a short peptide sequence known as a PIP (PCNA interacting protein) motif. Here we describe the identification and functional analysis of a novel PCNA interacting protein NreA that is conserved in the archaea and that has a PIP motif at its C-terminus. Using the genetically tractable euryarchaeon Haloferax volcanii as a model system, we show that the NreA protein is not required for cell viability but that loss of NreA (or replacement of the wild-type protein with a truncated version lacking the C-terminal PIP motif) results in an increased sensitivity to the DNA damaging agent mitomycin C (MMC) that correlates with delayed repair of MMC-induced chromosomal DNA damage monitored by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Genetic epistasis analysis in Hfx. volcanii suggests that NreA works together with the UvrABC proteins in repairing DNA damage resulting from exposure to MMC. The wide distribution of NreA family members implies an important role for the protein in DNA damage repair in all archaeal lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Giroux
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Stuart A MacNeill
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK
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Guérillot R, Siguier P, Gourbeyre E, Chandler M, Glaser P. The diversity of prokaryotic DDE transposases of the mutator superfamily, insertion specificity, and association with conjugation machineries. Genome Biol Evol 2015; 6:260-72. [PMID: 24418649 PMCID: PMC3942029 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes and play a significant role in their evolution. In this study, we have identified new prokaryotic DDE transposase families related to the eukaryotic Mutator-like transposases. These genes were retrieved by cascade PSI-Blast using as initial query the transposase of the streptococcal integrative and conjugative element (ICE) TnGBS2. By combining secondary structure predictions and protein sequence alignments, we predicted the DDE catalytic triad and the DNA-binding domain recognizing the terminal inverted repeats. Furthermore, we systematically characterized the organization and the insertion specificity of the TEs relying on these prokaryotic Mutator-like transposases (p-MULT) for their mobility. Strikingly, two distant TE families target their integration upstream σA dependent promoters. This allowed us to identify a transposase sequence signature associated with this unique insertion specificity and to show that the dissymmetry between the two inverted repeats is responsible for the orientation of the insertion. Surprisingly, while DDE transposases are generally associated with small and simple transposons such as insertion sequences (ISs), p-MULT encoding TEs show an unprecedented diversity with several families of IS, transposons, and ICEs ranging in size from 1.1 to 52 kb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Guérillot
- Unité de Biologie des Bactéries pathogènes à Gram-positif, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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9
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Soma A. Circularly permuted tRNA genes: their expression and implications for their physiological relevance and development. Front Genet 2014; 5:63. [PMID: 24744771 PMCID: PMC3978253 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of genome analyses and searches using programs that focus on the RNA-specific bulge-helix-bulge (BHB) motif have uncovered a wide variety of disrupted tRNA genes. The results of these analyses have shown that genetic information encoding functional RNAs is described in the genome cryptically and is retrieved using various strategies. One such strategy is represented by circularly permuted tRNA genes, in which the sequences encoding the 5′-half and 3′-half of the specific tRNA are separated and inverted on the genome. Biochemical analyses have defined a processing pathway in which the termini of tRNA precursors (pre-tRNAs) are ligated to form a characteristic circular RNA intermediate, which is then cleaved at the acceptor-stem to generate the typical cloverleaf structure with functional termini. The sequences adjacent to the processing site located between the 3′-half and the 5′-half of pre-tRNAs potentially form a BHB motif, which is the dominant recognition site for the tRNA-intron splicing endonuclease, suggesting that circularization of pre-tRNAs depends on the splicing machinery. Some permuted tRNAs contain a BHB-mediated intron in their 5′- or 3′-half, meaning that removal of an intron, as well as swapping of the 5′- and 3′-halves, are required during maturation of their pre-tRNAs. To date, 34 permuted tRNA genes have been identified from six species of unicellular algae and one archaeon. Although their physiological significance and mechanism of development remain unclear, the splicing system of BHB motifs seems to have played a key role in the formation of permuted tRNA genes. In this review, current knowledge of circularly permuted tRNA genes is presented and some unanswered questions regarding these species are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Soma
- Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University Matsudo, Japan
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10
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The Sulfolobus initiator element is an important contributor to promoter strength. J Bacteriol 2013; 195:5216-22. [PMID: 24039266 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00768-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal elements in archaeal promoters, except for putative initiator elements encompassing transcription start sites, are well characterized. Here, we employed the Sulfolobus araS promoter as a model to study the function of the initiator element (Inr) in archaea. We have provided evidence for the presence of a third core promoter element, the Sulfolobus Inr, whose action depends on a TATA box and the TFB recognition element (BRE). Substitution mutations in the araS Inr did not alter the location of the transcription start site. Using systematic mutagenesis, the most functional araS Inr was defined as +1 GAGAMK +6 (where M is A/C and K is G/T). Furthermore, WebLogo analysis of a subset of promoters with coding sequences for 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) larger than 4 nucleotides (nt) in Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 identified an Inr consensus that exactly matches the functional araS Inr sequence. Moreover, mutagenesis of 3 randomly selected promoters confirmed the Inr sequences to be important for basal promoter strength in the subgroup. Importantly, the result of the araS Inr being added to the Inr-less promoters indicates that the araS Inr, the core promoter element, is able to enhance the strength of Inr-less promoters. We infer that transcription factor B (TFB) and subunits of RNA polymerase bind the Inr to enhance promoter strength. Taken together, our data suggest that the presence or absence of an Inr on basal promoters is important for global gene regulation in Sulfolobus.
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Senčilo A, Jacobs-Sera D, Russell DA, Ko CC, Bowman CA, Atanasova NS, Österlund E, Oksanen HM, Bamford DH, Hatfull GF, Roine E, Hendrix RW. Snapshot of haloarchaeal tailed virus genomes. RNA Biol 2013; 10:803-16. [PMID: 23470522 DOI: 10.4161/rna.24045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The complete genome sequences of archaeal tailed viruses are currently highly underrepresented in sequence databases. Here, we report the genomic sequences of 10 new tailed viruses infecting different haloarchaeal hosts. Among these, only two viral genomes are closely related to each other and to previously described haloviruses HF1 and HF2. The approximately 760 kb of new genomic sequences in total shows no matches to CRISPR/Cas spacer sequences in haloarchaeal host genomes. Despite their high divergence, we were able to identify virion structural and assembly genes as well as genes coding for DNA and RNA metabolic functions. Interestingly, we identified many genes and genomic features that are shared with tailed bacteriophages, consistent with the hypothesis that haloarchaeal and bacterial tailed viruses share common ancestry, and that a viral lineage containing archaeal viruses, bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses predates the division of the three major domains of non-viral life. However, as in tailed viruses in general and in haloarchaeal tailed viruses in particular, there are still a considerable number of predicted genes of unknown function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Senčilo
- Department of Biosciences and Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Ammar R, Torti D, Tsui K, Gebbia M, Durbic T, Bader GD, Giaever G, Nislow C. Chromatin is an ancient innovation conserved between Archaea and Eukarya. eLife 2012; 1:e00078. [PMID: 23240084 PMCID: PMC3510453 DOI: 10.7554/elife.00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic nucleosome is the fundamental unit of chromatin, comprising a protein octamer that wraps ∼147 bp of DNA and has essential roles in DNA compaction, replication and gene expression. Nucleosomes and chromatin have historically been considered to be unique to eukaryotes, yet studies of select archaea have identified homologs of histone proteins that assemble into tetrameric nucleosomes. Here we report the first archaeal genome-wide nucleosome occupancy map, as observed in the halophile Haloferax volcanii. Nucleosome occupancy was compared with gene expression by compiling a comprehensive transcriptome of Hfx. volcanii. We found that archaeal transcripts possess hallmarks of eukaryotic chromatin structure: nucleosome-depleted regions at transcriptional start sites and conserved -1 and +1 promoter nucleosomes. Our observations demonstrate that histones and chromatin architecture evolved before the divergence of Archaea and Eukarya, suggesting that the fundamental role of chromatin in the regulation of gene expression is ancient.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00078.001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Ammar
- Department of Molecular Genetics , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada ; Donnelly Centre , University of Toronto , Toronto , Canada
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13
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Randau L. RNA processing in the minimal organism Nanoarchaeum equitans. Genome Biol 2012; 13:R63. [PMID: 22809431 PMCID: PMC3491384 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2012-13-7-r63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The minimal genome of the tiny, hyperthermophilic archaeon Nanoarchaeum equitans contains several fragmented genes and revealed unusual RNA processing pathways. These include the maturation of tRNA molecules via the trans-splicing of tRNA halves and genomic rearrangements to compensate for the absence of RNase P. RESULTS Here, the RNA processing events in the N. equitans cell are analyzed using RNA-Seq deep sequencing methodology. All tRNA half precursor and tRNA termini were determined and support the tRNA trans-splicing model. The processing of CRISPR RNAs from two CRISPR clusters was verified. Twenty-seven C/D box small RNAs (sRNAs) and a H/ACA box sRNA were identified. The C/D box sRNAs were found to flank split genes, to form dicistronic tRNA-sRNA precursors and to be encoded within the tRNAMet intron. CONCLUSIONS The presented data provide an overview of the production and usage of small RNAs in a cell that has to survive with a highly reduced genome. N. equitans lost many essential metabolic pathways but maintains highly active CRISPR/Cas and rRNA modification systems that appear to play an important role in genome fragmentation.
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Bernick DL, Dennis PP, Höchsmann M, Lowe TM. Discovery of Pyrobaculum small RNA families with atypical pseudouridine guide RNA features. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2012; 18:402-11. [PMID: 22282340 PMCID: PMC3285929 DOI: 10.1261/rna.031385.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In the Eukarya and Archaea, small RNA-guided pseudouridine modification is believed to be an essential step in ribosomal RNA maturation. While readily modeled and identified by computational methods in eukaryotic species, these guide RNAs have not been found in most archaeal genomes. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and comparative genomics, we have identified ten novel small RNA families that appear to function as H/ACA pseudouridylation guide sRNAs, yet surprisingly lack several expected canonical features. The new RNA genes are transcribed and highly conserved across at least six species in the archaeal hyperthermophilic genus Pyrobaculum. The sRNAs exhibit a single hairpin structure interrupted by a conserved kink-turn motif, yet only two of ten families contain the complete canonical structure found in all other H/ACA sRNAs. Half of the sRNAs lack the conserved 3'-terminal ACA sequence, and many contain only a single 3' guide region rather than the canonical 5' and 3' bipartite guides. The predicted sRNA structures contain guide sequences that exhibit strong complementarity to ribosomal RNA or transfer RNA. Most of the predicted targets of pseudouridine modification are structurally equivalent to those known in other species. One sRNA appears capable of guiding pseudouridine modification at positions U54 and U55 in most or all Pyrobaculum tRNAs. We experimentally tested seven predicted pseudouridine modifications in ribosomal RNA, and all but one was confirmed. The structural insights provided by this new set of Pyrobaculum sRNAs will augment existing models and may facilitate the identification and characterization of new guide sRNAs in other archaeal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Bernick
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Patrick P. Dennis
- Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia 20147, USA
| | - Matthias Höchsmann
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Todd M. Lowe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
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15
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Bautista V, Esclapez J, Pérez-Pomares F, Martínez-Espinosa RM, Camacho M, Bonete MJ. Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase: a key enzyme in the assimilation of starch by the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. Extremophiles 2011; 16:147-59. [PMID: 22134680 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-011-0414-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) was successfully isolated and characterized from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. The enzyme is a monomer with a molecular mass of 77 kDa and optimum activity at 55°C, pH 7.5 and 1.5 M NaCl. The enzyme displayed many activities related to the degradation and transformation of starch. Cyclization was found to be the predominant activity, yielding a mixture of cyclodextrins, mainly α-CD, followed by hydrolysis and to a lesser extent coupling and disproportionation activities. Gene encoding H. mediterranei CGTase was cloned and heterologously overexpressed. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 2142 bp that encodes a protein of 713 amino acids. The amino acid sequence displayed high homology with those belonging to the α-amylase family. The CGTase is secreted to the extracellular medium by the Tat pathway. Upstream of the CGTase gene, four maltose ABC transporter genes have been sequenced (malE, malF, malG, malK). The expression of the CGTase gene yielded a fully active CGTase with similar kinetic behavior to the wild-type enzyme. The H. mediterranei CGTase is the first halophilic archaeal CGTase characterized, sequenced and expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanesa Bautista
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
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16
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Archaeal transcriptional regulation of the prokaryotic KdpFABC complex mediating K+ uptake in H. salinarum. Extremophiles 2011; 15:643-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00792-011-0395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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17
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Regulation of autotrophic CO2 fixation in the archaeon Thermoproteus neutrophilus. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:5329-40. [PMID: 20693323 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00729-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermoproteus neutrophilus, a hyperthermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic, anaerobic crenarchaeon, uses a novel autotrophic CO(2) fixation pathway, the dicarboxylate/hydroxybutyrate cycle. The regulation of the central carbon metabolism was studied on the level of whole cells, enzyme activity, the proteome, transcription, and gene organization. The organism proved to be a facultative autotroph, which prefers organic acids as carbon sources that can easily feed into the metabolite pools of this cycle. Addition of the preferred carbon sources acetate, pyruvate, succinate, and 4-hydroxybutyrate to cultures resulted in stimulation of the growth rate and a diauxic growth response. The characteristic enzyme activities of the carbon fixation cycle, fumarate hydratase, fumarate reductase, succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, and enzymes catalyzing the conversion of succinyl-CoA to crotonyl-CoA, were differentially downregulated in the presence of acetate and, to a lesser extent, in the presence of other organic substrates. This regulation pattern correlated well with the differential expression profile of the proteome as well as with the transcription of the encoding genes. The genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, fumarate reductase, and four enzymes catalyzing the conversion of succinyl-CoA to crotonyl-CoA are clustered. Two putative operons, one comprising succinyl-CoA reductase plus 4-hydroxybutyrate-CoA ligase genes and the other comprising 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase plus fumarate reductase genes, were divergently transcribed into leaderless mRNAs. The promoter regions were characterized and used for isolating DNA binding proteins. Besides an Alba protein, a 18-kDa protein characteristic for autotrophic Thermoproteales that bound specifically to the promoter region was identified. This system may be suitable for molecular analysis of the transcriptional regulation of autotrophy-related genes.
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18
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Hartman AL, Norais C, Badger JH, Delmas S, Haldenby S, Madupu R, Robinson J, Khouri H, Ren Q, Lowe TM, Maupin-Furlow J, Pohlschroder M, Daniels C, Pfeiffer F, Allers T, Eisen JA. The complete genome sequence of Haloferax volcanii DS2, a model archaeon. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9605. [PMID: 20333302 PMCID: PMC2841640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2009] [Accepted: 02/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haloferax volcanii is an easily culturable moderate halophile that grows on simple defined media, is readily transformable, and has a relatively stable genome. This, in combination with its biochemical and genetic tractability, has made Hfx. volcanii a key model organism, not only for the study of halophilicity, but also for archaeal biology in general. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We report here the sequencing and analysis of the genome of Hfx. volcanii DS2, the type strain of this species. The genome contains a main 2.848 Mb chromosome, three smaller chromosomes pHV1, 3, 4 (85, 438, 636 kb, respectively) and the pHV2 plasmid (6.4 kb). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The completed genome sequence, presented here, provides an invaluable tool for further in vivo and in vitro studies of Hfx. volcanii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L. Hartman
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Cédric Norais
- Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, Université Paris-Sud, Paris, France
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Jonathan H. Badger
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stéphane Delmas
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Haldenby
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ramana Madupu
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Robinson
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hoda Khouri
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Qinghu Ren
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Todd M. Lowe
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Julie Maupin-Furlow
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Mecky Pohlschroder
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Charles Daniels
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Friedhelm Pfeiffer
- Department of Membrane Biochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Thorsten Allers
- Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A. Eisen
- The Institute for Genomic Research (J. Craig Venter Institute), Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
- UC Davis Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
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Nagatoishi S, Tanaka Y, Kudou M, Tsumoto K. Temperature and salt concentration alter base-sequence selectivity of a duplex DNA-bindingprotein. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2010; 6:98-101. [DOI: 10.1039/b914828k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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Das S, Mukherjee R, Sahoo S, Thakkar R, Chakrabarti J. Structural Clones of UAG Decoding RNA. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2009; 27:381-90. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2009.10507324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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21
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Zhang J, Li E, Olsen GJ. Protein-coding gene promoters in Methanocaldococcus (Methanococcus) jannaschii. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:3588-601. [PMID: 19359364 PMCID: PMC2699501 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Methanocaldococcus (Methanococcus) jannaschii was the first archaeon to have its genome sequenced, little is known about the promoters of its protein-coding genes. To expand our knowledge, we have experimentally identified 131 promoters for 107 protein-coding genes in this genome by mapping their transcription start sites. Compared to previously identified promoters, more than half of which are from genes for stable RNAs, the protein-coding gene promoters are qualitatively similar in overall sequence pattern, but statistically different at several positions due to greater variation among their sequences. Relative binding affinity for general transcription factors was measured for 12 of these promoters by competition electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These promoters bind the factors less tightly than do most tRNA gene promoters. When a position weight matrix (PWM) was constructed from the protein gene promoters, factor binding affinities correlated with corresponding promoter PWM scores. We show that the PWM based on our data more accurately predicts promoters in the genome and transcription start sites than could be done with the previously available data. We also introduce a PWM logo, which visually displays the implications of observing a given base at a position in a sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 601 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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22
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The extremely halophilic archaeon Halobacterium salinarum R1 responds to potassium limitation by expression of the K+-transporting KdpFABC P-type ATPase and by a decrease in intracellular K+. Extremophiles 2008; 12:741-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00792-008-0177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2008] [Accepted: 06/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Abstract
The universality of ribonuclease P (RNase P), the ribonucleoprotein essential for transfer RNA (tRNA) 5' maturation, is challenged in the archaeon Nanoarchaeum equitans. Neither extensive computational analysis of the genome nor biochemical tests in cell extracts revealed the existence of this enzyme. Here we show that the conserved placement of its tRNA gene promoters allows the synthesis of leaderless tRNAs, whose presence was verified by the observation of 5' triphosphorylated mature tRNA species. Initiation of tRNA gene transcription requires a purine, which coincides with the finding that tRNAs with a cytosine in position 1 display unusually extended 5' termini with an extra purine residue. These tRNAs were shown to be substrates for their cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. These findings demonstrate how nature can cope with the loss of the universal and supposedly ancient RNase P through genomic rearrangement at tRNA genes under the pressure of genome condensation.
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24
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De Castro RE, Ruiz DM, Giménez MI, Silveyra MX, Paggi RA, Maupin-Furlow JA. Gene cloning and heterologous synthesis of a haloalkaliphilic extracellular protease of Natrialba magadii (Nep). Extremophiles 2008; 12:677-87. [PMID: 18553052 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-008-0174-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The gene encoding the protease Nep secreted by the haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natrialba magadii was cloned and sequenced. Upstream of the nep gene, a region related to haloarchaeal TATA-box and BRE-like consensus sequences was identified. The nep-encoded polypeptide had a molecular mass of 56.4 kDa, a pI of 3.77 and included a 121-amino acid propeptide not present in the mature Nep. A Tat motif (GRRSVL) was also identified at residues 10-15 suggesting it is a substrate of the Tat pathway. The primary sequence of Nep was closely related to serine proteases of the subtilisin family from archaea and bacteria (50-85% similarity). The nep gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and Haloferax volcanii resulting in production of active Nep protease. In contrast to the recombinant E. coli strains in which Nep activity was only detected in cell lysate, high levels of Nep protein and activity were detected in the culture medium of stationary phase recombinant Hfx. volcanii strains. The Hfx. volcanii synthesized protease was active in high salt, high pH and high DMSO. This study provides the first molecular characterization of a halolysin-like protease from alkaliphilic haloarchaea and is the first description of a recombinant system that facilitates high-level secretion of a haloarchaeal protease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana E De Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 4 degrees Nivel, Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina.
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25
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Variations in the multiple tbp genes in different Halobacterium salinarum strains and their expression during growth. Arch Microbiol 2008; 190:309-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-008-0383-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2008] [Revised: 04/23/2008] [Accepted: 04/29/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Archaeal transcription: function of an alternative transcription factor B from Pyrococcus furiosus. J Bacteriol 2007; 190:157-67. [PMID: 17965161 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01498-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genome of the hyperthermophile archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus encodes two transcription factor B (TFB) paralogs, one of which (TFB1) was previously characterized in transcription initiation. The second TFB (TFB2) is unusual in that it lacks recognizable homology to the archaeal TFB/eukaryotic TFIIB B-finger motif. TFB2 functions poorly in promoter-dependent transcription initiation, but photochemical cross-linking experiments indicated that the orientation and occupancy of transcription complexes formed with TFB2 at the strong gdh promoter are similar to the orientation and occupancy of transcription complexes formed with TFB1. Initiation complexes formed by TFB2 display a promoter opening defect that can be bypassed with a preformed transcription bubble, suggesting a mechanism to explain the low TFB2 transcription activity. Domain swaps between TFB1 and TFB2 showed that the low activity of TFB2 is determined mainly by its N terminus. The low activity of TFB2 in promoter opening and transcription can be partially relieved by transcription factor E (TFE). The results indicate that the TFB N-terminal region, containing conserved Zn ribbon and B-finger motifs, is important in promoter opening and that TFE can compensate for defects in the N terminus through enhancement of promoter opening.
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27
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Mandrich L, Pezzullo M, Rossi M, Manco G. SSoNDelta and SSoNDeltalong: two thermostable esterases from the same ORF in the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus? ARCHAEA-AN INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2007; 2:109-15. [PMID: 17350931 PMCID: PMC2686388 DOI: 10.1155/2006/748517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported from the Sulfolobus solfataricus open reading frame (ORF) SSO2517 the cloning, overexpression and characterization of an esterase belonging to the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) family and apparently having a deletion at the N-terminus, which we named SSoNDelta. Searching the recently reported Sulfolobus acidocaldarius genome by sequence alignment, using SSO2517 as a query, allowed identity of a putative esterase (ORF SAC1105) sharing high sequence similarity (82%) with SSO2517. This esterase displays an N-terminus and total length similar to other known esterases of the HSL family. Analysis of the upstream DNA sequence of SS02517 revealed the possibility of expressing a longer version of the protein with an extended N-terminus; however, no clear translation signal consistent with a longer protein version was detected. This new version of SSO2517 was cloned, over-expressed, purified and characterized. The resulting protein, named SSoNDeltalong, was 15-fold more active with the substrate p-nitrophenyl hexanoate than SSoNDelta. Furthermore, SSoNDeltalong and SSoNDelta displayed different substrate specificities for triacylglycerols. These results and the phylogenetic relationship between S. solfataricus and S. acidocaldarius suggest a common origin of SSO2517 and SAC1105 from an ancestral gene, followed by divergent evolution. Alternatively, a yet-to-be discovered mechanism of translation that directs the expression of SSoNDeltalong under specific metabolic conditions could be hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mandrich
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Margherita Pezzullo
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Mosè Rossi
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Manco
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Corresponding author ()
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Qureshi SA. Role of the Sulfolobus shibatae viral T6 initiator in conferring promoter strength and in influencing transcription start site selection. Can J Microbiol 2007; 52:1136-40. [PMID: 17215906 DOI: 10.1139/w06-073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Archaeal promoters contain a TATA-box, an adjacent upstream TFB-recognition element (BRE), and a downstream initiator (INR) region from which transcription originates. While the contribution of A-box and BRE to promoter strength is well established, the role of DNA sequences within the INR region and its vicinity on transcription efficiency and start site selection remains unclear. Here, I demonstrate using the strong Sulfolobus shibatae viral T6 promoter that either substitution of its natural sequence from -17 and beyond with plasmid DNA or introduction of point transversion mutations at +3, -2, -4, and -5 positions reduce promoter strength dramatically, whereas +1, -1, and -2 mutations influence the transcription start site. These data therefore reveal that the INR region plays a role as important as the BRE and the A-box in T6 gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohail A Qureshi
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
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29
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Veit K, Ehlers C, Ehrenreich A, Salmon K, Hovey R, Gunsalus RP, Deppenmeier U, Schmitz RA. Global transcriptional analysis of Methanosarcina mazei strain Gö1 under different nitrogen availabilities. Mol Genet Genomics 2006; 276:41-55. [PMID: 16625354 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-006-0117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2005] [Accepted: 02/27/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Certain archaeal species can fix molecular nitrogen under nitrogen limiting conditions although little is known about this process at either the genetic or molecular level. To address this on a genome-wide scale, transcriptional analysis was performed on the model methanogen Methanosarcina mazei strain Gö1 using DNA-microarrays. The genomic expression patterns for cells grown under nitrogen fixing conditions versus nitrogen sufficiency (10 mM ammonium) revealed that approximately 5% of all genes are differentially expressed. Besides a small set of genes previously known to be up-regulated under nitrogen limitation, 14 additional genes involved in nitrogen metabolism were identified plus 10 genes encoding potential transcriptional regulators, 13 genes involved in carbon metabolism, 3 genes in general stress response, 8 putative transporter genes, and an additional 21 genes with unknown function. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR experiments confirmed the differential expression of a subset of these genes. Promoter analysis revealed a palindromic DNA motif centered nearby the transcriptional start point for several genes up-regulated under nitrogen limitation. A bioinformatics study demonstrated the presence of this motif in the up-stream region of 52 genes genome-wide, the majority of which showed nitrogen dependent differential transcription. We therefore hypothesize that this DNA element is involved in nitrogen control in M. mazei where it may act as a binding site for a regulatory protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Veit
- Institut für Allgemeine Mikrobiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118, Kiel, Germany
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Sun C, Li Y, Mei S, Lu Q, Zhou L, Xiang H. A single gene directs both production and immunity of halocin C8 in a haloarchaeal strain AS7092. Mol Microbiol 2005; 57:537-49. [PMID: 15978083 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Halocin C8 (HalC8) is an extremely stable and hydrophobic microhalocin with 76 amino acids, and has a wide inhibitory spectrum against the haloarchaea. It is derived from the C-terminus of a 283-amino-acid prepro-protein (ProC8), which was demonstrated by molecular cloning of the halC8 gene, and verified by the N-terminal amino acid sequencing as well as MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of the purified HalC8. The production of this halocin is controlled through both transcription regulation and protein processing: the halC8 transcripts and HalC8 activity rapidly increased to maximal levels upon transition from exponential to stationary phase. However, while halC8 transcripts remained abundant, the HalC8 processing was inhibited during stationary phase. Remarkably, agar-diffusion test revealed the unprocessed ProC8 and its 207-amino-acid N-terminal peptide (HalI), with or without the putative Tat signal sequence, were capable to block the halocin activity of HalC8 in vitro. In addition, heterologous expression of HalI in Haloarcula hispanica rendered this sensitive strain remarkable resistance to HalC8, indicating that HalI encodes the immunity property of the producer. In accordance with this immunity function, HalI and ProC8 were both found localized on the cellular membrane. Protein interaction assay revealed that HalI likely sequestrated the HalC8 activity by specific binding. To our knowledge, this is the first report on halocin immunity, and our results that a single gene encodes both peptide antibiotic and immunity protein also provide a novel immune mechanism for peptide antibiotics.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Archaeal Proteins/biosynthesis
- Archaeal Proteins/chemistry
- Archaeal Proteins/genetics
- Archaeal Proteins/pharmacology
- Base Sequence
- Cell Membrane/chemistry
- DNA, Archaeal/chemistry
- DNA, Archaeal/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Microbial
- Genes, Archaeal
- Haloarcula/genetics
- Haloarcula/metabolism
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Protein Binding
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- RNA, Archaeal/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaomin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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31
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Lledó B, Marhuenda-Egea FC, Martínez-Espinosa RM, Bonete MJ. Identification and transcriptional analysis of nitrate assimilation genes in the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. Gene 2005; 361:80-8. [PMID: 16182473 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2005.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2005] [Revised: 07/05/2005] [Accepted: 07/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sequencing a 6,720-bp segment of the extreme halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei genome has revealed the genomic organization of the putative structural genes for nitrate assimilation. We report a gene operon containing nasABC and nasD gene. nasA encodes an assimilatory nitrate reductase, nasB codes for a membrane protein with similarity to the NarK transporter, nasC encodes a protein with similarity to MobA; and nasD codes for an assimilatory ferredoxin-dependent nitrite reductase. Reverse transcription-PCR and primer extension experiments have demonstrated the existence of one polycistronic messenger nasABC and one monocistronic nasD initiated from a different promoter. The gene order and the grouping in two adjacent transcriptional units constitutes a novel organization of nas genes. The promoter regions harbor direct palindromes reminiscent of target sites for binding of a hypotetical regulatory protein(s). Transcription of the nasABC and nasD regions was found to be repressed by the presence of ammonium as nitrogen source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Lledó
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Ap. 99, E- 03080, Alicante, Spain
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Díaz S, Pérez-Pomares F, Pire C, Ferrer J, Bonete MJ. Gene cloning, heterologous overexpression and optimized refolding of the NAD-glutamate dehydrogenase from Haloferax mediterranei. Extremophiles 2005; 10:105-15. [PMID: 16200391 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-005-0478-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2005] [Accepted: 08/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) gene from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei has been cloned. The analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed an open reading frame of 1323 bp that encodes a NAD-GDH. The amino acid sequence displayed high homology with those from other sources, especially the highly conserved residues involved in 2-oxoglutarate binding. The expression of this gene in Escherichia coli, the refolding and further characterization, yielded a fully active NAD-GDH with the same features than those found for the wild-type enzyme. This halophilic NAD-GDH showed a highly dependence on salts for both stability and activity, being essential for the refolding of the recombinant enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Díaz
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Spain
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Ouhammouch M, Langham GE, Hausner W, Simpson AJ, El-Sayed NMA, Geiduschek EP. Promoter architecture and response to a positive regulator of archaeal transcription. Mol Microbiol 2005; 56:625-37. [PMID: 15819620 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04563.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The archaeal transcription apparatus is chimeric: its core components (RNA polymerase and basal factors) closely resemble those of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II, but the putative archaeal transcriptional regulators are overwhelmingly of bacterial type. Particular interest attaches to how these bacterial-type effectors, especially activators, regulate a eukaryote-like transcription system. The hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii encodes a potent transcriptional activator, Ptr2, related to the Lrp/AsnC family of bacterial regulators. Ptr2 activates rubredoxin 2 (rb2) transcription through a bipartite upstream activating site (UAS), and conveys its stimulatory effects on its cognate transcription machinery through direct recruitment of the TATA binding protein (TBP). A functional dissection of the highly constrained architecture of the rb2 promoter shows that a 'one-site' minimal UAS suffices for activation by Ptr2, and specifies the required placement of this site. The presence of such a simplified UAS upstream of the natural rubrerythrin (rbr) promoter also suffices for positive regulation by Ptr2 in vitro, and TBP recruitment remains the primary means of transcriptional activation at this promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ouhammouch
- Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Molecular Genetics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0634, USA.
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34
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Abstract
Many Archaea, in contrast to bacteria, produce a high proportion of leaderless transcripts, show a wide variation in their consensus Shine-Dalgarno (S-D) sequences and frequently use GUG and UUG start codons. In order to understand the basis for these differences, 18 complete archaeal genomes were examined for sequence signals that are positionally conserved upstream from genes. These functional motifs include box A promoter sequences for leaderless transcripts and S-D sequences for transcripts with leaders. Most of the box A sequences were preceded by a BRE-like motif and followed by a previously undetected A/T peak centred on position -10. Moreover, the sequence of the predominant S-D motifs in an archaeon is shown to depend on the precise number of nucleotides between the conserved anti-S-D CCUCC sequence and the 3'-terminal nucleotide of 16S RNA. Correlations with phylogenetic trees, constructed for the 18 Archaea, reveal that usage of high levels of both S-D motifs, and GUG and UUG start codons occurs exclusively in the shorter branched Archaea. High levels of leaderless transcripts are found in the longer branched Archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elfar Torarinsson
- Danish Archaea Centre, Institute of Molecular Biology, Copenhagen University, Sølvgade 83H, DK-1307 Copenhagen K, Denmark
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35
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Johnsen U, Schönheit P. Novel xylose dehydrogenase in the halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:6198-207. [PMID: 15342590 PMCID: PMC515137 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.18.6198-6207.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
During growth of the halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui on D-xylose, a specific D-xylose dehydrogenase was induced. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity. It constitutes a homotetramer of about 175 kDa and catalyzed the oxidation of xylose with both NADP+ and NAD+ as cosubstrates with 10-fold higher affinity for NADP+. In addition to D-xylose, D-ribose was oxidized at similar kinetic constants, whereas D-glucose was used with about 70-fold lower catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km). With the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the subunit, an open reading frame (ORF)-coding for a 39.9-kDA protein-was identified in the partially sequenced genome of H. marismortui. The function of the ORF as the gene designated xdh and coding for xylose dehydrogenase was proven by its functional overexpression in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was reactivated from inclusion bodies following solubilization in urea and refolding in the presence of salts, reduced and oxidized glutathione, and substrates. Xylose dehydrogenase showed the highest sequence similarity to glucose-fructose oxidoreductase from Zymomonas mobilis and other putative bacterial and archaeal oxidoreductases. Activities of xylose isomerase and xylulose kinase, the initial reactions of xylose catabolism of most bacteria, could not be detected in xylose-grown cells of H. marismortui, and the genes that encode them, xylA and xylB, were not found in the genome of H. marismortui. Thus, we propose that this first characterized archaeal xylose dehydrogenase catalyzes the initial step in xylose degradation by H. marismortui.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Johnsen
- Institut für Allgemeine Mikrobiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
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36
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Lledó B, Martínez-Espinosa RM, Marhuenda-Egea FC, Bonete MJ. Respiratory nitrate reductase from haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei: biochemical and genetic analysis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2004; 1674:50-9. [PMID: 15342113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2004.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2004] [Revised: 05/19/2004] [Accepted: 05/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Haloferax mediterranei nar operon has been sequenced and its regulation has been characterized at transcriptional level. The nar operon encodes seven open reading frames(ORFs) (ORF1 narB, narC, ORF4, narG, narH, ORF7 and narJ). ORF1, ORF4 and ORF7 are open reading frames with no assigned function, however the rest of them encoded different proteins. narB codes for a 219-amino-acid-residue iron Rieske protein. narC encodes a protein of 486 amino acid residues identified by databases searches as cytochrome-b (narC). The narG gene encodes a protein with 983 amino acid residues and is identified as a respiratory nitrate reductase catalytic subunit (narG). NarH protein has been identified as an electron transfer respiratory nitrate reductase subunit (narH). The last ORF encodes a chaperonin-like protein (narJ) of 242 amino acid residues. The respiratory nitrate reductase was purified 21-fold from H. mediterranei membranes. Based on SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration chromatography under native conditions, the enzyme complex consists of two subunits of 112 and 61 kDa. The optimum temperature for activity was 70 degrees C at 3.4 M NaCl and the stability did not show a direct dependence on salt concentration. Respiratory nitrate reductase showed maximum activity at pH 7.9 and pH 8.2 when assays were carried out at 40 and 60 degrees C, respectively. The absorption spectrum indicated that Nar contains Fe-S clusters. Reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR) shows that regulation of nar genes occurs at transcriptional level induced by oxygen-limiting conditions and the presence of nitrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lledó
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080, Alicante, Spain
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37
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Abstract
The events leading to transcription of eukaryotic protein-coding genes culminate in the positioning of RNA polymerase II at the correct initiation site. The core promoter, which can extend ~35 bp upstream and/or downstream of this site, plays a central role in regulating initiation. Specific DNA elements within the core promoter bind the factors that nucleate the assembly of a functional preinitiation complex and integrate stimulatory and repressive signals from factors bound at distal sites. Although core promoter structure was originally thought to be invariant, a remarkable degree of diversity has become apparent. This article reviews the structural and functional diversity of the RNA polymerase II core promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Smale
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1662, USA.
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38
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Abstract
Archaea contain a variety of sequence-independent DNA binding proteins consistent with the evolution of several different, sometimes overlapping and exchangeable solutions to the problem of genome compaction. Some of these proteins undergo residue-specific post-translational lysine acetylation or methylation, hinting at analogues of the histone modifications that regulate eukaryotic chromatin structure and transcription. Archaeal transcription initiation most closely resembles the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) system, but Archaea do not appear to have homologues of the multisubunit complexes that remodel eukaryotic chromatin and activate RNAPII initiation. In contrast, they have sequence-specific regulators that repress and perhaps activate archaeal transcription by mechanisms superficially similar to the bacterial paradigm of regulating promoter binding by RNAP. Repressors compete with archaeal TATA-box binding protein (TBP) and TFB for the TATA-box and TFB-recognition elements (BRE) of the archaeal promoter, or with archaeal RNAP for the site of transcription initiation. Transcript-specific regulation by repressors binding to sites of transcript initiation is consistent with such sites having very little sequence conservation. However, most Archaea have only one TBP and/or TFB that presumably must therefore bind to similar TATA-box and BRE sequences upstream of most genes. Repressors that function by competing with TBP and/or TFB binding must therefore also make additional contacts with transcript-specific regulatory sites adjacent or remote from the TATA-box/BRE region. The fate of the archaeal TBP and TFB following transcription initiation remains to be determined. Based on functional homology with their eukaryotic RNAPII-system counterparts, archaeal TBP and possibly also TFB should remain bound to the TATA-box/BRE region after transcription initiation. However, this seems unlikely as it might limit repressor competition at this site to only the first round of transcription initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John N Reeve
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1292, USA.
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39
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Marck C, Grosjean H. tRNomics: analysis of tRNA genes from 50 genomes of Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria reveals anticodon-sparing strategies and domain-specific features. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2002; 8:1189-232. [PMID: 12403461 PMCID: PMC1370332 DOI: 10.1017/s1355838202022021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 276] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
From 50 genomes of the three domains of life (7 eukarya, 13 archaea, and 30 bacteria), we extracted, analyzed, and compared over 4,000 sequences corresponding to cytoplasmic, nonorganellar tRNAs. For each genome, the complete set of tRNAs required to read the 61 sense codons was identified, which permitted revelation of three major anticodon-sparing strategies. Other features and sequence peculiarities analyzed are the following: (1) fit to the standard cloverleaf structure, (2) characteristic consensus sequences for elongator and initiator tDNAs, (3) frequencies of bases at each sequence position, (4) type and frequencies of conserved 2D and 3D base pairs, (5) anticodon/tDNA usages and anticodon-sparing strategies, (6) identification of the tRNA-Ile with anticodon CAU reading AUA, (7) size of variable arm, (8) occurrence and location of introns, (9) occurrence of 3'-CCA and 5'-extra G encoded at the tDNA level, and (10) distribution of the tRNA genes in genomes and their mode of transcription. Among all tRNA isoacceptors, we found that initiator tDNA-iMet is the most conserved across the three domains, yet domain-specific signatures exist. Also, according to which tRNA feature is considered (5'-extra G encoded in tDNAs-His, AUA codon read by tRNA-Ile with anticodon CAU, presence of intron, absence of "two-out-of-three" reading mode and short V-arm in tDNA-Tyr) Archaea sequester either with Bacteria or Eukarya. No common features between Eukarya and Bacteria not shared with Archaea could be unveiled. Thus, from the tRNomic point of view, Archaea appears as an "intermediate domain" between Eukarya and Bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Marck
- Service de Biochimie et de Génétique Moléculaire, CEA/Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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40
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Enoru-Eta J, Gigot D, Glansdorff N, Charlier D. High resolution contact probing of the Lrp-like DNA-binding protein Ss-Lrp from the hyperthermoacidophilic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus P2. Mol Microbiol 2002; 45:1541-55. [PMID: 12354224 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2002.03136.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ss-Lrp, from Sulfolobus solfataricus, is an archaeal homologue of the global bacterial regulator Lrp (Leucine-responsive regulatory protein), which out of all genome-encoded proteins is most similar to Escherichia coli Lrp (E-value of 5.6 e-14). The recombinant protein has been purified as a 68 kDa homotetramer. The specific binding of Ss-Lrp to its own control region is suggestive of negative autoregulation. A high resolution contact map of Ss-Lrp binding was established by DNase I and hydroxyl radical footprinting, small non-intercalating groove-specific ligand-binding interference, and various base-specific premodification and base removal binding interference techniques. We show that Ss-Lrp binds one face of the DNA helix and establishes the most salient contacts with two major groove segments and the intervening minor groove, in a region that overlaps the TATA-box and BRE promoter elements. Therefore, Ss-Lrp most likely exerts autoregulation by preventing promoter recognition by TBP and TFB. Moreover, the results demonstrate profound Ss-Lrp induced structural alterations of sequence stretches flanking the core contact site, and reveal that the deformability of these regions significantly contributes to binding selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Enoru-Eta
- Erfelijkheidsleer en Microbiologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium
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41
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Ishikawa K, Matsui I, Payan F, Cambillau C, Ishida H, Kawarabayasi Y, Kikuchi H, Roussel A. A hyperthermostable D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase from Pyrococcus horikoshii characterization and three-dimensional structure. Structure 2002; 10:877-86. [PMID: 12057201 DOI: 10.1016/s0969-2126(02)00779-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A gene homologous to D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.6) was found in the genome of Pyrococcus horikoshii. D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (PRI) is of particular metabolic importance since it catalyzes the interconversion between the ribose and ribulose forms involved in the pentose phosphate cycle and in the process of photosynthesis. The gene consisting of 687 bp was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the resulting enzyme showed activity at high temperatures with an optimum over 90 degrees C. The crystal structures of the enzyme, free and in complex with D-4-phosphoerythronic acid inhibitor, were determined. PRI is a tetramer in the crystal and in solution, and each monomer has a new fold consisting of two alpha/beta domains. The 3D structures and the characterization of different mutants indicate a direct or indirect catalytic role for the residues E107, D85, and K98.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiko Ishikawa
- AFMB UMR-6098, CNRS et Universités d'Aix-Marseille I et II, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 20, Marseille Cedex, France.
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42
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Affiliation(s)
- J Soppa
- Institute for Microbiology, Biocentre Niederursel, J. W. Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60439 Frankfurt, Germany
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43
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Bini E, Blum P. Archaeal catabolite repression: a gene regulatory paradigm. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2002; 50:339-66. [PMID: 11677688 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2164(01)50009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E Bini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0666, USA
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44
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Serganova I, Ksenzenko V, Serganov A, Meshcheryakova I, Pyatibratov M, Vakhrusheva O, Metlina A, Fedorov O. Sequencing of flagellin genes from Natrialba magadii provides new insight into evolutionary aspects of archaeal flagellins. J Bacteriol 2002; 184:318-22. [PMID: 11741874 PMCID: PMC134749 DOI: 10.1128/jb.184.1.318-322.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have determined the nucleotide sequence of a flagellin gene locus from the haloalkaliphilic archaeon Natrialba magadii, identified the gene products among proteins forming flagella, and demonstrated cotranscription of the genes. Based on the sequence analysis we suggest that different regions of the genes might have distinct evolutionary histories including possible genetic exchange with bacterial flagellin genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Serganova
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
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45
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Baliga NS. Promoter analysis by saturation mutagenesis. Biol Proced Online 2001; 3:64-69. [PMID: 12734578 PMCID: PMC145547 DOI: 10.1251/bpo24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2001] [Revised: 12/15/2001] [Accepted: 12/17/2001] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression and regulation are mediated by DNA sequences, in most instances, directly upstream to the coding sequences by recruiting transcription factors, regulators, and a RNA polymerase in a spatially defined fashion. Few nucleotides within a promoter make contact with the bound proteins. The minimal set of nucleotides that can recruit a protein factor is called a cis-acting element. This article addresses a powerful mutagenesis strategy that can be employed to define cis-acting elements at a molecular level. Technical details including primer design, saturation mutagenesis, construction of promoter libraries, phenotypic analysis, data analysis, and interpretation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin S Baliga
- Institute for Systems Biology. 4225 Roosevelt way NE, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98105. USA.
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46
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Empadinhas N, Marugg JD, Borges N, Santos H, da Costa MS. Pathway for the synthesis of mannosylglycerate in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii. Biochemical and genetic characterization of key enzymes. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:43580-8. [PMID: 11562374 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m108054200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The biosynthetic pathway for the synthesis of the compatible solute alpha-mannosylglycerate in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii is proposed based on the activities of purified recombinant mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate (MPG) synthase and mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate phosphatase. The former activity was purified from cell extracts, and the N-terminal sequence was used to identify the encoding gene in the completely sequenced P. horikoshii genome. This gene, designated PH0927, and a gene immediately downstream (PH0926) were cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant product of gene PH0927 catalyzed the synthesis of alpha-mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate (MPG) from GDP-mannose and d-3-phosphoglycerate retaining the configuration about the anomeric carbon, whereas the recombinant gene product of PH0926 catalyzed the dephosphorylation of mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate to yield the compatible solute alpha-mannosylglycerate. The MPG synthase and the MPG phosphatase were specific for these substrates. Two genes immediately downstream from mpgs and mpgp were identified as a putative bifunctional phosphomannose isomerase/mannose-1-phosphate-guanylyltransferase (PH0925) and as a putative phosphomannose mutase (PH0923). Genes PH0927, PH0926, PH0925, and PH0923 were contained in an operon-like structure, leading to the hypothesis that these genes were under the control of an unknown osmosensing mechanism that would lead to alpha-mannosylglycerate synthesis. Recombinant MPG synthase had a molecular mass of 45,208 Da, a temperature for optimal activity between 90 and 100 degrees C, and a pH optimum between 6.4 and 7.4; the recombinant MPG phosphatase had a molecular mass of 27,958 Da and optimum activity between 95 and 100 degrees C and between pH 5.2 and 6.4. This is the first report of the characterization of MPG synthase and MPG phosphatase and the elucidation of a pathway for the synthesis of mannosylglycerate in an archaeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Empadinhas
- Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Quinta Grande 6, Apartado 127, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
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47
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Slupska MM, King AG, Fitz-Gibbon S, Besemer J, Borodovsky M, Miller JH. Leaderless transcripts of the crenarchaeal hyperthermophile Pyrobaculum aerophilum. J Mol Biol 2001; 309:347-60. [PMID: 11371158 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We mapped transcription start sites for ten unrelated protein-encoding Pyrobaculum aerophilum genes by primer extension and S(1) nuclease mapping. All of the mapped transcripts start at the computationally predicted translation start codons, two of which were supported by N-terminal protein sequencing. A whole genome computational analysis of the regions from -50 to +50 nt around the predicted translation starts codons revealed a clear upstream pattern matching the consensus sequence of the archaeal TATA box located unusually close to the translation starts. For genes with the TATA boxes that best matched the consensus sequence, the distance between the TATA box and the translation start codon appears to be shorter than 30 nt. Two other promoter elements distinguished were also found unusually close to the translation start codons: a transcription initiator element with significant elevation of C and T frequencies at the -1 position and a BRE element with more frequent A bases at position -29 to -32 (counting from the translation start site). We also show that one of the mapped genes is transcribed as the first gene of an operon. For a set of genes likely to be internal in operons the upstream signal extracted by computer analysis was a Shine-Dalgarno pattern matching the complementary sequence of P. aerophilum 16 S rRNA. Together these results suggest that the translation of proteins encoded by single genes or genes that are first in operons in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon P. aerophilum proceeds mostly, if not exclusively, through leaderless transcripts. Internal genes in operons are likely to undergo translation via a mechanism that is facilitated by ribosome binding to the Shine-Dalgarno sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Slupska
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular Biology Institute, University of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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48
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Pire C, Esclapez J, Ferrer J, Bonete MJ. Heterologous overexpression of glucose dehydrogenase from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei, an enzyme of the medium chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2001; 200:221-7. [PMID: 11425479 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10719.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The first gene encoding a glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from a halophilic organism has been sequenced. Amino acid sequence alignments of GDH from Haloferax mediterranei show a high degree of homology with the thermoacidophilic GDHs and with other enzymes from the medium chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. Heterologous overexpression using the mesophilic organism Escherichia coli as the host has been performed and the expression product was obtained as inclusion bodies. To obtain the halophilic enzyme in its native form refolding and reactivation in a saline environment were required. A pure and highly concentrated sample of the enzyme was obtained using a purification procedure based on the protein's halophilicity. This method may be useful as a general procedure for purifying other halophilic proteins from mesophilic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pire
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080, Alicante, Spain
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49
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Abstract
The archaeal basal transcription machinery resembles the core components of the eucaryal RNA polymerase II apparatus. Thus, studies of the archaeal basal machinery over the last few years have shed light on fundamentally conserved aspects of the mechanisms of transcription pre-initiation complex assembly in both eucarya and archaea. Intriguingly, it has become increasingly apparent that regulators of archaeal transcription resemble regulators initially identified in bacteria. The presence of these shared bacterial-archaeal regulators has given insight into the evolution of gene regulatory processes in all three domains of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Bell
- Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research Campaign Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, CB2 1QR, Cambridge, UK.
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50
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Abstract
Members of the Archaea domain are extremely diverse in their adaptation to extreme environments, yet also widespread in "normal" habitats. Altogether, among the best characterized archaeal representatives all mechanisms of gene transfer such as transduction, conjugation, and transformation have been discovered, as briefly reviewed here. For some halophiles and mesophilic methanogens, usable genetic tools were developed for in vivo studies. However, on an individual basis no single organism has evolved into the "E. coli of Archaea" as far as genetics is concerned. Currently, and unfortunately, most of the genome sequences available are those of microorganisms which are either not amenable to gene transfer or not among the most promising candidates for genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Luo
- Institute of Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich
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