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Kırtel O, Aydın H, Toksoy Öner E. Fructanogenic traits in halotolerant Bacillus licheniformis OK12 and their predicted functional significance. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:1391-1404. [PMID: 33484024 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Isolating a novel bacterial source of fructan from a saltern and analysis of its genome to better understand the possible roles of fructans in hypersaline environments. METHODS AND RESULTS Bacteria were isolated from crude salt samples originating from Çamaltı Saltern in Western Turkey and screened for fructanogenic traits in high-salt and sucrose-rich selective medium. Exopolysaccharide accumulated in the presence of sucrose by isolate OK12 was purified and chemically characterized via HPLC, FT-IR and NMR, which revealed that it was a levan-type fructan (β-2,6 linked homopolymer of fructose). The isolate was taxonomically classified as Bacillus licheniformis OK12 through 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequencing methods. Strain OK12 harbours one levansucrase and two different levanase genes, which altogether were predicted to significantly contribute to intracellular glucose and fructose pools. The isolate could withstand 15% NaCl, and thus classified as a halotolerant. CONCLUSIONS Fructanogenic traits in halotolerant B. licheniformis OK12 are significant due to predicted influx of glucose and fructose as a result of levan biosynthesis and levan hydrolysis, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Fructans from the residents of hypersaline habitats are underexplored compounds and are expected to demonstrate physicochemical properties different from their non-halophilic counterparts. Revealing fructanogenic traits in the genome of a halotolerant bacterium brings up a new perspective in physiological roles of fructans.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Kırtel
- Industrial Biotechnology and Systems Biology Research Group-IBSB, Bioengineering Department, Göztepe Campus, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - H Aydın
- Industrial Biotechnology and Systems Biology Research Group-IBSB, Bioengineering Department, Göztepe Campus, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - E Toksoy Öner
- Industrial Biotechnology and Systems Biology Research Group-IBSB, Bioengineering Department, Göztepe Campus, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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2
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Lungu B, Ricke S, Johnson M. Growth, survival, proliferation and pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes under low oxygen or anaerobic conditions: A review. Anaerobe 2009; 15:7-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2008.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2007] [Revised: 05/28/2008] [Accepted: 08/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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3
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Jang HJ, Chang MW, Toghrol F, Bentley WE. Microarray analysis of toxicogenomic effects of triclosan on Staphylococcus aureus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2008; 78:695-707. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-008-1349-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2007] [Revised: 12/31/2007] [Accepted: 01/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Barabote RD, Saier MH. Comparative genomic analyses of the bacterial phosphotransferase system. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2005; 69:608-34. [PMID: 16339738 PMCID: PMC1306802 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.69.4.608-634.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report analyses of 202 fully sequenced genomes for homologues of known protein constituents of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS). These included 174 bacterial, 19 archaeal, and 9 eukaryotic genomes. Homologues of PTS proteins were not identified in archaea or eukaryotes, showing that the horizontal transfer of genes encoding PTS proteins has not occurred between the three domains of life. Of the 174 bacterial genomes (136 bacterial species) analyzed, 30 diverse species have no PTS homologues, and 29 species have cytoplasmic PTS phosphoryl transfer protein homologues but lack recognizable PTS permeases. These soluble homologues presumably function in regulation. The remaining 77 species possess all PTS proteins required for the transport and phosphorylation of at least one sugar via the PTS. Up to 3.2% of the genes in a bacterium encode PTS proteins. These homologues were analyzed for family association, range of protein types, domain organization, and organismal distribution. Different strains of a single bacterial species often possess strikingly different complements of PTS proteins. Types of PTS protein domain fusions were analyzed, showing that certain types of domain fusions are common, while others are rare or prohibited. Select PTS proteins were analyzed from different phylogenetic standpoints, showing that PTS protein phylogeny often differs from organismal phylogeny. The results document the frequent gain and loss of PTS protein-encoding genes and suggest that the lateral transfer of these genes within the bacterial domain has played an important role in bacterial evolution. Our studies provide insight into the development of complex multicomponent enzyme systems and lead to predictions regarding the types of protein-protein interactions that promote efficient PTS-mediated phosphoryl transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi D Barabote
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0116, USA
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Andersson U, Molenaar D, Rådström P, de Vos WM. Unity in organisation and regulation of catabolic operons in Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis and Listeria monocytogenes. Syst Appl Microbiol 2005; 28:187-95. [PMID: 15900965 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2004.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Global regulatory circuits together with more specific local regulators play a notable role when cells are adapting to environmental changes. Lactococcus lactis is a lactic acid bacterium abundant in nature fermenting most mono- and disaccharides. Comparative genomics analysis of the operons encoding the proteins and enzymes crucial for catabolism of lactose, maltose and threhalose revealed an obvious unity in operon organisation . The local regulator of each operon was located in a divergent transcriptional direction to the rest of the operon including the transport protein-encoding genes. Furthermore, in all three operons a catabolite responsive element (CRE) site was detected inbetween the gene encoding the local regulator and one of the genes encoding a sugar transport protein. It is evident that regardless of type of transport system and catabolic enzymes acting upon lactose, maltose and trehalose, respectively, Lc. lactis shows unity in both operon organisation and regulation of these catabolic operons. This knowledge was further extended to other catabolic operons in Lc. lactis and the two related bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum and Listeria monocytogenes. Thirty-nine catabolic operons responsible for degradation of sugars and sugar alcohols in Lc. lactis, Lb. plantarum and L. monocytogenes were investigated and the majority of those possessed the same organisation as the lactose, maltose and trehalose operons of Lc. lactis. Though, the frequency of CRE sites and their location varied among the bacteria. Both Lc. lactis and Lb. plantarum showed CRE sites in direct proximity to genes coding for proteins responsible for sugar uptake. However, in L. monocytogenes CRE sites were not frequently found and not in the vicinity of genes encoding transport proteins, suggesting a more local mode of regulation of the catabolic operons found and/or the use of inducer control in this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Andersson
- Applied Microbiology, Lund Institute of Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
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Caescu CI, Vidal O, Krzewinski F, Artenie V, Bouquelet S. Bifidobacterium longum requires a fructokinase (Frk; ATP:D-fructose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.4) for fructose catabolism. J Bacteriol 2004; 186:6515-25. [PMID: 15375133 PMCID: PMC516584 DOI: 10.1128/jb.186.19.6515-6525.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the ability of Bifidobacterium spp. to grow on fructose as a unique carbon source has been demonstrated, the enzyme(s) needed to incorporate fructose into a catabolic pathway has hitherto not been defined. This work demonstrates that intracellular fructose is metabolized via the fructose-6-P phosphoketolase pathway and suggests that a fructokinase (Frk; EC 2.7.1.4) is the enzyme that is necessary and sufficient for the assimilation of fructose into this catabolic route in Bifidobacterium longum. The B. longum A10C fructokinase-encoding gene (frk) was expressed in Escherichia coli from a pET28 vector with an attached N-terminal histidine tag. The expressed enzyme was purified by affinity chromatography on a Co(2+)-based column, and the pH and temperature optima were determined. A biochemical analysis revealed that Frk displays the same affinity for fructose and ATP (Km(fructose) = 0.739 +/- 0.18 mM and Km(ATP) = 0.756 +/- 0.08 mM), is highly specific for D-fructose, and is inhibited by an excess of ATP (>12 mM). It was also found that frk is inducible by fructose and is subject to glucose-mediated repression. Consequently, this work presents the first characterization at the molecular and biochemical level of a fructokinase from a gram-positive bacterium that is highly specific for D-fructose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina I Caescu
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, UMR CNRS-USTL 8576, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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Dalet K, Arous S, Cenatiempo Y, Héchard Y. Characterization of a unique σ54–dependent PTS operon of the lactose family in Listeria monocytogenes. Biochimie 2003; 85:633-8. [PMID: 14505817 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-9084(03)00134-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The sigma(54) subunit of the RNA polymerase directs the expression of specific operons in association with cognate activators. Three different activators have been detected in the Listeria monocytogenes genome on the basis of the high conservation of a specific domain. Among them, the LacR activator, of the LevR family, was found just upstream from a newly described sigma(54)-dependent operon, lpo, which presents a classical -24/-12 consensus promoter. The lpo operon encodes proteins similar to subunits of a PTS permease (EII) of the lactose family, namely LpoA (IIA) and LpoB (IIB). It also encodes a third putative protein, LpoO, with an unknown function but sharing high similarity with proteins also encoded within PTS operons from other bacteria and bearing a RGD motif. The expression of lpo was clearly dependent on LacR and sigma(54), and was induced by cellobiose, chitobiose and lactose. It underlies that the lpo operon likely encodes proteins involved in the utilization of these sugars by L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dalet
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, IBMIG, UFR Sciences, ESA CNRS 6031, Université de Poitiers, 40, avenue du Recteur Pineau, 86022 cedex, Poitiers, France
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8
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Alice AF, Pérez-Martínez G, Sánchez-Rivas C. Phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system and N-acetylglucosamine metabolism in Bacillus sphaericus. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2003; 149:1687-1698. [PMID: 12855720 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.26231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus sphaericus, a bacterium of biotechnological interest due to its ability to produce mosquitocidal toxins, is unable to use sugars as carbon source. However, ptsHI genes encoding HPr and EI proteins belonging to a PTS were cloned, sequenced and characterized. Both HPr and EI proteins were fully functional for phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transphosphorylation in complementation assays using extracts from Staphylococcus aureus mutants for one of these proteins. HPr(His(6)) was purified from wild-type and a Ser46/Gln mutant of B. sphaericus, and used for in vitro phosphorylation experiments using extracts from either B. sphaericus or Bacillus subtilis as kinase source. The results showed that both phosphorylated forms, P-Ser46-HPr and P-His15-HPr, could be obtained. The findings also proved indirectly the existence of an HPr kinase activity in B. sphaericus. The genetic structure of these ptsHI genes has some unusual features, as they are co-transcribed with genes encoding metabolic enzymes related to N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) catabolism (nagA, nagB and an undetermined orf2). In fact, this bacterium was able to utilize this amino sugar as carbon and energy source, but a ptsH null mutant had lost this characteristic. Investigation of GlcNAc uptake and streptozotocin inhibition in both a wild-type and a ptsH null mutant strain led to the proposal that GlcNAc is transported and phosphorylated by an EII(Nag) element of the PTS, as yet uncharacterized. In addition, GlcNAc-6-phosphate deacetylase and GlcN-6-phosphate deaminase activities were determined; both were induced in the presence of GlcNAc. These results, together with the authors' recent findings of the presence of a phosphofructokinase activity, are strongly indicative of a glycolytic pathway in B. sphaericus. They also open new possibilities for genetic improvements in industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro F Alice
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
| | - Gaspar Pérez-Martínez
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, CSIC, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Sánchez-Rivas
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires (1428), Argentina
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9
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Aboulwafa M, Saier MH. Dependency of sugar transport and phosphorylation by the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system on membranous phosphatidyl glycerol in Escherichia coli: studies with a pgsA mutant lacking phosphatidyl glycerophosphate synthase. Res Microbiol 2002; 153:667-77. [PMID: 12558186 DOI: 10.1016/s0923-2508(02)01376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been reported that phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) is specifically required for the in vitro activities of the hexose-phosphorylating Enzymes II of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar transporting phosphotransferase system (PTS). We have examined this possibility by measuring the properties of a null pgsA mutant that lacks detectable PG. The mutant showed lower in vitro phosphorylation activities towards several sugars when both PEP-dependent and sugar-phosphate-dependent [14C]sugar phosphorylation reactions were measured. The order of dependency on PG for the different enzymes II was: IIMannose > IIGlucose > IIFructose > IIMannitol. Nonsedimentable (40000 rpm for 2 h) Enzymes II exhibited a greater dependency on PG than pelletable Enzymes II. Western blot analyses showed that the glucose Enzyme II is present in normal amounts. Transport and fermentation measurements revealed diminished activities for all Enzymes II. Thermal stability of all of these enzymes except the mannitol-specific Enzyme II was significantly decreased by the pgsA mutation, and sensitivity to detergent treatments was enhanced. Sugar transport proved to be the most sensitive indicator of proper Enzyme II-phospholipid association. Our results show that PG stimulates but is not required for Enzyme II function in E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aboulwafa
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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10
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Saklani-Jusforgues H, Fontan E, Goossens PL. Characterisation of a Listeria monocytogenes mutant deficient in D-arabitol fermentation. Res Microbiol 2001; 152:175-7. [PMID: 11316371 DOI: 10.1016/s0923-2508(01)01189-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We selected and analysed a Tn917-lac Listeria monocytogenes mutant deficient in D-arabitol fermentation. Comparison of the 310-aa-long translated partial sequence of the disrupted gene with known proteins showed similarity with the phosphotransferase system galactitol-specific enzyme IIC component of the alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans (50% identity) and of Escherichia coli (36% identity). Fermentation of 18 other carbohydrates was unimpaired, suggesting the specificity of this transmembrane permease IIC for the pentitol D-arabitol. The deficiency in D-arabitol fermentation did not alter L. monocytogenes virulence in the BALB/c mouse model after intravenous and intragastric inoculations. This fully virulent mutant is a valuable tool to study L. monocytogenes oral infection, since the antibiotic resistance marker present on the Tn917-lac transposon will efficiently select L. monocytogenes against the intestinal microflora.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Saklani-Jusforgues
- Unité d'immunophysiologie et parasitisme intracellulaire, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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11
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Gravesen A, Warthoe P, Knøchel S, Thirstrup K. Restriction fragment differential display of pediocin-resistant Listeria monocytogenes 412 mutants shows consistent overexpression of a putative beta-glucoside-specific PTS system. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2000; 146 ( Pt 6):1381-1389. [PMID: 10846216 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-146-6-1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pediocin PA-1, which is a bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria, has potential as a biopreservative of food. However, such use may lead to the development of resistance in the target organism. Gene expression in two independent pediocin-resistant mutants of Listeria monocytogenes 412 was compared to the original isolate by restriction fragment differential display PCR (RFDD-PCR). This method amplifies cDNA restriction fragments under stringent PCR conditions, enabled by the use of specific primers complementary to ligated adaptor sequences. RFDD-PCR was very well suited for analysis of listerial gene expression, giving reproducible PCR product profiles. Three gene fragments having increased expression in both resistant mutants were identified. All three had homology to components of beta-glucoside-specific phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase systems (PTS), one fragment having homology to enzyme II permeases, and the two others to phospho-beta-glucosidases. Overexpression of the putative PTS system was consistently observed in 10 additional pediocin-resistant mutants, isolated at different pH, salt content and temperature. The results suggest that RFDD-PCR is a strong approach for the analysis of prokaryotic gene expression and that the putative beta-glucoside-specific PTS system is involved in mediating pediocin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gravesen
- Department of Dairy and Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark1
| | - Peter Warthoe
- Display Systems Biotech, Lersø Parkallé 40, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark2
| | - Susanne Knøchel
- Department of Dairy and Food Science, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark1
| | - Kenneth Thirstrup
- Display Systems Biotech, Lersø Parkallé 40, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark2
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12
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Jault JM, Fieulaine S, Nessler S, Gonzalo P, Di Pietro A, Deutscher J, Galinier A. The HPr kinase from Bacillus subtilis is a homo-oligomeric enzyme which exhibits strong positive cooperativity for nucleotide and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate binding. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:1773-80. [PMID: 10636874 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.275.3.1773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon catabolite repression allows bacteria to rapidly alter the expression of catabolic genes in response to the availability of metabolizable carbon sources. In Bacillus subtilis, this phenomenon is controlled by the HPr kinase (HprK) that catalyzes ATP-dependent phosphorylation of either HPr (histidine containing protein) or Crh (catabolite repression HPr) on residue Ser-46. We report here that B. subtilis HprK forms homo-oligomers constituted most likely of eight subunits. Related to this complex structure, the enzyme displays strong positive cooperativity for the binding of its allosteric activator, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, as evidenced by either kinetics of its phosphorylation activity or the intrinsic fluorescence properties of its unique tryptophan residue, Trp-235. It is further shown that activation of HPr phosphorylation by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate essentially occurs at low ATP and enzyme concentrations. A positive cooperativity was also detected for the binding of natural nucleotides or their 2'(3')-N-methylanthraniloyl derivatives, in either phosphorylation or fluorescence experiments. Most interestingly, quenching of the HprK tryptophan fluorescence by using either iodide or acrylamide revealed a heterogeneity of tryptophan residues within the population of oligomers, suggesting that the enzyme exists in two different conformations. This result suggests a concerted-symmetry model for the catalytic mechanism of positive cooperativity displayed by HprK.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Jault
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, UPR 412 CNRS, 69367 Lyon Cedex 07, France
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Taranto MP, Font de Valdez G, Perez-Martinez G. Evidence of a glucose proton motive force-dependent permease and a fructose phosphoenolpyruvate:phosphotransferase transport system in Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1098. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1999; 181:109-12. [PMID: 10564795 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1999.tb08832.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sugar uptake and phosphoenolpyruvate phosphorylation assays have shown that the heterofermentative strain Lactobacillus reuteri CRL 1098, of likely probiotic value, can transport D-fructose through an inducible fructose-specific phosphotransferase system (K(m) 95 microM) and D-glucose mainly through a proton motive force-driven permease. These data open new perspectives for metabolic and regulatory studies in this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Taranto
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA), CONICET, Chacabuco 145, San Miguel de Tucumán, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina
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14
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Behari J, Youngman P. A homolog of CcpA mediates catabolite control in Listeria monocytogenes but not carbon source regulation of virulence genes. J Bacteriol 1998; 180:6316-24. [PMID: 9829942 PMCID: PMC107718 DOI: 10.1128/jb.180.23.6316-6324.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Readily utilizable sugars down-regulate virulence gene expression in Listeria monocytogenes, which has led to the proposal that this regulation may be an aspect of global catabolite regulation (CR). We recently demonstrated that the metabolic enzyme alpha-glucosidase is under CR in L. monocytogenes. Here, we report the cloning and characterization from L. monocytogenes of an apparent ortholog of ccpA, which encodes an important mediator of CR in several low-G+C-content gram-positive bacteria. L. monocytogenes ccpA (ccpALm) is predicted to encode a 335-amino-acid protein with nearly 65% identity to the gene product of Bacillus subtilis ccpA (ccpABs). Southern blot analysis with a probe derived from ccpALm revealed a single strongly hybridizing band and also a second band of much lower intensity, suggesting that there may be other closely related sequences in the L. monocytogenes chromosome, as is the case in B. subtilis. Disruption of ccpALm resulted in the inability of the mutant to grow on glucose-containing minimal medium or increase its growth rate in the presence of preferred sugars, and it completely eliminated CR of alpha-glucosidase activity in liquid medium. However, alpha-glucosidase activity was only partially relieved from CR on solid medium. These results suggest that ccpA is an important element of carbon source regulation in L. monocytogenes. Nevertheless, utilizable sugars still down-regulate the expression of hly, which encodes the virulence factor hemolysin, in a ccpALm mutant, indicating that CcpA is not involved in carbon source regulation of virulence genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Behari
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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15
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Christensen DP, Benson AK, Hutkins RW. Cloning and expression of the Listeria monocytogenes scott A ptsH and ptsI genes, coding for HPr and enzyme I, respectively, of the phosphotransferase system. Appl Environ Microbiol 1998; 64:3147-52. [PMID: 9726852 PMCID: PMC106702 DOI: 10.1128/aem.64.9.3147-3152.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [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
The phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) utilizes high-energy phosphate present in PEP to drive the uptake of several different carbohydrates in bacteria. In order to examine the role of the PTS in the physiology of Listeria monocytogenes, we identified the ptsH and ptsI genes encoding the HPr and enzyme I proteins, respectively, of the PTS. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the predicted proteins are nearly 70% similar to HPr and enzyme I proteins from other organisms. Purified L. monocytogenes HPr overexpressed in Escherichia coli was also capable of complementing an HPr defect in heterologous extracts of Staphylococcus aureus ptsH mutants. Additional studies of the transcriptional organization and control indicated that the ptsH and ptsI genes are organized into a transcription unit that is under the control of a consensus-like promoter and that expression of these genes is mediated by glucose availability and pH or by by-products of glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Christensen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0919, USA
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Parker C, Hutkins RW. Listeria monocytogenes Scott A transports glucose by high-affinity and low-affinity glucose transport systems. Appl Environ Microbiol 1997; 63:543-6. [PMID: 9023935 PMCID: PMC168347 DOI: 10.1128/aem.63.2.543-546.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes transported glucose by a high-affinity phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system and a low-affinity proton motive force-mediated system. The low-affinity system (Km = 2.9 mM) was inhibited by 2-deoxyglucose and 6-deoxyglucose, whereas the high-affinity system (Km = 0.11 mM) was inhibited by 2-deoxyglucose and mannose but not 6-deoxyglucose. Cells and vesicles artificially energized with valinomycin transported glucose or 2-deoxyglucose at rates greater than those of de-energized cells, indicating that a membrane potential could drive uptake by the low-affinity system.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Parker
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 68583-0919, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- L P Macfadyen
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Saier
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0116, USA
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Reizer J, Reizer A, Saier MH. Novel PTS proteins revealed by bacterial genome sequencing: a unique fructose-specific phosphoryl transfer protein with two HPr-like domains in Haemophilus influenzae. Res Microbiol 1996; 147:209-15. [PMID: 8763608 DOI: 10.1016/0923-2508(96)81381-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The completely sequenced genome of Haemophilus influenzae has been analysed for proteins of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). We show that within the fructose PTS H. influenzae possesses a novel multi-domain phosphoryl transfer protein, not previously recognized, that includes two fructose-specific HPr domains fused in tandem in a single polypeptide chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Reizer
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116, USA
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Ye JJ, Minarcik J, Saier MH. Inducer expulsion and the occurrence of an HPr(Ser-P)-activated sugar-phosphate phosphatase in Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 1996; 142 ( Pt 3):585-592. [PMID: 8868433 DOI: 10.1099/13500872-142-3-585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Inducer expulsion, a phenomenon in which rapidly metabolizable sugars cause cytoplasmic dephosphorylation and efflux of pre-accumulated sugar-phosphates (sugar-P), has been documented for Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus bovis, and Lactococcus lactis, but not for other Gram-positive bacteria. Using intact cells and membrane vesicles, we show that Enterococcus faecalis exhibits both inducer exclusion and inducer expulsion, and that the latter phenomenon is dependent on the metabolite-activated ATP-dependent HPr(Ser) kinase that phosphorylates Ser-46 in HPr of the phosphotransferase system. A small, heat-stable, membrane-associated, HPr(Ser-P)-activated sugar-P phosphatase (Pase II), previously identified only in Lc. lactis, is shown to be present in extracts of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes but not in those of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, or Bacillis subtilis, organisms that do not exhibit the inducer expulsion phenomenon. Further, Lactobacillus brevis, an organism that exhibits inducer expulsion by a different mechanism, also apparently lacks Pase II. The results reveal that Pase II is present in those organisms that exhibit the coupled sugar-P hydrolysis/expulsion mechanism but not those that lack this mechanism. They provide correlative evidence that Pase II initiates inducer expulsion in species of enterococci, streptococci and lactococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Ye
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - John Minarcik
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Milton H Saier
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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Saier MH, Chauvaux S, Cook GM, Deutscher J, Paulsen IT, Reizer J, Ye JJ. Catabolite repression and inducer control in Gram-positive bacteria. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 1996; 142 ( Pt 2):217-230. [PMID: 8932696 DOI: 10.1099/13500872-142-2-217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Results currently available clearly indicate that the metabolite-activated protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation of Ser-46 in HPr plays a key role in catabolite repression and the control of inducer levels in low-GC Gram-positive bacteria. This protein kinase is not found in enteric bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium where an entirely different PTS-mediated regulatory mechanism is responsible for catabolite repression and inducer concentration control. In Table 2 these two mechanistically dissimilar but functionally related processes are compared (Saier et al., 1995b). In Gram-negative enteric bacteria, an external sugar is sensed by the sugar-recognition constituent of an Enzyme II complex of the PTS (IIC), and a dephosphorylating signal is transmitted via the Enzyme IIB/HPr proteins to the central regulatory protein, IIAGlc. Targets regulated include (1) permeases specific for lactose, maltose, melibiose and raffinose, (2) catabolic enzymes such as glycerol kinase that generate cytoplasmic inducers, and (3) the cAMP biosynthetic enzyme, adenylate cyclase that mediates catabolite repression (Saier, 1989, 1993). In low-GC Gram-positive bacteria, cytoplasmic phosphorylated sugar metabolites are sensed by the HPr kinase which is allostericlaly activated. HPr becomes phosphorylated on Ser-46, and this phosphorylated derivative regulates the activities of its target proteins. These targets include (1) the PTS, (2) non-PTS permeases (both of which are inhibited) and (3) a cytoplasmic sugar-P phosphatase which is activated to reduce cytoplasmic inducer levels. Other important targets of HPr(ser-P) action are (4) the CcpA protein and probably (5) the CepB transcription factor. These two proteins together are believed to determine the intensity of catabolite repression. Their relative importance depends on physiological conditions. Both proteins may respond to the cytoplasmic concentration of HPr(ser-P) and appropriate metabolites. CepA possibly binds sugar metabolites such as FBP as well as HPr(ser-P). Because HPr(his-P, ser-P) does not bind to CepA, the regulatory cascade is also sensitive to the external PTS sugar concentration. Mutational analyses (unpublished results) suggest that CepA may bind to a site that includes His-15. Interestingly, both the CepA protein in the Gram-positive bacterium, B. subtilis, and glycerol kinase in the Gram-negative bacterium, E. coli, sense both a PTS protein and a cytoplasmic metabolic intermediate. The same may be true of target permeases and enzymes in both types of organisms, but this possibility has not yet been tested. The parallels between the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial regulatory systems are superficial at the mechanistic level but fundamental at the functional level. Thus, the PTS participates in regulation in both cases, and phosphorylation of its protein constituents plays key roles. However, the stimuli sensed, the transmission mechanisms, the central PTS regulatory proteins that effect allosteric regulation, and some of the target proteins are completely different. It seems clear that these two transmission mechanisms evolved independently. They provide a prime example of functional convergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milton H Saier
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Sylvie Chauvaux
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Josef Deutscher
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Ian T Paulsen
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Jonathan Reizer
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - Jing-Jing Ye
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
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Saier MH, Ye JJ, Klinke S, Nino E. Identification of an anaerobically induced phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent fructose-specific phosphotransferase system and evidence for the Embden-Meyerhof glycolytic pathway in the heterofermentative bacterium Lactobacillus brevis. J Bacteriol 1996; 178:314-6. [PMID: 8550437 PMCID: PMC177658 DOI: 10.1128/jb.178.1.314-316.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterofermentative gram-positive bacteria are believed to metabolize sugars exclusively via the pentose phosphoketolase pathway following uptake via sugar:cation symport. Here we show that anaerobic growth of one such bacterium, Lactobacillus brevis, in the presence of fructose induces the synthesis of a phosphotransferase system and glycolytic enzymes that allow fructose to be metabolized via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Saier
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116, USA
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Ye JJ, Saier MH. Purification and characterization of a small membrane-associated sugar phosphate phosphatase that is allosterically activated by HPr(Ser(P)) of the phosphotransferase system in Lactococcus lactis. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:16740-4. [PMID: 7622485 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.28.16740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Gram-positive bacterium, Lactococcus lactis, nonmetabolizable cytoplasmic sugar phosphates, accumulated by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system, are rapidly dephosphorylated and expelled from the cell upon addition of glucose (inducer expulsion). Our recent studies have established that a metabolite-activated, ATP-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylates serine-46 in HPr of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system activates a sugar phosphate phosphatase, thus initiating the inducer expulsion process. A membrane-associated, HPr(Ser(P))-dependent phosphatase has been identified, solubilized from the membrane, separated from other cellular phosphatases, and purified to near homogeneity. It exhibits a low subunit molecular mass (10 kDa) and behaves on gel filtration columns like a monomeric enzyme. It has broad substrate specificity, optimal activity between pH 7.0 and 8.0, is dependent on a divalent cation for activity, and is not inhibited by fluoride. It is stimulated more than 10-fold by HPr(Ser(P)) or a mutant derivative of HPr, S46D HPr, in which the regulatory serine is changed to aspartate, which bears a permanently negative charge as does phosphate. Stimulation is due both to an increase in the maximal velocity (Vmax) and a decrease in the Michaelis-Menten kinetic constant (Km) for sugar phosphate. The enzyme exhibits a Ka for S46D HPr of 15 microM. Although the enzyme is thermally stable, activation by HPr(Ser(P)) is heat sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Ye
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116, USA
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Jones CE, Shama G, Andrew PW, Roberts IS, Jones D. Comparative study of the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in defined media and demonstration of growth in continuous culture. THE JOURNAL OF APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY 1995; 78:66-70. [PMID: 7883647 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1995.tb01675.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A basic requirement for physiological studies with Listeria monocytogenes is a chemically defined medium that supports growth of the bacterium in batch and continuous culture. A number of such media have been devised but comparative studies of their efficiency are few and none has been used in continuous culture. Six of the media were compared for their ability to sustain sequential growth of L. monocytogenes in static and aerated batch culture with glucose as sole carbon source. The most suitable, judged on the basis of ease of preparation, growth rate and yield, was that of Trivett and Meyer (1971). This medium was shown to support growth of L. monocytogenes NCTC 7973 in continuous culture in a chemostat. A lytic phenomenon, noted with the same strain under anaerobic conditions and in batch culture in the chemostat, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Jones
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Leicester, UK
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Christensen DP, Hutkins RW. Glucose uptake by Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and inhibition by pediocin JD. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994; 60:3870-3. [PMID: 7986056 PMCID: PMC201899 DOI: 10.1128/aem.60.10.3870-3873.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose uptake by Listeria monocytogenes Scott A was inhibited by the bacteriocin pediocin JD and by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyhydrazone. Experiments with monensin, nigericin, chlorhexidine diacetate, dinitrophenol, and gramicidin, however, showed that glucose uptake could occur in the absence of a proton motive force. L. monocytogenes cell extracts phosphorylated glucose when phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) was present in the assay mixture, and whole cells incubated with 2-deoxyglucose accumulated 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate, indicating the presence of a PEP-dependent phosphotransferase system in this organism. Glucose phosphorylation also occurred when ATP was present, suggesting that a proton motive force-mediated glucose transport system may also be present. We conclude that L. monocytogenes Scott A accumulates glucose by phosphotransferase and proton motive force-mediated systems, both of which are sensitive to pediocin JD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Christensen
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0919
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Abstract
In 1964, Kundig, Ghosh and Roseman reported the discovery of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). Thirty years later, we find that the PTS functions not only as a sugar-phosphorylating system, but also as a complex protein kinase system that regulates a wide variety of metabolic processes and controls the expression of numerous genes. As a result of recent operon- and genome-sequencing projects, novel PTS protein-encoding genes have been discovered, most of which have yet to be functionally defined. Some of them appear to be involved in cellular processes distinct from those recognized previously. Fundamental aspects of past and current PTS research are briefly reviewed, and recent advances are integrated into conceptual pictures that provide guides for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Saier
- Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0116
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