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F W Dahlquist

Publications and source records attributed to F W Dahlquist.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins of Escherichia coli: methylated at three sites in a single tryptic fragment.

The location of the sites of methylation of the methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP) of Escherichia coli has been investigated by trypsin digestion and mapping of the peptides. The two principal MCPs, MCP I and MCP II, were found to have very similar methyl-labeled peptide patterns. Each produced three major species of methylated peptide. Both MCPs migrate on high-resolution sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide slab gels a a cluster of discrete protein bands. Each band produced one of the three major methylated peptides as the unique or dominant species. Progressive demethylation of the least acidic peptide produced, sequentially, the intermediate and most acidic peptides before complete loss of the methyl label. This is consistent with a single peptide backbone carrying from one to three methyl groups. The possible significance of three methyl-accepting sites in a single tryptic peptide is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1981

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins of E. coli: a repellent-stimulated, covalent modification, distinct from methylation.

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) of Escherichia coli are integral membrane proteins that have been shown to undergo reversible methylation in response to the addition of attractants. We have shown that a second, rapid modification of MCPI and MCPII occurs, which is repellent-stimulated. This modification, which is not methylation, was detected because it causes a decrease in mobility of the MCPs on 7.5% SDS-polyacrylamide gels with a high acrylamide to bisacrylamide ratio. We have designated this modification as the CheB-modification, as it is dependent on the CheB gene product. The CheB-modification causes a decrease in the isoelectric point of MCPII by one or two charge groups. The CheB-modification is not necessary for the methylation, nor does it preclude methylation of the MCPs. Both the CheB-modified form and the unmodified, unmethylated forms of the MCPs are stable to treatment with base, which results in the hydrolysis of the methylesters (demethylation) of the MCPs. The potential role of CheB-modification in chemotaxis is discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1981

Multiple sites of methylation in the methyl accepting chemotaxis proteins of Escherichia coli.

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP) of E coli show at least five bands when subjected to SDS-gel electrophoresis. The intensity of the individual bands varies depending on the environment of the cells before solubilization. The faster migrating bands are enhanced following attractant stimulation, whereas the slower migrating bands are enhanced following attractant dilution or repellent increase. The time scale of these intensity changes is similar to that for adaptation of the behavioral response in these cells suggesting that methylation of the MCP is involved in producing these bands. Peptide mapping experiments show three methylated peptides in both MCP I and MCP II. These results suggest multiple sites of methylation, which are responsible, at least in part, for the observed multiple bands of the MCPs.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1980

Determination of the equilibrium distibution between alcohol and aldehyde substrates when bound to horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase using magnetic resonance.

The interactions of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH) with the rho-trifluoromethyl derivatives of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid have been investigated by use of 19F nuclear magnetic resonance. The aldehyde and alcohol are good substrates for the enzyme and display kinetic characteristics similar to other alcohol/aldehyde pairs. In single-turnover experiments with NADH, rho-(trifluoromethyl)benzaldehyde shows biphasic kinetics similar to those shown by other aromatic aldehydes, which led Bernhard and co-workers [Bernard, S. A., Dunn, M. F., Luisi, P. L., & Shack, P. (1970) Biochemistry 9, 185] to propose half-of-the-sites reactivity for this enzyme. Fluorine magnetic resonance demonstrates that under equilibrium conditions at 4 degrees C and pH 8.75 rho-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl alcohol binds to LADH with a dissociation constant of 1 x 10(-3) M. Addition of 1 equiv of NAD to a stoichiometric complex of LADH and the alcohol generates a discrete resonance. This resonance corresponds to the ternary complex of LADH, NAD, and alcohol with little contribution from the NADH and aldehyde ternary complex. Quantitation shows that the bound NAD-alcohol pair is favored by at least a factor of 20 over the bound NADH-aldehyde pair at equililbrium. These results are consistent with explanations for the biphasic kinetics which involve half-of-the-sites reactivity of multiple steps in the reaction of each catalytic site. These results eliminate explanations for the biphasic kinetics of this system which require this equilibrium constant to have a value near unity or those which give greatest thermodynamic stability to the heterodimer LADH [(NAD-alcohol)(NADH-aldehyde)].

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1980

Methylation of chemotaxis-specific proteins in Escherichia coli cells permeable to S-adenosylmethionine.

Using a modification of the EGTA treatment of Oishi and Smith [Oishi, M., & Smith, C. L. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 3569], Escherichia coli cells have been made permeable to S-adenosylmethionine and other related molecules in order to facilitate the study of methylation in chemotaxis. The permeable cells are nonmotile but respond to chemotactic stimuli by reversible methylation of their methyl-accepting chemotactic proteins (MCP I and MCP II) in a manner similar to that of untreated, motile cells. Addition of S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine to the permeable cells specifically labels two proteins, MCP I and MCP II. Methylation of these MCP's is dependent on the presence of wild-type gene products of flaI, flaA, cheB, cheX, tsr, and tar. The extent of methylation of the MCP's is affected by the presence of attractants or repellents: addition of attractant increases the steady-state level of methylation; addition of repellent causes rapid demethylation to a new steady-state level. Methylation is inhibited by the addition of the transmethylase inhibitors A9145C and Sinefungin, which are S-adenosylmethionine analogues, and by S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Aspartic Acid↗
PubMed1980

Chemotaxis in Escherichia coli: associations of protein components.

Interactions between protein components of the chemotaxis mechanism in Escherichia coli were investigated by using the cleavable cross-linking reagent, dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Two methods were used to allow detection of chemotaxis-specific proteins in intact cells. The first method was to program their synthesis in the presence of [35S]methionine using lambda E. coli hybrid phages which carry the chemotaxis genes. The second method was to label endogenous methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP's), with the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine, after permeabilizing the cells with EGTA. Physical associations between proteins were analyzed, after cross-linking, by two dimensional NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both labeling methods demonstrate that MCP I and MCP II exist as functional tetramers. Other proteins involved with chemotaxis were found to form dimers and higher polymers. Phage-directed products of cheW, cheX, motA, and cheA formed dimers. CheB and hag products formed multimers. A number of apparent interactions between different gene products were detected as well. Products of cheB, cheW, cheZ, motA, and motB were found to form complexes with other gene products. Included are results consistent with interactions between the products of cheB and cheZ.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1980

Characterization of octapeptin-membrane interactions using spin-labeled octapeptin.

Octapeptin is a membrane-active peptide antibiotic that contains a C10 fatty acid covalently attached to the peptide through an amide bond. Interactions of octapeptin with bacterial membranes and phospholipids were characterized by using spin-labeling techniques and octapeptin derivatives containing fatty acids of varying chain length. Acyl modification of octapeptin demonstrated that the fatty acid of the antibiotic contributed to the antimicrobial activity of octapeptin and its affinity for membranes. The influence of octapeptin and C2 acyloctapeptin on the rates of ascorbate reduction of several membrane-bound doxyl stearates was also examined. These studies demonstrated that octapeptin increaed the rate of diffusion of ascorbate into the lipid bilayer and suggested that the acyl chain contributed to this activity. In addition, an acyl spin-labeled analogue of octapeptin was prepared and shown to retain biological activity. Spectral analysis showed that octapeptin does not aggregate in solution over a wide concentration range. However, the isotropic splitting constant indicated that the acyl chain of octapeptin is not completely exposed to water. It is proposed that the acyl chain of octapeptin in solution interacts with hydrophobic amino acids in the peptide, which partially shields the acyl chain from water. Spectral features of the spin-labeled antibiotic bound to phospholipid dispersions were consistent with directional binding of octapeptin to lipid bilayers with insertion of the fatty acid into the hydrocarbon domain.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1980

Structural studies of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins of Escherichia coli: evidence for multiple methylation sites.

Two-dimensional analysis of tryptic peptides from [35S]methionine-labeled methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins, MCP I and MCP II, demonstrates a high degree of homology between the two proteins. After the methylation sites were labeled with S-adenosyl-L-methyl-3H]methionine, peptides of three distinct migrations in each protein were found to carry a methyl group. These multiple methylations appear to be responsible in part for the observed multiple banding patterns on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide slab gels.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1977

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of lipid-protein interactions. A model of the dynamics and energetics of phosphatidylcholine bilayers that contain cytochrome c oxidase.

Reconstituted membrane systems of synthetic phosphatidylcholines and the integral membrane enzyme cytochrome c oxidase were prepared in order to conduct nuclear magnetic resonance studies of lipid-protein interactions. These lipids, labeled with a geminate difluoro group on the 1-position hydrocarbon chain, were combined with the enzyme to give active lipid-protein particles with a well-defined ratio of lipid to protein. The fluorine magnetic resonance spectra of a series of preparations with different lipid/protein ratios suggest that the hydrocarbon chain mobility of the lipid is substantially reduced with increasing amounts of protein. The fluorine spectra of a single lipid-protein preparation show a dramatic increase in the number of the more mobile lipid chains with increasing temperature. The results suggest that the enzyme orders the lipid bilayer well beyond those lipids in direct contact with the protein surface, and that the amount of the lipid restricted by the enzyme is dependent upon temperature. The exchange of lipid between the restricted and the more mobile lipid environments most probably does not occur over the time scale measurable by the magnetic resonance techniques, about 10(-3) s.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed1977

Magnetic resonance investigation of ionizable residues at the active site of thermolysin.

The details of the pH dependence of the thermodynamic and magnetic interactions of the active-site region of thermolysin in which manganese has replaced the active-site zinc atom and the inhibitor N-trifluoroacetyl-D-phenylalanine have been examined. These show a number of ionizable groups in the active-site region. A cooperative displacement of manganese at the catalytic site is observed as pH is lowered. This appears to be the result of the protonation of histidine-142 and -146 which act as metal ligands. The metal is 50% displaced at pH 6.0. At higher pH values, the environment of the bound manganese changes as a result of the ionization of at least two groups of approximate pKa = 8.5 and 9.5. These values are assigned to tyrosine-157 and to the water molecule which acts as a metal ligand at the active site. The binding behavior of the inhibitor strongly suggests that two molecules of inhibitor bind to the enzyme. The weaker site is competitive with the synthetic substrate FAGLA (furylacryloylglycyl-leucinamide), while the strong site has no effect on FAGLA hydrolysis. This second site is in the vicinity of the active site with a distance of 8 A or less between the trifluoromethyl group and manganese bound at the active site.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1977

Deuterium magnetic resonance studies of the interaction of lipids with membrane proteins.

The deuterium magnetic resonance spectra of lipid-protein particles containing cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) isolated from beef heart mitochondria and the specifically deuterated lipid 1-(16,16,16-trideuteropalmitoyl)-2-palmitoleoyl phosphatidylcholine are presented. These reconstituted particles are of uniform lipid and protein content; however, the spectra clearly show two environments characterized by distinctly different residual quadrupolar splittings or order parameters. The less-ordered environment shows a splitting similar to but slightly less than that of the pure lipid alone at a given temperature. The more restricted environment appears to be induced by the presence of the protein. The amount of the restricted lipid is clearly temperature dependent with a 2- to 3-fold decrease in relative amount from 2 to 22 degrees. The rate of exchange of lipid between the free and restricted environments is slower than 10(3)/sec. The significance of these phenomena is discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1976

Role of Calcium in the thermal stability of thermolysin.

The effect of calcium ion on the thermal stability of thermolysin has been investigated. The native protein undergoes an irreversible structural change and autolysis at high temperature. Analysis of the calcium ion dependence of the apparent melting temperature observed spectroscopically gives an apparent deltaH of -x (130 kcal/mol) where x is either 1 or 2. Neither zinc ion, where bound at the active site, nor terbium ion, which binds very tightly to the double calcium binding site, shows a stabilizing effect. These sites are therefore presumably not coupled to the transition which leads to autolysis. Removal of calcium ion from the native enzyme at temperatures below 50 degrees C results in inactivation but not major autolysis. The addition of 1 equiv of terbium before calcium removal results in a protein species which is 40% active and is no longer subject to thermal stabilization by calcium. These results suggest a pathway for the thermal inactivation of the enzyme which involves an irreversible structural change at one or both of the single calcium ion sites. This change propagates to the active site and results in inactivation. The binding of calcium ion to either or both single sites completely inhibits this structural change. The structural change is apparently cooperative and may correspond to a localized denaturation of the native structure.

Apoproteins↗
PubMed1976

Studies of bacterial chemotaxis in defined concentration gradients. A model for chemotaxis toward L-serine.

The details of the chemotactic response of Salmonella typhimurium to gradients of L-serine have been examined in some detail. Two relatively macroscopic techniques have been employed to measure the bacterial response. These include measurements of the average velocity as the bacterial population moves toward attractants, and measurement of the upward-to-downward flux ratio, R, in the stable preformed attractant gradients. The dependence of the average velocity on gradient appears to be hyperbolic in nature, while the flux ratio depends linearly on the gradient. These data suggest a microscopic model for the dependence of bacterial behavior on the serine gradient. The model involves a linear dependence of the mean lifetime of a bacterial trajectory on the gradient for those bacteria moving toward higher attractant concentration. Those moving toward low concentrations of attractant do not change the mean duration of their trajectories, or the speed at which a given bacterium swims through the solution. This model generates the observed dependences of the average velocity and flux ratio on gradient. Interpretation of the experimental data suggests that a gradient which increases serine concentration by a factor of 2 in 10 mm is sufficient to double the average duration of a trajectory for a bacterium moving directly up the gradient. The concentration dependence of the chemotactic response to serine is more complicated. It suggests that more than one receptor of serine may be involved in determining chemotactic behavior to this attractant.

Chemotaxis↗
PubMed1976

Direct spectroscopic observation of inner and outer hydrocarbon chains of lipid bilayer vesicles.

Distearoylphosphatidylcholines labeled with gem-difluoro groups at selected positions of the fatty acid chains have been prepared. These lipids were incorporated into sonicated vesicles and were examined by fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All spectra are characterized by two well-separated fluorine resonances. Paramagnetic ions added to the exterior solution of vesicles of fluorinated lipid broaden the upfield resonances, whereas ions trapped in the vesicles interior broaden the downfield resonances. This demonstrates that the fluorine chemical shift of these compounds is sensitive to differences between the inner and outer monolayers of sonicated vesicles.

Fluorine↗