Biomedical subjects

J R Guest

Publications and source records attributed to J R Guest.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Nucleotide sequence encoding the flavoprotein and iron-sulfur protein subunits of the Bacillus subtilis PY79 succinate dehydrogenase complex.

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.7-kilobase segment of DNA containing the sdhA and sdhB genes encoding the flavoprotein (Fp, sdhA) and iron-sulfur protein (Ip, sdhB) subunits of the succinate dehydrogenase of Bacillus subtilis was determined. This sequence extends the previously reported sequence encoding the cytochrome b558 subunit (sdhC) and completes the sequence of the sdh operon, sdhCAB. The predicted molecular weights for the Fp and Ip subunits, 65,186 (585 amino acids) and 28,285 (252 amino acids), agreed with the values determined independently for the labeled Fp and Ip antigens, although it appeared that the B. subtilis Fp was not functional after expression of the sdhA gene in Escherichia coli. Both subunits closely resembled the corresponding Fp and Ip subunits of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and fumarate reductase of E. coli in size, composition, and amino acid sequence. The sequence homologies further indicated that the B. subtilis SDH subunits are equally related to the SDH and fumarate reductase subunits of E. coli but are less closely related than are the corresponding pairs of E. coli subunits. The regions of highest sequence conservation were identifiable as the catalytically significant flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding sites and cysteine clusters of the iron-sulfur centers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1987

Regulation of citric acid cycle genes in facultative bacteria.

In a facultative anaerobe such as Escherichia coli the citric acid cycle is an inducible pathway rather than a constitutive pathway. In spite of intensive study at the enzymological and molecular biological levels many aspects of the cycle, including its regulation during the aerobic/anaerobic switch, are not fully understood.

Citric Acid Cycle↗

PubMed1987

Molecular genetic aspects of the citric acid cycle of Escherichia coli.

The genes encoding all of the citric acid cycle enzymes of Escherichia coli have been cloned and much has been learned about the structure, function and expression of these enzymes from the nucleotide sequences, the mRNA transcripts and site-directed mutagenesis of the corresponding genes. Special features of the expression of the aerobic cycle, and its anaerobic transformation into a branched pathway in a facultative anaerobe, are considered. Aspects of the structure-function relationships of succinate dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthetase, fumarase and related enzymes, and the 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complexes are reviewed.

Citric Acid Cycle↗

PubMed1986

Structural and functional relationships between fumarase and aspartase. Nucleotide sequences of the fumarase (fumC) and aspartase (aspA) genes of Escherichia coli K12.

The nucleotide sequences of two segments of DNA (2250 and 2921 base-pairs) containing the functionally related fumarase (fumC) and aspartase (aspA) genes of Escherichia coli K12 were determined. The fumC structural gene comprises 1398 base-pairs (466 codons, excluding the initiation codon), and it encodes a polypeptide of Mr 50353 that resembles the fumarases of Bacillus subtilis 168 (citG-gene product), rat liver and pig heart. The fumC gene starts 140 base-pairs downstream of the structurally-unrelated fumA gene, but there is no evidence that both genes form part of the same operon. The aspA structural gene comprises 1431 base-pairs (477 codons excluding the initiation codon), and it encodes a polypeptide of Mr 52190, similar to that predicted from maxicell studies and for the enzyme from E. coli W. Remarkable homologies were found between the primary structures of the fumarase (fumC and citG) and aspartase (aspA) genes and their products, suggesting close structural and evolutionary relationships.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1986

Transcript analysis of the citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase genes of Escherichia coli K12.

A transcript analysis of the citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase genes (gltA-sdhCDAB) of Escherichia coli was done by nuclease S1 mapping. Evidence was obtained for two monocistronic gltA transcripts extending anti-clockwise, to a common terminus, from independent promoters with start points 196 bp (major) and 299 bp (minor) upstream of the gltA coding region. Evidence was also obtained for two polycistronic sdh transcripts, sdhCDAB (minor) and sdhDAB (major), extending clockwise, from sites 219 bp upstream of sdhC and 1455 bp upstream of sdhD (i.e. within sdhC), to a common terminus. The synthesis of all of the transcripts was repressed by growth in the presence of glucose, and this is consistent with the well-established fact that both enzymes are subject to catabolite repression. Sequences resembling known binding sites for the cAMP-CRP (cyclic AMP-cyclicAMP receptor protein) complex occur in the vicinity of each promoter suggesting that they are activated by the cAMP-CRP complex.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1986

Cloning and expression of the succinyl-CoA synthetase genes of Escherichia coli K12.

The genes encoding both subunits of the succinyl-CoA synthetase of Escherichia coli have been identified as distal genes of the suc operon, which also encodes the dehydrogenase (Elo; sucA) and succinyltransferase (E2o; sucB) components of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. The newly defined genes express polypeptides of 41 kDa (sucC) and 31 kDa (sucD), corresponding to the beta and alpha subunits of succinyl-CoA synthetase, respectively. The genes are thus located at 16.8 min in the E. coli linkage map, together with the citrate synthase (gltA) and succinate dehydrogenase (sdh) genes, in a cluster of nine citric acid cycle genes: gltA-sdhCDAB-sucABCD. Four deletion strains lacking all of these citric acid cycle enzymes were characterized. The succinyl-CoA synthetase activities of strains harbouring plasmids containing the sucC and sucD genes were amplified some fourfold. Further enzymological studies indicated that expression of succinyl-CoA synthetase is coordinately regulated with 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Cloning, Molecular↗

PubMed1986

Cloning of the aconitase gene (acn) of Escherichia coli K12.

Lambda phages containing the aconitase gene (acn) of Escherichia coli K12 have been isolated by hybridization with an M13 probe containing part of the aconitase gene (citB) of Bacillus subtilis. Aconitase specific activities are amplified 5- to 18-fold in thermally induced lambda acn lysogens and threefold in a strain transformed with a plasmid derivative (pGS181).

Aconitate Hydratase↗

PubMed1986

Nucleotide sequence of the gene for cytochrome b558 of the Bacillus subtilis succinate dehydrogenase complex.

The nucleotide sequence was determined for the first part of the Bacillus subtilis sdh operon. An open reading frame corresponding to the structural gene, sdhA, for cytochrome b558 was identified. The predicted molecular weight of the cytochrome (excluding the N-terminal methionine) is 22,770. It is a very hydrophobic protein with five probable membrane-spanning segments. There is little homology between the B. subtilis cytochrome b558 and cytochrome b of mitochondrial complex III from different organisms or between cytochrome b558 and the hydrophobic sdhC and sdhD peptides of the Escherichia coli sdh operon. About 30 bases downstream of the sdhA stop codon, a new open reading frame starts. The nucleotide sequence predicts the presence of a typical flavin-binding peptide which identifies this reading frame as part of the sdhB gene. Seven bases upstream of the sdhA initiation codon ATG there is a typical B. subtilis ribosome binding site (free energy of interaction, -63 kJ), and further upstream, tentative sigma 55 and sigma 32 promoter sequences were found. The upstream region also contains two 12-base-long direct repeats; their significance is unknown.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1986

Cloning of the aroP gene and identification of its product in Escherichia coli K-12.

The aroP gene of Escherichia coli K-12 was located in a ca. 1.2-kilobase region of DNA. The aroP gene product was identified as a membrane-bound protein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 37,000.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1985

Primary structure of the succinyl-CoA synthetase of Escherichia coli.

The primary structure of the succinyl-CoA synthetase of Escherichia coli has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a 2451-base-pair segment of DNA containing the corresponding sucC (beta subunit) and sucD (alpha subunit) genes. The genes are located at one end of a gene cluster that encodes several citric acid cycle enzymes: gltA-sdhCDAB-sucABCD; gltA, citrate synthase; sdh, succinate dehydrogenase; sucA and sucB, the dehydrogenase (E1) and succinyltransferase (E2) components of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. The sucC and sucD genes are separated from the sucA and sucB genes by a 273-base-pair segment containing four palindromic units, but they appear to be expressed from a sucABCD read-through transcript that extends from the suc promoter to a potential rho-independent terminator at the distal end of sucD. The stop codon of the sucC gene overlaps the sucD initiation codon by a single nucleotide, indicating close translational coupling of the sucC and sucD genes. The sucC gene comprises 1161 base pairs (388 codons, excluding the stop codon), and it encodes a polypeptide of Mr 41 390 corresponding to the beta subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase. The sucD gene comprises 864 base pairs (288 codons, excluding the start and stop codons), and it encodes a product of Mr 29 644, corresponding to the alpha subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase. The alpha subunit contains a 12-residue amino acid sequence that is identical with the histidine peptide previously isolated from the phosphoenzyme. This sequence forms part of one of the two potential nucleotide binding sites detected in the alpha subunit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1985

Genetic reconstruction and functional analysis of the repeating lipoyl domains in the pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex of Escherichia coli.

The dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase component (E2p) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli contains three highly homologous sequences of about 100 residues that are tandemly repeated to form the N-terminal half of the polypeptide chain. All three sequences include a lysine residue that is a site for lipoylation and they appear to form independently folded functional domains. These lipoyl domains are in turn linked to a much larger (about 300 residues) subunit-binding domain of the E2p chain that aggregates to form the octahedral inner core of the complex and also contains the acetyltransferase active site. In order to investigate whether individual lipoyl domains play different parts in the enzymic mechanism, selective deletions were made in vitro in the dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase gene (aceF) so as to excise one or two of the repeating sequences. This was facilitated by the high degree of homology in these sequences, which allowed the creation of hybrid lipoyl domains that closely resemble the originals. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes incorporating these genetically reconstructed E2p components were purified and their structures were confirmed. It was found that the overall catalytic activity, the system of active site coupling, and the ability to complement pyruvate dehydrogenase complex mutants, were not significantly affected by the loss of one or even two lipoyl domains per E2p chain. No special role can be attached thus far to individual lipoyl domains. On the other hand, certain genetic deletions affecting the acetyltransferase domain caused inactivation of the complex, highlighting particularly sensitive areas of that part of the E2p chain.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1985

Complete nucleotide sequence of the fumarase gene (citG) of Bacillus subtilis 168.

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.14 kb fragment of Bacillus subtilis DNA containing the citG gene encoding fumarase was determined using the dideoxy chain termination method. The citG coding region of 1392 base pairs (464 codons) was identified, and the deduced Mr (50425) is in good agreement with that of the protein identified from expression in Escherichia coli maxicells. There is no sequence homology between the B. subtilis and E. coli fumarases. Overlapping potential promoter sequences have been identified for sigma 28, sigma 37 and sigma 55 RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The DNA fragment also contains the proximal part of the gerA locus, responsible for L-alanine-sensitive spore germination.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1985

Isolation and characterization of the Fnr protein, the transcriptional regulator of anaerobic electron transport in Escherichia coli.

The Fnr protein, the transcriptional regulator of the expression of anaerobic respiratory functions in Escherichia coli, was purified to homogeneity from soluble extracts of a strain harbouring the fnr gene in an expression vector. The identity of the isolated protein was confirmed by comparing its amino-terminal sequence with that predicted from nucleotide sequence of the fnr gene. It appeared that eight amino-terminal amino acids had been removed post-translationally from the bulk of the isolated Fnr protein. The molecular mass of the isolated protein (Mr 28 000) was consistent with a monomeric state, but sedimentation coefficients for the cellular (4.1 S) and the isolated (2.9 S) Fnr protein suggest that it may exist as a dimer in the bacterial cells. The Fnr protein bound DNA. However, the binding activity was not specific for the regulatory regions of relevant genes and it could not be stimulated by a variety of conditions or potential effectors. Two of the four cysteine residues of the Fnr protein were alkylated by iodoacetic acid and this could have functional significance in rendering the protein redox-sensitive.

Alkylation↗

PubMed1985

Transcription analysis of the sucAB, aceEF and lpd genes of Escherichia coli.

Transcript mapping of the Escherichia coli sucAB, aceEF and lpd genes, encoding the five components of the pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes, was carried out using single-stranded M13 probes. The sucA and aceE genes encode the specific dehydrogenase components (E1o, E1p), and the sucB and aceF genes encode the specific dihydrolipoamide acyltransferases (E2o, E2p). The common lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) component is encoded by a single lpd gene adjacent to the aceEF genes. The sucAB, aceEF and lpd genes were all expressed on independent transcripts, and the promoters and terminators were identified. In addition, readthrough transcription from the sucAB genes to a downstream gene designated sucC, and from the aceEF genes to the adjacent lpd gene, was found. The relative levels of transcription of the suc, ace and lpd genes, and of the three different transcript types covering the ace-lpd region, were quantified using RNA from cells grown on different substrates. Most of the E3 components supplying the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex appear to be synthesised from approximately 6415-base aceEF-lpd readthrough transcripts, but additional approximately 4640-base aceEF transcripts terminating after the aceF gene provide a transcriptional basis for the observed stoichiometric excess of E1p and E2p relative to E3 in the assembled complex. Conversely most of the E3 components required for the 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase complex appear to be synthesised from the independent 1670-base lpd transcripts.

Acyltransferases↗

PubMed1985

The fumarase genes of Escherichia coli: location of the fumB gene and discovery of a new gene (fumC).

The fumB gene of Escherichia coli, which complements the fumarase deficiency of a fumA mutant when present in multiple copies, has been located at 93.5 min in the E. coli linkage map and its product has been identified as a polypeptide of 61 kDal. Four overlapping ColE1-fumB+ plasmids representing a continuous segment of 23.3 kb of bacterial DNA have been isolated from the Clarke-Carbon E. coli gene bank and the location of the fumB gene relative to the restriction map and the adjacent mel operon has been defined. Hybridization studies have shown that the fumB gene is homologous to the fumA gene, which complements the fumA1 mutation in single and multi-copy situations, and encodes an analogous 61 kDal product formerly regarded as the E. coli fumarase. The hybridization studies also showed that the Bacillus subtilis fumarase gene (citG) is homologous to an independent gene, fumC (formerly g48), which lies adjacent to the fumA gene at 35.5 min in the E. coli linkage map. The N-terminal sequences of the citG and fumC products exhibit a 51% identity over 88 residues. It is possible that the fumC and citG genes are fumarase structural genes of E. coli and B. subtilis, and that the fumA gene may encode a differentially-regulated fumarase or be a positive regulator gene which is essential for the expression of fumC (but not citG). If so, the fumB gene may encode a related enzyme or activator that can replace the fumA function when amplified.

Autoradiography↗

PubMed1984

Nucleotide sequence encoding the iron-sulphur protein subunit of the succinate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli.

The nucleotide sequence of a 961 base-pair segment of DNA containing the sdhB gene, which encodes the iron-sulphur protein subunit of the E. coli succinate dehydrogenase, has been determined. The sdhB structural gene comprises 711 base pairs (237 codons, excluding the translational initiator and terminator). It is separated by a 15 base-pair intergenic region from the preceding flavoprotein gene (sdhA) and is the distal gene of an operon that also includes genes (sdhC and D) encoding two hydrophobic subunits, sdhCDAB. The distal end of the sdh operon is linked to the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase gene (sucA) by a complex region of dyad symmetry that is homologous with several potential intercistronic regulatory elements or transcriptional attenuators. The sdhB structural gene encodes a polypeptide of Mr26637 that is strikingly homologous with the iron-sulphur protein subunit of fumarate reductase (38% identity, increasing to 58% when conservative changes are included). Both subunits contain 11 cysteine residues, 10 being conserved in three clusters resembling those found in ferredoxins. This work completes the sequence of a 9897 base-pair segment of DNA containing seven tricarboxylic acid cycle genes encoding three enzymes or enzyme complexes, citrate synthase (gltA), succinate dehydrogenase (sdh), and the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (suc), that are organized thus: gltA-sdhCDAB-sucAB.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1984

Nucleotide sequence encoding the flavoprotein and hydrophobic subunits of the succinate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli.

The nucleotide sequence of a 3614 base-pair segment of DNA containing the sdhA gene, encoding the flavoprotein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli, and two genes sdhC and sdhD, encoding small hydrophobic subunits, has been determined. Together with the iron-sulphur protein gene (sdhB) these genes form an operon (sdhCDAB) situated between the citrate synthase gene (gltA) and the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex genes (sucAB): gltA-sdhCDAB-sucAB. Transcription of the gltA and sdhCDAB gene appears to diverge from a single intergenic region that contains two pairs of potential promoter sequences and two putative CRP (cyclic AMP receptor protein)-binding sites. The sdhA structural gene comprises 1761 base-pairs (587 codons, excluding the initiation codon, AUG) and it encodes a polypeptide of Mr 64268 that is strikingly homologous with the flavoprotein subunit of fumarate reductase (frdA gene product). The FAD-binding region, including the histidine residue at the FAD-attachment site, has been identified by its homology with other flavoproteins and with the flavopeptide of the bovine heart mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. Potential active-site cysteine and histidine residues have also been indicated by the comparisons. The sdhC (384 base-pairs) and sdhD (342 base-pairs) structural genes encode two strongly hydrophobic proteins of Mr 14167 and 12792 respectively. These proteins resemble in size and composition, but not sequence, the membrane anchor proteins of fumarate reductase (the frdC and frdD gene products).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1984

Nucleotide sequence of the sucA gene encoding the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli K12.

The nucleotide sequence of a 3180-base-pair segment of DNA, containing the sucA gene encoding the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase component (E1o) of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli, has been determined by the dideoxy chain-termination method. The sucA structural gene contains 2796 base pairs (932 codons, excluding the initiation codon AUG) and encodes a polypeptide having a glutamine residue at the amino terminus, a glutamate residue at the carboxy-terminus and a calculated Mr = 104905. The predicted amino acid composition is in good agreement with published information obtained by hydrolysis of the purified enzyme. There is a striking lack of sequence homology between the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (E1o) and the corresponding pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1p), which suggests that the two components are not closely related in evolutionary terms. The location and polarity of the sucA gene, relative to the restriction map of the corresponding segment of DNA, are consistent with it being the proximal gene of the suc operon, as defined in previous genetic and post-infection labelling studies, but it could also form part of a more complex regulatory unit. The sucA gene is preceded by a segment of DNA that contains many substantial regions of hyphenated dyad symmetry including an IS-like sequence of the type that is thought to function as an intercistronic regulatory element. This segment also contains three putative RNA polymerase binding sites and a good ribosome binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗