@article{ZupokGorkaSiemiatkowskaetal.2019, author = {Zupok, Arkadiusz and G{\´o}rka, Michał Jakub and Siemiatkowska, Beata and Skirycz, Aleksandra and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke}, title = {Iron-Dependent Regulation of Molybdenum Cofactor Biosynthesis Genes in Escherichia coli}, series = {Journal of bacteriology}, volume = {201}, journal = {Journal of bacteriology}, number = {17}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0021-9193}, doi = {10.1128/JB.00382-19}, pages = {15}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis is a complex process that involves the coordinated function of several proteins. In recent years it has become obvious that the availability of iron plays an important role in the biosynthesis of Moco. First, the MoaA protein binds two (4Fe-4S] clusters per monomer. Second, the expression of the moaABCDE and moeAB operons is regulated by FNR, which senses the availability of oxygen via a functional NFe-4S) cluster. Finally, the conversion of cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate to molybdopterin requires the availability of the L-cysteine desulfurase IscS, which is a shared protein with a main role in the assembly of Fe-S clusters. In this report, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of the moaABCDE operon by focusing on its dependence on cellular iron availability. While the abundance of selected molybdoenzymes is largely decreased under iron-limiting conditions, our data show that the regulation of the moaABCDE operon at the level of transcription is only marginally influenced by the availability of iron. Nevertheless, intracellular levels of Moco were decreased under iron-limiting conditions, likely based on an inactive MoaA protein in addition to lower levels of the L-cysteine desulfurase IscS, which simultaneously reduces the sulfur availability for Moco production. IMPORTANCE FNR is a very important transcriptional factor that represents the master switch for the expression of target genes in response to anaerobiosis. Among the FNR-regulated operons in Escherichia coli is the moaABCDE operon, involved in Moco biosynthesis. Molybdoenzymes have essential roles in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. In bacteria, molybdoenzymes are crucial for anaerobic respiration using alternative electron acceptors. This work investigates the connection of iron availability to the biosynthesis of Moco and the production of active molybdoenzymes.}, language = {en} } @article{ZaccheusBroekerLundborgetal.2012, author = {Zaccheus, Mona V. and Br{\"o}ker, Nina Kristin and Lundborg, Magnus and Uetrecht, Charlotte and Barbirz, Stefanie and Widmalm, Goran}, title = {Structural studies of the O-antigen polysaccharide from Escherichia coli TD2158 having O18 serogroup specificity and aspects of its interaction with the tailspike endoglycosidase of the infecting bacteriophage HK620}, series = {Carbohydrate research}, volume = {357}, journal = {Carbohydrate research}, number = {8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0008-6215}, doi = {10.1016/j.carres.2012.05.022}, pages = {118 -- 125}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We have analyzed the O-antigen polysaccharide of the previously uncharacterized Escherichia coli strain TD2158 which is a host of bacteriophage HK620. This bacteriophage recognizes and cleaves the polysaccharide with its tailspike protein (TSP). The polysaccharide preparation as well as oligosaccharides obtained from HK620TSP endoglycosidase digests were analyzed with NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, sugar analysis was performed on the O-antigen polysaccharide and MALDI-TOF MS was used in oligosaccharide analysis. The present study revealed a heterogeneous polysaccharide with a hexasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure: alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> 6) vertical bar vertical bar 2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1 -> 6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 -> 4)-alpha-D-Galp-(1 -> 3)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc- (1 ->vertical bar beta-D-Glcp/beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 -> 3) A repeating unit with a D-GlcNAc substitution of D-Gal has been described earlier as characteristic for serogroup O18A1. Accordingly, we termed repeating units with D-Glc substitution at D-Gal as O18A2. NMR analyses of the polysaccharide confirmed that O18A1- and O18A2-type repeats were present in a 1:1 ratio. However, HK620TSP preferentially bound the D-GlcNAc- substituted O18A1-type repeating units in its high affinity binding pocket with a dissociation constant of 140 mu M and disfavored the O18A2-type having a beta-D-Glcp-(1 -> 3)-linked group. As a result, in hexasaccharide preparations, O18A1 and O18A2 repeats were present in a 9: 1 ratio stressing the clear preference of O18A1- type repeats to be cleaved by HK620TSP.}, language = {en} } @misc{YanFriemelAloisietal.2016, author = {Yan, Robert and Friemel, Martin and Aloisi, Claudia and Huynen, Martijn and Taylor, Ian A. and Leimk{\"u}hler, Silke and Pastore, Annalisa}, title = {The eukaryotic-specific Isd11 is a complex- orphan protein with ability to bind the prokaryotic IscS}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {551}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-41190}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-411906}, pages = {14}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The eukaryotic protein Isd11 is a chaperone that binds and stabilizes the central component of the essential metabolic pathway responsible for formation of iron-sulfur clusters in mitochondria, the desulfurase Nfs1. Little is known about the exact role of Isd11. Here, we show that human Isd11 (ISD11) is a helical protein which exists in solution as an equilibrium between monomer, dimeric and tetrameric species when in the absence of human Nfs1 (NFS1). We also show that, surprisingly, recombinant ISD11 expressed in E. coli co-purifies with the bacterial orthologue of NFS1, IscS. Binding is weak but specific suggesting that, despite the absence of Isd11 sequences in bacteria, there is enough conservation between the two desulfurases to retain a similar mode of interaction. This knowledge may inform us on the conservation of the mode of binding of Isd11 to the desulfurase. We used evolutionary evidence to suggest Isd11 residues involved in the interaction.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Urban2008, author = {Urban, Alexander}, title = {Charakterisierung der Funktion der Rhodanese YnjE f{\"u}r die Molybd{\"a}nkofaktor Biosynthese in Escherichia coli}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-29018}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Die ubiquit{\"a}r verbreitete Molybd{\"a}nkofaktorbiosynthese ist in Escherichia coli (E. coli) bisher am umfassendsten untersucht. Bislang war jedoch nicht bekannt, welche physiologische Schwefelquelle im zweiten Schritt dieses Syntheseweges zur Bildung der charakteristischen Dithiolengruppe genutzt wird. Erste Untersuchungen deuteten auf eine der Cysteindesulfurasen E. colis hin, welche in Verbindung mit einem rhodanese{\"a}hnlichen Protein den Schwefel in Form eines Persulfids {\"u}bertragen. {\"A}hnliche Mechanismen wurden bereits in der humanen Moco-Biosynthese und der Thiaminbiosynthese identifiziert. In dieser Arbeit wurde das E. coli Protein YnjE n{\"a}her charakterisiert. Es handelt sich bei YnjE um ein rhodanese{\"a}hnliches Protein aus drei Rhodanesedom{\"a}nen. Durch Proteinkristallisation und anschliessender R{\"o}ntgenstrukturanalyse wurde die Terti{\"a}rstruktur des YnjE-Proteins analysiert. Die hergestellten Kristalle konnten zur Gewinnung von Strukturdaten vermessen und eine Proteinkristallstruktur f{\"u}r YnjE berechnet werden. Desweiteren besitzt YnjE ein N-terminales Typ I Sekretionssystem abh{\"a}ngiges Sipnalpeptid. Durch Lokalisieungsexperimente wurde die Bedeutung des Signalpeptids f{\"u}r das YnjE-Protein untersucht. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass endogenes YnjE sowohl im peri- als auch im cytoplasmatischen Raum lokalisiert ist. Auf Grund von vorhergehenden Studien, wurde eine Funktion des YnjE-Proteins innerhalb der Molybd{\"a}nkofaktorbiosynthese in der Schwefel{\"u}bertragung auf das Protein MoaD in E. coli vermutet und deshalb in dieser Arbeit n{\"a}her untersucht. Es wurde eine Interaktion des YnjE-Proteins mit dem MoeB-Protein, welches f{\"u}r die Thiocarboxylierung des MoaD-Proteins essentiell ist, durch Tandem-Affinit{\"a}tsreinigung und Antik{\"o}rper-basierte Affinit{\"a}tsreinigung nachgewiesen und ein signifikanter positiver Einfluss YnjEs auf die Bildung von Molybdopterin, einer Vorstufe des Molybd{\"a}nkofaktors, best{\"a}tigt. Dabei wurde sowohl der Sulfurierungsgrad des MoaD-Proteins in YnjE und Cysteindesulfurase-knock-out Mutanten untersucht, als auch die Bildung von Molybdopterin in einem in vitro Ansatz in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit von steigenden YnjE-Konzentrationen analysiert. Im Ergebnis kann man daraus schließen, dass der Mechanismus der Schwefel{\"u}bertragung {\"a}hnlich der Thiaminbiosynthese, {\"u}ber eine der drei Cysteindesulfurasen CsdA, SufS oder IscS geschieht, welche Schwefel in Form eines Persulfids auf YnjE {\"u}bertragen k{\"o}nnen. Thiosulfat und Mercaptopyruvat, die Substrate f{\"u}r die beiden Familien der rhodanese{\"a}hnlichen Proteine, Thiosulfat-Sulfurtransferasen und Mercaptopyruvat-Sulfurtransferasen, dienen nicht als Substrate f{\"u}r eine Persulfurierung YnjEs. Durch eine Austauschmutante des Cysteinrestes der aktiven Schleife von YnjE konnte nicht best{\"a}tigt werden, dass dieser Aminos{\"a}urerest und damit die Bildung eines YnjE-gebundenen Persulfids f{\"u}r die positive Beeinflussung der MPT-Synthese essentiell ist. Vielmehr kann durch diese Arbeit von einer Vermittlung der Interaktionen zwischen MoeB, IscS und der MPT-Synthase durch YnjE ausgegangen werden wobei die Cysteindesulfurase IscS den Schwefel f{\"u}r die Thiocarboxylierung des MoaD-Proteins liefert.}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Steinhauser2004, author = {Steinhauser, Dirk}, title = {Inferring hypotheses from complex profile data - by means of CSB.DB, a comprehensive systems-biology database}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-2467}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2004}, abstract = {The past decades are characterized by various efforts to provide complete sequence information of genomes regarding various organisms. The availability of full genome data triggered the development of multiplex high-throughput assays allowing simultaneous measurement of transcripts, proteins and metabolites. With genome information and profiling technologies now in hand a highly parallel experimental biology is offering opportunities to explore and discover novel principles governing biological systems. Understanding biological complexity through modelling cellular systems represents the driving force which today allows shifting from a component-centric focus to integrative and systems level investigations. The emerging field of systems biology integrates discovery and hypothesis-driven science to provide comprehensive knowledge via computational models of biological systems. Within the context of evolving systems biology, investigations were made in large-scale computational analyses on transcript co-response data through selected prokaryotic and plant model organisms. CSB.DB - a comprehensive systems-biology database - (http://csbdb.mpimp-golm.mpg.de/) was initiated to provide public and open access to the results of biostatistical analyses in conjunction with additional biological knowledge. The database tool CSB.DB enables potential users to infer hypothesis about functional interrelation of genes of interest and may serve as future basis for more sophisticated means of elucidating gene function. The co-response concept and the CSB.DB database tool were successfully applied to predict operons in Escherichia coli by using the chromosomal distance and transcriptional co-responses. Moreover, examples were shown which indicate that transcriptional co-response analysis allows identification of differential promoter activities under different experimental conditions. The co-response concept was successfully transferred to complex organisms with the focus on the eukaryotic plant model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. The investigations made enabled the discovery of novel genes regarding particular physiological processes and beyond, allowed annotation of gene functions which cannot be accessed by sequence homology. GMD - the Golm Metabolome Database - was initiated and implemented in CSB.DB to integrated metabolite information and metabolite profiles. This novel module will allow addressing complex biological questions towards transcriptional interrelation and extent the recent systems level quest towards phenotyping.}, subject = {Datenbank}, language = {en} } @article{SchiebelBoehmNitschkeetal.2017, author = {Schiebel, Juliane and Boehm, Alexander and Nitschke, Joerg and Burdukiewicz, Michal and Weinreich, Joerg and Ali, Aamir and Roggenbuck, Dirk and Roediger, Stefan and Schierack, Peter}, title = {Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics Associated with Biofilm Formation by Human Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates of Different Pathotypes}, series = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, volume = {83}, journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0099-2240}, doi = {10.1128/AEM.01660-17}, pages = {15}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Bacterial biofilm formation is a widespread phenomenon and a complex process requiring a set of genes facilitating the initial adhesion, maturation, and production of the extracellular polymeric matrix and subsequent dispersal of bacteria. Most studies on Escherichia coli biofilm formation have investigated nonpathogenic E. coli K-12 strains. Due to the extensive focus on laboratory strains in most studies, there is poor information regarding biofilm formation by pathogenic E. coli isolates. In this study, we genotypically and phenotypically characterized 187 human clinical E. coli isolates representing various pathotypes (e.g., uropathogenic, enteropathogenic, and enteroaggregative E. coli). We investigated the presence of biofilm-associated genes ("genotype") and phenotypically analyzed the isolates for motility and curli and cellulose production ("phenotype"). We developed a new screening method to examine the in vitro biofilm formation ability. In summary, we found a high prevalence of biofilm-associated genes. However, we could not detect a biofilm-associated gene or specific phenotype correlating with the biofilm formation ability. In contrast, we did identify an association of increased biofilm formation with a specific E. coli pathotype. Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) was found to exhibit the highest capacity for biofilm formation. Using our image-based technology for the screening of biofilm formation, we demonstrated the characteristic biofilm formation pattern of EAEC, consisting of thick bacterial aggregates. In summary, our results highlight the fact that biofilm-promoting factors shown to be critical for biofilm formation in nonpathogenic strains do not reflect their impact in clinical isolates and that the ability of biofilm formation is a defined characteristic of EAEC. IMPORTANCE Bacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and consist of sessile bacterial cells surrounded by a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix. They cause chronic and device-related infections due to their high resistance to antibiotics and the host immune system. In nonpathogenic Escherichia coli, cell surface components playing a pivotal role in biofilm formation are well known. In contrast, there is poor information for their role in biofilm formation of pathogenic isolates. Our study provides insights into the correlation of biofilm-associated genes or specific phenotypes with the biofilm formation ability of commensal and pathogenic E. coli. Additionally, we describe a newly developed method enabling qualitative biofilm analysis by automated image analysis, which is beneficial for high-throughput screenings. Our results help to establish a better understanding of E. coli biofilm formation.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Rothe2013, author = {Rothe, Monique}, title = {Response of intestinal Escherichia coli to dietary factors in the mouse intestine}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-66387}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Diet is a major force influencing the intestinal microbiota. This is obvious from drastic changes in microbiota composition after a dietary alteration. Due to the complexity of the commensal microbiota and the high inter-individual variability, little is known about the bacterial response at the cellular level. The objective of this work was to identify mechanisms that enable gut bacteria to adapt to dietary factors. For this purpose, germ-free mice monoassociated with the commensal Escherichia coli K-12 strain MG1655 were fed three different diets over three weeks: a diet rich in starch, a diet rich in non-digestible lactose and a diet rich in casein. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry were applied to identify differentially expressed proteins of E. coli recovered from small intestine and caecum of mice fed the lactose or casein diets in comparison with those of mice fed the starch diet. Selected differentially expressed bacterial proteins were characterised in vitro for their possible roles in bacterial adaptation to the various diets. Proteins belonging to the oxidative stress regulon oxyR such as alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit F (AhpF), DNA protection during starvation protein (Dps) and ferric uptake regulatory protein (Fur), which are required for E. coli's oxidative stress response, were upregulated in E. coli of mice fed the lactose-rich diet. Reporter gene analysis revealed that not only oxidative stress but also carbohydrate-induced osmotic stress led to the OxyR-dependent expression of ahpCF and dps. Moreover, the growth of E. coli mutants lacking the ahpCF or oxyR genes was impaired in the presence of non-digestible sucrose. This indicates that some OxyR-dependent proteins are crucial for the adaptation of E. coli to osmotic stress conditions. In addition, the function of two so far poorly characterised E. coli proteins was analysed: 2 deoxy-D gluconate 3 dehydrogenase (KduD) was upregulated in intestinal E. coli of mice fed the lactose-rich diet and this enzyme and 5 keto 4 deoxyuronate isomerase (KduI) were downregulated on the casein-rich diet. Reporter gene analysis identified galacturonate and glucuronate as inducers of the kduD and kduI gene expression. Moreover, KduI was shown to facilitate the breakdown of these hexuronates, which are normally degraded by uronate isomerase (UxaC), altronate oxidoreductase (UxaB), altronate dehydratase (UxaA), mannonate oxidoreductase (UxuB) and mannonate dehydratase (UxuA), whose expression was repressed by osmotic stress. The growth of kduID-deficient E. coli on galacturonate or glucuronate was impaired in the presence of osmotic stress, suggesting KduI and KduD to compensate for the function of the regular hexuronate degrading enzymes under such conditions. This indicates a novel function of KduI and KduD in E. coli's hexuronate metabolism. Promotion of the intracellular formation of hexuronates by lactose connects these in vitro observations with the induction of KduD on the lactose-rich diet. Taken together, this study demonstrates the crucial influence of osmotic stress on the gene expression of E. coli enzymes involved in stress response and metabolic processes. Therefore, the adaptation to diet-induced osmotic stress is a possible key factor for bacterial colonisation of the intestinal environment.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kubis2020, author = {Kubis, Armin}, title = {Synthetic carbon neutral photorespiration bypasses}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {68}, year = {2020}, abstract = {With populations growing worldwide and climate change threatening food production there is an urgent need to find ways to ensure food security. Increasing carbon fixation rate in plants is a promising approach to boost crop yields. The carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco catalyzes, beside the carboxylation reaction, also an oxygenation reaction that generates glycolate-2P, which needs to be recycled via a metabolic route termed photorespiration. Photorespiration dissipates energy and most importantly releases previously fixed CO2, thus significantly lowering carbon fixation rate and yield. Engineering plants to omit photorespiratory CO2 release is the goal of the FutureAgriculture consortium and this thesis is part of this collaboration. The consortium aims to establish alternative glycolate-2P recycling routes that do not release CO2. Ultimately, they are expected to increase carbon fixation rates and crop yields. Natural and novel reactions, which require enzyme engineering, were considered in the pathway design process. Here I describe the engineering of two pathways, the arabinose-5P and the erythrulose shunt. They were designed to recycle glycolate-2P via glycolaldehyde into a sugar phosphate and thereby reassimilate glycolate-2P to the Calvin cycle. I used Escherichia coli gene deletion strains to validate and characterize the activity of both synthetic shunts. The strains' auxotrophies can be alleviated by the activity of the synthetic route, thus providing a direct way to select for pathway activity. I introduced all pathway components to these dedicated selection strains and discovered inhibitions, limitations and metabolic cross talk interfering with pathway activity. After resolving these issues, I was able to show the in vivo activity of all pathway components and combine them into functional modules.. Specifically, I demonstrate the activity of a new-to-nature module of glycolate reduction to glycolaldehyde. Also, I successfully show a new glycolaldehyde assimilation route via arabinose-5P to ribulose-5P. In addition, all necessary enzymes for glycolaldehyde assimilation via L-erythrulose were shown to be active and an L-threitol assimilation route via L-erythrulose was established in E. coli. On their own, these findings demonstrate the power of using an easily engineerable microbe to test novel pathways; combined, they will form the basis for implementing photorespiration bypasses in plants.}, language = {en} } @article{HoffmannHaoShearwinetal.2019, author = {Hoffmann, Stefan A. and Hao, Nan and Shearwin, Keith E. and Arndt, Katja Maren}, title = {Characterizing transcriptional interference between converging genes in bacteria}, series = {ACS synthetic biology}, volume = {8}, journal = {ACS synthetic biology}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2161-5063}, doi = {10.1021/acssynbio.8b00477}, pages = {466 -- 473}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Antisense transcription is common in naturally occurring genomes and is increasingly being used in synthetic genetic circuitry as a tool for gene expression control. Mutual influence on the expression of convergent genes can be mediated by antisense RNA effects and by transcriptional interference (TI). We aimed to quantitatively characterize long-range TI between convergent genes with untranslated intergenic spacers of increasing length. After controlling for antisense RNA-mediated effects, which contributed about half of the observed total expression inhibition, the TI effect was modeled. To achieve model convergence, RNA polymerase processivity and collision resistance were assumed to be modulated by ribosome trailing. The spontaneous transcription termination rate in regions of untranslated DNA was experimentally determined. Our modeling suggests that an elongating RNA polymerase with a trailing ribosome is about 13 times more likely to resume transcription than an opposing RNA polymerase without a trailing ribosome, upon head-on collision of the two.}, language = {en} } @misc{HessSaffertLiebetonetal.2015, author = {Hess, Anne-Katrin and Saffert, Paul and Liebeton, Klaus and Ignatova, Zoya}, title = {Optimization of translation profiles enhances protein expression and solubility}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {518}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-40957}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-409574}, pages = {14}, year = {2015}, abstract = {mRNA is translated with a non-uniform speed that actively coordinates co-translational folding of protein domains. Using structure-based homology we identified the structural domains in epoxide hydrolases (EHs) and introduced slow-translating codons to delineate the translation of single domains. These changes in translation speed dramatically improved the solubility of two EHs of metagenomic origin in Escherichia coli. Conversely, the importance of transient attenuation for the folding, and consequently solubility, of EH was evidenced with a member of the EH family from Agrobacterium radiobacter, which partitions in the soluble fraction when expressed in E. coli. Synonymous substitutions of codons shaping the slow-transiting regions to fast-translating codons render this protein insoluble. Furthermore, we show that low protein yield can be enhanced by decreasing the free folding energy of the initial 5'-coding region, which can disrupt mRNA secondary structure and enhance ribosomal loading. This study provides direct experimental evidence that mRNA is not a mere messenger for translation of codons into amino acids but bears an additional layer of information for folding, solubility and expression level of the encoded protein. Furthermore, it provides a general frame on how to modulate and fine-tune gene expression of a target protein.}, language = {en} }