Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Poly-gamma-glutamate in bacteria.

Thomas Candela¹, Agnès Fouet

¹Unité Toxines et Pathogénie Bactérienne (CNRS, URA 2172), Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

Molecular Microbiology

|May 13, 2006

Summary

Poly-gamma-glutamate (PGA) is a natural polymer synthesized by various organisms. Its genes and synthesis pathways are identified, offering potential targets for inhibiting PGA

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Use of the Golden Gate Cloning Technique for Plasmid Construction to Generate Conditional Lethal Mutants in C. difficile.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2026

Same author

The double-edged role of FASII regulator FabT in Streptococcus pyogenes infection.

Nature communications·2024

Same author

Spores of Clostridioides difficile are toxin delivery vehicles.

Communications biology·2024

Same author

Correction for Bourrel et al., "Specific interaction between Group B <i>Streptococcus</i> CC17 hypervirulent clone and phagocytes".

Infection and immunity·2024

Same author

Oxidative stress is intrinsic to staphylococcal adaptation to fatty acid synthesis antibiotics.

iScience·2024

Same author

Specific interaction between Group B <i>Streptococcus</i> CC17 hypervirulent clone and phagocytes.

Infection and immunity·2024

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Background:

Poly-gamma-glutamate (PGA) is a natural polymer synthesized by Gram-positive bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.
PGA exhibits diverse biochemical properties, influencing bacterial survival in high salt concentrations and potentially contributing to virulence.
The minimal gene sets and nomenclatures (cap/pgs) for PGA synthesis have been recently defined.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying Poly-gamma-glutamate (PGA) synthesis and its regulation.
To identify the key enzymes and pathways involved in PGA production, transport, and surface anchoring or release.
To explore the potential of PGA synthesis genes as targets for therapeutic interventions, particularly in combating bacterial virulence.

Main Methods:

Analysis of minimal gene sets required for PGA synthesis, including the identification of cap/pgs genes (B, C, A, E).
Characterization of the membrane-anchored PGA synthesis complex, utilizing glutamate and ATP as substrates.
Investigation of enzymes responsible for PGA transport (CapA-CapE/PgsAA-PgsE) and its final fate (CapD for anchorage, PgsS for release).

Main Results:

The minimal gene sets for PGA synthesis involve four genes: cap/pgs B, C, A, and E.
PGA synthesis is primarily mediated by CapB-CapC (or PgsB-PgsC), while transport involves CapA-CapE (or PgsAA-PgsE).
The enzyme CapD (gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase) or PgsS (hydrolase) determines whether PGA is anchored to the surface or released, with surface anchorage linked to virulence.

Conclusions:

The PGA synthesis complex is well-defined, with specific enzymes responsible for synthesis, transport, and anchoring/release.
The identified cap genes represent potential targets for developing inhibitors to block PGA synthesis or anchorage.
Understanding these pathways provides insights into bacterial survival mechanisms and virulence factors, opening avenues for novel therapeutic strategies.

Related Experiment Videos