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Recombinant Protein Expression, Crystallization, and Biophysical Studies of a Bacillus-conserved Nucleotide Pyrophosphorylase, BcMazG
Published on: May 16, 2017
Anthrose biosynthetic operon of Bacillus anthracis
Shengli Dong1, Sylvia A McPherson, Li Tan
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, 1530 3rd Ave. S, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170, USA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|February 5, 2008
Summary
Researchers identified the genes responsible for anthrose biosynthesis in Bacillus anthracis spores. This pathway is crucial for producing anthrose, a unique sugar found in the spore
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- The Bacillus anthracis spore exosporium's nap is primarily BclA glycoprotein.
- BclA contains a pentasaccharide side chain with a unique terminal sugar, anthrose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the enzymatic pathway for anthrose biosynthesis.
- To identify the genes responsible for anthrose production in B. anthracis.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of the B. anthracis genome to identify candidate genes.
- Gene knockout mutations in B. anthracis to assess gene function.
- Analysis of spore anthrose content in mutant strains.
Main Results:
- Six contiguous genes potentially involved in anthrose biosynthesis were identified, forming two operons.
- Mutations in the upstream four-gene operon abolished or significantly reduced anthrose content.
- The downstream two-gene operon was not essential for anthrose biosynthesis.
Conclusions:
- The upstream operon is essential for anthrose biosynthesis in B. anthracis.
- Anthrose biosynthesis is regulated by a sigma(E)-specific promoter.
- Anthrose production is not exclusive to B. anthracis.
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