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Methyl transfer in chemotaxis toward sugars by Bacillus subtilis
M S Thoelke1, J M Casper, G W Ordal
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Urbana 61801.
Journal of Bacteriology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Glucose and 2-deoxyglucose trigger methyl group turnover on methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins in Bacillus subtilis. This indicates a distinct mechanism for sugar taxis compared to Escherichia coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Chemotaxis is crucial for bacterial survival and motility.
- Methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) are key mediators of chemotaxis.
- Different bacterial species may employ distinct signaling pathways for chemotaxis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins in Bacillus subtilis' response to sugars.
- To compare the chemotaxis mechanism in Bacillus subtilis with that of Escherichia coli.
Main Methods:
- Treating Bacillus subtilis with glucose and 2-deoxyglucose.
- Measuring methyl group turnover on methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins.
- Detecting methanol formation.
Main Results:
- Both glucose and 2-deoxyglucose induced methyl group turnover on MCPs.
- Methanol formation was observed upon sugar addition.
- These findings suggest MCPs are involved in sugar taxis in Bacillus subtilis.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus subtilis utilizes methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins for taxis to phosphotransferase sugars.
- This mechanism differs from the chemotaxis pathway observed in Escherichia coli for similar stimuli.