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Proteus mirabilis urease: nucleotide sequence determination and comparison with jack bean urease
1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
Journal of Bacteriology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Proteus mirabilis urease genes were sequenced, revealing six open reading frames. These genes show significant similarity to jack bean urease, suggesting an evolutionary link in urease enzyme production.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections.
- The bacterium produces urease, an enzyme that breaks down urea, contributing to kidney stone formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence the urease genes of Proteus mirabilis.
- To analyze the genetic organization and identify open reading frames.
- To compare the P. mirabilis urease with plant urease for evolutionary insights.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing using the dideoxy method.
- Identification of open reading frames (ORFs) and their predicted polypeptide sizes.
- Bioinformatic analysis including comparison of amino acid sequences.
Main Results:
- Six open reading frames (ureD, ureA, ureB, ureC, ureE, ureF) were identified within a 4,952-base pair region.
- The structural subunits of P. mirabilis urease are encoded by ureA, ureB, and ureC.
- Significant amino acid similarity (58% exact matches) was found between P. mirabilis urease subunits and jack bean urease.
Conclusions:
- The urease genes of P. mirabilis have been characterized at the molecular level.
- The findings suggest an evolutionary relationship between bacterial and plant urease enzymes.
- Understanding urease gene structure may aid in developing strategies to combat P. mirabilis-associated infections.