University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Characterization of novel chemotaxis proteins in Bacillus subtilis

Rosario, Mia Mae Lantin

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Description

Title
Characterization of novel chemotaxis proteins in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s)
Rosario, Mia Mae Lantin
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Ordal, George W.
Department of Study
Biochemistry
Discipline
Biochemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Microbiology
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry
Language
eng
Abstract
  • Chemotactic bacteria including Bacillus subtilis migrate towards more favorable conditions by using a signalling system that controls the direction of rotation of the flagella. Many proteins involved in this system show widespread similarity, but several unique chemotactic genes have been identified in B. subtilis that could account for the differences in behavior and biochemistry of this organism from other chemotactic bacteria.
  • One of these genes, cheD, encodes a protein that is required by the methyltransferase to methylate many of the chemoreceptors (or methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins), probably by structural modification of the receptors upon binding. Another unique protein, CheC, is shown to associate with CheD, and is involved in downregulating methyltransferase activity, possibly as part of the feedback of the behavior of the bacterial cell. It is thought that these two proteins are bound to the receptors and together regulate methylation and consequently affect chemotactic behavior.
  • CheV is another novel protein thought to be bound at the receptors. It has regions homologous to CheW (N-terminus) and CheY (C-terminus) and exhibits functional redundancy with CheW, the coupler between the autophosphorylating kinase and the receptors.
  • There are indications for the identity of an acceptor that receives methyl groups from the receptors. Moreover, DNA fragments possibly encoding additional chemoreceptors have been identified.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/23221
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1995 Rosario, Mia Mae Lantin

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Biochemistry