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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Zoltan Pragai, Dr Sierd Bron
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Computer-assisted analyses indicate that Bacillus subtilis contains approximately 300 genes for exported proteins with an amino-terminal signal peptide. About 114 of these are lipoproteins, which are retained in the cytoplasmic membrane. We have investigated the importance of lipoprotein processing by signal peptidase II (SPase II) for cellular homeostasis, using cells lacking SPase II. The results show that lipoprotein processing is important for cell viability at low and high temperatures, suggesting that lipoproteins are essential for growth under these conditions. Although certain lipoproteins are required for the development of genetic competence, sporulation, and germination, these developmental processes were not affected in the absence of SPase II. Cells lacking SPase II accumulated lipid-modified precursor and mature-like forms of PrsA, a folding catalyst for secreted proteins. These forms of PrsA seem to have a reduced activity, as the secretion of α-amylase was strongly impaired. Unexpectedly, type I signal peptidases, which process secretory preproteins, were not involved in alternative amino-terminal processing of pre-PrsA in the absence of SPase II. In conclusion, processing of lipoproteins by SPase II in B. subtilis is not strictly required for lipoprotein function, which is surprising as lipoproteins and type II SPases seem to be conserved in all eubacteria.
Author(s): Tjalsma H, Kontinen VP, Pragai Z, Wu H, Meima R, Venema G, Bron S, Sarvas M, Van Dijl JM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Year: 1999
Volume: 274
Issue: 3
Pages: 1698-1707
Print publication date: 15/01/1999
ISSN (print): 0021-9258
ISSN (electronic):
Publisher: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.274.3.1698
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.3.1698
PubMed id: 9880550
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