DnaK Research Articles

Co-induction of DNA relaxation and synthesis of DnaK and GroEL proteins in Escherichia coli by expression of LetD (CcdB) protein, an inhibitor of DNA gyrase encoded by the F factor.

We examined the influence of overexpression of LetD (CcdB) protein, an inhibitor of DNA gyrase encoded by the F factor of Escherichia coli, on DNA supercoiling and induction of heat shock proteins. Cells were transformed with a plasmid carrying the structural gene for LetD protein under control of the tac promoter, and LetD protein was induced by adding isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) to the culture medium. Analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence of chloroquine revealed relaxation of plasmid DNA in cells depending on the concentration of IPTG employed for induction. Protein pulse-labeling experiments with [35S]methionine and cysteine revealed that synthesis of DnaK and GroEL proteins was also induced by IPTG, and concentrations necessary for DNA relaxation and induction of the heat shock proteins were much the same. Expression of mutant LetD protein lacking two amino acid residues at the C-terminus induced neither DNA relaxation nor the synthesis of DnaK and GroEL proteins. Induction of wild-type LetD protein but not mutant LetD protein markedly enhanced synthesis of sigma32. We interpret these results to mean that DNA relaxation in cells caused by the expression of LetD protein induces heat shock proteins via increased synthesis of sigma32.

Characterization of two conformational epitopes of the Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 DnaK immunogen.

Chlamydia trachomatis DnaK is an important immunogen in chlamydial infections. DnaK is composed of a conserved N-terminal ATP-binding domain and a variable C-terminal peptide-binding domain. To locate the immunogenic part of C. trachomatis Dnak, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against this protein. By use of recombinant DNA techniques, we located the epitopes for two MAbs in the C-terminal variable part. Although the antibodies reacted in an immunoblot assay, it was not possible to map the epitopes completely by use of 16-mer synthetic peptides displaced by one amino acid corresponding to the C-terminal part of C. trachomatis DnaK. To determine the limits of the epitopes, C. trachomatis DnaK and glutatione S-transferase fusion proteins were constructed and affinity purified. The purified DnaK fusion proteins were used for a fluid-phase inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the two antibodies. The epitopes were found not to overlap. To obtain DnaK fragments recognized by the antibodies with the same affinity as native C. trachomatis DnaK, it was necessary to express, respectively, regions of 127 and 77 amino acids. The MAbs described in this study thus recognized conformational epitopes of C. trachomatis DnaK.

Regulatory Region C of the E. coliHeat Shock Transcription Factor, σ 32, Constitutes a DnaK Binding Site and is Conserved Among Eubacteria

The E. coliheat shock response is regulated at the transcriptional level through stress-dependent controls of the heat shock promoter-specific σ 32subunit of RNA polymerase. A key aspect of this regulation, the sensing of stress and transmission of this information to σ 32, involves the chaperone system formed by the DnaK, DnaJ and GrpE heat shock proteins. This system mediates stress-dependent controls of levels and activity of σ 32which rely, at least in part, on direct association of DnaK and DnaJ with σ 32. We identified DnaK binding sites within the σ 32sequence by probing a cellulose-bound peptide library scanning σ 32. Two sites with high affinity for DnaK, containing the motifs RKLFFNLR and LRNWRIVK, were located centrally and peripherally, respectively, to the region C of σ 32, previously implicated genetically in chaperone-dependent control of σ 32levels. Cloning and sequencing of rpoHhomologs from five Gram-negative proteobacteria revealed that region C, including the DnaK binding motif central to it, is highly conserved among σ 32homologs but missing in other σ factors. We propose that binding of DnaK to region C is central to a conserved regulatory mechanism allowing the sensing of stress by the heat shock gene transcription machinery.

Overproduction of the Brucella melitensis heat shock protein DnaK in Escherichia coli and its localization by use of specific monoclonal antibodies in B. melitensis cells and fractions

The Brucella melitensis dnaK gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers chosen according to the published sequence of B. ovis and cloned in multiple copy plasmids enabling expression under the control of the P lac promoter. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) obtained by immunizing mice with B. melitensis B115 cell wall (CW) fraction or by infecting mice with virulent B. melitensis strain H38 and recognizing a 73-kDa band in immunoblotting of the B. melitensis CW fraction reacted with the cloned dnaK gene product and were thus shown to be specific for the heat shock protein DnaK. The anti-Dnak protein mAbs did not react with Escherichia coli control cells or cell lysates and could therefore be specific to Brucella DnaK protein epitopes. These mAbs were further used to study overproduction of the DnaK protein. B. melitensis DnaK overproduction in E. coli resulted in a defect in cell septation and formation of cell filaments. Immunogold labelling with the mAbs and electron microscopy localized the DnaK protein inside as well as outside the E. coli cells, probably resulting from lysis due to toxicity of the overproduced DnaK protein. These results indicated that overproduction of the B. melitensis DnaK protein in E. coli had similar physiological consequences as that of E. coli overproduced in E. coli. The DnaK protein localization in B. melitensis cells was essentially cytoplasmic, as shown by immunoelectron microscopy. Heat shock treatment of these cells resulted in increased binding of mAbs and labelling in the cytoplasm. However, in subcellular fractions the DnaK protein was predominantly found in the cell envelope fraction of B. melitensis, which could perhaps be due to interaction of the DnaK protein with membrane proteins.

Cloning and sequencing of the dnaK locus in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

The dnaK operon of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was cloned by the DNA-probing method using synthetic oligonucleotides designed on the basis of two of the most conserved regions in 30 different DnaK proteins (HSP70). The isolated insert-a BamHI 5.6-kb fragment-was sequenced and shown to contain three open-reading frames organized in an operon and coding for proteins analogous to DnaK, GrpE and DnaJ, successively.

Co-induction of DNA relaxation and synthesis of DnaK and GroEL proteins in

Co-induction of DNA relaxation and synthesis of DnaK and GroEL proteins in

Synthesis rates of cellular proteins involved in translation and protein folding are strongly altered in response to overproduction of basic fibroblast growth factor by recombinant Escherichia coli.

The cellular response to temperature-induced production of human basic fibroblast growth (bFGF) factor by recombinant E. coli (bacteriophage lambda PRPL promoter/cI857 repressor expression system) was studied by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Temperature shift from 30 to 42 degrees C caused the induction of heat-shock protein synthesis and the repression of synthesis of ribosomal proteins and the protein folding catalyst trigger factor. Compared to control cells, carrying the expression vector without structural bFGF gene cells, producing the heterologous protein exhibited a stronger increase in the synthesis rate of heat-shock proteins ClpB (HtpM), DnaK, HtpG, GroEL, GrpE, and IbpB (HtpE) in response to temperature upshift. Unexpectedly, formation of the chaperone heat-shock protein GroES was not detected after temperature shift to 42 degrees C in cells producing bFGF. In addition to amplified heat-shock protein formation, the syntheses of ribosomal proteins and of the protein folding catalyst trigger factor were more severely repressed after temperature upshift in cells producing bFGF. In conclusion, the normal cellular stress response caused by the high inducing temperature was strongly amplified by heterologous protein synthesis. In particular, syntheses of proteins involved in translation and protein folding were affected by the overproduction of the heterologous protein.

Bifunctional fusion proteins of calmodulin and protein A as affinity ligands in protein purification and in the study of protein-protein interactions.

An affinity chromatography system is described that incorporates a genetically designed bifunctional affinity ligand. The utility of the system in protein purification and in the study of protein-protein interactions is demonstrated by using the interaction between protein A and the heat shock protein DnaK as a model system. The bifunctional affinity ligand was developed by genetically fusing calmodulin (CaM) to protein A (ProtA). The dual functionality of protein A-calmodulin (ProtA-CaM) stems from the molecular recognition properties of the two components of the fusion protein. In particular, CaM serves as the anchoring component by virtue of its binding properties toward phenothiazine. Thus, the ProtA-CaM can be immobilized on a solid support containing phenothiazine from the C-terminal domain of the fusion protein. Protein A is at the N-terminal domain of the fusion protein and serves as the affinity site for DnaK. While DnaK binds specifically to the protein A domain of the bifunctional ligand, it is released upon addition of ATP and under very mild conditions (pH 7.0). In addition to obtaining highly purified DnaK, this system is very rugged in terms of its performance. The proteinaceous bifunctional affinity ligand can be easily removed by addition of EGTA, and fresh ProtA-CaM can be easily reloaded onto the column. This allows for a facile regeneration of the affinity column because the phenothiazine-silica support matrix is stable for long periods of time under a variety of conditions. This study also demonstrates that calmodulin fusions can provide a new approach to study protein-protein interactions. Indeed, the ProtA-CaM fusion protein identified DnaK as a cellular component that interacts with protein A from among the thousands of proteins present in Escherichia coli.

Analysis of Three DnaK Mutant Proteins Suggests That Progression through the ATPase Cycle Requires Conformational Changes

DnaK, the bacterial homolog of the eukaryotic hsp70 proteins, is an ATP-dependent chaperone whose basal ATPase is stimulated by synthetic peptides and its cohort heat shock proteins, DnaJ and GrpE. We have used three mutant DnaK proteins, E171K, D201N, and A174T (corresponding to Glu175, Asp206, and Ala179, respectively, in bovine heat stable cognate 70) to probe the ATPase cycle. All of the mutant proteins exhibit some alteration in basal ATP hydrolysis. However, they all exhibit more severe defects in the regulated activities. D201N and E171K are completely defective in all regulated activities of the protein and also in making the conformational change exhibited by the wt protein upon binding ATP. We suggest that the inability of D201N and E171K to achieve the ATP activated conformation prevents both stimulation by all effectors and the ATP-mediated release of GrpE. In contrast, the defect of A174T is much more specific. It exhibits normal binding and release of GrpE and normal stimulation of ATPase activity by DnaJ. However, it is defective in the synergistic activation of its ATPase by DnaJ and GrpE. We suggest that this mutant protein is specifically defective in a DnaJ/GrpE mediated conformational change in DnaK necessary for the synergistic action of DnaJ+GrpE.

Thermostability of lactate dehydrogenase LDH-A4 isoenzyme: Effect of heat shock protein DnaK on the enzyme activity

Cells exposed to temperature a few degrees higher than their growth temperature synthesize heat shock proteins (hsp) which may then compose even 20% of total protein content. This paper examined the in vitro protective effect of heat shock protein DnaK (70 kDa) from Escherichia coli against the heat inactivation of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme LDH-A4. The LDH-A4 isoenzyme was purified from fish skeletal muscle using the affinity chromatography on Oxamate-agarose. The enzyme was then heated in the absence and the presence of DnaK protein in a water bath at either 51 or 55°C. The LDH activity was determined by measuring the change in absorbency at 340 nm min−1 at 30°C. The addition of DnaK protein to the LDH-A4 isoenzyme before heat treatment can protect enzyme activity against mild thermal inactivation. Incubation of the LDH-A4 isoenzyme at 51°C in the presence of DnaK protein stimulates its activity by about 30%. The presence of 2 mM ATP can raise LDH activity by another 10%. No significant recovery was observed when DnaK protein was added to LDH at 25°C following earlier inactivation. The maximal activities (Vmax) in the presence of DnaK protein are almost twice those without DnaK protein in the case of heat-treated LDH-A4 isoenzyme at 51°C. The observed protection of LDH-A4 activity increased with the increasing DnaK protein concentration in the incubation medium. Results suggested that the presence of DnaK protein can protect LDH-A4 from heat inactivation. This action may be important as a part of cellular chaperone machinery capable of repairing heat-induced protein damage. It may have a fundamental role in the acquisition of the thermotolerance to stress temperatures.

GrpE Alters the Affinity of DnaK for ATP and Mg2+: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MECHANISM OF NUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE

DnaK, DnaJ, and GrpE heat shock proteins of Escherichia coli activate site-specific DNA binding by the RepA replication initiator protein of plasmid P1 in a reaction dependent on ATP and Mg2+. We previously showed that GrpE is essential for in vitro RepA activation specifically at about 1 microM free Mg2+. In this paper, we demonstrate that GrpE lowers the requirement of DnaK ATPase for Mg2+, resulting in a large stimulation of ATP hydrolysis at about 1 microM Mg2+ with and without DnaJ and RepA. In contrast to its effect on the Mg2+ requirement, GrpE increases the ATP requirement for DnaK ATPase and dramatically lowers the affinity of DnaK for ATP in the absence of Mg2+. We propose that GrpE not only lowers the affinity of DnaK for nucleotide but, by increasing affinity of DnaK for Mg2+, also weakens the interactions of Mg2+ with nucleotide prior to its release.

Analysis of the DnaK molecular chaperone system of Francisella tularensis

We have cloned the Francisella tularensis (Ft) grpE-dnaK-dnaJ heat-shock genes which are organized in that order. These genes allow heterologous genetic complementation of each respective mutant strain of Escherichia coli (Ec) for bacteriophage λ growth. The nucleotide sequences of the Ft grpE-dnaK-dnaJ genes and the deduced amino-acid sequences share significant homologies with their respective Ec counterparts. The Ft DnaK and DnaJ proteins crossreact with polyclonal antibodies raised against the respective Ec proteins. The grpE-dnaK-dnaJ genes of Ft are organized in a fashion that is more characteristic of Gram + bacteria.

Purification and Characterization of a DnaK-like and a GroEL-like Protein from Porphyromonas gingivalis

Heat-shock proteins of Porphyromonas gingivalis were demonstrated and two of them were purified and further characterized. The amplified de novo synthesis of two different proteins, with apparent molecular weights of 75 kDa and 68 kDa, was observed by autofluorography when a P. gingivalis culture incubated in a 14C-labeled amino acid mixture was shifted from 37°C to 44°C. Both proteins possessed ATP-binding abilities and were purified to almost homogeneity employing affinity chromatography on ATP-agarose followed by preparative SDS-PAGE. Purified 75 kDa and 68 kDa proteins had isoelectric points of 4.4 and 4.6, respectively. They were shown to be immunoreactive with commercial anti-DnaK and anti-GroEL polyclonal antibodies, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis of whole cells using antiserum raised against each purified protein from P. gingivalis, confirmed elevated synthesis of both proteins during thermal shock. A GroEL protein reacted strongly with antiserum against the 68 kDa protein. However, a DnaK protein reacted weakly with antiserum to the 75 kDa protein. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the DnaK-like protein (75 kDa) showed a high degree of homology with those of the HSP70 family including both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The N-terminal amino acid analysis of the GroEL-like protein (68 kDa) indicated that it was identical to those of cloned GroEL homologues from P. gingivalis.

DnaK expression in response to heat shock of Streptococcus mutans

The oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans, persistently colonizes human hosts and initiates oral disease despite extreme variations in environmental conditions. To begin to investigate the role of the stress protein, DnaK (Hsp70), in environmental stress responses by S. mutans, pulse—chase experiments were initially used to establish that a functional heat shock response existed in this organism. A C-terminal fragment of the S. mutans dnaK gene was cloned and engineered to be expressed with a histidine tag. Using the recombinant DnaK protein that had been purified by nickel affinity chromatography, an antibody specific for the S. mutans DnaK protein was generated to analyse DnaK expression under homeostatic and heat shock conditions. Western blot analysis indicated that the anti-recombinant DnaK antibody specifically recognized a protein (molecular mass approx. 68 kDa) which was induced in response to thermal stress. Elucidating the role of DnaK in responses by S. mutans to various environmental Stressors will provide a better understanding of how DnaK is involved in survival of extreme environments and the contribution of the DnaK protein to the virulence of S. mutans.

DnaK expression in response to heat shock of Streptococcus mutans.

The oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans, persistently colonizes human hosts and initiates oral disease despite extreme variations in environmental conditions. To begin to investigate the role of the stress protein, DnaK (Hsp70), in environmental stress responses by S. mutans, pulse-chase experiments were initially used to establish that a functional heat shock response existed in this organism. A C-terminal fragment of the S. mutans dnaK gene was cloned and engineered to be expressed with a histidine tag. Using the recombinant DnaK protein that had been purified by nickel affinity chromatography, an antibody specific for the S. mutans DnaK protein was generated to analyse DnaK expression under homeostatic and heat shock conditions. Western blot analysis indicated that the anti-recombinant DnaK antibody specifically recognized a protein (molecular mass approx. 68 kDa) which was induced in response to thermal stress. Elucidating the role of DnaK in responses by S. mutans to various environmental stressors will provide a better understanding of how DnaK is involved in survival of extreme environments and the contribution of the DnaK protein to the virulence of S. mutans.

The recA gene of Lactococcus lactis: characterization and involvement in oxidative and thermal stress.

The role of recA in Lactococcus lactis, a microaerophilic fermenting organism, was examined by constructing a recA-disrupted strain. This single alteration had a surprisingly pleiotropic effect. In addition to its roles in homologous recombination and DNA repair, recA is also involved in responses to oxygen and heat stresses. We found that oxygen stress induced by aeration causes reductions in growth and stationary-phase survival of the recA strain. Toxicity is a consequence of hydroxyl radical production via the Fenton Reaction and is alleviated by catalase or Ferrozine addition. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are not efficiently eliminated and accumulate in lactococcal cultures, and that RecA is needed to deal with the damage they incur. Unexpectedly, thermal stress arrested growth of the recA strain. Immunological data indicate that the recA mutant is deficient in heat-shock proteins DnaK, GroEL, and GrpE. Poor growth at elevated temperature is therefore due to a diminished heat-shock response in the recA strain. In contrast, levels of a novel heat-shock protein, HfIB, are elevated. In Escherichia coli, HfIB downregulates the heat-shock response by promoting degradation of the transcription factor sigma 32. We propose that recA regulates the heat-shock response via HfIB. This work provides the first evidence showing that two major pathways of stress response, induced by heat shock and DNA damage, are interactive.

Expression of DnaK and GroEL homologs in Leuconostoc esenteroides in response to heat shock, cold shock or chemical stress

The mechanism of adaptation of bacteria to survive at elevated temperature in the human host and the expression of heat-shock proteins in response to stress was examined by labelling with [ 35S]methionine. An increase in culture temperature from 26 °C to 37 °C induced expression of certain bacterial proteins (70 and 60 kDa). Heat shock at 40 °C, cold shock (10 °C), ethanol treatment or arsenite treatment also led to an increased expression of heat shock proteins of 70 and 60 kDa. Actinomycin D completely blocked the induction, indicating that transcription is required for the overexpression of stress proteins in Leuconostoc mesenteroides. N-terminal sequence analysis showed that these proteins were homologous to the highly conserved chaperone proteins DnaK and GroEL of Escherichia coli, respectively.

Divergent Effects of ATP on the Binding of the DnaK and DnaJ Chaperones to Each Other, or to Their Various Native and Denatured Protein Substrates

Using the native proteins lambda P, lambda O, delta 32, and RepA, as well as permanently unfolded alpha-carboxymethylated lactalbumin, we show that DnaK and DnaJ molecular chaperones possess differential affinity toward these protein substrates. In this paper we present evidence that the DnaK protein binds not only to short hydrophobic peptides, which are in an extended conformation, but also efficiently recognizes large native proteins (RepA, lambda P). The best substrate for either the DnaK or DnaJ chaperone is the native P1 coded replication RepA protein. The native delta 32 transcription factor binds more efficiently to DnaJ than to DnaK, whereas unfolded alpha-carboxymethylated lactalbumin or native lambda P binds more efficiently to DnaK than to the DnaJ molecular chaperone. The presence of nucleotides does not change the DnaJ affinity to any of the tested protein substrates. In the case of DnaK, the presence of ATP inhibits, while a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues markedly stimulates the binding of DnaK to all of these various protein substrates. ADP has no effect on these reactions. In contrast to substrate protein binding, DnaK binds to the DnaJ chaperone protein in a radically different manner, namely ATP stimulates whereas a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue inhibits the DnaK-DnaJ complex formation. Moreover, the DnaKc94 mutant protein lacking 94 amino acids from its C-terminal domain, which still possesses at ATPase activity and forms a transient complex with protein substrates, does not interact with DnaJ protein. We conclude that the DnaK-ADP form, derived from ATP hydrolysis, possesses low affinity to the protein substrates but can efficiently interact with DnaJ molecular chaperone.

Expression of DnaK and GroEL homologs in Leuconostoc esenteroides in response to heat shock, cold shock or chemical stress.

The mechanism of adaptation of bacteria to survive at elevated temperature in the human host and the expression of heat-shock proteins in response to stress was examined by labelling with [35S]methionine. An increase in culture temperature from 26 degrees C to 37 degrees C induced expression of certain bacterial proteins (70 and 60 kDa). Heat shock at 40 degrees C, cold shock (10 degrees C), ethanol treatment or arsenite treatment also led to an increased expression of heat shock proteins of 70 and 60 kDa. Actinomycin D completely blocked the induction, indicating that transcription is required for the overexpression of stress proteins in Leuconostoc mesenteroides. N-terminal sequence analysis showed that these proteins were homologous to the highly conserved chaperone proteins DnaK and GroEL of Escherichia coli, respectively.

The DnaJ chaperone catalytically activates the DnaK chaperone to preferentially bind the sigma 32 heat shock transcriptional regulator.

In Escherichia coli the heat shock response is under the positive control of the sigma 32 transcription factor. Three of the heat shock proteins, DnaK, DnaI, and GrpE, play a central role in the negative autoregulation of this response at the transcriptional level. Recently, we have shown that the DnaK and DnaJ proteins can compete with RNA polymerase for binding to the sigma 32 transcription factor in the presence of ATP, by forming a stable DnaJ-sigma 32-DnaK protein complex. Here, we report that DnaJ protein can catalytically activate DnaK's ATPase activity. In addition, DnaJ can activate DnaK to bind to sigma 32 in an ATP-dependent reaction, forming a stable sigma 32-DnaK complex. Results obtained with two DnaJ mutants, a missense and a truncated version, suggest that the N-terminal portion of DnaJ, which is conserved in all family members, is essential for this activation reaction. The activated form of DnaK binds preferentially to sigma 32 versus the bacteriophage lambda P protein substrate.