Methylthioribose Kinase Research Articles

The genetic basis of natural variation for iron homeostasis in the maize IBM population.

BackgroundIron (Fe) deficiency symptoms in maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) express as leaf chlorosis, growth retardation, as well as yield reduction and are typically observed when plants grow in calcareous soils at alkaline pH. To improve our understanding of genotypical variability in the tolerance to Fe deficiency-induced chlorosis, the objectives of this study were to (i) determine the natural genetic variation of traits related to Fe homeostasis in the maize intermated B73 × Mo17 (IBM) population, (ii) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these traits, and (iii) to analyze expression levels of genes known to be involved in Fe homeostasis as well as of candidate genes obtained from the QTL analysis.ResultsIn hydroponically-grown maize, a total of 47 and 39 QTLs were detected for the traits recorded under limited and adequate supply of Fe, respectively.ConclusionsFrom the QTL results, we were able to identify new putative candidate genes involved in Fe homeostasis under a deficient or adequate Fe nutritional status, like Ferredoxin class gene, putative ferredoxin PETF, metal tolerance protein MTP4, and MTP8. Furthermore, our expression analysis of candidate genes suggested the importance of trans-acting regulation for 2’-deoxymugineic acid synthase 1 (DMAS1), nicotianamine synthase (NAS3, NAS1), formate dehydrogenase 1 (FDH1), methylthioribose-1-phosphate isomerase (IDI2), aspartate/tyrosine/aromatic aminotransferase (IDI4), and methylthioribose kinase (MTK).

Comparative Proteomics Analysis of the Rice Roots Colonized byHerbaspirillum seropedicaeStrain SmR1 Reveals Induction of the Methionine Recycling in the Plant Host

Although the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria in agriculture is a reality, the molecular basis of plant-bacterial interaction is still poorly understood. We used a proteomic approach to study the mechanisms of interaction of Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1 with rice. Root proteins of rice seedlings inoculated or noninoculated with H. seropedicae were separated by 2-D electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF and MASCOT program. Among the identified proteins of H. seropedicae, the dinitrogenase reductase NifH and glutamine synthetase GlnA, which participate in nitrogen fixation and ammonium assimilation, respectively, were the most abundant. The rice proteins up-regulated included the S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, methylthioribose kinase, and acireductone dioxygenase 1, all of which are involved in the methionine recycling. S-Adenosylmethionine synthetase catalyzes the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, an intermediate used in transmethylation reactions and in ethylene, polyamine, and phytosiderophore biosynthesis. RT-qPCR analysis also confirmed that the methionine recycling and phytosiderophore biosynthesis genes were up-regulated, while ACC oxidase mRNA level was down-regulated in rice roots colonized by bacteria. In agreement with these results, ethylene production was reduced approximately three-fold in rice roots colonized by H. seropedicae. The results suggest that H. seropedicae stimulates methionine recycling and phytosiderophore synthesis and diminishes ethylene synthesis in rice roots.

Structure of the Antibiotic Resistance Factor Spectinomycin Phosphotransferase from Legionella pneumophila

Aminoglycoside phosphotransferases (APHs) constitute a diverse group of enzymes that are often the underlying cause of aminoglycoside resistance in the clinical setting. Several APHs have been extensively characterized, including the elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of two APH(3') isozymes and an APH(2'') enzyme. Although many APHs are plasmid-encoded and are capable of inactivating numerous 2-deoxystreptmaine aminoglycosides with multiple regiospecificity, APH(9)-Ia, isolated from Legionella pneumophila, is an unusual enzyme among the APH family for its chromosomal origin and its specificity for a single non-2-deoxystreptamine aminoglycoside substrate, spectinomycin. We describe here the crystal structures of APH(9)-Ia in its apo form, its binary complex with the nucleotide, AMP, and its ternary complex bound with ADP and spectinomycin. The structures reveal that APH(9)-Ia adopts the bilobal protein kinase-fold, analogous to the APH(3') and APH(2'') enzymes. However, APH(9)-Ia differs significantly from the other two types of APH enzymes in its substrate binding area and that it undergoes a conformation change upon ligand binding. Moreover, kinetic assay experiments indicate that APH(9)-Ia has stringent substrate specificity as it is unable to phosphorylate substrates of choline kinase or methylthioribose kinase despite high structural resemblance. The crystal structures of APH(9)-Ia demonstrate and expand our understanding of the diversity of the APH family, which in turn will facilitate the development of new antibiotics and inhibitors.

Metabolic characteristics and importance of the universal methionine salvage pathway recycling methionine from 5′‐methylthioadenosine

The methionine salvage pathway, also called the 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) cycle, recycles the sulfur of MTA, which is a by-product in the biosyntheses of polyamine and the plant hormone ethylene. MTA is first converted to 5'-methylthioribose-1-phosphate either by MTA phosphorylase or the combined action of MTA nucleosidase and 5'-methylthioribose kinase. Subsequently, five additional enzymatic steps, catalyzed by four or five proteins, will form 4-methylthio-2-oxobutyrate, the deaminated form of methionine. The final transamination is achieved by transaminases active in the amino acid biosynthesis. This pathway is present with some variations in all types of organisms and seems to be designed for a quick removal of MTA achieved by high affinities of the first enzymes. During evolution some enzymes have attained additional functions, like a proposed role in nuclear mRNA processing by the aci-reductone dioxygenase. For others the function seems to be lost due to conditions in specific ecological niches, such as, presence of sulfur and/or absence of oxygen resulting in that, for example, Escherichia coli is lacking a functional pathway. The pathway is regulated as response to sulfur availability and take part in the regulation of polyamine synthesis. Some of the enzymes in the pathway show separate specificities in different organisms and some others are unique for groups of bacteria and parasites. Thus, promising targets for antimicrobial agents have been identified. Other medical topics to which this pathway has connections are cancer, apoptosis, and inflammatory response.

Increased Abundance of Proteins Involved in Phytosiderophore Production in Boron-Tolerant Barley

Boron (B) phytotoxicity affects cereal-growing regions worldwide. Although B-tolerant barley (Hordeum vulgare) germplasm is available, molecules responsible for this tolerance mechanism have not been defined. We describe and use a new comparative proteomic technique, iTRAQ peptide tagging (iTRAQ), to compare the abundances of proteins from B-tolerant and -intolerant barley plants from a 'Clipper' x 'Sahara' doubled-haploid population selected on the basis of a presence or absence of two B-tolerance quantitative trait loci. iTRAQ was used to identify three enzymes involved in siderophore production (Iron Deficiency Sensitive2 [IDS2], IDS3, and a methylthio-ribose kinase) as being elevated in abundance in the B-tolerant plants. Following from this result, we report a potential link between iron, B, and the siderophore hydroxymugineic acid. We believe that this study highlights the potency of the iTRAQ approach to better understand mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance in cereals, particularly when applied in conjunction with bulked segregant analysis.

Transcriptional analysis between two wheat near-isogenic lines contrasting in aluminum tolerance under aluminum stress

To understand the mechanisms of aluminum (Al) tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) libraries were constructed from Al-stressed roots of two near-isogenic lines (NILs). A total of 1,065 putative genes from the SSH libraries was printed in a cDNA array. Relative expression levels of those genes were compared between two NILs at seven time points of Al stress from 15 min to 7 days. Fifty-seven genes were differentially expressed for at least one time point of Al treatment. Among them, 28 genes including genes for aluminum-activated malate transporter-1, ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase-1, beta-glucosidase, lectin, histidine kinase, and phospoenolpyruvate carboxylase showed more abundant transcripts in Chisholm-T and therefore may facilitate Al tolerance. In addition, a set of genes related to senescence and starvation of nitrogen, iron, and sulfur, such as copper chaperone homolog, nitrogen regulatory gene-2, yellow stripe-1, and methylthioribose kinase, was highly expressed in Chisholm-S under Al stress. The results suggest that Al tolerance may be co-regulated by multiple genes with diverse functions, and those genes abundantly expressed in Chisholm-T may play important roles in enhancing Al tolerance. The down-regulated genes in Chisholm-S may repress root growth and restrict uptake of essential nutrient elements, and lead to root senescence.

Functional Analysis of Methylthioribose Kinase Genes in Plants

Through a biochemical and a genetic approach, we have identified several plant genes encoding methylthioribose (MTR) kinase, an enzyme involved in recycling of methionine through the methylthioadenosine (MTA) cycle. OsMTK1, an MTR kinase from rice (Oryza sativa), is 48.6 kD in size and shows cooperative kinetics with a V(max) of 4.9 pmol/min and a K0.5 of 16.8 microm. MTR kinase genes are the first genes to be identified from the MTA cycle in plants. Insertional mutagenesis of the unique AtMTK gene in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) resulted in an inability of plants to grow on MTA as a supplemental sulfur source. MTK knock-out plants were not impaired in growth under standard conditions, indicating that the MTA cycle is a nonessential metabolic pathway in Arabidopsis when sulfur levels are replete. In rice, OsMTK genes were strongly up-regulated in shoots and roots when plants were exposed to sulfur starvation. Gene expression was largely unaffected by lack of nitrogen or iron in the nutrient solution, indicating that OsMTK regulation was linked specifically to sulfur metabolism.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of 5′-methylthioribose kinase fromBacillus subtilisandArabidopsis thaliana

Recombinant Bacillus subtilis 5'-methylthioribose (MTR) kinase has been expressed, purified and subsequently crystallized using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion technique. With PEG 2000MME as the precipitant, two different crystal forms have been grown in the absence and presence of the detergent CHAPS. These crystals belong to space groups P2(1)2(1)2(1) (unit-cell parameters a = 193.7, b = 83.2, c = 51.6 A) and P2(1)2(1)2 (unit-cell parameters a = 213.8, b = 83.2, c = 51.5 A), respectively. The crystals grown in the presence of CHAPS diffract to 2.2 A resolution at Station X8C, National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). For both crystal forms, the presence of two monomers per asymmetric unit is predicted (Matthews coefficient V(M) = 2.29 and 2.52 A(3) Da(-1), respectively). Recombinant C-terminally histidine-tagged Arabidopsis thaliana MTR kinase has also been expressed, purified and refolded into its active form. Rod-shaped crystals of this protein were grown from PEG 8000 using the hanging-drop vapor-diffusion technique. These crystals exhibit the symmetry of space group C2 (unit-cell parameters a = 162.3, b = 83.3, c = 91.0 A, beta = 117.8 degrees ) and diffract to 1.9 A resolution at Station X8C, NSLS. Two monomers are estimated to be present in the asymmetric unit (V(M) = 2.82 A(3) Da(-1)).

Synthesis of 5‐methylthioribose specifically bitritiated at the 5‐C position

AbstractAn efficient and reliable method for the preparation of bitritiated‐methylthioribose from a suitably protected 5‐ketoazido‐ribose derivative has been developed. This compound is an essential component in the assay of the microbial enzyme methylthioribose kinase, which is involved in the methionine salvage pathway from methylthioadenosine. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MtnK, methylthioribose kinase, is a starvation-induced protein in Bacillus subtilis.

Methylthioadenosine, the main by-product of spermidine synthesis, is degraded in Bacillus subtilis as adenine and methylthioribose. The latter is an excellent sulfur source and the precursor of quorum-sensing signalling molecules. Nothing was known about methylthioribose recycling in this organism. Using trifluoromethylthioribose as a toxic analog to select for resistant mutants, we demonstrate that methylthioribose is first phosphorylated by MtnK, methylthioribose kinase, the product of gene mtnK (formerly ykrT), expressed as an operon with mtnS (formerly ykrS) in an abundant transcript with a S-box leader sequence. Although participating in methylthioribose recycling, the function of mtnS remained elusive. We also show that MtnK synthesis is boosted under starvation condition, in the following decreasing order: carbon-, sulfur- and nitrogen-starvation. We finally show that this enzyme is part of the family Pfam 01633 (choline kinases) which belongs to a large cluster of orthologs comprizing antibiotic aminoglycoside kinases and protein serine/threonine kinases. The first step of methylthioribose recycling is phosphorylation by MTR kinase, coded by the mtnK (formerly ykrT) gene. Analysis of the neighbourhood of mtnK demonstrates that genes located in its immediate vicinity (now named mtnUVWXYZ, formerly ykrUVWXYZ) are also required for methylthioribose recycling.

Methionine recycling pathways and antimalarial drug design.

5'-Deoxy-5'-(methylthio)adenosine (MTA) is an S-adenosylmethionine metabolite that is generated as a by-product of polyamine biosynthesis. In mammalian cells, MTA undergoes a phosphorolytic cleavage catalyzed by MTA phosphorylase to produce adenine and 5-deoxy-5-(methylthio)ribose-1-phosphate (MTRP). Adenine is utilized in purine salvage pathways, and MTRP is subsequently recycled to methionine. Whereas some microorganisms metabolize MTA to MTRP via MTA phosphorylase, others metabolize MTA to MTRP in two steps via initial cleavage by MTA nucleosidase to adenine and 5-deoxy-5-(methylthio)ribose (MTR) followed by conversion of MTR to MTRP by MTR kinase. In order to assess the extent to which these pathways may be operative in Plasmodium falciparum, we have examined a series of 5'-alkyl-substituted analogs of MTA and the related MTR analogs and compared their abilities to inhibit in vitro growth of this malarial parasite. The MTR analogs 5-deoxy-5-(ethylthio)ribose and 5-deoxy-5-(hydroxyethylthio)ribose were inactive at concentrations up to 1 mM, and 5-deoxy-5-(monofluoroethylthio)ribose was weakly active (50% inhibitory concentration = 700 microM). In comparison, the MTA analogs, 5'-deoxy-5'-(ethylthio)adenosine,5'-deoxy-5'-(hydroxyethylthio)ade nosine (HETA), and 5'-deoxy-5'-(monofluoroethylthio)adenosine, had 50% inhibitory concentrations of 80, 46, and 61 microM, respectively. Extracts of P. falciparum were found to have substantial MTA phosphorylase activity. Coadministration of MTA with HETA partially protected the parasites against the growth-inhibitory effects of HETA. Results of this study indicate that P. falciparum has an active MTA phosphorylase that can be targeted by analogs of MTA.

Regulation of methylthioribose kinase by methionine in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

5-Methylthioribose (MTR) kinase catalyses a key step in the recycling of methionine from 5'-methylthioadenosine, a co-product of polyamine biosynthesis, in Klebsiella pneumoniae. In defined medium lacking methionine, K. pneumoniae exhibits abundant MTR kinase activity. When the bacterium is transferred to a medium containing 10 mM-methionine, the specific activity of MTR kinase decreases in a fashion consistent with repression of new enzyme synthesis and dilution of existing enzyme by cell division. The specific activity of methionine synthase decreases to a similar degree under the same conditions. In Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, the gene for methionine synthase is co-ordinately controlled as part of the methionine regulon. Taken together, our results indicate that a methionine regulon may function in K. pneumoniae and that expression of MTR kinase may be under its control.

Methionine recycling as a target for antiprotozoal drug development

The development of new and effective ontiprotozool drugs has been difficult because of the close metabolic relationship between protozoa and mammalian cells. In this article, Michael Riscoe, Al Ferro and john Fitchen present their hypothesis for chemotherapeutic exploitation of methylthioribose (MTR) kinase, an enzyme critical to methionine salvage in certain protozoa. They propose that analogues of MTR if properly designed, would be converted to toxic products in organisms that contain MTR kinase but not in mammalian cells, which lack this enzyme.

Exploitation of methylthioribose kinase in the development of antiprotozoal drugs.

Parasitic infections such as malaria and giardiasis cause some of the most prevalent diseases of man and produce extensive morbidity and mortality around the world1. For example, over 600 million people are chronically infected with Plasmodium falciparum and at least 1.5 million malaria-related deaths occur each year2, 3. Moreover, it has been estimated that death and illness due to malaria cost third world countries over $2 trillion annually4. Despite intensive research efforts, the development of new and effective antimalarial drugs has been difficult because of the close metabolic relationship between protozoa and human cells.KeywordsPlasmodium FalciparumEnterobacter AerogenesMurine Bone MarrowIntensive Research EffortPromyelocytic Leukemia Cell LineThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.