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R Kahmann

Publications and source records attributed to R Kahmann.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A two-component regulatory system for self/non-self recognition in Ustilago maydis.

In U. maydis the multiallelic b locus controls sexual and pathogenic development. In the b locus a gene coding for a regulatory protein had been identified, and it was suggested that the interaction of two b polypeptides specified by different alleles programs sexual development in this fungus. We now demonstrate the existence of a second regulatory gene in the b locus. We term this gene bW and refer to the former as the bE gene. Both genes exist in many alleles. Although unrelated in primary sequence, both genes are similar in their overall organization. The gene products display allele-specific variability in their N-terminal domains, show a high degree of sequence conservation in the C-terminal domains, and contain a homeodomain-related motif. Genetic evidence is provided to show that the pair of bE and bW polypeptides encoded by different b alleles is the key regulatory species.

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

The a mating type locus of U. maydis specifies cell signaling components.

The a mating type locus of the phytopathogenic fungus U. maydis controls fusion of haploid cells and filamentous growth of the dikaryotic mycelium. The a locus exists in two alleles, termed a1 and a2, which are defined by nonhomologous DNA regions comprising 4.5 kb for a1 and 8 kb for a2, flanked by identical sequences. Based on functional assays, mutants, and sequencing, we demonstrate that the mating type in each allele is determined by a set of two genes. One encodes a precursor for a lipopeptide mating factor, and the other specifies the receptor for the pheromone secreted by cells of opposite mating type. Thus, U. maydis employs a novel strategy to determine its mating type by providing the primary determinants of cell-cell recognition directly from the mating type locus.

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

The E.coli fis promoter is subject to stringent control and autoregulation.

The DNA binding protein FIS is involved in processes like site specific DNA inversion, lambda excision and stimulation of stable RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli. The amount of FIS protein is subject to dramatic changes during growth. We demonstrate that fis is part of an operon with one ORF of unknown function preceding the fis gene. Regulation of fis synthesis occurs at the transcriptional level. Within 15 min after nutritional upshift a large burst of fis mRNA is produced which levels off when cells begin to grow. By mutational analysis using promoter-lacZ fusions we demonstrate that the fis promoter is autoregulated by FIS. Growth phase regulation of the fis promoter depends on the presence of a GC motif downstream of the -10 region. We show that the fis promoter is subject to stringent control and discuss this unusual feature with respect to the known and putative functions FIS serves in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The N-terminal part of the E.coli DNA binding protein FIS is essential for stimulating site-specific DNA inversion but is not required for specific DNA binding.

FIS protein is involved in several different cellular processes stimulating site-specific recombination in phages Mu and lambda as well as transcription of stable RNA operons in E.coli. We have performed a mutational analysis of fis and provide genetic and biochemical evidence that a truncated version of FIS lacking the N-terminal region is sufficient for specific DNA binding and for stimulating lambda excision. These mutants also retain their ability to autoregulate fis gene expression. Such mutant proteins, however, cannot stimulate the enhancer dependent DNA inversion reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Translational stimulation: RNA sequence and structure requirements for binding of Com protein.

Translation of the bacteriophage Mu mom gene is positively regulated by the phage Com protein. We report here that purified Com protein specifically stimulates mom gene expression in vitro. Furthermore, Com is shown to bind a site in the mom translational initiation region (TIR) in a sequence-specific manner. In vitro RNA footprint experiments have been used to define the Com-binding site and to study mRNA secondary structure in the mom TIR. Com binding is shown to correlate with a conformational change in the mom TIR both in vivo and in vitro. The role of secondary structure was further examined by testing the effects of mutations in the TIR on translation and stimulation. The results support a model for translational stimulation in which Com binding induces a conformational change in the mom mRNA, thereby enhancing ribosome binding.

Bacteriophage mu↗
PubMed1991

Three-dimensional structure of the E. coli DNA-binding protein FIS.

The factor for inversion stimulation, FIS, is involved in several cellular processes, including site-specific recombination and transcriptional activation. In the reactions catalysed by the DNA invertases Gin, Hin and Cin, FIS stimulates recombination by binding to an enhancer sequence. Within the enhancer, two FIS dimers (each 2 x 98 amino acids) bind to two 15-base-pair consensus sequences and induce bending of the DNA. Current models propose that the enhancer-FIS complex organizes a specific synapse, either through direct interactions with Gin, or by modelling the substrate into a configuration suitable for recombination. Using X-ray analysis at 2.0 A resolution, we now show that FIS is composed of four alpha helices tightly intertwined to form a globular dimer with two protruding helix-turn-helix motifs. The 24 N-terminal amino acids are so poorly defined in the electron density map as to make interpretation doubtful, indicating that they might act as 'feelers' suitable for DNA or protein (invertase) recognition. We infer from model building that DNA has to bend for tight binding to FIS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The Gin recombinase of phage Mu can catalyse site-specific recombination in plant protoplasts.

A mutant Gin recombinase of the phage Mu DNA inversion system was successfully expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco protoplasts. Site-specific recombination was monitored both physically and biologically with the help of a recombination assay system in which expression of a beta-glucuronidase (gus) gene requires Gin-mediated recombination. We demonstrate that the wild-type Gin protein is not able to promote recombination in plant protoplasts, presumably because plant cells do not contain a protein that can substitute for the Escherichia coli FIS protein needed for full activity of wild-type Gin in E. coli. A FIS-independent Gin mutant protein on the other hand was efficient in promoting recombination on recombination substrates introduced transiently and on substrates stably integrated into the plant genome. We discuss the various advantages this system can provide for genetic manipulation of plant cells.

Bacteriophage mu↗
PubMed1991

Lumbosacral kyphosis, tethered cord, and diplomyelia. A unique spinal dysraphic condition.

Four patients are described with a triad of neuroectodermal abnormalities consisting of lumbosacral kyphosis, tethered cord, and dyplomyelia. Of utmost importance is the recognition of the association between this type of kyphosis and the underlying spinal cord pathology and the progressive nature of the deformity. The patient presenting with lumbosacral kyphos and the presence of sacral hypoplasia should have a neuroradiographic evaluation (magnetic resonance imaging scanning or enhanced computed tomography) to rule out the presence of a tethered cord or other neural abnormalities. Early surgical intervention for release of the tether and fusion should be carried out to prevent neurologic deterioration and curve progression.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed1990

Processive recombination by the phage Mu Gin system: implications for the mechanisms of DNA strand exchange, DNA site alignment, and enhancer action.

The Gin DNA invertase of bacteriophage Mu carries out processive recombination in which multiple rounds of exchange follow synaptic complex formation. The stereostructure of the knotted products determined by electron microscopy establishes critical features of site synapsis and DNA exchange. Surprisingly, the invertase knots substrates with directly repeated sites as well as those with inverted sites. The results suggest that the Gin synaptic complex contains three mutually perpendicular dyads; one is the axis of site rotation during exchange, and they cause inverted and direct site substrates to form a similar synaptic complex. The extensive knotting by Gin has implications for the energetics of recombination and shows that the enhancer for recombination is required only at an early stage, and thus may normally operate in a hit-and-run fashion.

Bacteriophage mu↗
PubMed1990

The b alleles of U. maydis, whose combinations program pathogenic development, code for polypeptides containing a homeodomain-related motif.

U. maydis is a fungal pathogen of corn with two forms: one is yeast-like and nonpathogenic; the other is filamentous and pathogenic. The b locus, with 25 different alleles, regulates this dimorphism: any combination of two different alleles triggers pathogenic development, whereas the presence of identical alleles results in the yeast-like form. We have cloned four b alleles (b1, b2, b3, and b4) and show that the b locus contains a single open reading frame (ORF) of 410 amino acids with a variable N-terminal region and a highly conserved C-terminal region (60% and 93% identity, respectively). Mutational analysis confirms that this ORF is responsible for b activity. The b polypeptides appear to be DNA binding proteins because they contain a motif related to the homeodomain in their constant region. We propose that combinatorial interactions between b polypeptides generate regulatory proteins that determine the developmental program of the fungus.

Alleles↗
PubMed1989

Crystallization of the DNA-binding Escherichia coli protein FIS.

The specific DNA-binding protein FIS (factor for inversion stimulation), which stimulates site-specific DNA inversion by interaction with an enhancer sequence, was purified from an Escherichia coli strain overproducing the protein. FIS was crystallized at room temperature by microdialysis against 1.2 to 1.5 M-sodium/potassium phosphate containing 10 mM-Tris.HCl, 0.5 to 1 M-NaCl and 1 mM-NaN3 at pH 8.0 to 8.2. The crystals are stout prisms and suitable for X-ray diffraction study beyond 2.5 A resolution. They belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). The unit cell has dimensions a = 47.57(4) A, b = 51.13(4) A, c = 79.83(6) A and contains one FIS dimer in the asymmetric unit.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1989

Translation of the bacteriophage Mu mom gene is positively regulated by the phage com gene product.

Expression of the bacteriophage Mu mom gene is subject to posttranscriptional regulation by the phage com gene product. We have used mom-lacZ translational fusion genes to define the sequence requirements for stimulation of mom expression by Com. We show that the mom translation initiation region (TIR) is inactive in the absence of Com. We suggest that this repressed state is due to mRNA secondary structure in the TIR, since a deletion that destabilizes a stem-loop structure in the TIR results in high levels of Com-independent translation. We identify sequences on the mRNA, adjacent to the stem and loop, that are required for stimulation by Com. We propose that Com acts to stimulate initiation of translation by relieving the structural repression of the mom TIR. Indirect evidence is presented suggesting that Com binds to a site in the TIR.

Bacteriophage mu↗
PubMed1989

The Escherichia coli regulatory protein OxyR discriminates between methylated and unmethylated states of the phage Mu mom promoter.

Expression of the phage Mu mom gene is transcriptionally regulated by DNA methylation. Three GATC sites upstream of the mom promoter have to be methylated by the Escherichia coli deoxyadenosine methylase (Dam) to allow initiation of transcription. An E. coli dam strain was mutagenized with Tn5 in an attempt to isolate mutants which allow mom gene expression. Three independent Tn5 mutants were isolated, each mapped to a gene at 89.6 min which we designate momR. The wildtype gene was cloned and sequenced, it encodes a protein of 305 amino acids. The protein belongs to a group of related bacterial activators recently identified as the LysR family (Henikoff et al., 1988). MomR protein was overproduced and purified. Expression of momR is autoregulated; MomR binds to a 43 bp region upstream of its coding sequence. In the mom promoter MomR protects a 43 bp region containing the three GATC sites. Specific binding to these sequences was observed only with unmethylated DNA. Fortuitously, we learned that MomR is identical to OxyR, a regulatory protein responding to oxidative stress. We discuss the implications of this control for Mu development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Role of bacteriophage Mu C protein in activation of the mom gene promoter.

The phage Mu C gene product is a specific activator of Mu late gene transcription, including activation of the mom operon. Fusion of the C gene to the efficient translation initiation region of the Escherichia coli atpE gene allowed significant overproduction of C protein, which was subsequently purified and assayed for DNA binding by gel retardation and nuclease footprinting techniques. C protein binds to a site immediately upstream of the -35 region both of the mom promoter and the related phage D108 mod promoter. The location of the mom promoter has been determined by primer extension. Upstream deletions extending more than 3 base pairs into the C-binding site abolished activation of the mom promoter in vivo. In vitro binding of C was not significantly affected by DNA methylation. A second, C-dependent promoter was identified just downstream of the C coding region; comparison with the mom promoter revealed common structural elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Isolation and characterization of unusual gin mutants.

Site-specific inversion of the G segment in phage Mu DNA is promoted by two proteins, the DNA invertase Gin and the host factor FIS. Recombination occurs if the recombination sites (IR) are arranged as inverted repeats and a recombinational enhancer sequence is present in cis. Intermolecular reactions as well as deletions between direct repeats of the IRs rarely occur. Making use of a fis- mutant of Escherichia coli we have devised a scheme to isolate gin mutants that have a FIS independent phenotype. This mutant phenotype is caused by single amino acid changes at five different positions of gin. The mutant proteins display a whole set of new properties in vivo: they promote inversions, deletions and intermolecular recombination in an enhancer- and FIS-independent manner. The mutants differ in recombination activity. The most active mutant protein was analysed in vitro. The loss of site orientation specificity was accompanied with the ability to recombine even linear substrates. We discuss these results in connection with the role of the enhancer and FIS protein in the wild-type situation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Site-specific recombination in bacteriophage Mu: characterization of binding sites for the DNA invertase Gin.

Site-specific DNA inversion in phage Mu is catalysed by the phage-encoded DNA invertase Gin and a host factor FIS. We demonstrate that purified Gin protein binds specifically to 34-bp sequences that flank the G segment as inverted repeats. Each inverted repeat (IR) contains two binding sites for Gin which have to be arranged in a specific configuration to constitute a recombinogenic site. While one of these sites is bound when present alone, the other site is bound only in conjunction with the first one, suggesting cooperative binding. In addition to the sites within the IR, Gin binds with lower affinity to AT-rich sequences adjacent to the IR. We demonstrate that these sites do not participate in the inversion reaction. The IR itself can be shortened to 25 bp without effect on inversion frequency. Using gel mobility shift experiments on circular permuted fragments containing the IR we show that Gin bends DNA upon binding. We discuss the possibility that DNA bending is related to the formation of a productive synaptic complex.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1988

The DNA invertase Gin of phage Mu: formation of a covalent complex with DNA via a phosphoserine at amino acid position 9.

The DNA invertase Gin encoded by bacteriophage Mu catalyses efficient site-specific recombination between inverted repeat sequences (IR) in vivo and in vitro in the presence of the host factor FIS and the recombinational enhancer. We demonstrate that Gin alone is able to introduce single strand breaks into duplex DNA fragments which contain the IR sequence. Strand cleavage is site-specific and can occur on either strand within the IR. Cleaved molecules contain Gin covalently attached to DNA. The covalent complex is formed through linkage of Gin to the 5' DNA phosphate at the site of the break via a phosphoserine. Extensive site-directed mutational analysis showed that all mutants altered at serine position 9 were completely recombination deficient in vivo and in vitro. The mutant proteins bind to DNA but lack topoisomerase activity and are unable to introduce nicks. This holds true even for a conservative amino acid substitution at position 9. We conclude that serine at position 9 is part of the catalytic domain of Gin. The intriguing finding that the DNA invertase Gin has the same catalytic center as the DNA resolvases that promote deletions without recombinational enhancer and host factor FIS is discussed.

Base Sequence↗