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V L Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to V L Robinson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

A tale of two components: a novel kinase and a regulatory switch.

Histidine protein kinases and response regulators form the basis of phosphotransfer signal transduction pathways. Commonly referred to as two-component systems, these modular and adaptable signaling schemes are prevalent in prokaryotes. Structures of the core domains of histidine kinases reveal a protein kinase fold different from that of the Ser/Thr/Tyr protein kinase family, but similar to that of other ATP binding domains. Recent structure determinations of phosphorylated response regulator domains indicate a conserved mechanism for the propagated conformational change that accompanies phosphorylation of an active site Asp residue. The altered molecular surface promotes specific protein-protein interactions that mediate the downstream response.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Two-component signal transduction.

Most prokaryotic signal-transduction systems and a few eukaryotic pathways use phosphotransfer schemes involving two conserved components, a histidine protein kinase and a response regulator protein. The histidine protein kinase, which is regulated by environmental stimuli, autophosphorylates at a histidine residue, creating a high-energy phosphoryl group that is subsequently transferred to an aspartate residue in the response regulator protein. Phosphorylation induces a conformational change in the regulatory domain that results in activation of an associated domain that effects the response. The basic scheme is highly adaptable, and numerous variations have provided optimization within specific signaling systems. The domains of two-component proteins are modular and can be integrated into proteins and pathways in a variety of ways, but the core structures and activities are maintained. Thus detailed analyses of a relatively small number of representative proteins provide a foundation for understanding this large family of signaling proteins.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

High energy exchange: proteins that make or break phosphoramidate bonds.

Several proteins that catalyze phosphoryl transfer reactions involving phosphohistidine residues have recently been structurally characterized. The architecture of two histidine kinases defines a new protein kinase fold. The diverse folds of several phosphotransfer proteins appear to be designed to foster protein-protein interactions between transfer partners.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Formate concentrations in a case of methanol ingestion.

An eight-month-old infant ingested at least 3.5 g of methanol when he accidentally received 5 mL of amoxicillin suspended in 70% methanol. The serum methanol concentration 8 h later was 9.7 mmol/L (310 mg/L) and the formate concentration 23 mmol/L (1.0 g/L). At 18 h after the ingestion, total CO2 had decreased to 6.8 mmol/L. Throughout the second day, 21-32 h after the ingestion, the methanol concentration was 2.8-3.4 mmol/L (90-110 mg/L) and that of formate was 31-33 mmol/L (1.4-1.5 g/L). On the third day, 46 h after the ingestion, methanol was not detected and the formate concentration had declined to 16 mmol/L (720 mg/L). The patient was treated with activated charcoal 7 h after the ingestion and with ethanol, administered both orally and intravenously, 21 h after the ingestion. No abnormalities of the infant's eyes were noted upon ophthalmological examination approximately 55 h after the incident.

Adult↗