Chaperone-like properties of lysophospholipids.

Lysophospholipids are metabolic intermediates in phospholipid turnover, detergent molecules with membrane-modulating effects, and multifunctional cellular growth factors in eukaryotic cells. In bacterial cells, lysophospholipids are mostly found in the form of lysophosphatidylethanolamine. We show that a heat shock from 30 to 42 degrees C increases four-fold the Escherichia coli pool of lysophosphoethanolamine and that lysophospholipids display chaperone-like properties. Lysophosphatidylethanolamine, like molecular chaperones such as DnaK, promotes the functional folding of citrate synthase and alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation. Like chaperones, lysophophatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidic acid prevent the aggregation of citrate synthase at 42 degrees C. The renaturation and solubilisation of proteins by lysophospholipids occur at micromolar concentrations of these compounds, close to their critical micellar concentration. Furthermore, lysophosphatidylethanolamine is much more efficient than other detergents tested for the renaturation and solubilisation of citrate synthase. In contrast with lysophospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine are not able to promote citrate synthase folding nor to prevent its aggregation at 42 degrees C. The chaperone-like properties of lysophospholipids suggest that, in addition to their known functions, they might affect the structure and function of hydrophilic proteins.

Amount and redox state of cytoplasmic, membrane and periplasmic proteins in Escherichia coli redox mutants.

We analyzed the amount and redox state of cytoplasmic, membrane and periplasmic proteins in Escherichia coli mutants deficient in thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, glutathione and DsbA, by observing the electrophoretic profile of bacterial extracts after in vivo labelling with monobromobimane. Our results show that these mutations affected not only the amount and the redox state of proteins localized in the same compartment as the deficient oxidoreductase, but also those of the proteins localized in other compartments. These results concord with the hypothesis that there is a link between the redox reactions that occur in the cytoplasm and the periplasm.

Translational defects of Escherichia coli mutants deficient in the Um(2552) 23S ribosomal RNA methyltransferase RrmJ/FTSJ.

We recently identified RrmJ (alias FtsJ), the first encoded protein of the rrmJ-hflB heat shock operon, as an Um(2552) methyltransferase of the 23S rRNA. We now report that the rrmJ-deficient strain exhibits growth and translational defects compared to the wild-type strain. Growth rates of the rrmJ mutant are decreased at both low and high temperatures. Protein synthesis activity is reduced up to 65% when S(30) rrmJ mutant extracts are tested in a coupled in vitro transcription/translation assay. In vitro methylation of these extracts by RrmJ partially restores protein synthesis activity. Polysome profile analysis of the rrmJ strain reveals an increase in the proportion of free 30S and 50S subunits at both 30 and 42 degrees C. These results suggest that the RrmJ-catalyzed methylation of Um(2552) in 23S RNA strengthens ribosomal subunit interactions, increases protein synthesis activity, and improves cell growth rates even at non-heat shock temperatures.

The FtsJ/RrmJ heat shock protein of Escherichia coli is a 23 S ribosomal RNA methyltransferase.

Ribosomal RNAs undergo several nucleotide modifications including methylation. We identify FtsJ, the first encoded protein of the ftsJ-hflB heat shock operon, as an Escherichia coli methyltransferase of the 23 S rRNA. The methylation reaction requires S-adenosylmethionine as donor of methyl groups, purified FtsJ or a S(150) supernatant from an FtsJ-producing strain, and ribosomes from an FtsJ-deficient strain. In vitro, FtsJ does not efficiently methylate ribosomes purified from a strain producing FtsJ, suggesting that these ribosomes are already methylated in vivo by FtsJ. FtsJ is active on ribosomes and on the 50 S ribosomal subunit, but is inactive on free rRNA, suggesting that its natural substrate is ribosomes or a pre-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein particle. We identified the methylated nucleotide as 2'-O-methyluridine 2552, by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis, boronate affinity chromatography, and hybridization-protection experiments. In view of its newly established function, FtsJ is renamed RrmJ and its encoding gene, rrmJ.

Chaperone properties of bacterial elongation factor EF-G and initiation factor IF2.

Elongation factor G(EF-G) and initiation factor 2 (IF2) are involved in the translocation of ribosomes on mRNA and in the binding of initiator tRNA to the 30 S ribosomal subunit, respectively. Here we report that the Escherichia coli EF-G and IF2 interact with unfolded and denatured proteins, as do molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. EF-G and IF2 promote the functional folding of citrate synthase and alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation. They prevent the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat shock conditions, and they form stable complexes with unfolded proteins such as reduced carboxymethyl alpha-lactalbumin. Furthermore, the EF-G and IF2-dependent renaturations of citrate synthase are stimulated by GTP, and the GTPase activity of EF-G and IF2 is stimulated by the permanently unfolded protein, reduced carboxymethyl alpha-lactalbumin. The concentrations at which these chaperone-like functions occur are lower than the cellular concentrations of EF-G and IF2. These results suggest that EF-G and IF2, in addition to their role in translation, might be implicated in protein folding and protection from stress.

Elongation factor Tu and DnaK are transferred from the cytoplasm to the periplasm of Escherichia coli during osmotic downshock presumably via the mechanosensitive channel mscL.

Upon osmotic downshock, a few cytoplasmic proteins, including thioredoxin, elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), and DnaK, are released from Tris-EDTA-treated Escherichia coli cells by an unknown mechanism. We have shown previously that deletion of mscL, the gene coding for the mechanosensitive channel of the plasma membrane with the highest conductance, prevents the release of thioredoxin. We confirm and extend the implication of MscL in this process by showing that the release of EF-Tu and DnaK is severely impaired in MscL-deficient strains. Release of these proteins is not observed in the absence of a Tris-EDTA treatment which disrupts the outer membrane, indicating that, in intact cells, they are transferred to the periplasm upon shock, presumably through the MscL channel.

Interaction of DnaK with native proteins and membrane proteins correlates with their accessible hydrophobicity.

Molecular chaperones are involved in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, and protein renaturation after stress. They interact specifically with hydrophobic sequences that are exposed in unfolded proteins, and buried in native proteins. We have studied the interaction of DnaK with native water-soluble proteins and membrane proteins. DnaK-native protein interactions are characterized by dissociation constants between 1 and 50 microM (compared with 0.01-1 microM for unfolded proteins). This affinity is within the range of most intracellular protein concentrations, suggesting that DnaK interacts with a greater number of native proteins than previously suspected. We found a correlation between the affinity of native proteins for DnaK and their affinity for hydrophobic-interaction chromatography adsorbents, suggesting that DnaK interacts with exposed hydrophobic groups in native proteins. The interaction between DnaK and membrane proteins is characterized by DnaK's high affinity for detergent-solubilized membrane proteins, and its lower affinity for membrane proteins inserted in lipid bilayers, suggesting that the chaperone can interact with the hydrophobic sequences of the former, while it cannot penetrate the hydrophobic core of lipid bilayers. Thus, the specificity of DnaK for hydrophobic sequences is involved in its interaction with not only unfolded proteins, but also native water-soluble proteins and membrane proteins. All proteins interact with DnaK according to their exposed hydrophobicity.

Protein-disulfide isomerase activity of elongation factor EF-Tu.

EF-Tu is involved in the binding and transport of the appropriate codon-specified aminoacyl-tRNA to the aminoacyl site of the ribosome. We and others have recently shown that the Escherichia coli EF-Tu, in additon to its acknowledged role in translation elongation, displays chaperone-like properties. We report here that EF-Tu, like thioredoxin, protein disulfide isomerase, and DsbA, catalyzes protein disulfide formation (oxidative renaturation of reduced RNase), reduction (reduction of insulin disulfides), and isomerization (refolding of randomly oxidized RNase). In contrast with most protein disulfide isomerases which possess vicinal cysteines and form an intramolecular disulfide upon oxidation, EF-Tu, which does not possess vicinal cysteines, forms intermolecular disulfides upon oxidation, resulting in the appearance of multimeric forms.

Purification of elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-G from Escherichia coli by covalent chromatography on thiol-sepharose.

The elongation factors EF-Tu and EF-G of Escherichia coli are involved in the transport of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes and the translocation of ribosomes on mRNA, respectively. Both possess cysteine residues that are important for activity. We took advantage of this property to design a purification protocol based on thiol-Sepharose chromatography, a method involving thiol-disulfide interchange between protein thiol groups and the glutathione-2-pyridyl-disulfide conjugate of the affinity resin. Bacterial cells were lysed by a lysozyme-EDTA method, and the lysate supernatant was purified by chromatography on, first, DEAE-Sephacel and, then thiol-Sepharose. Both elongation factors were purified in a single procedure, since DEAE-Sephacel fractions containing both factors were loaded on the thiol-Sepharose column. Thiol-Sepharose chromatography efficiently separates each elongation factor from all contaminating proteins. The purified elongation factors were characterized by SDS-PAGE, protein sequencing, and biological activity. The specific reactivities of the elongation factors with thiol-Sepharose allow their efficient purification and suggest that they possess hitherto undiscovered properties connected with their reactive thiols.

Chaperone properties of bacterial elongation factor EF-Tu.

Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) is involved in the binding and transport of the appropriate codon-specified aminoacyl-tRNA to the aminoacyl site of the ribosome. We report herewith that the Escherichia coli EF-Tu interacts with unfolded and denatured proteins as do molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. EF-Tu promotes the functional folding of citrate synthase and alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation. It prevents the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat shock conditions, and it forms stable complexes with several unfolded proteins such as reduced carboxymethyl alpha-lactalbumin and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. The EF-Tu.GDP complex is much more active than EF-Tu.GTP in stimulating protein renaturation. These chaperone-like functions of EF-Tu occur at concentrations that are at least 20-fold lower than the cellular concentration of this factor. These results suggest that EF-Tu, in addition to its function in translation elongation, might be implicated in protein folding and protection from stress.

Chaperone properties of the bacterial periplasmic substrate-binding proteins.

Bacterial periplasmic substrate-binding proteins are initial receptors in the process of active transport across cell membranes and/or chemotaxis. Each of them binds a specific substrate (e.g. sugar, amino acid, or ion) with high affinity. For transport, each binding protein interacts with a cognate membrane complex consisting of two hydrophobic proteins and two subunits of a hydrophilic ATPase. For chemotaxis, binding proteins interact with specific membrane chemotaxis receptors. We report, herewith, that the oligopeptide-binding protein OppA of Escherichia coli, the maltose-binding protein MalE of E. coli, and the galactose-binding protein MglB of Salmonella typhimurium interact with unfolded and denatured proteins, such as the molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. These periplasmic substrate-binding proteins promote the functional folding of citrate synthase and alpha-glucosidase after urea denaturation. They prevent the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat shock conditions, and they form stable complexes with several unfolded proteins, such as reduced carboxymethyl alpha-lactalbumin and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. These chaperone-like functions are displayed by both the liganded and ligand-free forms of binding proteins, and they occur at binding protein concentrations that are 10-100-fold lower than their periplasmic concentration. These results suggest that bacterial periplasmic substrate-binding proteins, in addition to their function in transport and chemotaxis, might be implicated in protein folding and protection from stress in the periplasm.

DnaJ potentiates the interaction between DnaK and alpha-helical peptides.

Molecular chaperones bind selectively to nascent, unfolded, misfolded, or aggregated polypeptides, and are involved in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, and protein renaturation after stress. The DnaK chaperone of Escherichia coli is known to interact preferentially with positively charged hydrophobic peptides in an extended conformation. Accordingly, we show in the present study that DnaK has a low affinity for alpha-helical peptides. In the presence of its co-chaperone DnaJ and ATP, however, DnaK interacts more efficiently with alpha-helical peptides. This suggests that DnaJ triggers a conformational change in DnaK which improves its interaction with these peptides. The ability of the DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE chaperone machine to interact with alpha-helical peptides (which represent the most frequent secondary structure in proteins) should be an important part of its role in protein folding and renaturation.

Defect in export and synthesis of the periplasmic galactose receptor MglB in dnaK mutants of Escherichia coli, and decreased stability of the mglB mRNA.

The high-affinity galactose permease, which comprises the periplasmic galactose receptor MglB, the membrane translocator MglC and the membrane-associated ATPase MglA, displayed a reduced activity in a dnaK temperature-sensitive mutant of Escherichia coli. This reduced transport activity correlated with a reduction in the quantity of MglB. At 42 degrees C, an accumulation of pre-MglB in the dnaK temperature-sensitive mutant reflected a defect in MglB export. In addition, an accumulation of pre-MglB in secB, secA and secY mutants suggested that SecB and the Sec translocase are also involved in export of the periplasmic galactose receptor. At 30 degrees C, there was no accumulation of pre-MglB in the dnaK mutant, but there was still a decreased amount of MglB in the periplasm. The reduction in MglB expression was not the result of a decrease in its stability, nor was it the result of a general defect in translation or transcription, since the MglA protein (which is expressed from the same operon as MglB) was synthesized in normal amounts. Two mRNAs are implicated in the expression of the mgl genes, a polycistronic mglBAC mRNA, and a more stable and more abundant mglB mRNA, produced by 3'-5' degradation of the mglBAC mRNA (R. W. Hogg, C. Voelker & I. von Carlowitz, 1991, Mol Gen Genet 229, 453-459). The mglB mRNA is protected against exonucleases by a REP (Repetitive Extragenic Palindrome) sequence located at its 3' extremity, which is responsible for the higher expression of MglB compared to MglA and MglC. The decreased MglB expression in the dnaK mutant at 30 degrees C in the present work correlated with a reduced stability of the mglB mRNA, which may have resulted from a defective stabilization by the REP sequence, or from a defect in translation of the mglB gene.

Specificity of DnaK for arginine/lysine and effect of DnaJ on the amino acid specificity of DnaK.

Molecular chaperones form a class of proteins that bind selectively to nascent, unfolded, misfolded, or aggregated polypeptides and are involved in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, and protein renaturation after stress. Chaperones70, including the DnaK chaperone of Escherichia coli, interact specifically with peptides enriched in internal hydrophobic residues, with a preference for positively charged peptides. We previously reported that DnaK interacts with the hydrophobic amino acids Ile, Leu, Val, Ala, Phe, Trp, and Tyr. In the present study, we show that DnaK also possesses a specific binding site for the positively charged amino acids arginine and lysine. Furthermore, the binding of arginine and lysine to DnaK is strengthened when its hydrophobic binding sites are occupied. The specificity of DnaK for Arg/Lys is supported by DnaK-peptide binding studies; the homopolypeptides poly-Arg and poly-Lys interact with DnaK, contrasting with other hydrophilic homopolypeptides, and hydrophobic peptides interact more strongly with DnaK if they contain Arg/Lys at their N terminus. Interestingly, the cochaperone DnaJ attenuates the interaction of DnaK with hydrophobic amino acids while strengthening its interaction with arginine or lysine. The interaction of DnaK with both hydrophobic sequences and with arginine and lysine, and its modulation by DnaJ, may have important implications in both protein folding and protein insertion into membranes.

A novel function of Escherichia coli chaperone DnaJ. Protein-disulfide isomerase.

Molecular chaperones, protein-disulfide isomerases, and peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerases assist protein folding in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The DnaJ protein of Escherichia coli and the DnaJ-like proteins of eukaryotes are known as molecular chaperones and specific regulators of DnaK-like proteins and are involved in protein folding and renaturation after stress. In this study we show that DnaJ, like thioredoxin, protein-disulfide isomerase, and DsbA, possesses an active dithiol/disulfide group and catalyzes protein disulfide formation (oxidative renaturation of reduced RNase), reduction (reduction of insulin disulfides), and isomerization (refolding of randomly oxidized RNase). These results suggest that, in addition to its known function as a chaperone, DnaJ might be involved in controlling the redox state of cytoplasmic, membrane, or exported proteins.

Reversal by GroES of the GroEL preference from hydrophobic amino acids toward hydrophilic amino acids.

The chaperones GroEL/hsp60 are present in all prokaryotes and in mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotic cells. They are involved in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, protein renaturation, and control of protein-protein interactions. They interact with many polypeptides in an ATP-dependent manner and possess a peptide-dependent ATPase activity. GroEL/hsp60 cooperates with GroES/hsp10, and the productive folding of proteins by GroEL generally requires GroES, which appears to regulate the binding and release of substrate proteins by GroEL. In a recent study, we have shown that GroEL interacts preferentially with the side chains of hydrophobic amino acids (Ile, Phe, Val, Leu, and Trp) and more weakly with several polar or charged amino acids, including the strongest alpha-helix and beta-sheet formers (Glu, Gln, His, Thr, and Tyr). In this study, we show that GroES reduces the specificity of GroEL for hydrophobic amino acids and increases its specificity for hydrophilic ones. This shift by GroES of the GroEL specificity from hydrophobic amino acids toward hydrophilic ones might be of importance for its function in protein folding.

Localization of DnaK (chaperone 70) from Escherichia coli in an osmotic-shock-sensitive compartment of the cytoplasm.

The chaperone DnaK can be released (up to 40%) by osmotic shock, a procedure which is known to release the periplasmic proteins and a select group of cytoplasmic proteins (including thioredoxin and elongation factor Tu) possibly associated with the inner face of the inner membrane. As distinct from periplasmic proteins, DnaK is retained within spheroplasts prepared with lysozyme and EDTA. The ability to isolate DnaK with a membrane fraction prepared under gentle lysis conditions supports a peripheral association between DnaK and the cytoplasmic membrane. Furthermore, heat shock transiently increases the localization of DnaK in the osmotic-shock-sensitive compartment of the cytoplasm. We conclude that DnaK belongs to the select group of cytoplasmic proteins released by osmotic shock, which are possibly located at Bayer adhesion sites, where the inner and outer membranes are contiguous.

Specific interaction of the Escherichia coli chaperone GroEL (60-KDA heat shock protein) with the liganded form of the galactose binding protein.

The Escherichia coli chaperone GroEL interacts more strongly with the liganded form of the galactose binding protein (the galactose binding protein-galactose complex), than with its unliganded form. This specific interaction is reflected by the stimulation of the ATPase activity of GroEL by the liganded galactose binding protein. Interactions between native proteins and chaperones could be more frequent than generally suspected, and may help to detect protein conformational changes.

Amino acid specificity of the Escherichia coli chaperone GroEL (heat shock protein 60).

The chaperones GroEL/hsp60 are present in all prokaryotes and in mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotic cells. They are involved in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, protein renaturation, and control of protein-protein interactions. They interact with many polypeptides in an ATP-dependent manner and possess a peptide-dependent ATPase activity. The nature of the structural elements of substrate proteins recognized by GroEL/hsp60 is still unknown. In this study, we show that the GroEL chaperone of Escherichia coli interacts with single amino acids. The hydrophobic amino acids Ile, Phe, Val, Leu, and Trp present the strongest interaction with GroEL. While most of these hydrophobic amino acids are beta-sheet formers, GroEL interacts also with the alpha-helix formers Glu, Ala, Gln, and His. The multiple interactions of GroEL with the side chains of hydrophobic and polar amino acids, including the strongest alpha-helix and beta-sheet formers would allow this chaperone to act as an amphiphilic organizer of protein folding.

Specificity of the Escherichia coli chaperone DnaK (70-kDa heat shock protein) for hydrophobic amino acids.

Molecular chaperones form a class of proteins that bind selectively to nascent, unfolded, misfolded, or aggregated polypeptides. This property is the basis of their implication in many cellular processes such as protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, or protein renaturation after stress. It has been suggested that the recognition of non-native proteins by chaperones is mediated by their binding to exposed hydrophobic areas, to the polypeptide backbone, or to specific secondary structures. We show in the present study that DnaK, the 70-kDa chaperone of Escherichia coli specifically recognizes hydrophobic amino acids. The peptide-dependent ATPase activity of DnaK is specifically stimulated by Ile, Phe, Leu, and Val in a manner which is consistent with an interaction of these amino acids with the polypeptide binding site of DnaK. Two classes of amino acid binding site can be distinguished, one being specific for the aliphatic amino acids and the other for the aromatic amino acids. Since the hydrophobic amino acids are buried inside the hydrophobic core of native proteins and are exposed in non-native forms, their interaction with DnaK could be the basis of the specific interaction of the chaperone with non-native proteins in protein folding, protein targeting to membranes, or protein renaturation.