Thermodynamic partitioning model for hydrophobic binding of polypeptides by GroEL. I. GroEL recognizes the signal sequences of beta-lactamase precursor.

From equilibrium measurements with urea we found a three-state thermodynamic and kinetic folding behavior for the precursor and mature form of Escherichia coli beta-lactamase TEM2. The thermodynamic intermediate H of Escherichia coli beta-lactamase and its precursor had no enzymatic activity, and a quenched tryptophan fluorescence intensity, but a native-like wavelength of maximum intensity. State H of mature beta-lactamase was 8.7 kcal mol-1 less stable than the native state N and about 4.2 kcal mol-1 more stable than the unfolded state U, extrapolated to absence of urea. In contrast, state H of precursor beta-lactamase was even more stable than N by about 0.5 kcal mol-1 and about 6.9 kcal mol-1 more stable than U. Native pre-beta-lactamase could be stabilized by lowering the pH value from 7.0 to 5.5, probably by protonating a histidine residue leading to an improved solubility of the signal sequence. Synthetic peptides, containing 23 or 38 N-terminal amino acid residues of pre-beta-lactamase, were unable to compete with pre-beta-lactamase for binding to GroEL. However, GroEL prevented the inactivation of mature beta-lactamase by p38, consistent with competition between GroEL and mature beta-lactamase for binding to p38. The equilibrium constant for dissociation KD of the complex between GroEL and p23, a peptide containing exclusively the signal sequence of pre-beta-lactamase, was measured with the BIAcore instrument to be in the range 10(-7) to 10(-8) M. Our results are consistent with co-operative binding of GroEL to the mature part and to the signal sequence of pre-beta-lactamase. We suggest a thermodynamic partitioning model for hydrophobic binding of polypeptides by GroEL.

Nucleotide sequence of the celC gene encoding endoglucanase C of Clostridium thermocellum.

The nucleotide sequence of the cellulase gene celC, encoding endoglucanase C of Clostridium thermocellum, has been determined. The coding region of 1032 bp was identified by comparison with the N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence of endoglucanase C purified from Escherichia coli. The ATG start codon is preceded by an AGGAGG sequence typical of ribosome-binding sites in Gram-positive bacteria. The derived amino acid sequence corresponds to a protein of Mr 40,439. Amino acid analysis and apparent Mr of endoglucanase C are consistent with the amino acid sequence as derived from the DNA sequencing data. A proposed N-terminal 21-aa residue leader (signal) sequence differs from other prokaryotic signal peptides and is non-functional in E. coli. Most of the protein bears no resemblance to the endoglucanases A, B, and D of the same organism. However, a short region of homology between endoglucanases A and C was identified, which is similar to the established active sites of lysozymes and to related sequences of fungal cellulases.

An 11.8 kDa proteolytic fragment of the E. coli trigger factor represents the domain carrying the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase activity.

The 48 kDa trigger factor (TF) of E. coli was shown to be a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase). Its location on a ribosomal particle is unique among the PPIases described so far, and suggests a role in de novo protein folding. The trigger factor was investigated with regard to a domain carrying the catalytic activity. An enzymatically active fragment could be isolated after proteolysis by subtilisin. The resulting polypeptide was analysed by N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealing an 11.8 kDa fragment of TF encompassing the amino acid residues Arg-145 to Glu-251. The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid residues Met-140 to Ala-250 of the TF was cloned into vector pQE32. After expression in E. coli the resulting His-tagged polypeptide was isolated on an Ni2+-NTA column. Subsequent digestion with subtilisin and anion-exchange chromatography yielded a TF fragment encompassing amino acids Gln-148 to Thr-249. This fragment may represent the catalytic core of TF since PPIase activity with a specificity constant kcat/Km of 1.3 microM(-1) s(-1) could be demonstrated when using Suc-Ala-Phe-Pro-Phe-NH-Np as a substrate. Moreover, as was observed for the complete, authentic TF the PPIase activity of the fragment was not inhibited by the peptidomacrolide FK506.

Comparative mutational analysis of peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerases: active sites of Escherichia coli trigger factor and human FKBP12.

A low degree of amino acid sequence similarity to FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) has been obtained for the peptidyl prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) domain of E. coli trigger factor (TF) that was thought to be significant with regard to the enzymatic properties of the bacterial enzyme. We examined whether the alteration of a negatively charged side-chain at position 37 (FKBP numbering) and a phenylalanine at position 99, both highly conserved through both types of enzymes, leads to parallel effects on the catalytic activity of both FKBP12 and TF-PPIase domain in a series of tetrapeptide substrates with different P1 subsites. For the latter enzyme, substitution of Glu178 by Val or Lys, which aligns to Asp37 in human FKBP12, enhanced the PPIase activity, whereas a strongly decreased enzymatic activity was determined for the Asp37Leu and Asp37Val variants of FKBP12. Regardless of the P1 subsite of the substrate used for the assay, mutation of Phe233Tyr generated a protein variant of the TF-PPIase domain with about 1% of the wild type PPIase activity. Dependent on the substrate nature, a moderate decrease as well as a 4.8-fold increase in k(cat)/K(M) could be determined for the corresponding Phe99Tyr FKBP12 variant. Neither of the mutations of the TF-PPIase domain was able to implant FK506 inhibition found as a major characteristic of the FKBP family of PPIases.

Confirmation of the existence of a third family among peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases. Amino acid sequence and recombinant production of parvulin.

In addition to the major cyclophilin-like peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) of Escherichia coli an enzyme of very low relative molecular mass (10.1 kDa) was discovered in this organism which gave first indication of the existence of a novel family in this enzyme class [1994, FEBS Lett. 343, 65-69]. In the present report we describe the chemically determined amino acid sequence of four peptides derived from the 10.1 kDa protein by the treatment with either cyanogen bromide or endoproteinase Lys-C. Together with a continuous run of 75 amino acids starting N-terminally, the sequence of the mature enzyme, 92 residues in length, was elucidated. Cloning and determination of the primary structure of a DNA fragment encoding this enzyme were also performed. Overexpression of the enzyme by using multicopies of plasmid pSEP38 in E. coli and detecting an enhanced PPIase activity attributed to the 10.1 kDa enzyme provided additional proof that the 92 amino acid protein was a PPIase. The enzyme was called parvulin (lat.: parvulus, very small). Homology analyses indicated that several parvulin-like proteins could be found in the database screened. To further elucidate the functional role of PPIases it might be of some importance that homologous proteins like the PrtM protein of Lactococcus lactis and the PrsA lipoprotein of Bacillus subtilis are known to be involved in the protein export and maturation machinery of the bacteria.

Hemoglobins of reptiles. The primary structure of the major and minor hemoglobin component of adult Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii).

Red blood cells of adult Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) contain two hemoglobin components: HbA (alpha A2 beta 2) and HbD (alpha D2 beta 2). We present the complete amino-acid sequences of the alpha A-chains from the major component and of the beta-chains common to both components. Structural features are discussed with respect to the animals extreme tolerance of severe hypoxic conditions during hibernation which is accompanied by a high oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin. The strong ATP dependence of Western Painted Turtle hemoglobin oxygen affinity is contrasted by the loss of one ATP-binding site, beta 143(H21)-Arg----Leu. The primary structure of the beta-chains excludes an allosteric control mechanism by hydrogencarbonate as it was found in crocodiles. Except in turtles a hemoglobin pattern with HbA and HbD sharing the same beta-subunits has been found only in birds. In comparison to other vertebrate hemoglobins there is a surprising similarity of the sequences to those of bird hemoglobins. alpha A- as well as alpha D-chains show larger homologies to chains of the same type in different species than alpha A- and alpha D-chains to each other in the same species. This indicates a duplication of the alpha-gene preceding the divergence of turtles and birds.

[Hemoglobins of reptiles. Expression of alpha-D-genes in the turtles, Chrysemys picta bellii and Phrynops hilarii (Testudines)]. / Hämoglobine der Reptilien. Expression von alpha D-Genen bei Schildkröten, Chrysemys picta bellii und Phrynops hilarii (Testudines).

The hemoglobins of two turtles (Testudines)--Chrysemys picta bellii (suborder Cryptodira) and Phrynops hilarii (suborder Pleurodira)--were investigated. In both specimens we found two hemoglobin components with two distinct alpha-chains. The alpha-chains of the component HbD of Chrysemys picta bellii and of the component CII of Phyrynops hilarii belong to the alpha D-type, which has so far been reported to occur only in birds. The complete amino-acid sequences of both alpha D-chains are presented. Our further investigations on hemoglobins of other reptiles (Crocodilia, Lacertilia, Serpentes) did not give any evidence for the expression of alpha D-globin genes in the species examined. These findings are discussed with especial reference to the physiology of respiration. It is supposed that alpha D-genes were of certain significance in earlier times. There are findings suggesting that alpha D-genes are embryonic genes with persistent expression in many adult birds and turtles.

Purification and properties of a novel type of exo-1,4-beta-glucanase (avicelase II) from the cellulolytic thermophile Clostridium stercorarium.

Avicelase II was purified to homogeneity from culture supernatants of Clostridium stercorarium. A complete separation from the major cellulolytic enzyme activity (avicelase I) was achieved by FPLC gel filtration on Superose 12 due to selective retardation of avicelase II. The enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 87 kDa and a pI of 3.9. Determination of the N-terminal amino acid indicates that avicelase II is not a proteolytically processed product of avicelase I. Maximal activity of avicelase II is observed between pH 5 and 6. In the presence of Ca2+, the enzyme is highly thermostable, exhibiting a temperature optimum around 75 degrees C. Hydrolysis of avicel occurs at a linear rate for three days at 70 degrees C. Avicelase II is active towards unsubstituted celluloses, cellotetraose and larger cellodextrins. It lacks activity towards carboxymethylcellulose and barley beta-glucan. Unlike other bacterial exoglucanases, avicelase II does not hydrolyze aryl-beta-D-cellobiosides. Avicel is degraded to cellobiose and cellotriose at a molar ratio of approximately 4:1. With acid-swollen avicel as substrate, cellotetraose is also formed as an intermediary product, which is further cleaved to cellobiose. The degradation patterns of reduced cellodextrins differ from that expected for a cellobiohydrolase attacking the non-reducing ends of chains; cellopentaitol is degraded to cellobiitol and cellotriose, while cellohexaitol is initially cleaved into cellobiitol and cellotetraose. These findings, taken together, indicate that avicelase II represents a novel type of exoglucanase (cellodextrinohydrolase), which, depending on the accessibility of the substrate, releases cellotetraose, cellotriose, or cellobiose from the non-reducing end of the cellulose chains.

Purification and biochemical characterization of SELB, a translation factor involved in selenoprotein synthesis.

The product of the selB gene from Escherichia coli is required for co-translational insertion of selenocysteine into protein. To make the SELB protein accessible to biochemical analysis, the protein was purified from cells that overexpressed the selB gene from a phage T7 promoter plasmid. It was calculated that the overproduced SELB protein was purified 20-fold. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified protein was determined, and it confirmed that the initiation codon of selB mRNA translation overlaps the stop codon of the preceding selA gene by 4 bases. Structural similarity between SELB and elongation factors was demonstrated by limited proteolysis of SELB by trypsin. The cleavage sites within SELB were identified by N-terminal sequencing of the two proteolytic products. The position in the SELB protein of the major cleavage site was homologous to a tryptic cleavage site which is characteristic for elongation factors. Immunological analysis showed that the levels of SELB are equivalent in aerobically and anaerobically grown cells; the amount of the protein was estimated to be approximately 1100 copies/E. coli cell. Upon fractionation of cell extracts, SELB was found to be partially associated with the ribosomes. The results therefore indicate that SELB is the first known elongation factor-like protein that has specificity for a particular charged tRNA.

Carnivora: the primary structure of the beach marten (Martes foina, Mustelidae) hemoglobin.

The primary structures of alpha- and beta-chains from the hemoglobin of the Beach Marten (Martes foina, Carnivora) are presented. The globin chains were separated on CM-cellulose in 8M urea buffer. The amino-acid sequences were established by automatic liquid- and gas-phase Edman degradation of the intact chains and the tryptic peptides from oxidized chains. Comparison of the sequences with human hemoglobin shows 21 exchanges in the alpha- and 12 in the beta-chains. The differences concerning heme and interchain contact sites as well as the substitution alpha 77 (EF6)Pro----Ala are discussed. The latter is observed for the first time in a mammalian hemoglobin. The sequences are compared with those of other Carnivora. The beta-chains of Martes foina and Pteronura brasiliensis (Giant Otter) are found to be identical, but their alpha-chains differ in 7 positions. The surprising small numbers of exchanges between the hemoglobin from Beach marten and that from Lesser and Greater Panda are discussed.

Hemoglobins of reptiles. The primary structures of the alpha I- and beta I-chains of common iguana (Iguana iguana) hemoglobin.

The primary structures of alpha I- and beta I-chains from the hemoglobins of the Common Iguana (Iguana iguana) are presented. The globin chains were separated on CM-cellulose in 8 M urea buffer. The amino-acid sequences were established by automatic Edman degradation of the native chains, the tryptic peptides and a peptide obtained by cyanogen bromide cleavage. The sequences are compared with human hemoglobin. Amino-acid replacements at positions critical for structure and function of the hemoglobin are discussed. The requirements for binding of ATP and also of DPG as allosteric effectors at the beta-chains seem to be fulfilled. Comparison of the alpha-chains with those of the Viper (Vipera aspis) shows 66 amino-acid substitutions. This number is in the same order of magnitude as the ones found by comparison with alpha-chains of crocodiles and mammals as well as with alpha A-chains of a turtle and birds. This result points towards a period of independent evolution of the reptile lines leading to the Common Iguana on one hand and to the Viper on the other. This time span is comparable to the one separating mammals from reptiles.

Structure of the beta-glucosidase gene bglA of Clostridium thermocellum. Sequence analysis reveals a superfamily of cellulases and beta-glycosidases including human lactase/phlorizin hydrolase.

The nucleotide sequence of the Clostridium thermocellum gene bglA, coding for the thermostable beta-glucosidase A, has been determined. The coding region of 1344 bp was identified by comparison with the N-terminal amino acid squence of recombinant beta-glucosidase A purified from Escherichia coli. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponds to a protein of 51,482 Da. The coding region is flanked by putative promoter and transcription terminator sequences. The protein is unrelated to beta-glucosidase B of C. thermocellum, but has a high level of similarity with other bacterial beta-glucosidases and phospho-beta-glucosidases. Similarity is also observed with the beta-galactosidase of the archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus. Unexpectedly, it was found that human lactase-phlorizin hydrolase contains three copies of a sequence closely related to C. thermocellum beta-glucosidase A (up to 40% sequence identity). These diverse beta-glucosidases can therefore be grouped into an enzyme family (BGA) of common structural design. Sequence comparison by hydrophobic cluster analysis revealed that all BGA enzymes share a well conserved region which is homologous to the catalytic domain of the widely distributed cellulase family A. A distinctive feature of this domain is the sequence motif His-Asn-Glu-Pro in which the catalytic residues His and Glu are separated by 35-55 amino acid residues. The cellulase family A and the beta-glucosidase family BGA might thus be considered as members of a protein super-family comprising beta-glucanases and beta-glycosidases from all three primary kingdoms of living organisms.

Nucleotide sequence of the Clostridium thermocellum bgIB gene encoding thermostable beta-glucosidase B: homology to fungal beta-glucosidases.

The nucleotide sequence of the bglB gene, coding for the thermostable beta-glucosidase B of Clostridium thermocellum was determined. The coding region of 2265 bp was identified by comparison with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of beta-glucosidase B purified from Escherichia coli. The derived amino acid sequence corresponding to a polypeptide of Mr 84,100 was confirmed by sequencing of the C-terminal peptide generated by cleavage with cyanogen bromide. The protein bears no resemblance to other bacterial beta-glucosidase sequences. However, extensive regions of homology were identified between the C. thermocellum enzyme and fungal beta-glucosidases. The N-terminal homologous region contains an amino acid sequence very similar to the active site of beta-glucosidase A3 from Aspergillus wentii. The striking sequence similarities between C. thermocellum beta-glucosidase B and Kluyveromyces fragilis beta-glucosidase suggest the possibility of a genetic exchange between thermophilic anaerobic bacteria and yeasts.

The inhibition of HIV-1 protease by interface peptides.

Previous studies have shown that some peptides derived from one of the terminal amino acid segments of the homodimeric HIV-1 protease show moderate inhibition of this enzyme probably by interfering with the "interface" structure formed by the four terminal segments of the dimer. Different peptides, with improved inhibitory potency, were devised by computer modelling, synthesized, and tested. Ac-TVSFNF, the short peptide with the best inhibition so far (IC50 = 80 microM) is identical with the C-terminal part of the gag-pol frame shift protein p6*. This suggests a regulatory function of p6* as a dimerization inhibitor of HIV protease in the virion. Peptides derived from the active site sequence of PR are inactive. The two terminal hexapeptides of reverse transcriptase are also inactive in the HIV-1 PR activity assay.

Pyruvate decarboxylase from Pisum sativum. Properties, nucleotide and amino acid sequences.

To study the molecular structure and function of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) from plants the protein was isolated from pea seeds and partially characterised. The active enzyme which occurs in the form of higher oligomers consists of two different subunits appearing in SDS/PAGE and mass spectroscopy experiments. For further experiments, like X-ray crystallography, it was necessary to elucidate the protein sequence. Partial cDNA clones encoding pyruvate decarboxylase from seeds of Pisum sativum cv. Miko have been obtained by means of polymerase chain reaction techniques. The first sequences were found using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designated according to conserved amino acid sequences of known pyruvate decarboxylases. The missing parts of one cDNA were amplified applying the 3'- and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends systems. The amino acid sequence deduced from the entire cDNA sequence displays strong similarity to pyruvate decarboxylases from other organisms, especially from plants. A molecular mass of 64 kDa was calculated for this protein correlating with estimations for the smaller subunit of the oligomeric enzyme. The PCR experiments led to at least three different clones representing the middle part of the PDC cDNA indicating the existence of three isozymes. Two of these isoforms could be confirmed on the protein level by sequencing tryptic peptides. Only anaerobically treated roots showed a positive signal for PDC mRNA in Northern analysis although the cDNA from imbibed seeds was successfully used for PCR.

Thermal unfolding and proteolytic susceptibility of ribonuclease A.

With the aim to localize the structural region that becomes first accessible to proteolytic attack during thermal unfolding, the proteolysis of ribonuclease A was studied in the temperature range of 20-65 degrees C. Subtilisin, proteinase K, and elastase proved to be not appropriate as indicators of thermal unfolding, because even the native protein molecule was cleaved by these proteases. In contrast, chymotrypsin, trypsin, and thermolysin attacked ribonuclease A only after its thermal treatment. For thermolysin and trypsin, the first primary cleavage sites of ribonuclease A could be identified by blotting of the electrophoretic bands, partial N-terminal sequencing of the fragments and assignment according to their molecular masses. The results were confirmed by the separation of the proteolytic fragments by HPLC and subsequent matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The first cleavage sites were determined to be Lys31-Ser32 and Arg33-Asn34 for trypsin and Asn34-Leu35 and Thr45-Phe46 for thermolysin. Hence the structural region from Lys31 to Leu35, together with the adjacent beta-structure containing Thr45-Phe46, is suggested to represent a labile region of the ribonuclease A molecule, which becomes exposed at thermal denaturation.

A selenocysteine-containing peroxiredoxin from the strictly anaerobic organism Eubacterium acidaminophilum.

A strongly 75Se-labeled 22 kDa protein detected previously showed in its N-terminal sequence the highest similarity to the family of thiol-dependent peroxidases, now called peroxiredoxins. The respective gene prxU was cloned and analyzed. prxU encodes a protein of 203 amino acids (22,470 Da) and contains an in-frame UGA codon (selenocysteine) at the position of the so far strictly conserved and catalytically active Cys47. The second conserved cysteine present in 2-Cys peroxiredoxins was replaced by alanine. Heterologous expression of the Eubacterium acid-aminophilum PrxU as a recombinant selenoprotein in Escherichia coli was not possible. A cysteine-encoding mutant gene, prxU47C, containing UGC instead of UGA was strongly expressed. This recombinant PrxU47C mutant protein was purified to homogeneity by its affinity tag, but was not active as a thiol-dependent peroxidase. The identification of prxU reveals that the limited class of natural selenoproteins may in certain organisms also include isoenzymes of peroxiredoxins, previously only known as non-selenoproteins containing catalytic cysteine residues.

Primary structure and functional properties of the hemoglobin from the free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis (Chiroptera). Small effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen affinity.

The hemoglobin of the Free-Tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensis (Microchiroptera) comprises two components (Hb I and Hb II) in nearly equal amounts. Both hemoglobins have identical beta-chains, whereas the alpha-chains differ in having glycine (Hb I) or aspartic acid (Hb II) in position 115 (GH3). The components could be isolated by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography and separated into the globin chains by chromatography on carboxymethyl-cellulose CM-52. The sequences have been determined by Edman degradation with the film technique or the gas phase method (the alpha I-chains with the latter method only), using the native chains and tryptic peptides, as well as the C-terminal prolyl-peptide obtained by acid hydrolysis of the Asp-Pro bond in the beta-chains. The comparison with human hemoglobin showed 18 substitutions in the alpha-chains and 24 in the beta-chains. In the alpha-chains one amino-acid exchange involves an alpha 1/beta 1-contact. In the beta-chains one heme contact, three alpha 1/beta 1- and one alpha 1/beta 2-contacts are substituted. A comparison with other chiropteran hemoglobin sequences shows similar distances to Micro- and Megachiroptera. The oxygenation characteristics of the composite hemolysate and the two components, measured in relation to pH, Cl-, and 2,3-bis-phosphoglycerate, are described. The effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen affinity is considerably smaller than that observed in human hemoglobin, which might be an adaptation to life under hypercapnic conditions.

Cys359 of GrdD is the active-site thiol that catalyses the final step of acetyl phosphate formation by glycine reductase from Eubacterium acidaminophilum.

In the amino-acid-fermenting anaerobe Eubacterium acidaminophilum, acetyl phosphate is synthesized by protein C of glycine reductase from a selenoprotein A-bound carboxymethyl-selenoether. We investigated specific thiols present in protein C for responsibility for acetyl phosphate liberation. After cloning of the genes encoding the large and the small subunit (grdC1, grdD1), they were expressed separately in Escherichia coli and purified as Strep-tag proteins. GrdD was the only subunit that catalysed arsenate-dependent hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate (up to 274 U.mg-1), whereas GrdC was completely inactive. GrdD contained two cysteine residues that were exchanged by site-directed mutagenesis. The GrdD(C98S) mutant enzyme still catalysed the hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate, but the GrdD(C359A) mutant enzyme was completely inactive. Next, these thiols were analysed further by chemical modification. After iodoacetate treatment of GrdD, the enzyme activity was lost, but in the presence of acetyl phosphate enzyme activity was protected. Subsequently, the inactivated carboxymethylated enzyme and the protected enzyme were both denatured, and the remaining thiols were pyridylethylated. Peptides generated by proteolytic cleavage were separated and subjected to mass spectrometry. Cys98 was not accessible to carboxymethylation by iodoacetate in the native enzyme in the presence or absence of the substrate, but could be alkylated after denaturation. Cys359, in contrast, was protected from carboxymethylation in the presence of acetyl phosphate, but became accessible to pyridylethylation upon prior denaturation of the protein. This clearly confirmed the catalytic role of Cys359 as the active site thiol of GrdD responsible for liberation of acetyl phosphate.

A ribosome-associated peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase identified as the trigger factor.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIases) are enzymes that catalyse protein folding both in vitro and in vivo. We isolated a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) which is specifically associated with the 50S subunit of the Escherichia coli ribosome. This association was abolished by adding at least 1.5 M LiCl. Sequencing the N-terminal amino acids in addition to three proteolytic fragments totalling 62 amino acids revealed that this PPIase is identical to the E.coli trigger factor. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of trigger factor with those of other PPIase families shows little similarities, suggesting that trigger factor may represent an additional family of PPIases. Trigger factor was purified to homogeneity on a preparative scale from E.coli and its enzymatic properties were studied. In its activity towards oligopeptide substrates, the trigger factor resembles the FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs). Additionally, the pattern of subsite specificities with respect to the amino acid preceding proline in Suc-Ala-Xaa-Pro-Phe-4-nitroanilides is reminiscent of FKBPs. However, the PPIase activity of the trigger factor was not inhibited by either FK506 or by cyclosporin A at concentrations up to 100 microM. In vitro, the trigger factor catalysed the proline-limited refolding of a variant of RNase T1 much better than all other PPIases that have been examined so far.