Effect of protein kinase inhibitors on protein phosphorylation and germination of aerial spores from Streptomyces coelicolor.

In vitro phosphorylation reaction using extracts prepared from cells in the exponential phase of growth and aerial spores of Streptomyces coelicolor displayed the presence of multiply phosphorylated proteins. Effect of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) (geldanamycin, wortmannin, apigenin, genistein, roscovitine, methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, rapamycin, staurosporine) was determined on protein phosphorylation and on germination of spores. The in vitro experiments showed differences in phosphoprotein pattern due to the presence of PKIs. Cultivation of aerial spores with PKIs led to a significant delay in germ tube emergence and filament formation. However, none of the tested PKIs completely blocked the germination process. These results indicate that protein kinases of spores form complex networks sharing common modulating site that plays an important role in proper timing of early developmental events.

tmRNA abundance in Streptomyces aureofaciens, S. griseus and S. collinus under stress-inducing conditions.

tmRNA and protein SmpB are the main components required for rescue of stalled ribosomes incapable of properly elongating or terminating the polypeptide chain. We examined the tmRNA level and protein synthesis in Streptomyces aureofaciens, S. griseus and S. collinus synthesizing tetracycline, streptomycin and kirromycin, respectively, during various stress conditions. Downshift in temperature caused a decrease in protein synthesis but the level of tmRNA increased. Shift up in temperature induced decay of tmRNA in all strains and in S. collinus led to stimulation and in S. aureofaciens and S. griseus to inhibition of protein synthesis. At high NaCl concentrations protein synthesis was inhibited and tmRNA decayed. Shift in pH from 7.0 to 5.0 had no pronounced effect on the tmRNA level while upshift to pH 9.0 in S. collinus and S. aureofaciens caused inhibition of protein synthesis and decay of tmRNA in S. collinus. In contrast, protein synthesis and tmRNA level increased in S. griseus at the alkaline pH. Our data show that tmRNA abundance is important for survival of streptomycetes under certain unfavorable conditions.

Activity of translation system and abundance of tmRNA during development of Streptomyces aureofaciens producing tetracycline.

Transition from exponential phase of growth to stationary phase in Streptomyces aureofaciens is characterized by a decrease in the rate of translation and induction of tetracycline (Ttc) biosynthesis. In exponential phase, no significant changes were found in the activity of ribosomes at binding of ternary complex Phe-tRNA.EF-Tu.GTP to the A-site on ribosomes. Overexpression of Ttc in stationary phase is accompanied by a decrease in the binding of the ternary complex Phe-tRNA.EF-Tu.GTP to the A-site of ribosome and a formation of an aggregate with Ttc by part of the ribosomes. Antibiotics that cause ribosome to stall or pause could increase the requirement for tmRNA in the process called trans-translation. We found differences in the level of tmRNA during the development of S. aureofaciens. Subinhibitory concentrations of Ttc, streptomycin and chloramphenicol induced an increase in the tmRNA level in cells from the exponential phase of growth. In vitro trans-translation system of S. aureofaciens was sensitive to Ttc at a concentration of > 15 micromol/L; the trans-translation system can thus be considered to contribute to resistance against Ttc produced only at sublethal concentrations. These experiments suggest that the main role of the rising tmRNA level at the beginning of the Ttc production is connected with ribosome rescue.