Abstract

Research in this application is directed to fundamental problems in the function of cell membranes. A major objective is to obtain information on the processes by which cells sense the osmolarity (chemical potential of water) in the medium in which they live, and react to variations in osmolarity by appropriate adaptive responses. The experimental attack is focused on osmoregulation of the biosynthesis of membrane-derived oligosaccharides in E. coli, and on certain periplasmic oligosaccharides of Rhizobium and Agrobacterium which may play a role in these organisms similar to that of MDO in E. coli. The specific experimental objects include: (1) A study of the biosynthesis of MDO in E. coli; (2) The regulation of the biosynthesis of MDO; (3) A search for mutants pleiotropically altered in their capacity to sense or to react to changes in osmolarity of the medium; and (4) An examination of osmoregulation of the production of surface carbohydrates by species of Rhizobium and Agrobacterium.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM022057-12
Application #
3270883
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1975-05-01
Project End
1990-04-30
Budget Start
1986-05-01
Budget End
1987-04-30
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115

  Publications

Tang, L; Weissborn, A C; Kennedy, E P (1997) Domains of Escherichia coli acyl carrier protein important for membrane-derived-oligosaccharide biosynthesis. J Bacteriol 179:3697-705
Weissborn, A C; Liu, Q; Rumley, M K et al. (1994) UTP: alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase of Escherichia coli: isolation and DNA sequence of the galU gene and purification of the enzyme. J Bacteriol 176:2611-8
Weissborn, A C; Rumley, M K; Kennedy, E P (1992) Isolation and characterization of Escherichia coli mutants blocked in production of membrane-derived oligosaccharides. J Bacteriol 174:4856-9
Geiger, O; Russo, F D; Silhavy, T J et al. (1992) Membrane-derived oligosaccharides affect porin osmoregulation only in media of low ionic strength. J Bacteriol 174:1410-3
Spaink, H P; Aarts, A; Stacey, G et al. (1992) Detection and separation of Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium Nod metabolites using thin-layer chromatography. Mol Plant Microbe Interact 5:72-80
Rumley, M K; Therisod, H; Weissborn, A C et al. (1992) Mechanisms of regulation of the biosynthesis of membrane-derived oligosaccharides in Escherichia coli. J Biol Chem 267:11806-10
Geiger, O; Spaink, H P; Kennedy, E P (1991) Isolation of the Rhizobium leguminosarum NodF nodulation protein: NodF carries a 4'-phosphopantetheine prosthetic group. J Bacteriol 173:2872-8
Weissborn, A C; Rumley, M K; Kennedy, E P (1991) Biosynthesis of membrane-derived oligosaccharides. Membrane-bound glucosyltransferase system from Escherichia coli requires polyprenyl phosphate. J Biol Chem 266:8062-7
Geiger, O; Weissborn, A C; Kennedy, E P (1991) Biosynthesis and excretion of cyclic glucans by Rhizobium meliloti 1021. J Bacteriol 173:3021-4
Fischl, A S; Kennedy, E P (1990) Isolation and properties of acyl carrier protein phosphodiesterase of Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol 172:5445-9

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