Myxococcus xanthus is an excellent prokaryotic system for studying the regulation of development. M. xanthus show a developmental cycle which is similar to the eukaryotic slime molds such as Dictyostelium discoideum. However, there are several distinct advantages to studying development in M. xanthus, since it is a simple gram-negative bacterium. We propose to study morphogenesis and the molecular mechanisms of control of gene expression during development using M xanthus as a model system. We will continue to work on the on-going projects such as protein S, a development-specific protein, and its gene. We will also attempt to explore several new aspects of M. xanthus, including characterization of multicopy single-stranded DNA (msDNA), a unique DNA found in myxobacteria, the use of anti-sense RNA (micRNA) for characterization of developmental genes, and identification and characterization of specific organelle(s) required for gliding motility. The following are specific aims which we will pursue in this proposal: (1) Development-specific Genes. Two tandemly repeated, homologous genes, ops (protein S-1) and tps (protein S) are differentially expressed during development. Using oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis, we will elucidate the exact nucleotide sequences in their promoters which are responsible for the regulation. We will develop a micRNA cloning vector for study of the regulatory mechanisms and the functions of developmental genes isolated. We will also explore cloning the genes for sigma factors for developmental genes. (2) Functions of Protein S and Protein S-1. Protein S-1 will be purified and crystallized, and its biochemical properties will be compared with protein S. Roles of protein S will be further investigated by creating mutations at putative Ca++ binding sites. (3) msDNA. We will determine the RNA primer structures of both msDNAs, from M. xanthus and Sigmatella aurantiaca, and attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the biosynthesis of msDNA and its role in myxobacteria. (4) Organelles for Gliding Motility. We have isolated microtubule-like structures from M. xanthus. We will characterize these components from biochemical as well as functional aspects. (5) Integration-type Plasmids. We will construct plasmids which facilitate P1 specialized transduction to integrate any genes (or DNA fragments) of interest into the specific site of the M. xanthus chromosome.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01GM026843-08
Application #
3274291
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
622146454
City
Piscataway
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
08854
Lampson, B; Inouye, M; Inouye, S (2001) The msDNAs of bacteria. Prog Nucleic Acid Res Mol Biol 67:65-91
Ueki, T; Inouye, S (2001) SigB, SigC, and SigE from Myxococcus xanthus homologous to sigma32 are not required for heat shock response but for multicellular differentiation. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 3:287-93
Udo, H; Lam, C K; Mori, S et al. (2000) Identification of a substrate for Pkn2, a protein Ser/Thr kinase from Myxococcus xanthus by a novel method for substrate identification. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol 2:557-63
Inouye, S; Jain, R; Ueki, T et al. (2000) A large family of eukaryotic-like protein Ser/Thr kinases of Myxococcus xanthus, a developmental bacterium. Microb Comp Genomics 5:103-20
Yamanaka, K; Inouye, M; Inouye, S (1999) Identification and characterization of five cspA homologous genes from Myxococcus xanthus. Biochim Biophys Acta 1447:357-65
Otani, M; Kozuka, S; Xu, C et al. (1998) Protein W, a spore-specific protein in Myxococcus xanthus, formation of a large electron-dense particle in a spore. Mol Microbiol 30:57-66
Jain, R; Inouye, S (1998) Inhibition of development of Myxococcus xanthus by eukaryotic protein kinase inhibitors. J Bacteriol 180:6544-50
Ueki, T; Inouye, S (1998) A new sigma factor, SigD, essential for stationary phase is also required for multicellular differentiation in Myxococcus xanthus. Genes Cells 3:371-85
Hanlon, W A; Inouye, M; Inouye, S (1997) Pkn9, a Ser/Thr protein kinase involved in the development of Myxococcus xanthus. Mol Microbiol 23:459-71
Udo, H; Inouye, M; Inouye, S (1997) Biochemical characterization of Pkn2, a protein Ser/Thr kinase from Myxococcus xanthus, a Gram-negative developmental bacterium. FEBS Lett 400:188-92

Showing the most recent 10 out of 61 publications