Structure and function of the betaine uptake system BetP of Corynebacterium glutamicum: strategies to sense osmotic and chill stress

Journal of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology
S Morbach, Reinhard Krämer

Abstract

The soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum has to cope with frequent fluctuations of the external osmolarity and temperature. The consequences of hyperosmotic and chill stress seem to differ, either causing dehydration of the cytoplasm or leading to impairment of cellular functions due to low temperature. Nevertheless, a particular type of regulatory response, namely the accumulation of so-called compatible solutes, is induced under both conditions. Compatible solutes are known to stabilize the native conformation of enzymes, which may be affected by osmotic and chill stress. BetP is a high-affinity uptake carrier for the compatible solute glycine betaine in C. glutamicum. BetP includes, besides its catalytic function, the ability to sense hyperosmotic conditions and chill stress. As a consequence, the carrier is activated in dependence of the extent of these types of stress. The signal input related to these changes of the environmental conditions is based on at least two different mechanisms. In case of hyperosmotic stress, BetP responds to the internal potassium concentration as a measure for hypertonicity, whereas chill stress is detected by an independent signal, most probably changes of the physical state of the membrane.

References

Dec 1, 1990·Journal of General Microbiology·A M Whatmore, R H Reed
Dec 1, 1990·Journal of General Microbiology·A M WhatmoreR H Reed
Mar 1, 1985·Biophysical Journal·T Arakawa, S N Timasheff
Jan 1, 1983·Advances in Microbial Physiology·A L Koch
Aug 1, 1995·Journal of Bacteriology·M FarwickR Krämer
Apr 26, 1996·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·E GlaaskerB Poolman
Mar 6, 1999·Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR·J M Wood
Jun 22, 2000·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T van der Heide, B Poolman
May 15, 2002·Chembiochem : a European Journal of Chemical Biology·Susanne Morbach, Reinhard Krämer
May 16, 2002·Molecular Microbiology·Bert PoolmanTiemen van der Heide
Feb 7, 2003·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Apostolos S Angelidis, Gary M Smith
Jul 4, 2003·Science Progress·Michael H Weber, Mohamed A Marahiel
Sep 2, 2003·Journal of Biotechnology·Susanne Morbach, Reinhard Krämer
Dec 9, 2003·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Apostolos S Angelidis, Gary M Smith
Dec 8, 2004·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·Johannes BotzenhardtReinhard Krämer
Jan 20, 2006·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Dirk SchillerSusanne Morbach

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 25, 2009·Amino Acids·Reinhard Krämer
Feb 9, 2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Markus PechKnud H Nierhaus

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.