Purification and characterization of an active N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase enzyme complex from Streptococci

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2010 Dec;76(24):7966-71. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01434-10. Epub 2010 Oct 22.

Abstract

A new family of bacterial serine-rich repeat glycoproteins can function as adhesins required for biofilm formation and pathogenesis in streptococci and staphylococci. Biogenesis of these proteins depends on a gene cluster coding for glycosyltransferases and accessory secretion proteins. Previous studies show that Fap1, a member of this family from Streptococcus parasanguinis, can be glycosylated by a protein glycosylation complex in a recombinant heterogeneous host. Here we report a tandem affinity purification (TAP) approach used to isolate and study protein complexes from native streptococci. This method demonstrated that a putative glycosyltransferase (Gtf2), which is essential for Fap1 glycosylation, readily copurified with another glycosyltransferase (Gtf1) from native S. parasanguinis. This result and the similar isolation of a homologous two-protein complex from Streptococcus pneumoniae indicate the biological relevance of the complexes to the glycosylation in streptococci. Furthermore, novel N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activity was discovered for the complexes. Optimal activity required heterodimer formation and appears to represent a novel type of glycosylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Chromatography, Affinity / methods
  • Dimerization
  • Fimbriae Proteins / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / chemistry
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / isolation & purification*
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Streptococcus / enzymology*

Substances

  • fap1 protein, Streptococcus
  • Fimbriae Proteins
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • N-acetyllactosaminide beta-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase