Expression of OmpATb is dependent on small membrane proteins in Mycobacterium bovis BCG

Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2011 Nov;91(6):544-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tube.2011.06.008. Epub 2011 Jul 28.

Abstract

Small membrane proteins emerge as a novel class of regulatory molecules in bacteria. Experiments carried out in Mycobacterium bovis BCG indicate that the ompATb gene (Rv0899), encoding a major outer membrane protein, is organized in operon with Rv0900 and Rv0901, encoding two small proteins with a predicted transmembrane domain. Fractioning experiment confirmed the association of Rv0901 with the membrane fraction. To investigate the role of Rv0900 and Rv0901 in M. bovis BCG, we have constructed a strain deleted for the whole operon as well as complemented strains carrying a deletion of Rv0900 or a frameshift mutation in either Rv0900 or Rv0901. Importantly, mutations in Rv0900 and/or Rv0901 strongly altered OmpATb expression, demonstrating that Rv0900 and Rv0901 play a regulatory role, which appears to occur at a post-transcriptional level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • BCG Vaccine / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Western
  • Frameshift Mutation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycobacterium bovis / genetics*
  • Mycobacterium bovis / metabolism
  • Operon
  • Phenotype
  • Porins / genetics*
  • Porins / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion*

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • OmpATb protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Porins