Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-3-17
pubmed:abstractText
F factor TraM is essential for efficient bacterial conjugation, but its molecular function is not clear. Because the physical properties of TraM may provide clues to its role in conjugation, we have characterized the TraM oligomerization equilibrium. We show that the reversible unfolding transition is non-two-state, indicating the presence of at least one intermediate. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments indicate that the first phase of unfolding involves dissociation of the tetramer into folded monomers, which are subsequently unfolded to the denatured state in the second phase. Furthermore, we show that a C-terminal domain isolated by limited proteolysis is tetrameric in solution, like the full-length protein, and that its loss of structure correlates with dissociation of the TraM tetramer. Unfolding of the individual domains indicates that the N- and C-terminal regions act cooperatively to stabilize the full-length protein. Together, these experiments suggest structural overlap of regions important for oligomerization and DNA binding. We propose that modulating the oligomerization equilibrium of TraM may regulate its essential activity in bacterial conjugation.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0021-9258
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
21
pubmed:volume
278
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
10400-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Evidence for a monomeric intermediate in the reversible unfolding of F factor TraM.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't