Purpose To investigate the function basis of the recently discovered response regulator, drRRA (DNA damage response regulator A) in Deinococcus radiodurans, we compared the proteomic profile of the radiation-sensitive drRRA mutant with that of wild-type strain under both non-stress and gamma radiation treatment. Materials and methods Total proteins of D. radiodurans cells were subjected to two-dimension electrophoresis. Protein spots in 2-Dimension gels were silver stained and scanned. Spots that changed significantly in expression levels were selected for mass spectrometry analysis. Seven genes encoding representative proteins were knocked out for stress resistance analysis. Results A total of 52 proteins displayed significant expression level changes at least 1.5-fold in the mutant relative to wild-type strain under non-stress conditions, with 31 repressed and 21 induced proteins, which might affect the cell response of D. radiodurans to gamma radiation. The proteins were distributed into functional groups including stress response, metabolism, and function unknown. Disruptions of several altered proteins including DRA0259 (Catalase E) and DR1538 (Osmotically inducible protein C), reduced the antioxidant activity of D. radiodurans. Conclusion Combined with our previous result of transcriptional profile, we further confirmed that inactivation of DrRRA affects the expression of various stress response systems.
Keywords: Deinococcus radiodurans; DrRRA; proteome; response regulator; stress resistance.