Processing of PatS, a morphogen precursor, in cell extracts of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

FEBS Lett. 2017 Mar;591(5):751-759. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.12582. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Abstract

Upon N-stepdown, Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 differentiates heterocysts along filaments in a semiregular pattern. A 17-amino acid peptide called PatS is a morphogen precursor for pattern formation. The principal PatS derivative involved in heterocyst patterning has been proposed to be the C-terminal peptide PatS-5 (RGSGR), PatS-6 (ERGSGR), or PatS-8 (CDERGSGR). We present the first evidence for processing of PatS in cell extracts of this cyanobacterium. PatS is probably cleaved between the C-terminal 7th and 8th amino acid residues, producing PatS-7 (DERGSGR), then converted into PatS-6 and PatS-5. The processing site could be changed by a substitution at the C-terminal 8th residue.

Keywords: Anabaena; PatS; processing.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Anabaena / genetics
  • Anabaena / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Solubility
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • PatS protein, Anabaena
  • Peptides