NMR Structural Studies of Proteins Involved in the Competence and Sporulation Pathways of Bacillus subtilis and Pasteuria penetrans.

Abstract

The ability of bacteria to adapt to environmental stress is essential to their existence. Several responses to environmental triggers are known. Two of these, Competence and Sporulation, are widespread in the bacterial world. Competence and Sporulation are best studied in the organism Bacillus subtilis and the proteins involved in these pathways are well known. The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the regulation of these cellular processes by determining the NMR solution structures and looking at functional aspects of the ClpC R-domain, involved in bacterial competence, and the L66A mutant of the Spo0F protein involved in the regulation of sporulation. In addition to these studies attempts to purify a Spo0F homolog from the endospore-forming bacteria, Pasteuria penetrans, were made with the intention of determining the metal binding characteristics of the protein.