Biochemical characterization of a molecular switch involving the heat shock protein ClpC, which controls the activity of ComK, the competence transcription factor of Bacillus subtilis

authored by: Kürşad Turgay, Leendert W. Hamoen, Gerard Venema, David Dubnau
Abstract: Development of genetic competence in Bacillus subtilis is controlled by the competence-specific transcription factor ComK. ComK activates transcription of itself and several other genes required for competence. The activity of ComK is controlled by other genes including mecA, clpC, and comS. We have used purified ComK, MecA, ClpC, and synthetic ComS to study their interactions and have demonstrated the following mechanism for ComK regulation. ClpC, in the presence of ATP, forms a ternary complex with MecA and ComK, which prevents ComK from binding to its specific DNA target. This complex dissociates when ComS is added, liberating active ComK. ClpC and MecA function as a molecular switch, in which MecA confers molecular recognition, connecting ClpC to ComK and to ComS.
External Organisation(s): Public Health Research Institute - New York
University of Groningen
Type: Article
Journal: Genes and Development
Volume: 11
Pages: 119-128
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 0890-9369
Publication date: 01.01.1997
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Genetics, Developmental Biology
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.11.1.119 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{b99a7822d0c94c8c9ad9898b1ec602a8,
title = "Biochemical characterization of a molecular switch involving the heat shock protein ClpC, which controls the activity of ComK, the competence transcription factor of Bacillus subtilis",
abstract = "Development of genetic competence in Bacillus subtilis is controlled by the competence-specific transcription factor ComK. ComK activates transcription of itself and several other genes required for competence. The activity of ComK is controlled by other genes including mecA, clpC, and comS. We have used purified ComK, MecA, ClpC, and synthetic ComS to study their interactions and have demonstrated the following mechanism for ComK regulation. ClpC, in the presence of ATP, forms a ternary complex with MecA and ComK, which prevents ComK from binding to its specific DNA target. This complex dissociates when ComS is added, liberating active ComK. ClpC and MecA function as a molecular switch, in which MecA confers molecular recognition, connecting ClpC to ComK and to ComS.",
keywords = "ClpC, ComK, competence, heat shock, HSP100, MecA",
author = "K{\"u}r{\c s}ad Turgay and Hamoen, {Leendert W.} and Gerard Venema and David Dubnau",
note = "Copyright: Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",
year = "1997",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1101/gad.11.1.119",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
pages = "119--128",
journal = "Genes and Development",
issn = "0890-9369",
publisher = "Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press",
number = "1",
}