Acid labile ComX pheromone from Bacillus mojavensis RO-H-1.
Bacillus mojavensis strain RO-H-1 produces a posttranslationally modified hexapeptide, the ComX(RO-H-1) pheromone, that stimulates natural genetic competence controlled by quorum sensing. LC/ESI-MS analysis of partially purification of the ComX(RO-H-1) pheromone suggested a precise modification in its tryptophan residue. The corresponding ComX(RO-H-1) pheromone prepared by solid-phase synthesis was identical to the natural pheromone, and showed significant biological activity. These results indicated that the posttranslational modification of the ComX(RO-H-1) pheromone was geranylation on the tryptophan residue, resulting in the formation of a tricyclic structure. The ComX(RO-H-1) pheromone was immediately dehydrated by acid because of its extreme acid lability.
Okada
Masahiro
M
Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan. okada-org@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp
Yamaguchi
Hisao
H
Sato
Isao
I
Tsuji
Fumitada
F
Qi
Jianhua
J
Dubnau
David
D
Sakagami
Youji
Y
D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C087040:ComX protein, Bacillus subtilis