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Title: PREDICTED ATP-BINDING CASSETTE SYSTEMS IN THE PHYTOPATHOGENIC MOLLICUTE SPIROPLASMA KUNKELII

Author
item Zhao, Yan
item WANG, HUAQING - PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA
item Hammond, Rosemarie
item JOMANTIENE, RASA - VILNIUS LITHUANIA
item LIU, QINGZHONG - SHANGDONG CHINA
item LIN, SHAOPONG - UNIV OF OK NORMAN OK
item ROE, BRUCE - UNIV OF OK NORMAN OK
item Davis, Robert

Submitted to: Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2004
Publication Date: 3/31/2004
Citation: Zhao, Y., Wang, H., Hammond, R., Jomantiene, R., Liu, Q., Lin, S., Roe, B.A., Davis, R.E. 2004. Predicted atp-binding cassette systems in the phytopathogenic mollicute spiroplasma kunkelii. Molecular Genetics and Genomics. 271(3):325-338.

Interpretive Summary: Spiroplasma kunkelii is a small, helical-shaped bacterium without a cell wall. It causes the disease known as corn stunt, which is a major limiting factor in corn production in the Americas. To understand how this bacterium causes disease, we initiated a project to analyze all of its genes. This paper examined a set of genes that constitute the largest gene family of S. kunkelii. This family of genes encodes proteins involved in 16 functional systems, a majority of which are membrane-bound transporters. These transporters convey a wide variety of substrates and are critical for nutrient uptake and multidrug resistance; some may play roles in pathogenicity. The results of this study provide a framework for functional characterization of the transporter systems in S. kunkelii and for design of therapeutic agents to control the pathogen. The findings will be of greatest interest to research scientists and students of microbiology and plant pathology.

Technical Abstract: Spiroplasma kunkelii is a cell wall-free, helical, and motile mycoplasma-like organism that causes corn stunt disease in maize. The bacterium has a compact genome with a gene set approaching the minimal complement necessary for cellular life and pathogenesis. A set of 21 ATP-binding cassette (ABC) domains was identified during the annotation of a draft S. kunkelii genome sequence. These 21 ABC domains are present in 18 predicted proteins and are components of 16 functional systems, which occupy 5% of the protein coding capacity of the S. kunkelii genome. Of the 16 systems, 11 are membrane-bound transporters, and two are cytosolic systems involved with DNA repair and oxidative stress response; the integrities of the remaining three hypothetical systems are jeopardized by nonsense and/or frameshift mutations in their respective genes. Assembly of the 11 multi-component transporters and comparisons with other known systems permitted functional predictions for the S. kunkelii ABC transporter systems. These transporters convey a wide variety of substrates and are critical for nutrient uptake, multidrug resistance, and perhaps virulence. The findings of the study provide a framework for functional characterization of the ABC systems in S. kunkelii.