Mutagenesis of SugE, a small multidrug resistance protein

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Dec 26;312(4):914-21. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2003.11.018.

Abstract

The small multidrug resistance protein family has two subclasses. In this study we used a mutation approach to see what is necessary to convert a SUG subgroup member into a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) transporter. We chose four key residues (H24, M39, I43, and A44) conserved within SUGs but conserved differently within the QAC transporters. Altogether, seven mutants were generated in Citrobacter freundii SugE. Surprisingly, the mutated SugE demonstrated an increased sensitivity to representative QACs. Additionally, ethidium uptake is found to be more prominent in the hypersensitive mutants. We conducted orientation studies using topology reporter gene fusions which indicated that SugE and the QAC transporter EmrE both have their N- and C-termini in the cytoplasm as predicted. The results imply that SugE can be converted to a QAC transporter with only a single mutation. However, because hypersensitivity was observed, the SugE mutant proteins are behaving as importers rather than as exporters.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / chemistry
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antiporters / chemistry*
  • Antiporters / metabolism*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / physiology
  • Escherichia coli / cytology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ethidium / pharmacokinetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Chaperones / chemistry*
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed*
  • Paraquat / pharmacology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • Antiporters
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • sugE protein, E coli
  • EmrE protein, E coli
  • Ethidium
  • Paraquat