MSMEG_2731, an uncharacterized nucleic acid binding protein from Mycobacterium smegmatis, physically interacts with RPS1

PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e36666. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036666. Epub 2012 May 9.

Abstract

While the M. smegmatis genome has been sequenced, only a small portion of the genes have been characterized experimentally. Here, we purify and characterize MSMEG_2731, a conserved hypothetical alanine and arginine rich M. smegmatis protein. Using ultracentrifugation, we show that MSMEG_2731 is a monomer in vitro. MSMEG_2731 exists at a steady level throughout the M. smegmatis life-cycle. Combining results from pull-down techniques and LS-MS/MS, we show that MSMEG_2731 interacts with ribosomal protein S1. The existence of this interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. We also show that MSMEG_2731 can bind ssDNA, dsDNA and RNA in vitro. Based on the interactions of MSMEG_2731 with RPS1 and RNA, we propose that MSMEG_2731 is involved in the transcription-translation process in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / genetics
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Biosynthesis / physiology
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Ribosomal Proteins / genetics
  • Ribosomal Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • Ribosomal Proteins