Structural and functional studies for characterization of the sulfate uptake and assimilation pathway from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri.

Author(s)

Cristiane Tambascia Pereira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2013-07-03

Examining board members

Andrea Balan Fernandes; Cristiane Rodrigues Guzzo Carvalho; Rita de Cassia Cafe Ferreira

• Advisor: Andrea Balan Fernandes

Abstract

In Escherichia coli, the capture and reduction of sulfate to sulfide is mediated by an ABC-type transporter encoded by genes sbpcysWUA and several enzymes encoded by cysNCDGHIJ. Although the importance of this system has been widely demonstrated in other organisms, there are no reports in the literature related to the way that sulfate is assimilated and reduced in plant pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (X. citri). In this work, using a functional approach based on bioinformatics analysis, proteomics and gene reporter, we show that the way is present and active in X. citri. Indeed, the sulfate binding protein was expressed and produced in large scale for biophysical assays demonstrating the interaction of the protein with sulfate and increased thermal stability and crystals was produced. The study presents the first evidence of the functionality of this pathway in X. citri during growth in vitro and in vivo infection and opens perspectives studies to understand the role of this ion in the physiology of the microorganism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/14207-8 - Structural and Functional Studies for Characterization of the Sulfate Uptake and Assimilation pathway from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri
• Grantee: Cristiane Tambascia Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master