Characterization and expression of two genes encoding P-type ATPases in Blastocladiella emersonii

Author(s)

Luciano Gomes Fietto

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2001-03-23

Examining board members

Suely Lopes Gomes; Wilson Roberto Navega Lodi; José Franco da Silveira Filho; Mari Cleide Sogayar; Sergio Verjovski Almeida

• Advisor: Suely Lopes Gomes

Abstract

P- type A TPases are integral membrane proteins which use the energy stored in the A TP molecule to drive the transport of cations through biological membranes. In this work we report the cloning and sequencing of the BePAT2 gene and the characterization and expression of two genes (BePAT1 and BePAT2) encoding isoforms of a P-Type ATPase in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii. Surprisingly the putative BePAT1 and BePAT2 proteins are more similar to Na+/K+and H+/K+-ATPases from animal cells than to other P-type ATPases from fungi. Northern blot, immunoprecipitation and Western blot experiments demonstrated that these ATPases (BePAT1 and BePAT2) are developmentally regulated in B. emersonii. The results showed that the increase in the BePAT1/2 transcription reflects in an increase in the synthesis and accumulation of the proteins, suggesting a transcriptional control of the BePAT1/2 expression. Studies of phosphoenzyme formation using the immunopurified enzymes in the presence of different ions and inhibitors suggested a Na/K-ATPase like activity. Our results demonstrate for the first time biochemical evidences of functionality of genes encoding a Na+ /K+-ATPase like protein in an eucaryotic microorganism. (AU)