[Novel targets for antibiotics discovery: riboswitches].

Riboswitches are cis-acting domains located in mRNA sequences that could regulate gene expression by sensing small molecules without employing protein. Most known riboswitches in bacteria have naturally evolved to bind essential metabolite ligands and are involved in the regulation of critical genes that are responsible for the biosynthesis or transport of the cognate ligand. The riboswitch-mediated gene expression could be repressed by metabolite analogs, which caused bacterial growth inhibition or even death. A number of leading compounds targeting riboswitches have been discovered. A promising avenue for the development of new class of riboswitch-based antibiotics has been opened. Herein we reviewed the current findings of riboswitches that served as targets for antibacterial drug development and the underlying mechanisms. The development of high-throughput methods and rational drug design for riboswitch-specific drug discovery are relevant challenges are discussed. summarized.

Determination of the genetic, molecular, and biochemical basis of the Arabidopsis thaliana thiamin auxotroph th1.

2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine phosphate kinase/thiamin monophosphate pyrophosphorylase (HMPPK/TMPPase) is a key enzyme involved in thiamin biosynthesis. A candidate HMPPK/TMPPase gene identified in the Arabidopsis genome complemented the thiamin auxotrophy of the th1 mutant, thus proving that the th1 locus corresponds to the structural gene for the HMPPK/TMPPase. Sequence comparisons between the wild-type HMPPK/TMPPase gene and the th1-201 mutant allele identified a single point mutation that caused the substitution of a phenylalanine for a conserved serine residue in the HMPPK domain. Functional analyses of the mutant HMPPK/TMPPase in Escherichia coli revealed that the amino acid substitution in the HMPPK domain of mutant enzyme resulted in a conformational change that severely compromised both activities of the bifunctional enzyme. Studies were also performed to identify the chloroplast as the specific subcellular locale of the Arabidopsis HMPPK/TMPPase.

Mutational analysis of ThiH, a member of the radical S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) protein superfamily.

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is an essential cofactor for all forms of life. In Salmonella enterica, the thiH gene product is required for the synthesis of the 4-methyl-5-beta hydroxyethyl-thiazole monophosphate moiety of TPP. ThiH is a member of the radical S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) superfamily of proteins that is characterized by the presence of oxygen labile [Fe-S] clusters. Lack of an in vitro activity assay for ThiH has hampered the analysis of this interesting enzyme. We circumvented this problem by using an in vivo activity assay for ThiH. Random and directed mutagenesis of the thiH gene was performed. Analysis of auxotrophic thiH mutants defined two classes, those that required thiazole to make TPP (null mutants) and those with thiamine auxotrophy that was corrected by either L-tyrosine or thiazole (ThiH* mutants). Increased levels of AdoMet also corrected the thiamine requirement of members of the latter class. Residues required for in vivo function were identified and are discussed in the context of structures available for AdoMet enzymes.

Structural and histochemical studies of Golgi complex differentiation in salivary gland cells during Drosophila development.

Morphological alterations in the Golgi complex (GC) and changes in the distribution of acid phosphatase (AcPase), thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase), complex carbohydrates and reduced osmium tetroxide compounds in this organelle were studied in the salivary gland cells of Drosophila during larval and prepupal development. The morphology and the AcPase, TPPase and complex carbohydrates cytochemical patterns of the Golgi complex varied characteristically during cell differentiation. At the early 3rd instar period the Golgi complex consisted mainly of vesiculated cisternae, and AcPase activity was observed in all cisternae but not in the secretory granules. As development proceeded to the late 3rd instar the Golgi complex displayed its typical appearance, consisting of four to six cisternae, and only the two to three cisternae towards the trans-face as well as the trans-Golgi network and some of the immature secretory granules exhibited AcPase reactivity. In the course of a 'wave' of production of the 'glue' secretory granules proceeding proximally through the gland, the number of AcPase positive cisternae changed correspondingly. After secretion of the 'glue' secretory granules, the size of the Golgi complex decreased and almost all cisternae displayed AcPase reactivity. The detection of TPPase activity presented some specificity problems, since staining was observed not only in the GC cisternae but in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and microvilli. The reaction products were seen in a few GC vesicles during the early 3rd instar and in the trans side of the organelle at the end of the 3rd instar. During production of the secretory granules, every GC cisterna was intensely stained. These results agree with previous findings suggesting that AcPase and TPPase in secretory cells may be primarily involved in the processing of exportable proteins. The vicinal (vic)-glycol groups of the complex carbohydrates were detected using the periodic acid/thiocarbohydrazide/silver proteinate (PA-TCH-SP) technique. During synthesis of the 'glue' secretory granules, the reaction products were observed over the GC cisternae and the trans-Golgi network, with increasing intensity from the cis to the trans side of the organelle. No PA-TCH-SP staining was observed over the GC cisternae during the early 3rd instar. Following discharge of the 'glue' secretory granules, all GC cisternae displayed uniform PA-TCH-SP staining. After OsO4 impregnation, the reaction products were observed mainly in ER and mitochondria and rarely in the GC. In numerous cells, only the mitochondria were stained, while in many cases the ER of neighboring cells exhibited differential staining.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus of calcitonin-treated osteoclasts.

The thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activity described by Novikoff and Goldfisher was examined in osteoclasts affected by calcitonin in order to elucidate whether the morphological and functional changes of the osteoclasts have an influence over the secretion function of their Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus of osteoclasts of which the ruffled border had disappeared and bone resorption discontinued as the result of treatment with calcitonin showed a slight TPPase activity. The reaction products of the enzyme in these inactive osteoclasts were distinctly fewer than that of control osteoclasts, which were not affected by calcitonin. From these results, it is suggested that there may be a connection between the morphological and functional changes of osteoclasts and the secretion function of the Golgi apparatus.