Title Domain organization of DNase from Thioalkalivibrio sp. provides insights into retention of activity in high salt environments /
Authors Alzbutas, Gediminas ; Kaniušaitė, Milda ; Grybauskas, Algirdas ; Lagunavičius, Arūnas
DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00661
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Is Part of Frontiers in Microbiology.. Lausanne : Frontiers Research Foundation. 2015, Vol. 6, Art. No. 661.. ISSN 1664-302X
Keywords [eng] DNase ; Thioalkalivibrio sp. ; HhH motif ; DNA binding domain ; halophile ; adaptation
Abstract [eng] Our study indicates that DNA binding domains are common in many halophilic or halotolerant bacterial DNases and they are potential activators of enzymatic activity at high ionic strength. Usually, proteins adapt to high ionic strength by increasing the number of negatively charged residues on the surface. However, in DNases such adaptation would hinder the binding to negatively charged DNA, a step critical for catalysis. In our study we demonstrate how evolution has solved this dilemma by engaging the DNA binding domain. We propose a mechanism, which enables the enzyme activity at salt concentrations as high as 4 M of sodium chloride, based on collected experimental data and domain structure analysis of a secreted bacterial DNase from the extremely halotolerant bacterium Thioalkalivibrio sp. K90mix. The enzyme harbors two domains: an N-terminal domain, that exhibits DNase activity, and a C-terminal domain, comprising a duplicate DNA binding helix-hairpin-helix motif. Here we present experimental data demonstrating that the C-terminal domain is responsible for the enzyme’s resistance to high ionic strength.
Published Lausanne : Frontiers Research Foundation
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2015