CheB is required for behavioural responses to negative stimuli during chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis

John R. Kirby, Timothy B. Niewold, Stanley Maloy, George W. Ordal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, McpB, is the sole receptor mediating asparagine chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis. In this study, we show that wild-type B. subtilis cells contain ≃ 2000 copies of McpB per cell, that these receptors are localized polarly, and that titration of only a few receptors is sufficient to generate a detectable behavioural response. In contrast to the wild type, a cheB mutant was incapable of tumbling in response to decreasing concentrations of asparagine, but the cheB mutant was able to accumulate to low concentrations of asparagine in the capillary assay, as observed previously in response to azetidine-2-carboxylate. Furthermore, net demethylation of McpB is logarithmically dependent on asparagine concentration, with half-maximal demethylation of McpB occurring when only 3% of the receptors are titrated. Because the corresponding methanol production is exponentially dependent on attractant concentration, net methylation changes and increased turnover of methyl groups must occur on McpB at high concentrations of asparagine. Together, the data support the hypothesis that methylation changes occur on asparagine-bound McpB to enhance the dynamic range of the receptor complex and to enable the cell to respond to a negative stimulus, such as removal of asparagine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)44-57
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular Microbiology
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'CheB is required for behavioural responses to negative stimuli during chemotaxis in Bacillus subtilis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this