Search

Genetic studies have identified a number of proteins required for the internalization of biosynthetic and endocytic cargo proteins transported to the multivesicular body (MVB). We have developed a cell-free reaction that recapitulates the internalization of a yeast biosynthetic membrane cargo protein, carboxypeptidase S (CPS), into the interior of an endosome. A recombinant form of CPS containing a biotinylation site from an Escherichia coli protein is accumulated in a vps27 yeast mutant blocked in the MVB internalization event. Endosomes isolated from the vps27 mutant are exposed to E. coli biotin ligase, which acts on only those CPS molecules with a cytosol-exposed N-terminal domain. Internalization of biotin-tagged CPS is measured by the detection of trypsin-inaccessible, membrane-protected species. Biotinylated CPS internalization requires ATP and functional forms of Vps27p and Vps4p and depends on the availability of an exposed lysine residue critical for CPS ubiquitylation.

Quinolones are potent antibacterial agents that specifically target bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Widespread use of these agents has contributed to the rise of bacterial quinolone resistance. Previous studies have shown that quinolone resistance arises by mutations in chromosomal genes. Recently, a multiresistance plasmid was discovered that encodes transferable resistance to quinolones. We have cloned the plasmid-quinolone resistance gene, termed qnr, and found it in an integron-like environment upstream from qacE Delta 1 and sulI. The gene product Qnr was a 218-aa protein belonging to the pentapeptide repeat family and shared sequence homology with the immunity protein McbG, which is thought to protect DNA gyrase from the action of microcin B17. Qnr had pentapeptide repeat domains of 11 and 28 tandem copies, separated by a single glycine with a consensus sequence of A/C D/N L/F X X. Because the primary target of quinolones is DNA gyrase in Gram-negative strains, we tested the ability of Qnr to reverse the inhibition of gyrase activity by quinolones. Purified Qnr-His(6) protected Escherichia coli DNA gyrase from inhibition by ciprofloxacin. Gyrase protection was proportional to the concentration of Qnr-His(6) and inversely proportional to the concentration of ciprofloxacin. The protective activity of Qnr-His(6) was lost by boiling the protein and involved neither quinolone inactivation nor independent gyrase activity. Protection of topoisomerase IV, a secondary target of quinolone action in E. coli, was not evident. How Qnr protects DNA gyrase and the prevalence of this resistance mechanism in clinical isolates remains to be determined.