Non-Essentiality of alr and murI Genes in Mycobacteria

Authors

Philion L. Hoff, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Denise Zinniel, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Raúl G. Barletta, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

Spring 4-8-2016

Document Type

Poster

Citation

Hoff, PL, Zinniel, DK, and Barletta, RG. 2016. Non-Essentiality of alr and murI Genes in Mycobacteria. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Spring 2016 Research Fair Poster.

Comments

Copyright (c) 2016 Philion L. Hoff1, Denise K Zinniel, and Raúl G Barletta

Abstract

Amino acids are the building blocks of life. If DNA is the blueprint, amino acids are the lumber that proteins are built with. Proteins are built with left-handed, L- forms of amino acids. Bacteria have an essential cell wall component that happens to be an exception: peptidoglycan. Bacteria have enzymes called racemases that convert L- amino acid forms into right-handed, D- forms. Amino acids participate in many reactions with keto acids. Transaminases allow conversion between amino acids by transfer of an amino group.

Previous reports claimed there is no D-ala transaminase activity in mycobacteria and thus alr and murI genes encode essential functions. However, in studies performed by our lab, alr and murI mutants were able to grow on minimal or low-nitrogen content media. This suggests there is D-ala transaminase activity in mycobacteria and thus alr and murI genes encode essential functions. We complete a carbon-source experiment that supports this hypothesis.