Biomaterial Database

Nonribosomal synthesis of guanosine 5',3'-polyphosphates by the ribosomal wash of stringent Escherichia coli. 1973

J Sy, and Y Ogawa, and F Lipmann

A factor in the ribosomal wash of stringent strains of E. coli was identified by Haseltine et al. as a complement to the ribosomal system for the synthesis of the magic spot compounds of Cashel and Gallant. This factor has been found, in the absence of ribosomes, to catalyze the enzymatic pyrophosphoryl transfer from ATP to GTP or GTP in the formation of magic spot I and magic spot II, the guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphates (ppGpp and pppGpp), respectively. The enzyme, which normally requires the presence of the ribosome-tRNA-mRNA complex for activity, catalyzes a very slow synthesis that is stimulated tenfold by 20% methanol. The temperature optimum of the methanol-stimulated system is 25-30 degrees and activity is drastically depressed at 37 degrees , presumably by inactivation. Catalysis is linear with enzyme concentration and with time for the first 3 hr; during this period 25% of the added GTP is converted. The nonribosomal system is distinguished from the ribosomal system by having a lower Mg(++) and a higher NH(4) (+) optimum. The two systems differ in their response to antibiotics: thiostrepton strongly inhibits the ribosomal system but has no effect on the nonribosomal system.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008274	Magnesium	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D010759	Phosphorus Isotopes	Stable phosphorus atoms that have the same atomic number as the element phosphorus, but differ in atomic weight. P-31 is a stable phosphorus isotope.	Isotopes, Phosphorus
D010770	Phosphotransferases	A rather large group of enzymes comprising not only those transferring phosphate but also diphosphate, nucleotidyl residues, and others. These have also been subdivided according to the acceptor group. (From Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2.7.	Kinases,Phosphotransferase,Phosphotransferases, ATP,Transphosphorylase,Transphosphorylases,Kinase,ATP Phosphotransferases
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D006150	Guanine Nucleotides		Guanine Nucleotide,Guanosine Phosphates,Nucleotide, Guanine,Nucleotides, Guanine,Phosphates, Guanosine
D006160	Guanosine Triphosphate	Guanosine 5'-(tetrahydrogen triphosphate). A guanine nucleotide containing three phosphate groups esterified to the sugar moiety.	GTP,Triphosphate, Guanosine
D000432	Methanol	A colorless, flammable liquid used in the manufacture of FORMALDEHYDE and ACETIC ACID, in chemical synthesis, antifreeze, and as a solvent. Ingestion of methanol is toxic and may cause blindness.	Alcohol, Methyl,Carbinol,Sodium Methoxide,Wood Alcohol,Alcohol, Wood,Methoxide, Sodium,Methyl Alcohol
D000643	Ammonium Chloride	An acidifying agent that has expectorant and diuretic effects. Also used in etching and batteries and as a flux in electroplating.	Sal Ammoniac,Ammoniac, Sal,Chloride, Ammonium
D012270	Ribosomes	Multicomponent ribonucleoprotein structures found in the CYTOPLASM of all cells, and in MITOCHONDRIA, and PLASTIDS. They function in PROTEIN BIOSYNTHESIS via GENETIC TRANSLATION.	Ribosome