1887

Abstract

All previously characterized protein geranylgeranyltransferases I (GGTase I) are heterodimeric zinc metalloenzymes which catalyse geranylgeranylation of a cysteine residue in proteins containing a C-terminal CaaL motif (C, Cys; a, aliphatic amino acid; L, Leu). The α and β subunits of GGTase I of are encoded by and respectively, and are essential for yeast viability. The authors are therefore investigating the role of geranylgeranylation in the related pathogenic yeast, which is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen. GGTase I was purified to near homogeneity and also found to be a heterodimeric magnesium-dependent, zinc metalloenzyme displaying selectivity for CaaL-containing protein substrates. GGTase I peptide sequences were obtained from the purified protein and used to clone the genes encoding both subunits. and encode proteins that are 42 and 34% identical to their corresponding homologues, respectively, and 30% identical to their human homologues. Despite the limited overall homology, key zinc- and substrate-binding residues of the β subunit (Cdc43p) are conserved. A unique feature of CaCdc43p is a tract of polyasparagine whose length varies from 6 to 17 residues among strains and between alleles. Coexpression of both and under their native promoters complemented the defect of a mutant but expression of the β-subunit alone did not correct the growth defect, suggesting that hybrid GGTase I heterodimers are nonfunctional.

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/content/journal/micro/10.1099/13500872-145-5-1123
1999-05-01
2024-03-28
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http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journal/micro/10.1099/13500872-145-5-1123
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