NopB, a type III secreted protein of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234, is associated with pilus-like surface appendages

Maged M. Saad, Hajime Kobayashi, Corinne Marie, Ian R. Brown, John W. Mansfield, William J. Broughton*, William J. Deakin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 possesses a functional type three secretion system (TTSS), through which a number of proteins, called nodulation outer proteins (Nops), are delivered to the outside of the cell. A major constraint to the identification of Nops is their low abundance in the supernatants of NGR234 strains grown in culture. To overcome this limitation, a more sensitive proteomics-based strategy was developed. Secreted proteins from wild-type NGR234 were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and the gel was compared to similar gels containing the proteins from a TTSS mutant (NGRΩrhcN). To identify the proteins, spots unique to the NGR234 gels were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and the data were compared to the sequence of the symbiotic plasmid of NGR234. A nonpolar mutant of one of these proteins was generated called NopB. NopB is required for Nop secretion but inhibits the interaction with Pachyrhizus tuberosus and augments nodulation of Tephrosia vogelii. Flavonoids and a functional TTSS are required for the formation of some surface appendages on NGR234. In situ immunogold labeling and isolation of these pili showed that they contain NopB.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1173-1181
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of bacteriology
Volume187
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

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