FlhF and its GTPase activity are required for distinct processes in flagellar gene regulation and biosynthesis in Campylobacter jejuni.

ABSTRACT: FlhF proteins are putative GTPases that are often necessary for one or more steps in flagellar organelle development in polarly flagellated bacteria. In Campylobacter jejuni, FlhF is required for sigma(54)-dependent flagellar gene expression and flagellar biosynthesis, but how FlhF influences these processes is unknown. Furthermore, the GTPase activity of any FlhF protein and the requirement of this speculated activity for steps in flagellar biosynthesis remain uncharacterized. We show here that C. jejuni FlhF hydrolyzes GTP, indicating that these proteins are GTPases. C. jejuni mutants producing FlhF proteins with reduced GTPase activity were not severely defective for sigma(54)-dependent flagellar gene expression, unlike a mutant lacking FlhF. Instead, these mutants had a propensity to l

SUBMITTER: Balaban M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2795303 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature