Identification of eukaryotic peptide deformylases reveals universality of N-terminal protein processing mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: The N-terminal protein processing pathway is an essential mechanism found in all organisms. However, it is widely believed that deformylase, a key enzyme involved in this process in bacteria, does not exist in eukaryotes, thus making it a target for antibacterial agents such as actinonin. In an attempt to define this process in higher eukaryotes we have used Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism. Two deformylase cDNAs, the first identified in any eukaryotic system, and six distinct methionine aminopeptidase cDNAs were cloned. The corresponding proteins were characterized in vivo and in vitro. Methionine aminopeptidases were found in the cytoplasm and in the organelles, while deformylases were localized in the organelles only. Our work shows that higher plants have a much more complex ma

SUBMITTER: Giglione C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC305796 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature