Osmoprotection of Bacillus subtilis through import and proteolysis of proline-containing peptides.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus subtilis can attain cellular protection against the detrimental effects of high osmolarity through osmotically induced de novo synthesis and uptake of the compatible solute l-proline. We have now found that B. subtilis can also exploit exogenously provided proline-containing peptides of various lengths and compositions as osmoprotectants. Osmoprotection by these types of peptides is generally dependent on their import via the peptide transport systems (Dpp, Opp, App, and DtpT) operating in B. subtilis and relies on their hydrolysis to liberate proline. The effectiveness with which proline-containing peptides confer osmoprotection varies considerably, and this can be correlated with the amount of the liberated and subsequently accumulated free proline by the osmotically stressed ce

SUBMITTER: Zaprasis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3553765 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature