Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 8 June 1984:
Vol. 224. no. 4653, pp. 1064 - 1068
DOI: 10.1126/science.224.4653.1064
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Molecular Biology of Osmoregulation

D. Le Rudulier 1, A. R. Strom 2, A. M. Dandekar 3, L. T. Smith 4, and R. C. Valentine 5

1 Professor in the Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France. A.
2 Professor at the Institute of Fisheries, University of Tromso, P.O. Box 3083 Guleng, N-9001 Tromso, Norway.
3 Research molecular biologist in the Plant Growth Laboratory and Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis 95616.
4 Research biochemist in the Plant Growth Laboratory and Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis 95616.
5 Professor in the Plant Growth Laboratory and Department of Agronomy and Range Science, University of California, Davis 95616.

The drought of 1983 resulted in some 10 billion dollars in agricultural losses and has focused attention on the vulnerability of our major crops to this devastating form of environmental stress. This article is concerned with the molecular biology of a new class of genes, called osm (osmotic tolerance) genes, that protect bacteria like Escherichia coli against osmotic stress and may work in a similar manner in plants and animals. Osm genes govern the production of a class of molecules, such as betaine and proline, that protect the cell and its constituents against dehydration. These osmoprotectant molecules have been known for many years to accumulate in plants but have only recently been shown to have potent antistress activity for bacteria.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Osmotically Induced Synthesis of the Compatible Solute Hydroxyectoine Is Mediated by an Evolutionarily Conserved Ectoine Hydroxylase.
J. Bursy, A. J. Pierik, N. Pica, and E. Bremer (2007)
J. Biol. Chem. 282, 31147-31155
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Structural Basis for the Binding of Compatible Solutes by ProX from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus.
A. Schiefner, G. Holtmann, K. Diederichs, W. Welte, and E. Bremer (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 48270-48281
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Functional Expression of Sinorhizobium meliloti BetS, a High-Affinity Betaine Transporter, in Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110.
A. Boscari, K. Mandon, M.-C. Poggi, and D. Le Rudulier (2004)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 70, 5916-5922
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Betaine in human nutrition.
S. A. Craig (2004)
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition 80, 539-549
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sorbitol uptake is regulated by glucose through the hexokinase pathway in vegetative peach-tree buds.
K. Maurel, S. Sakr, F. Gerbe, A. Guilliot, M. Bonhomme, R. Rageau, and G. Petel (2004)
J. Exp. Bot. 55, 879-888
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Thermoprotection of Bacillus subtilis by Exogenously Provided Glycine Betaine and Structurally Related Compatible Solutes: Involvement of Opu Transporters.
G. Holtmann and E. Bremer (2004)
J. Bacteriol. 186, 1683-1693
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cation-{pi} Interactions as Determinants for Binding of the Compatible Solutes Glycine Betaine and Proline Betaine by the Periplasmic Ligand-binding Protein ProX from Escherichia coli.
A. Schiefner, J. Breed, L. Bosser, S. Kneip, J. Gade, G. Holtmann, K. Diederichs, W. Welte, and E. Bremer (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 5588-5596
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Proline induces the expression of salt-stress-responsive proteins and may improve the adaptation of Pancratium maritimum L. to salt-stress.
A. H. A. Khedr, M. A. Abbas, A. A. A. Wahid, W. P. Quick, and G. M. Abogadallah (2003)
J. Exp. Bot. 54, 2553-2562
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Lysine-2,3-Aminomutase and {beta}-Lysine Acetyltransferase Genes of Methanogenic Archaea Are Salt Induced and Are Essential for the Biosynthesis of N{varepsilon}-Acetyl-{beta}-Lysine and Growth at High Salinity.
K. Pfluger, S. Baumann, G. Gottschalk, W. Lin, H. Santos, and V. Muller (2003)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 69, 6047-6055
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Molecular characterization of XVSAP1, a stress-responsive gene from the resurrection plant Xerophyta viscosa Baker1.
D. Garwe, J. A. Thomson, and S. G. Mundree (2003)
J. Exp. Bot. 54, 191-201
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
BetS Is a Major Glycine Betaine/Proline Betaine Transporter Required for Early Osmotic Adjustment in Sinorhizobium meliloti.
A. Boscari, K. Mandon, L. Dupont, M.-C. Poggi, and D. Le Rudulier (2002)
J. Bacteriol. 184, 2654-2663
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
An Isozyme of Betaine Aldehyde Dehydrogenase in Barley.
T. Nakamura, M. Nomura, H. Mori, A. T. Jagendorf, A. Ueda, and T. Takabe (2001)
Plant Cell Physiol. 42, 1088-1092
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Use of Bacterial Choline Oxidase, a Glycinebetaine-Synthesizing Enzyme, to Create Stress-Resistant Transgenic Plants.
A. Sakamoto and N. Murata (2001)
Plant Physiology 125, 180-188
   Full Text »
Release of Intracellular Solutes by Four Soil Bacteria Exposed to Dilution Stress.
L. J. Halverson, T. M. Jones, and M. K. Firestone (2000)
Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 64, 1630-1637
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Characterization of a Sinorhizobium meliloti ATP-Binding Cassette Histidine Transporter Also Involved in Betaine and Proline Uptake.
E. Boncompagni, L. Dupont, T. Mignot, M. Østeräs, A. Lambert, M.-C. Poggi, and D. Le Rudulier (2000)
J. Bacteriol. 182, 3717-3725
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Perception of Environmental Signals by a Marine Diatom.
A. Falciatore, M. R. d'Alcalà, P. Croot, and C. Bowler (2000)
Science 288, 2363-2366
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Genes for the synthesis of the osmoprotectant glycine betaine from choline in the moderately halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata DSM 3043.
D. Cánovas, C. Vargas, S. Kneip, M.-J. Morón, A. Ventosa, E. Bremer, and J. J. Nieto (2000)
Microbiology 146, 455-463
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Cold Shock Response of Bacillus subtilis: Isoleucine-Dependent Switch in the Fatty Acid Branching Pattern for Membrane Adaptation to Low Temperatures.
W. Klein, M. H. W. Weber, and M. A. Marahiel (1999)
J. Bacteriol. 181, 5341-5349
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Betaines and Related Osmoprotectants. Targets for Metabolic Engineering of Stress Resistance.
S. D. McNeil, M. L. Nuccio, and A. D. Hanson (1999)
Plant Physiology 120, 945-950
   Full Text »
Osmoadaptation in Archaea.
D. D. Martin, R. A. Ciulla, and M. F. Roberts (1999)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 65, 1815-1825
   Full Text »
Occurrence of Choline and Glycine Betaine Uptake and Metabolism in the Family Rhizobiaceae and Their Roles in Osmoprotection.
E. Boncompagni, M. Østerås, M.-C. Poggi, and D. le Rudulier (1999)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 65, 2072-2077
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Disaccharides as a New Class of Nonaccumulated Osmoprotectants for Sinorhizobium meliloti.
K. Gouffi, N. Pica, V. Pichereau, and C. Blanco (1999)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 65, 1491-1500
   Abstract »    Full Text »
High-Affinity Transport of Choline-O-Sulfate and Its Use as a Compatible Solute in Bacillus subtilis.
G. Nau-Wagner, J. Boch, J. A. Le Good, and E. Bremer (1999)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 65, 560-568
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Presence of a gene encoding choline sulfatase in Sinorhizobium meliloti bet operon: Choline-O-sulfate is metabolized into glycine betaine.
M. Osteras, E. Boncompagni, N. Vincent, M.-C. Poggi, and D. Le Rudulier (1998)
PNAS 95, 11394-11399
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Differential Effects of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate, Dimethylsulfonioacetate, and Other S-Methylated Compounds on the Growth of Sinorhizobium meliloti at Low and High Osmolarities.
V. Pichereau, J.-A. Pocard, J. Hamelin, C. Blanco, and T. Bernard (1998)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 1420-1429
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Uptake of Choline and Its Conversion to Glycine Betaine by Bacteria in Estuarine Waters.
R. P. Kiene (1998)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 1045-1051
   Abstract »    Full Text »
In Vivo Characterization of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Lyase in the Fungus Fusarium lateritium.
M. K. B. a. D. C. Yoch (1998)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 106-111
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Choline Derivatives Involved in Osmotolerance of Penicillium fellutanum.
Y.-I. Park and J. E. Gander (1998)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 64, 273-278
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Choline monooxygenase, an unusual iron-sulfur enzyme catalyzing the first step of glycine betaine synthesis in plants: Prosthetic group characterization and cDNA cloning.
B. Rathinasabapathi, M. Burnet, B. L. Russell, D. A. Gage, P.-C. Liao, G. J. Nye, P. Scott, J. H. Golbeck, and A. D. Hanson (1997)
PNAS 94, 3454-3458
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Purification and Properties of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine:L-Methionine S-Methyltransferase from Wollastonia biflora Leaves.
F. James, K. D. Nolte, and A. D. Hanson (1995)
J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22344-22350
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Removal of Feedback Inhibition of Delta^1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate Synthetase, a Bifunctional Enzyme Catalyzing the First Two Steps of Proline Biosynthesis in Plants.
C.-s. Zhang, Q. Lu, and D. P. S. Verma (1995)
J. Biol. Chem. 270, 20491-20496
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Change in intracellular K+ concentration caused by external osmolality change regulates sperm motility of marine and freshwater teleosts.
H Takai and M Morisawa (1995)
J. Cell Sci. 108, 1175-1181
   Abstract »    PDF »
Taurine and Osmoregulation: II. Administration of Taurine Analogues Affords Cerebral Osmoprotection During Chronic Hypernatremic Dehydration.
H. Trachtman, R. Del Pizzo, J. A. Sturman, R. J. Huxtable, L. Finberg, and W. MIZNER (1988)
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 142, 1194-1198
   Abstract »    PDF »
Ion Channels in Paramecium, Yeast, and Escherichia coli.
Y. Saimi, B. Martinac, M.C. Gustin, M.R. Culbertson, J. Adler, and C. Kung (1988)
Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 53, 667-673
   Abstract »    PDF »
Osmotic adaptation by gram-negative bacteria: possible role for periplasmic oligosaccharides.
K. Miller, E. Kennedy, and V. Reinhold (1986)
Science 231, 48-51
   Abstract »    PDF »
Engineering salt-tolerant Brassica plants: Characterization of yield and seed oil quality in transgenic plants with increased vacuolar sodium accumulation.
H.-X. Zhang, J. N. Hodson, J. P. Williams, and E. Blumwald (2001)
PNAS 98, 12832-12836
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)