Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. It uses a type III secretion dependent mechanism to translocate toxic effector proteins directly into the eukaryotic cell. The enzymatic activity of two of these toxins, Exoenzyme S (ExoS) and Exoenzyme T (ExoT), have been studied in this thesis. ExoS is a bi-functional toxin known to contain a C-terminal ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, which has been shown to modify members of the Ras family in vitro. The N-terminal of ExoS contains a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) domain, which shows specificity towards Rho proteins in vitro. ExoT shows high homology (76%) towards ExoS and has also been reported to contain ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in vitro. To study the biological effect of the two toxins, we inserted ExoS or ExoT into eukaryotic cells using the heterologous type III secretion system of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. We found that Ras was ADP-ribosylated in vivo and this modification altered the ratio of GTP/GDP bound directly to Ras. We also found that ExoS could ADP-ribosylate several members of the Ras superfamily in vivo, modulating the activity of those proteins. In contrast, ExoT showed no ADP-ribosylation activity towards any of the GTPases tested. This suggests that ExoS is the major ADP-ribosyltransferase modulating small GTPase function encoded by P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the GAP activity of ExoS abolishes the activation of RhoA, Cdc42 and Rap1 in vivo, and that ExoT shows GAP activity towards RhoA in vitro. The ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of ExoS is dependent on the eukaryotic protein 14-3-3. 14-3-3 proteins interact with ExoS in a phospho-independent manner. We identified the amino acids 424DALDL428 on ExoS to be necessary for the specific interaction between ExoS and 14-3-3. Deletion of these five amino acids abolishes the ADP-ribosylation of Ras and hence the cytotoxic effect of P. aeruginosa on cells. Thus the 14-3-3 binding motif on ExoS appears to be critical for both the ADP-ribosylation activity and the cytotoxic action of ExoS in vivo.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Feb. 3, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Protein trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex is regulated by the activity of ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs). Arf activation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) leads to the recruitment of the coatomer protein COPI and vesicle formation. By using fluorescently-tagged proteins in live cells, we have been able to identify novel functions for Arfs and the Arf-GEF GBF1 at the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) and mitotic Golgi clusters. We first focused on Arf function at the ERGIC after observing both class I (Arf1) and class II (Arfs 4 and 5) Arfs at this structure. We discovered that class II Arfs remain bound to ERGIC membranes independently of GBF1 activity following treatment with brefeldin A (BFA). Further characterization of the class II Arfs using additional pharmacological agents such as Exo1 and inactive mutant forms of Arf4 demonstrated that the class II Arfs associate with the ERGIC membrane via receptors distinct from GBF1. Our work suggests that GBF1 accumulation on membranes in the presence of BFA is due to loss of Arfs from the membrane rather than the formation of an abortive complex with Arf and GBF1. Next, while studying GBF1 in live cells, we unexpectedly observed GBF1 localizing to large fragmented structures during mitosis. We identified these structures as mitotic Golgi fragments that are positive for GBF1 and COPI throughout mitosis. Again using live cells treated with BFA and Exo1, we demonstrated that GBF1 concentrates on these mitotic fragments suggesting that they are derived from Golgi membranes. By colocalization studies and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we demonstrated that these mitotic fragments maintain a cis-to-trans subcompartmental Golgi polarization and membrane dynamics of GBF1 similar to interphase cells. Interestingly, inactivation of GBF1 and loss of COPI from the membranes of the mitotic Golgi fragments did not delay progressing through mitosis. Our results from our second project indicate for the first time that the mitotic Golgi clusters are bona fide Golgi structures that exist throughout mitosis with a functional COPI machinery.

Yes / The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates the toxic effects of dioxin (2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; TCDD), which includes thymic atrophy, steatohepatitis, and a lethal wasting syndrome in laboratory rodents. Although the mechanisms of dioxin toxicity remain unknown, AHR signaling in hepatocytes is necessary for dioxin-induced liver toxicity. We previously reported that loss of TCDD-inducible poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase (TIPARP/PARP7/ARTD14), an AHR target gene and mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase, increases the sensitivity of mice to dioxin-induced toxicities. To test the hypothesis that TIPARP is a negative regulator of AHR signaling in hepatocytes, we generated Tiparpfl/fl mice in which exon 3 of Tiparp is flanked by loxP sites, followed by Cre-lox technology to create hepatocyte-specific (Tiparpfl/flCreAlb) and whole-body (Tiparpfl/flCreCMV; TiparpEx3−/−) Tiparp null mice. Tiparpfl/flCreAlb and TiparpEx3−/− mice given a single injection of 10 μg/kg dioxin did not survive beyond days 7 and 9, respectively, while all Tiparp+/+ mice survived the 30-day treatment. Dioxin-exposed Tiparpfl/flCreAlb and TiparpEx3−/− mice had increased steatohepatitis and hepatotoxicity as indicated by greater staining of neutral lipids and serum alanine aminotransferase activity than similarly treated wild-type mice. Tiparpfl/flCreAlb and TiparpEx3−/− mice exhibited augmented AHR signaling, denoted by increased dioxin-induced gene expression. Metabolomic studies revealed alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolism in liver extracts from Tiparpfl/flCreAlb mice compared with wild-type mice. Taken together, these data illustrate that TIPARP is an important negative regulator of AHR activity, and that its specific loss in hepatocytes is sufficient to increase sensitivity to dioxin-induced steatohepatitis and lethality. / This work was supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) operating grants (MOP-494265 and MOP-125919), CIHR New Investigator Award, an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Innovation (ER10-07-028), an unrestricted research grant from the DOW Chemical Company, the Johan Throne Holst Foundation, Novo Nordic Foundation and the Norwegian Cancer Society to J.M.

L'azote est l'un des éléments les plus essentiels dans le monde pour les êtres vivants, car il est essentiel pour la production des éléments de base de la cellule, les acides aminés, les acides nucléiques et les autres constituants cellulaires. L’atmosphère est composé de 78% d'azote gazeux, une source d'azote inutilisable par la plupart des organismes à l'exception de ceux qui possèdent l’enzyme nitrogénase, tels que les bactéries diazotrophique. Ces micro-organismes sont capables de convertir l'azote atmosphérique en ammoniac (NH3), qui est l'une des sources d'azote les plus préférables. Cette réaction exigeant l’ATP, appelée fixation de l'azote, est catalysée par une enzyme, nitrogénase, qui est l'enzyme la plus importante dans le cycle de l'azote. Certaines protéines sont des régulateurs potentiels de la synthèse de la nitrogénase et de son activité; AmtB, DraT, DraG, les protéines PII, etc.. Dans cette thèse, j'ai effectué diverses expériences afin de mieux comprendre leurs rôles détailés dans Rhodobacter capsulatus. La protéine membranaire AmtB, très répandue chez les archaea, les bactéries et les eucaryotes, est un membre de la famille MEP / Amt / Rh. Les protéines AmtB sont des transporteurs d'ammonium, importateurs d'ammonium externe, et ont également été suggéré d’agir comme des senseurs d'ammonium. Il a été montré que l’AmtB de Rhodobacter capsulatus fonctionne comme un capteur pour détecter la présence d'ammonium externe pour réguler la nitrogénase. La nitrogénase est constituée de deux métalloprotéines nommées MoFe-protéine et Fe-protéine. L'addition d'ammoniaque à une culture R. capsulatus conduit à une série de réactions qui mènent à la désactivation de la nitrogénase, appelé "nitrogénase switch-off". Une réaction critique dans ce processus est l’ajout d’un groupe ADP-ribose à la Fe-protéine par DraT. L'entrée de l'ammoniac dans la cellule à travers le pore AmtB est contrôlée par la séquestration de GlnK. GlnK est une protéine PII et les protéines PII sont des protéines centrales dans la régulation du métabolisme de l'azote. Non seulement la séquestration de GlnK par AmtB est importante dans la régulation nitrogénase, mais la liaison de l'ammonium par AmtB ou de son transport partiel est également nécessaire. Les complexes AmtB-GlnK sont supposés de lier DraG, l’enzyme responsable pour enlever l'ADP-ribose ajouté à la nitrogénase par DraT, ainsi formant un complexe ternaire. Dans cette thèse certains détails du mécanisme de transduction du signal et de transport d'ammonium ont été examinés par la génération et la caractérisation d’un mutant dirigé, RCZC, (D335A). La capacité de ce mutant, ainsi que des mutants construits précédemment, RCIA1 (D338A), RCIA2 (G344C), RCIA3 (H193E) et RCIA4 (W237A), d’effectuer le « switch-off » de la nitrogénase a été mesurée par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Les résultats ont révélé que tous les résidus d'acides aminés ci-dessus ont un rôle essentiel dans la régulation de la nitrogénase. L’immunobuvardage a également été effectués afin de vérifier la présence de la Fe-protéine l'ADP-ribosylée. D335, D388 et W237 semblent être cruciales pour l’ADP-ribosylation, puisque les mutants RCZC, RCIA1 et RCIA4 n'a pas montré de l’ADP-ribosylation de la Fe-protéine. En outre, même si une légère ADP-ribosylation a été observée pour RCIA2 (G344C), nous le considérons comme un résidu d'acide aminé important dans la régulation de la nitrogénase. D’un autre coté, le mutant RCIA3 (H193E) a montré une ADP-ribosylation de la Fe-protéine après un choc d'ammonium, par conséquent, il ne semble pas jouer un rôle important dans l’ADP-ribosylation. Par ailleurs R. capsulatus possède une deuxième Amt appelé AmtY, qui, contrairement à AmtB, ne semble pas avoir des rôles spécifiques. Afin de découvrir ses fonctionnalités, AmtY a été surexprimée dans une souche d’E. coli manquant l’AmtB (GT1001 pRSG1) (réalisée précédemment par d'autres membres du laboratoire) et la formation des complexes AmtY-GlnK en réponse à l'addition d’ammoniac a été examinée. Il a été montré que même si AmtY est en mesure de transporter l'ammoniac lorsqu'il est exprimé dans E. coli, elle ne peut pass’ associer à GlnK en réponse à NH4 +. / Nitrogen is one of the most vital elements in the world for living creatures since it is essential for the production of the basic building blocks of the cell; amino acids, nucleic acids and other cellular constituents. The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas (N2), a source of nitrogen unusable by most organisms except for those possessing the enzyme nitrogenase, such as diazotrophic bacteria species. These microorganisms are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia (NH3), which is one of the most preferable nitrogen sources. This ATP demanding reaction, called nitrogen fixation, is catalysed by the nitrogenase enzyme, which is the most important enzyme in the nitrogen cycle. Some proteins are potential regulators of nitrogenase synthesis and activity; AmtB, DraT, DraG, PII proteins and etc. In this thesis I performed various experiments in order to better understand their roles in Rhodobacter capsulatus, in more detail. The membrane protein AmtB, which is widespread among archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes, is a member of the MEP/Amt/Rh family. The AmtB proteins are ammonium transporters, taking up external ammonium, and have also been suggested to sense the presence of ammonium. It has been shown that in Rhodobacter capsulatus AmtB functions as a sensor for the presence of external ammonium in order to regulate nitrogenase. Nitrogenase consists of two metalloprotein components named MoFe-protein and Fe-protein. The addition of ammonium to R. capsulatus culture medium leads to a series of reactions which result in the deactivation of nitrogenase, called “nitrogenase switch-off”. A critical reaction in this process is one in which DraT adds an ADP-ribose group to the Fe-protein of nitrogenase. The entrance of ammonia through the AmtB pore is regulated by GlnK sequestration. GlnK is a PII protein and PII proteins are one of the central proteins in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism. Not only is GlnK-AmtB sequestration important in nitrogenase regulation, but binding of ammonium by AmtB or its partial transport is also necessary. AmtB-GlnK complexes are thought to bind DraG, which is responsible for removing the ADP-ribose that DraT adds to nitrogenase, to form a ternary complex. In this thesis details of the signal transduction mechanism and ammonium transport were examined by generating and characterizing RCZC, a (D335A) site- directed mutant of AmtB. The ability of this mutant, as well as previously constructed mutants RCIA1 (D338A), RCIA2 (G344C), RCIA3 (H193E) and RCIA4 (W237A), to “switch-off” nitrogenase activity was measured by gas chromatography. The results revealed that all the above amino acid residues have critical roles in nitrogenase regulation. Immunoblotting was also carried out to check the presence of ADP-ribosylated Fe-protein. D335, D388 and W237 seem to be crucial for NifH ADP-ribosylation, since their mutants (RCZC, RCIA1 and RCIA4 respectively) didn't show ADP-ribosylation on Fe-protein. In addition, although a slight ADP-ribosylation was observed for RCIA2 (G344C) we still consider it as an important amino acid residue in this matter whereas the remaining mutant RCIA3 (H193E) showed Fe-protein ADP-ribossylation after an ammonium shock, therefore it doesn't seem to be important in NifH ADP-ribosylation. In addition R. capsulatus possesses a second Amt called AmtY, which in contrast to AmtB, doesn't appear to have any specific roles. In order to find out its functionality, AmtY was overexpressed in an E. coli strain lacking AmtB (GT1001 pRSG1) (which was carried out previously by other lab members) and AmtY-GlnK complex formation in response to ammonium addition was examined. It was shown that even though AmtY is able to take up ammonia when expressed in E. coli it fails to associate with GlnK in response to NH4+.

Cheng, Wai Hang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-88). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / List of Abbreviations --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- FE65 --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- FE65 Protein Family and Their Structures --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- PTB domains --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Expression Pattern of FE65 Proteins --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- FE65 Family-Transgenic Animals --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Interacting Partners of FE65 --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- "APP, APLPl and APLP2" --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.4.2 --- LRP1 and ApoEr2 --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.4.3 --- c-Abl --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.4.4 --- Mena and EVL --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.4.5 --- Tip60 --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.4.6 --- SET --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.4.7 --- Estrogen Receptor a --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.4.8 --- Teashirt --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.4.9 --- CP2/LSF/LBP1 --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.4.10 --- Dexra sl --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.4.11 --- P2X2-receptor subunit --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.4.12 --- Tau --- p.15 / Chapter 1.1.4.13 --- Notchl --- p.15 / Chapter 1.1.4.14 --- Alcadein --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.4.15 --- CD95/Fas/Apo -1 ligand --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.4.16 --- p68 subunit of pre -mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation factor Im (p68 CFIm) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.1.4.17 --- Ataxinl --- p.17 / Chapter 1.1.5.1 --- FE65 as an adaptor protein --- p.20 / Chapter 1.1.5.2 --- FE65 and Alzheimer´ةs disease --- p.20 / Chapter 1.1.5.3 --- Transcriptional / Post-transcriptional regulation --- p.22 / Chapter 1.1.5.4 --- Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation --- p.23 / Chapter 1.1.5.5 --- Neuronal positioning and cell migration --- p.23 / Chapter 1.1.5.6 --- Learning and memory --- p.25 / Chapter 1.2 --- Objectives --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Investigation of the interaction between FE65 and Arf6 --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- DNA contructs --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cell culture --- p.27 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Immunoblotting --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Miscellaneous --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of Escherichia coli competent cells --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- DNA preparation with Intron Plasmid DNA --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- DNA preparation with Macherey-Nagel NucleoBond Xtra Midi --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- DNA preparation by the alkaline lysis method --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Spectrophotometric analysis of DNA --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Cell culture and transfection --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Bacterial GST-pull down assay --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- GST-pull down assay for testing direct interaction between FE65 and Arf6 --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Mammalian GST-pull down assay --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- Immunoprecipitation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.12 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.13 --- Immunoblotting --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Interaction between Arf6 and FE65 --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Determination of the interacting domain of FE65 with Arf6 --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Determination if FE65 and Arf6 interact directly --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Production of Antisera against Arf6 and Immunostaining of FE65-Arf6 --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1 --- Materials --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Protein expression and purification --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Immunization and harvest of antisera --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Immunostaining --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methods --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Protein expression and purification --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Bradford assay --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Immunization --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Antibody purification --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Immunostaining --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Recombinant Arf6 expression and purification --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Titering of antisera --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Determination of antisera specificity --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Future Perspectives --- p.73 / References --- p.76

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is initiated when the ligand binds to type II and type I serine/threonine kinase receptors at the cell surface. Activated TGF-β type I receptors phosphorylate R-Smads which relocate, together with co-Smads, to the cell nucleus and regulate transcription. Enhancement or repression of Smad-specific gene targets leads to intracellular protein compositions which organize functional complexes and thus govern cellular processes such as proliferation, migration and differentiation. TGF-β/Smad signaling relays are regulated by various post-translational modifications. From receptors to gene promoters, intricate interplays between phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination and numerous other modifications, control Smad signaling initiation and duration. However, many steps in the cascade, including receptor internalization, Smad nuclear shuttling and transcriptional termination, still remain elusive. The open gaps in our understanding of these mechanisms most likely involve additional post-translational regulations. Thus, the aim of the present investigation was to identify novel modulators of TGF-β/Smad signaling. In the first part of this thesis, we show the importance of ADP-ribosylation in Smad-mediated transcription. We identified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) as a Smad interacting protein. Our work revealed that PARP-1 forms direct interactions with Smad3/4, and PARylates residues in their MH1 domains. This modification restricts Smads from binding to DNA and attenuates Smad-activated transcription. PARylation is reversed by the glycohydrolase PARG. We provide evidence that PARG can de-ADP-ribosylate Smads, which enhances Smad-promoted gene regulation. In the second part, we examine a Smad-dependent gene target of TGF-β signaling, salt inducible kinase 1 (SIK). After induction, SIK cooperates with Smad7 and Smurf2 to downregulate the TGF-β type I receptor. The mechanism relies on both the kinase and UBA domain of SIK as well as the E3-ligase activity of Smurf2. In summary, we have unveiled two enzyme-dependent TGF-β/Smad modulatory mechanisms; SIK promoted receptor turnover and PARP-1/PARG-regulated Smad signaling.

ADP Ribosylation Factor 1 (ARF1) is a universal small GTP binding protein which has an important role in vesicular trafficking between endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. ARF1 is a basic component of Coat Protein I (COPI) vesicles which have functions in both formation of coatomer complex and recruitment of cargo proteins. In this study, the expression ARF1 was analyzed in pea (P. sativum L. cv. Araka) grown at different developmental stages. Because of the differential hormonal levels at corresponding stages, the effects of hormones on ARF1 expression were also studied. The results of present research show that ARF1 expression in embryos and 2 days grown plants after germination is lower when compared to 6 days grown plants. In order to see the hormonal effect, 3 weeks old plants were supplied with 50&micro / M of each hormone for 3 times on alternate days. Protein extraction, cell fractionation,Western blot was carried out and immunoblot analysis was conducted with AtARF1 polyclonal antibodies. It was shown that, in pea shoots, abscisic acid and gibberellin increases the inactive GDP bound ARF1 by hydrolyzing ARF-GTP through activating ARFGTPase activating protein (ARF-GAP) or partially inhibiting ARF-Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (ARF-GEF). In roots, ARF-GDP (cytosolic fraction), ARF-GTP (microsomal fraction) and total amount of ARF1 (13.000 x g supernatant fraction) were down regulated by ~11, ~19 and ~11 fold respectively with the application of gibberellin / and by ~11, ~7 and ~3 fold respectively with the application of abscisic acid / when compared to control plants. These results indicate the importance of plant hormones in the regulation of ARF1 in pea.

L'azote est l'un des éléments les plus essentiels dans le monde pour les êtres vivants, car il est essentiel pour la production des éléments de base de la cellule, les acides aminés, les acides nucléiques et les autres constituants cellulaires. L’atmosphère est composé de 78% d'azote gazeux, une source d'azote inutilisable par la plupart des organismes à l'exception de ceux qui possèdent l’enzyme nitrogénase, tels que les bactéries diazotrophique. Ces micro-organismes sont capables de convertir l'azote atmosphérique en ammoniac (NH3), qui est l'une des sources d'azote les plus préférables. Cette réaction exigeant l’ATP, appelée fixation de l'azote, est catalysée par une enzyme, nitrogénase, qui est l'enzyme la plus importante dans le cycle de l'azote. Certaines protéines sont des régulateurs potentiels de la synthèse de la nitrogénase et de son activité; AmtB, DraT, DraG, les protéines PII, etc.. Dans cette thèse, j'ai effectué diverses expériences afin de mieux comprendre leurs rôles détailés dans Rhodobacter capsulatus. La protéine membranaire AmtB, très répandue chez les archaea, les bactéries et les eucaryotes, est un membre de la famille MEP / Amt / Rh. Les protéines AmtB sont des transporteurs d'ammonium, importateurs d'ammonium externe, et ont également été suggéré d’agir comme des senseurs d'ammonium. Il a été montré que l’AmtB de Rhodobacter capsulatus fonctionne comme un capteur pour détecter la présence d'ammonium externe pour réguler la nitrogénase. La nitrogénase est constituée de deux métalloprotéines nommées MoFe-protéine et Fe-protéine. L'addition d'ammoniaque à une culture R. capsulatus conduit à une série de réactions qui mènent à la désactivation de la nitrogénase, appelé "nitrogénase switch-off". Une réaction critique dans ce processus est l’ajout d’un groupe ADP-ribose à la Fe-protéine par DraT. L'entrée de l'ammoniac dans la cellule à travers le pore AmtB est contrôlée par la séquestration de GlnK. GlnK est une protéine PII et les protéines PII sont des protéines centrales dans la régulation du métabolisme de l'azote. Non seulement la séquestration de GlnK par AmtB est importante dans la régulation nitrogénase, mais la liaison de l'ammonium par AmtB ou de son transport partiel est également nécessaire. Les complexes AmtB-GlnK sont supposés de lier DraG, l’enzyme responsable pour enlever l'ADP-ribose ajouté à la nitrogénase par DraT, ainsi formant un complexe ternaire. Dans cette thèse certains détails du mécanisme de transduction du signal et de transport d'ammonium ont été examinés par la génération et la caractérisation d’un mutant dirigé, RCZC, (D335A). La capacité de ce mutant, ainsi que des mutants construits précédemment, RCIA1 (D338A), RCIA2 (G344C), RCIA3 (H193E) et RCIA4 (W237A), d’effectuer le « switch-off » de la nitrogénase a été mesurée par chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Les résultats ont révélé que tous les résidus d'acides aminés ci-dessus ont un rôle essentiel dans la régulation de la nitrogénase. L’immunobuvardage a également été effectués afin de vérifier la présence de la Fe-protéine l'ADP-ribosylée. D335, D388 et W237 semblent être cruciales pour l’ADP-ribosylation, puisque les mutants RCZC, RCIA1 et RCIA4 n'a pas montré de l’ADP-ribosylation de la Fe-protéine. En outre, même si une légère ADP-ribosylation a été observée pour RCIA2 (G344C), nous le considérons comme un résidu d'acide aminé important dans la régulation de la nitrogénase. D’un autre coté, le mutant RCIA3 (H193E) a montré une ADP-ribosylation de la Fe-protéine après un choc d'ammonium, par conséquent, il ne semble pas jouer un rôle important dans l’ADP-ribosylation. Par ailleurs R. capsulatus possède une deuxième Amt appelé AmtY, qui, contrairement à AmtB, ne semble pas avoir des rôles spécifiques. Afin de découvrir ses fonctionnalités, AmtY a été surexprimée dans une souche d’E. coli manquant l’AmtB (GT1001 pRSG1) (réalisée précédemment par d'autres membres du laboratoire) et la formation des complexes AmtY-GlnK en réponse à l'addition d’ammoniac a été examinée. Il a été montré que même si AmtY est en mesure de transporter l'ammoniac lorsqu'il est exprimé dans E. coli, elle ne peut pass’ associer à GlnK en réponse à NH4 +. / Nitrogen is one of the most vital elements in the world for living creatures since it is essential for the production of the basic building blocks of the cell; amino acids, nucleic acids and other cellular constituents. The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas (N2), a source of nitrogen unusable by most organisms except for those possessing the enzyme nitrogenase, such as diazotrophic bacteria species. These microorganisms are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia (NH3), which is one of the most preferable nitrogen sources. This ATP demanding reaction, called nitrogen fixation, is catalysed by the nitrogenase enzyme, which is the most important enzyme in the nitrogen cycle. Some proteins are potential regulators of nitrogenase synthesis and activity; AmtB, DraT, DraG, PII proteins and etc. In this thesis I performed various experiments in order to better understand their roles in Rhodobacter capsulatus, in more detail. The membrane protein AmtB, which is widespread among archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes, is a member of the MEP/Amt/Rh family. The AmtB proteins are ammonium transporters, taking up external ammonium, and have also been suggested to sense the presence of ammonium. It has been shown that in Rhodobacter capsulatus AmtB functions as a sensor for the presence of external ammonium in order to regulate nitrogenase. Nitrogenase consists of two metalloprotein components named MoFe-protein and Fe-protein. The addition of ammonium to R. capsulatus culture medium leads to a series of reactions which result in the deactivation of nitrogenase, called “nitrogenase switch-off”. A critical reaction in this process is one in which DraT adds an ADP-ribose group to the Fe-protein of nitrogenase. The entrance of ammonia through the AmtB pore is regulated by GlnK sequestration. GlnK is a PII protein and PII proteins are one of the central proteins in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism. Not only is GlnK-AmtB sequestration important in nitrogenase regulation, but binding of ammonium by AmtB or its partial transport is also necessary. AmtB-GlnK complexes are thought to bind DraG, which is responsible for removing the ADP-ribose that DraT adds to nitrogenase, to form a ternary complex. In this thesis details of the signal transduction mechanism and ammonium transport were examined by generating and characterizing RCZC, a (D335A) site- directed mutant of AmtB. The ability of this mutant, as well as previously constructed mutants RCIA1 (D338A), RCIA2 (G344C), RCIA3 (H193E) and RCIA4 (W237A), to “switch-off” nitrogenase activity was measured by gas chromatography. The results revealed that all the above amino acid residues have critical roles in nitrogenase regulation. Immunoblotting was also carried out to check the presence of ADP-ribosylated Fe-protein. D335, D388 and W237 seem to be crucial for NifH ADP-ribosylation, since their mutants (RCZC, RCIA1 and RCIA4 respectively) didn't show ADP-ribosylation on Fe-protein. In addition, although a slight ADP-ribosylation was observed for RCIA2 (G344C) we still consider it as an important amino acid residue in this matter whereas the remaining mutant RCIA3 (H193E) showed Fe-protein ADP-ribossylation after an ammonium shock, therefore it doesn't seem to be important in NifH ADP-ribosylation. In addition R. capsulatus possesses a second Amt called AmtY, which in contrast to AmtB, doesn't appear to have any specific roles. In order to find out its functionality, AmtY was overexpressed in an E. coli strain lacking AmtB (GT1001 pRSG1) (which was carried out previously by other lab members) and AmtY-GlnK complex formation in response to ammonium addition was examined. It was shown that even though AmtY is able to take up ammonia when expressed in E. coli it fails to associate with GlnK in response to NH4+.