ASPARTYL PHOSPHATES IN THE REGULATORY CONTROL OF BACTERIAL RESPONSE

Acyl phosphates represent a mixed anhydride class of compounds whose l ability allows the phosphorylation of an aspartyl carboxyl contained i n a protein to reversibly induce changes in structure that may have bi ological significance, particularly in prokaryotic systems. In this re port the phosphorelay system that regulates sporulation in Bacillus su btilis is described briefly and its analogy to other regulatory system s is outlined. The structural properties of the aspartate containing s econd component of the phosphorelay system SpoOF is examined by multid imensional NMR techniques and comparison is made with a known sequence analog, CheY. Distinct differences are apparent that are reflected by the extended half life of phosphorylated SpoOF relative to the CheY a nalog. It is probable that in a general way the distinct half life cha racteristics may be related to the differing functions of the various regulatory aspartate containing proteins in the cell.