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Journal of Bacteriology, September 2001, p. 5198-5202, Vol. 183, No. 17
Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of
Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Received 5 January 2001/Accepted 4 June 2001
The small heat shock protein (sHSP) from the hyperthermophile
Pyrococcus furiosus was specifically induced at the
level of transcription by heat shock at 105°C. The gene encoding this
protein was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia
coli. The recombinant sHSP prevented the majority of E.
coli proteins from aggregating in vitro for up to 40 min at
105°C. The sHSP also prevented bovine glutamate dehydrogenase from
aggregating at 56°C. Survivability of E. coli
overexpressing the sHSP was enhanced approximately sixfold during
exposure to 50°C for 2 h compared with the control culture,
which did not express the sHSP. Apparently, the sHSP confers a survival
advantage on mesophilic bacteria by preventing protein aggregation at
supraoptimal temperatures.
0021-9193/01/$04.00+0 DOI: 10.1128/JB.183.17.5198-5202.2001
Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Regulation and Mechanism of Action of the Small Heat Shock
Protein from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon
Pyrococcus furiosus

*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Center of Marine
Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 701 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 234-8870. Fax: (410)
234-8896. E-mail: robb{at}umbi.umd.edu.
Contribution 524 from the Center of Marine Biotechnology.
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