NifS-like proteins are cysteine desulphurases required for the mobilization of sulphur from cysteine. They are present in all organisms, where they are involved in iron–sulphur (Fe–S) cluster biosynthesis. In eukaryotes, these enzymes are present in mitochondria, which are the major site for Fe–S cluster assembly. The genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana contains two putative NifS-like proteins. A cDNA corresponding to one of them was cloned by reverse-transcription PCR, and named AtNFS2. The corresponding transcript is expressed in many plant tissues. It encodes a protein highly related (75% similarity) to the slr0077-gene product from Synechocystis PCC 6803, and is predicted to be targeted to plastids. Indeed, a chimaeric AtNFS2–GFP fusion protein, containing one-third of AtNFS2 from its N-terminal end, was addressed to chloroplasts. Overproduction in Escherichia coli and purification of recombinant AtNFS2 protein enabled one to demonstrate that it bears a pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent cysteine desulphurase activity in vitro, thus being the first NifS homologue characterized to date in plants. The putative physiological functions of this gene are discussed, including the attractive hypothesis of a possible role in Fe–S cluster assembly in plastids.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
September 2002
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
Research Article|
September 01 2002
The AtNFS2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a NifS-like plastidial cysteine desulphurase
Sébastien LÉON;
Sébastien LÉON
Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004), Université Montpellier-II, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique et Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie, 2 place Viala, F-34060 Montpellier Cédex 1, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Brigitte TOURAINE;
Brigitte TOURAINE
Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004), Université Montpellier-II, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique et Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie, 2 place Viala, F-34060 Montpellier Cédex 1, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Jean-François BRIAT;
Jean-François BRIAT
Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004), Université Montpellier-II, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique et Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie, 2 place Viala, F-34060 Montpellier Cédex 1, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Stéphane LOBRÉAUX
Stéphane LOBRÉAUX
1
Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004), Université Montpellier-II, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique et Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie, 2 place Viala, F-34060 Montpellier Cédex 1, France
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail lobreaux@ensam.inra.fr).
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 25 2002
Revision Received:
May 24 2002
Accepted:
May 29 2002
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 29 2002
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
The Biochemical Society, London ©2002
2002
Biochem J (2002) 366 (2): 557–564.
Article history
Received:
February 25 2002
Revision Received:
May 24 2002
Accepted:
May 29 2002
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 29 2002
Citation
Sébastien LÉON, Brigitte TOURAINE, Jean-François BRIAT, Stéphane LOBRÉAUX; The AtNFS2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a NifS-like plastidial cysteine desulphurase. Biochem J 1 September 2002; 366 (2): 557–564. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj20020322
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.