Proteome organization in a genome-reduced bacterium

Science. 2009 Nov 27;326(5957):1235-40. doi: 10.1126/science.1176343.

Abstract

The genome of Mycoplasma pneumoniae is among the smallest found in self-replicating organisms. To study the basic principles of bacterial proteome organization, we used tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry (TAP-MS) in a proteome-wide screen. The analysis revealed 62 homomultimeric and 116 heteromultimeric soluble protein complexes, of which the majority are novel. About a third of the heteromultimeric complexes show higher levels of proteome organization, including assembly into larger, multiprotein complex entities, suggesting sequential steps in biological processes, and extensive sharing of components, implying protein multifunctionality. Incorporation of structural models for 484 proteins, single-particle electron microscopy, and cellular electron tomograms provided supporting structural details for this proteome organization. The data set provides a blueprint of the minimal cellular machinery required for life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / analysis*
  • Bacterial Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Computational Biology
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes / analysis*
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / chemistry*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / genetics*
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / metabolism
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae / ultrastructure
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Proteome*
  • Systems Biology

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Proteome