There are more small amino acids and fewer aromatic rings in proteins of ionizing radiation-resistant bacteria

Abstract

The identification of specific amino acids (AAs) or groups of functionally important AA residues in ionizing radiation-resistant bacteria (IRRB) is an important challenge in understanding the biological basis of resistance to ionizing radiation (IR; X-rays and gamma-rays). To address this problem, we compared homologous sites in multiple alignments of proteins of IRRB and IR-sensitive bacteria (IRSB) using the DeltaProt Toolbox. Substitution patterns were used as evidence for selection of certain AAs over others. Our results show that, in contrast to aromatic AAs, small/- tiny AAs tend to be preferred in IRRB compared to IRSB. In agreement with previous experimental data showing that oxidation of AA residues is causative in the killing of irradiated cells and that IR resistance is correlated with the accumulation of divalent manganese ions (Mn2+)-peptide- orthophosphate (Pi) complexes, we proposed a chemical interpretation based on the Hard and Soft (Lewis) Acids and Bases (HSAB) concept. These findings should assist future efforts in selecting mutations for rational design of proteins with enhanced IR tolerance properties. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg and the University of Milan 2013.