PprA: A protein implicated in radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans stimulates catalase activity in Escherichia coli.

PprA: a pleiotropic protein promoting DNA repair, role in radiation resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans was demonstrated. In this study, the effect of radiation and oxidative stress on transgenic Escherichia coli expressing pprA has been studied. The pprA gene from D. radiodurans KR1 was cloned and expressed in E. coli. Transgenic E. coli cells expressing PprA showed twofold to threefold higher tolerance to hydrogen peroxide as compared to control. The 2.8-fold in vivo stimulation of catalase activity largely contributed by KatE was observed as compared to nonrecombinant control. Furthermore, the purified PprA could stimulate the E. coli catalase activity by 1.7-fold in solution. The effect of PprA on catalase activity observed both in vivo and in vitro was reverted to normal levels in the presence of PprA antibodies. The results suggest that enhanced oxidative stress tolerance in E. coli expressing PprA was due to the PprA stimulation of catalase activity, perhaps through the interaction of these proteins.