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. 1989 Sep;171(9):4714–4717. doi: 10.1128/jb.171.9.4714-4717.1989

An osmoregulated dipeptide in stressed Rhizobium meliloti.

L T Smith 1, G M Smith 1
PMCID: PMC210271  PMID: 2768187

Abstract

One common mechanism of cellular adaptation to osmotic stress is the accumulation of organic solutes in the cytosol. We have used natural-abundance 13C nuclear magnetic resonance to identify all organic solutes that accumulate to significant levels in Rhizobium meliloti. Our studies led to the discovery of a new dipeptide, N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide (NAGGN), which is accumulated during osmotic stress. Only rarely have peptides been shown to function in bacteria, and furthermore, this is the first example of a peptide playing a role in osmoregulation. Evidence for the biological role of NAGGN in osmotic-stress protection is presented.

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Selected References

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