Conditions affecting ergothioneine levels in Mycobacterium smegmatis & the attempted isolation of α-N, N, N-Histidine methyltransferase, the first enzyme in ergothioneine biosynthesis
Doctoral Thesis
2007
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Ergothioneine and mycothiol are the two major low molecular weight thiols present in mycobacteria. The generation of mycothiol-deficient mutants has demonstrated its role in protecting M tuberculosis against oxidative and nitrosative stress. To date, no ergothioneine-deficient mutants have been identified and the role of ergothioneine in mycobacteria remains unknown. The work in this thesis was performed with the aim of better understanding the function of ergothioneine in mycobacteria, by studying its biosynthesis and the conditions affecting its production.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-133).
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Williams, M. 2007. Conditions affecting ergothioneine levels in Mycobacterium smegmatis & the attempted isolation of α-N, N, N-Histidine methyltransferase, the first enzyme in ergothioneine biosynthesis. University of Cape Town.