Anti-sigma factors

Insights into the extracytoplasmic stress response of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris: role and regulation of {sigma}E-dependent activity

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is an epiphytic bacterium that can become a vascular pathogen responsible for black rot disease of crucifers. To adapt gene expression in response to ever-changing habitats, phytopathogenic bacteria have evolved signal transduction regulatory pathways, such as extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors. The alternative sigma factor σ(E), encoded by rpoE, is crucial for envelope stress response and plays a role in the pathogenicity of many bacterial species. Here, we combine different approaches to investigate the role and mechanism of σ(E)-dependent activation in X. campestris pv. campestris. We show that the rpoE gene is organized as a single transcription unit with the anti-σ gene rseA and the protease gene mucD and that rpoE transcription is autoregulated. rseA and mucD transcription is also controlled by a highly conserved σ(E)-dependent promoter within the σ(E) gene sequence. The σ(E)-mediated stress response is required for stationary-phase survival, resistance to cadmium, and adaptation to membrane-perturbing stresses (elevated temperature and ethanol). Using microarray technology, we started to define the σ(E) regulon of X. campestris pv. campestris. These genes encode proteins belonging to different classes, including periplasmic or membrane proteins, biosynthetic enzymes, classical heat shock proteins, and the heat stress σ factor σ(H). The consensus sequence for the predicted σ(E)-regulated promoter elements is GGAACTN(15-17)GTCNNA. Determination of the rpoH transcription start site revealed that rpoH was directly regulated by σ(E) under both normal and heat stress conditions. Finally, σ(E) activity is regulated by the putative regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) proteases RseP and DegS, as previously described in many other bacteria. However, our data suggest that RseP and DegS are not only dedicated to RseA cleavage and that the proteolytic cascade of RseA could involve other proteases.

Importance of SigB for Listeria monocytogenes static and continuous-flow biofilm formation and disinfectant resistance

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that is able to form biofilms in food processing facilities. Biofilms are generally more resistant to antimicrobial agents, making it difficult to eradicate them during cleanup procedures. So far, little is known about the function of stress resistance mechanisms in biofilm formation and their resistance to disinfectants. In this study, we investigated the role of sigB, which encodes a major transcriptional regulator of stress response genes, in L. monocytogenes static and continuous-flow biofilm formation and its function in the resistance of biofilm cells to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride and peracetic acid. Quantitative real-time PCR and promoter reporter studies showed that sigB is activated in static and continuous-flow biofilms. Biofilm formation studies using an in-frame sigB deletion mutant and complementation mutant showed that the presence of SigB is required to obtain wild-type levels of both static and continuous-flow biofilms. Finally, disinfection treatments of planktonically grown cells and cells dispersed from static and continuous-flow biofilms showed that SigB is involved in the resistance of both planktonic cells and biofilms to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride and peracetic acid.

The anti-anti-sigma factor BldG is involved in activation of the stress response sigma factor σ(H) in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The alternative stress response sigma factor σ(H) has a role in regulation of the osmotic stress response and in morphological differentiation in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). Its gene, sigH, is located in an operon with the gene that encodes its anti-sigma factor UshX (PrsH). However, no gene with similarity to an anti-anti-sigma factor which may have a role in σ(H) activation by a "partner-switching" mechanism is located in the operon. By using a combination of several approaches, including pull-down and bacterial two-hybrid assays and visualization of the complex by native polyacrylamide electrophoresis, we demonstrated a direct interaction between UshX and the pleiotropic sporulation-specific anti-anti-sigma factor BldG. Osmotic induction of transcription of the sigHp2 promoter that is specifically recognized by RNA polymerase containing σ(H) was absent in an S. coelicolor bldG mutant, indicating a role of BldG in σ(H) activation by a partner-switching-like mechanism.

A structural model of anti-anti-σ inhibition by a two-component receiver domain: the PhyR stress response regulator

PhyR is a hybrid stress regulator conserved in α-proteobacteria that contains an N-terminal σ-like (SL) domain and a C-terminal receiver domain. Phosphorylation of the receiver domain is known to promote binding of the SL domain to an anti-σ factor. PhyR thus functions as an anti-anti-σ factor in its phosphorylated state. We present genetic evidence that Caulobacter crescentus PhyR is a phosphorylation-dependent stress regulator that functions in the same pathway as σ(T) and its anti-σ factor, NepR. Additionally, we report the X-ray crystal structure of PhyR at 1.25 Å resolution, which provides insight into the mechanism of anti-anti-σ regulation. Direct intramolecular contact between the PhyR receiver and SL domains spans regions σ₂ and σ₄, likely serving to stabilize the SL domain in a closed conformation. The molecular surface of the receiver domain contacting the SL domain is the structural equivalent of α4-β5-α5, which is known to undergo dynamic conformational change upon phosphorylation in a diverse range of receiver proteins. We propose a structural model of PhyR regulation in which receiver phosphorylation destabilizes the intramolecular interaction between SL and receiver domains, thereby permitting regions σ₂ and σ₄ in the SL domain to open about a flexible connector loop and bind anti-σ factor.

Over-expression and purification strategies for recombinant multi-protein oligomers: a case study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis σ/anti-σ factor protein complexes

The function of a protein in a cell often involves coordinated interactions with one or several regulatory partners. It is thus imperative to characterize a protein both in isolation as well as in the context of its complex with an interacting partner. High resolution structural information determined by X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance offer the best route to characterize protein complexes. These techniques, however, require highly purified and homogenous protein samples at high concentration. This requirement often presents a major hurdle for structural studies. Here we present a strategy based on co-expression and co-purification to obtain recombinant multi-protein complexes in the quantity and concentration range that can enable hitherto intractable structural projects. The feasibility of this strategy was examined using the σ factor/anti-σ factor protein complexes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The approach was successful across a wide range of σ factors and their cognate interacting partners. It thus appears likely that the analysis of these complexes based on variations in expression constructs and procedures for the purification and characterization of these recombinant protein samples would be widely applicable for other multi-protein systems.

The heat shock response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: linking gene expression, immunology and pathogenesis

The regulation of heat shock protein (HSP) expression is critically important to pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and dysregulation of the heat shock response results in increased immune recognition of the bacterium and reduced survival during chronic infection. In this study we use a whole genome spotted microarray to characterize the heat shock response of M. tuberculosis. We also begin a dissection of this important stress response by generating deletion mutants that lack specific transcriptional regulators and examining their transcriptional profiles under different stresses. Understanding the stimuli and mechanisms that govern heat shock in mycobacteria will allow us to relate observed in vivo expression patterns of HSPs to particular stresses and physiological conditions. The mechanisms controlling HSP expression also make attractive drug targets as part of a strategy designed to enhance immune recognition of the bacterium.

Identification of a novel anti-sigmaE factor in Neisseria meningitidis

Background

Fine tuning expression of genes is a prerequisite for the strictly human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis to survive hostile growth conditions and establish disease. Many bacterial species respond to stress by using alternative σ factors which, in complex with RNA polymerase holoenzyme, recognize specific promoter determinants. σ^E, encoded by rpoE (NMB2144) in meningococci, is known to be essential in mounting responses to environmental challenges in many pathogens. Here we identified genes belonging to the σ^E regulon of meningococci.

Results

We show that meningococcal σ^E is part of the polycistronic operon NMB2140-NMB2145 and autoregulated. In addition we demonstrate that σ^E controls expression of methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA/MsrB). Moreover, we provide evidence that the activity of σ^E is under control of NMB2145, directly downstream of rpoE. The protein encoded by NMB2145 is structurally related to anti-sigma domain (ASD) proteins and characterized by a zinc containing anti-σ factor (ZAS) motif, a hall mark of a specific class of Zn^2+-binding ASD proteins acting as anti-σ factors. We demonstrate that Cys residues in ZAS, as well as the Cys residue on position 4, are essential for anti-σ^E activity of NMB2145, as found for a minority of members of the ZAS family that are predicted to act in the cytoplasm and responding to oxidative stimuli. However, exposure of cells to oxidative stimuli did not result in altered expression of σ^E.

Conclusions

Together, our results demonstrate that meningococci express a functional transcriptionally autoregulated σ^E factor, the activity of which is controlled by a novel meningococcal anti-σ factor belonging to the ZAS family.

The complex whiJ locus mediates environmentally sensitive repression of development of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

A segment of DNA was isolated that complemented several poorly characterised sporulation-defective white-colony mutants of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) from an early collection (Hopwood et al., J Gen Microbiol 61: 397-408, 1970). Complementation was attributable to a gene, SCO4543, named whiJ, encoding a likely DNA-binding protein. Surprisingly, although some mutations in whiJ had a white colony phenotype, complete deletion of the wild-type or mutant gene gave a wild-type morphology. The whiJ gene is a member of a large paralogous set of S. coelicolor genes including abaAorfA, which regulates antibiotic production; and genes flanking whiJ are paralogues of other gene classes that are often associated with whiJ-like genes (Gehring et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97: 9642-9647, 2000). Thus, the small gene SCO4542 encodes a paralogue of the abaAorfD gene product, and SCO4544 encodes a paralogue of a family of likely anti-sigma factors (including the product of abaAorfB). Deletion of SCO4542 resulted in a medium-dependent bald- or white-colony phenotype, which could be completely suppressed by the simultaneous deletion of whiJ. A model is proposed in which WhiJ binds to operator sequences to repress developmental genes, with repression being released by interaction with the WhiJ-associated SCO4542 protein. It is suggested that this activity of SCO4542 protein is prevented by an unknown signal.

Exploitation of prokaryotic expression systems based on the salicylate-dependent control circuit encompassing nahR/P(sal)::xylS2 for biotechnological applications

Expression vectors appear to be an indispensable tool for both biological studies and biotechnological applications. Controlling gene overexpression becomes a critical issue when protein production is desired. In addition to several aspects regarding toxicity or plasmid instability, tight control of gene expression is an essential factor in biotechnological processes. Thus, the search for better-controlled circuits is an important issue among biotechnologists. Traditionally, expression systems involve a single regulatory protein operating over a target promoter. However, these circuits are limited on their induction ratios (e.g., by their restriction in the maximal expression capacity, by their leakiness under non-induced conditions). Due to these limitations, regulatory cascades, which are far more efficient, are necessary for biotechnological applications. Thus, regulatory circuits with two modules operating in cascade offer a significant advantage. In this review, we describe the regulatory cascade based on two salicylate-responsive transcriptional regulators of Pseudomonas putida (nahR/P(sal)::xylS2), its properties, and contribution to a tighter control over heterologous gene expression in different applications.Nowadays, heterologous expression has been proven to be an indispensable tool for tackling basic biological questions, as well as for developing biotechnological applications. As the nature of the protein of interest becomes more complex, biotechnologists find that a tight control of gene expression is a key factor which conditions the success of the downstream purification process, as well as the interpretation of the results in other type of studies. Fortunately, different expression systems can be found in the market, each of them with their own pros and cons. In this review we discuss the exploitation of prokaryotic expression systems based on a promising expression system, the salicylate-dependent control circuit encompassing nahR/P(sal)::xylS2, as well as some of the improvements that have been done on this system to exploit it more efficiently in the context of both biotechnological applications and basic research.

A dual mode of regulation of flgM by ScoC in Bacillus subtilis

In Bacillus subtilis, the transition state regulator ScoC indirectly, negatively regulates the anti-sigmaD factor FlgM in a SinR-dependent pathway leading to an increased availability of sigmaD. In addition to the SinR-dependent pathway, ScoC negatively regulates FlgM via directly repressing flgM transcription by binding to two sites in the promoter region of the flgM operon. Our studies also show that the regulation of FlgM by SinR is not at the transcriptional or translational levels. Thus, ScoC shows a dual mode of downregulation of FlgM, via both SinR-dependent and -independent pathways, which eventually results in the increased sigmaD activity.

Involvement of SigT and RstA in the differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor

SigT is an ECF sigma factor in Streptomyces coelicolor. sigT and its putative anti-sigma factor gene rstA are located in one putative operon, and SigT could physically interact with RstA. Deletion of sigT or rstA caused accelerated morphological development and enhanced production of antibiotics, concomitant with over-expression of chpE, chpH, actII-orf4 and redD. Furthermore, SigT was undetectable after loss of rstA. These data suggested that SigT has a negative role on differentiation and that RstA negatively regulates the SigT activity through a putative antagonistic mechanism and at the post-transcriptional level.

The third pillar of bacterial signal transduction: classification of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor protein family

The ability of a bacterial cell to monitor and adaptively respond to its environment is crucial for survival. After one- and two-component systems, extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors - the largest group of alternative sigma factors - represent the third fundamental mechanism of bacterial signal transduction, with about six such regulators on average per bacterial genome. Together with their cognate anti-sigma factors, they represent a highly modular design that primarily facilitates transmembrane signal transduction. A comprehensive analysis of the ECF sigma factor protein family identified more than 40 distinct major groups of ECF sigma factors. The functional relevance of this classification is supported by the sequence similarity and domain architecture of cognate anti-sigma factors, genomic context conservation, and potential target promoter motifs. Moreover, this phylogenetic analysis revealed unique features indicating novel mechanisms of ECF-mediated signal transduction. This classification, together with the web tool ECFfinder and the information stored in the Microbial Signal Transduction (MiST) database, provides a comprehensive resource for the analysis of ECF sigma factor-dependent gene regulation.

A regulator from Chlamydia trachomatis modulates the activity of RNA polymerase through direct interaction with the beta subunit and the primary sigma subunit

The obligate intracellular human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis undergoes a complex developmental program involving transition between two forms: the infectious elementary body (EB), and the rapidly dividing reticulate body (RB). However, the regulators controlling this development have not been identified. To uncover potential regulators of transcription in C. trachomatis, we screened a C. trachomatis genomic library for sequences encoding proteins that interact with RNA polymerase (RNAP). We report the identification of one such protein, CT663, which interacts with the beta and sigma subunits of RNAP. Specifically, we show that CT663 interacts with the flap domain of the beta subunit (beta-flap) and conserved region 4 of the primary sigma subunit (sigma(66) in C. trachomatis). We find that CT663 inhibits sigma(66)-dependent (but not sigma(28)-dependent) transcription in vitro, and we present evidence that CT663 exerts this effect as a component of the RNAP holoenzyme. The analysis of C. trachomatis-infected cells reveals that CT663 begins to accumulate at the commencement of the RB-to-EB transition. Our findings suggest that CT663 functions as a negative regulator of sigma(66)-dependent transcription, facilitating a global change in gene expression. The strategy used here is generally applicable in cases where genetic tools are unavailable.

Targeted sigma factor turnover inserts negative control into a positive feedback loop

Since their classification as members of the sigma(70) superfamily, Group IV alternative sigma factors have been found to control gene expression in response to diverse environmental or stress signals. Activity of the Streptomyces coelicolor Group IV family member, sigma(R) (SigR), is increased by changes in the oxidation-reduction state of cytoplasmic disulphide bonds. Once released by its cognate anti-sigma factor RsrA, sigma(R) activates expression of gene products that help cells reduce cytoplasmic disulphide bonds. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Kim and co-workers provide new insights into positive and negative control of sigma(R) activity. The authors show that a transcript derived from the inducible sigma(R)-dependent sigRrsrA p2 promoter operon encodes a sigma(R) protein of a higher molecular weight (termed sigma(R')) than is found in uninduced cells. One major difference between sigma(R') and the smaller sigma(R) protein found in uninduced cells is the rapid proteolysis of sigma(R') by the ClpP1/P2 protease system. The genes for the ClpP1/ClpP2 protease subunits are themselves members of the sigma(R) regulon. The newly identified positive (sigma(R') synthesis) and negative control (selective sigma(R') turnover) aspects of this circuit are either found or predicted to exist in other related Group IV sigma factor family members.

From a consortium sequence to a unified sequence: the Bacillus subtilis 168 reference genome a decade later

Comparative genomics is the cornerstone of identification of gene functions. The immense number of living organisms precludes experimental identification of functions except in a handful of model organisms. The bacterial domain is split into large branches, among which the Firmicutes occupy a considerable space. Bacillus subtilis has been the model of Firmicutes for decades and its genome has been a reference for more than 10 years. Sequencing the genome involved more than 30 laboratories, with different expertises, in a attempt to make the most of the experimental information that could be associated with the sequence. This had the expected drawback that the sequencing expertise was quite varied among the groups involved, especially at a time when sequencing genomes was extremely hard work. The recent development of very efficient, fast and accurate sequencing techniques, in parallel with the development of high-level annotation platforms, motivated the present resequencing work. The updated sequence has been reannotated in agreement with the UniProt protein knowledge base, keeping in perspective the split between the paleome (genes necessary for sustaining and perpetuating life) and the cenome (genes required for occupation of a niche, suggesting here that B. subtilis is an epiphyte). This should permit investigators to make reliable inferences to prepare validation experiments in a variety of domains of bacterial growth and development as well as build up accurate phylogenies.

The bacteriophage T4 AsiA protein contacts the beta-flap domain of RNA polymerase

To initiate transcription from specific promoters, the bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme must associate with the initiation factor sigma, which contains determinants that allow sequence-specific interactions with promoter DNA. Most bacteria contain several sigma factors, each of which directs recognition of a distinct set of promoters. A large and diverse family of proteins known as "anti-sigma factors" regulates promoter utilization by targeting specific sigma factors. The founding member of this family is the AsiA protein of bacteriophage T4. AsiA specifically targets the primary sigma factor in Escherichia coli, sigma(70), and inhibits transcription from the major class of sigma(70)-dependent promoters. AsiA-dependent transcription inhibition has been attributed to a well-documented interaction between AsiA and conserved region 4 of sigma(70). Here, we establish that efficient AsiA-dependent transcription inhibition also requires direct protein-protein contact between AsiA and the RNAP core. In particular, we demonstrate that AsiA contacts the flap domain of the RNAP beta-subunit (the beta-flap). Our findings support the emerging view that the beta-flap is a target site for regulatory proteins that affect RNAP function during all stages of the transcription cycle.

ChlH, the H subunit of the Mg-chelatase, is an anti-sigma factor for SigE in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Although regulation of sigma factors has been intensively investigated, anti-sigma factors have not been identified in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. A previous study suggested that the sigma factor, SigE, of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a positive regulator of sugar catabolism, is posttranslationally activated by light-to-dark transition. In the present study, we found that the H subunit of Mg-chelatase ChlH interacts with sigma factor SigE by yeast two-hybrid screening, and immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that ChlH associates with SigE in a light-dependent manner in vivo. We also found that Mg(2+) promotes the interaction of SigE and ChlH and determines their localization in vitro. In vitro transcription analysis demonstrated that ChlH inhibits the transcription activity of SigE. Based on these results, we propose a model in which ChlH functions as an anti-sigma factor, transducing light signals to SigE in a process mediated by Mg(2+).

Role of RsbU in controlling SigB activity in Staphylococcus aureus following alkaline stress

SigB is an alternative sigma factor that controls a large regulon in Staphylococcus aureus. Activation of SigB requires RsbU, a protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C)-type phosphatase. In a closely related organism, Bacillus subtilis, RsbU activity is stimulated upon interaction with RsbT, a kinase, which following an activating stimulus switches from a 25S high-molecular-weight complex, the stressosome, to the N-terminal domain of RsbU. Active RsbU dephosporylates RsbV and thereby triggers the release of SigB from its inhibitory complex with RsbW. While RsbU, RsbV, RsbW, and SigB are conserved in S. aureus, proteins similar to RsbT and the components of the stressosome are not, raising the question of how RsbU activity and hence SigB activity are controlled in S. aureus. We found that in contrast to the case in B. subtilis, the induced expression of RsbU was sufficient to stimulate SigB-dependent transcription in S. aureus. However, activation of SigB-dependent transcription following alkaline stress did not lead to a clear accumulation of SigB and its regulators RsbV and RsbW or to a change in the RsbV/RsbV-P ratio in S. aureus. When expressed in B. subtilis, the S. aureus RsbU displayed a high activity even in the absence of an inducing stimulus. This high activity could be transferred to the PP2C domain of the B. subtilis RsbU protein by a fusion to the N-terminal domain of the S. aureus RsbU. Collectively, the data suggest that the activity of the S. aureus RsbU and hence SigB may be subjected to different regulation in comparison to that in B. subtilis.

Sigma factor mimicry involved in regulation of general stress response

Bacteria have evolved regulatory traits to rapidly adapt to changing conditions. Two principal regulatory mechanisms to modulate gene expression consist of regulation via alternative sigma factors and phosphorylation-dependent response regulators. PhyR represents a recently discovered protein family combining parts of both systems: a sigma factor-like domain of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) subfamily linked to a receiver domain of a response regulator. Here we investigated the mode of action of this key regulator of general stress response in Methylobacterium extorquens. Our results indicate that PhyR does not act as a genuine sigma factor but instead controls gene expression indirectly through protein-protein interactions. This is evident from the analysis of additional proteins involved in PhyR-dependent gene regulation. We demonstrated that the ECF sigma factor-like domain of PhyR interacts with a protein, designated NepR, upon phosphorylation of the PhyR receiver domain. Using transcriptome analysis and phenotypic assays, we showed that NepR is a negative regulator of PhyR response. Furthermore, we provide biochemical and genetic evidence that NepR exerts this inhibitory effect through sequestration of the ECF sigma factor sigma(EcfG1). Our data support an unprecedented model according to which PhyR acts as a mimicry protein triggering a partner-switching mechanism. Such a regulation of general stress response clearly differs from the two known models operating via sigma(S) and sigma(B). Given the absence of these master regulators and the concomitant conservation of PhyR in Alphaproteobacteria, the novel mechanism presented here is most likely central to the control of general stress response in this large subclass of Proteobacteria.

hag expression in Bacillus subtilis is both negatively and positively regulated by ScoC

In Bacillus subtilis, motility and chemotaxis require the expression of hag, which encodes flagellin. This gene is transcribed by the sigma(D) form of RNA polymerase and is regulated by a group of proteins called transition state regulators (TSRs). Our studies show that hag transcription is negatively regulated by the transition state regulator ScoC, by binding to its promoter. Furthermore, ScoC, indirectly, also positively regulates hag by increasing the availability of sigma(D) by downregulating the levels of the anti-sigma(D)-factor FlgM. We further show that the positive regulation by ScoC predominates over the negative regulation.

Survival in nuclear waste, extreme resistance, and potential applications gleaned from the genome sequence of Kineococcus radiotolerans SRS30216

Kineococcus radiotolerans SRS30216 was isolated from a high-level radioactive environment at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and exhibits γ-radiation resistance approaching that of Deinococcus radiodurans. The genome was sequenced by the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute which suggested the existence of three replicons, a 4.76 Mb linear chromosome, a 0.18 Mb linear plasmid, and a 12.92 Kb circular plasmid. Southern hybridization confirmed that the chromosome is linear. The K. radiotolerans genome sequence was examined to learn about the physiology of the organism with regard to ionizing radiation resistance, the potential for bioremediation of nuclear waste, and the dimorphic life cycle. K. radiotolerans may have a unique genetic toolbox for radiation protection as it lacks many of the genes known to confer radiation resistance in D. radiodurans. Additionally, genes involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species and the excision repair pathway are overrepresented. K. radiotolerans appears to lack degradation pathways for pervasive soil and groundwater pollutants. However, it can respire on two organic acids found in SRS high-level nuclear waste, formate and oxalate, which promote the survival of cells during prolonged periods of starvation. The dimorphic life cycle involves the production of motile zoospores. The flagellar biosynthesis genes are located on a motility island, though its regulation could not be fully discerned. These results highlight the remarkable ability of K radiotolerans to withstand environmental extremes and suggest that in situ bioremediation of organic complexants from high level radioactive waste may be feasible.

The YvrI alternative sigma factor is essential for acid stress induction of oxalate decarboxylase in Bacillus subtilis

YvrI is a recently identified alternative sigma factor in Bacillus subtilis that requires the coactivator YvrHa to activate transcription. Previously, a strain engineered to overproduce YvrI was found to overproduce oxalate decarboxylase (OxdC), and further analysis identified three YvrI-activated promoters preceding the yvrI-yvrHa, yvrJ, and oxdC-yvrL operons. Independently, proteome analyses identified OxdC as a highly abundant, cell wall-associated protein that accumulated under acidic growth conditions. We show here that the accumulation of OxdC in the cell wall proteome under acidic growth conditions is absolutely dependent on YvrI and is correlated with enhanced transcription of both the yvrI-yvrHa and the oxdC-yvrL operons. Conversely, OxdC accumulates to a high level even under nonacidic growth conditions in cells lacking YvrL, a negative regulator of YvrI/YvrHa-dependent transcription. These results indicate that YvrI and its associated coregulators YvrHa and YvrL are required for the regulation of OxdC expression by acid stress. The high-level accumulation of OxdC depends, in part, on a strong oxdC promoter. A regulatory sequence with similarity to an upstream promoter element (UP) was identified upstream of the oxdC promoter and is required for high-level promoter activity. Conservation of the YvrI/YvrHa/YvrL regulatory system among related species allowed us to deduce an expanded consensus sequence for the compositionally unusual promoters recognized by this new sigma factor.

Rsd family proteins make simultaneous interactions with regions 2 and 4 of the primary sigma factor

Bacterial anti-sigma factors typically regulate sigma factor function by restricting the access of their cognate sigma factors to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme. The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms a complex with the primary sigma factor, sigma(70), inhibits sigma(70)-dependent transcription in vitro, and has been proposed to function as a sigma(70)-specific anti-sigma factor, thereby facilitating the utilization of alternative sigma factors. In prior work, Rsd has been shown to interact with conserved region 4 of sigma(70), but it is not known whether this interaction suffices to account for the regulatory functions of Rsd. Here we show that Rsd and the Rsd orthologue AlgQ, a global regulator of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, interact with conserved region 2 of sigma(70). We show further that Rsd and AlgQ can interact simultaneously with regions 2 and 4 of sigma(70). Our findings establish that the abilities of Rsd and AlgQ to interact with sigma(70) region 2 are important determinants of their in vitro and in vivo activities.

Functional identification of an anti-sigmaE factor from Thermus thermophilus HB8

The TTHB212 gene from extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8 forms an operon with the upstream sigE gene encoding an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigma(E), the sole alternative sigma factor of this strain, on megaplasmid pTT27. The TTHB212 gene encodes a poorly conserved protein, which has been predicted to be a transmembrane one with N-terminal intracellular and C-terminal extracytoplasmic domains. The N-terminal domain of TTHB212 protein (TTHB212N) prevented sigma(E) from binding to RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme in vitro, and TTHB212N bound sigma(E) in a molar ratio of 1:1 when both proteins were co-expressed in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, TTHB212N inhibited the transcription activity of RNAP-sigma(E) holoenzyme, but not that of the RNAP-sigma(A) one, in vitro. The expression of several genes that are under the control of sigma(E) was increased in a TTHB212 gene-disruptant strain. Thus, TTHB212 protein was identified as an anti-sigma(E) factor. These findings indicate that T. thermophilus HB8 has a regulatory system involving sigma(E) and anti-sigma(E) factors.

Advances in bacterial promoter recognition and its control by factors that do not bind DNA

Early work identified two promoter regions, the -10 and -35 elements, that interact sequence specifically with bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). However, we now know that several additional promoter elements contact RNAP and influence transcription initiation. Furthermore, our picture of promoter control has evolved beyond one in which regulation results solely from activators and repressors that bind to DNA sequences near the RNAP binding site: many important transcription factors bind directly to RNAP without binding to DNA. These factors can target promoters by affecting specific kinetic steps on the pathway to open complex formation, thereby regulating RNA output from specific promoters.

Clostridium difficile toxin synthesis is negatively regulated by TcdC

Clostridium difficile toxin synthesis is growth phase-dependent and is regulated by various environmental signals. The toxin genes tcdA and tcdB are located in a pathogenicity locus, which also includes three accessory genes, tcdR, tcdC and tcdE. TcdR has been shown to act as an alternative σ factor that mediates positive regulation of both the toxin genes and its own gene. The tcdA, tcdB and tcdR genes are transcribed during the stationary growth phase. The tcdC gene, however, is expressed during exponential phase. This expression pattern suggested that TcdC may act as a negative regulator of toxin gene expression. TcdC is a small acidic protein without any conserved DNA-binding motif. It is able to form dimers and its N-terminal region includes a putative transmembrane domain. Genetic and biochemical evidence showed that TcdC negatively regulates C. difficile toxin synthesis by interfering with the ability of TcdR-containing RNA polymerase to recognize the tcdA and tcdB promoters. In addition, the C. difficile NAP1/027 epidemic strains that produce higher levels of toxins have mutations in tcdC. Interestingly, a frameshift mutation at position 117 of the tcdC coding sequence seems to be, at least in part, responsible for the hypertoxigenicity phenotype of these epidemic strains.

Role of cell surface signaling in proteolysis of an alternative sigma factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Alternative sigma factor proteins enable transcription of specific sets of genes in bacterial cells. Their activities can be controlled by posttranslational mechanisms including inhibition by antisigma proteins and proteolytic degradation. PvdS is an alternative sigma factor that is required for expression of genes involved in synthesis of a siderophore, pyoverdine, by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the absence of pyoverdine, the activity of PvdS is inhibited by a membrane-spanning antisigma factor, FpvR. Inhibition is relieved by a cell surface signaling pathway. In this pathway, a combination of pyoverdine and a cell surface receptor protein, FpvA, suppresses the antisigma activity of FpvR, enabling transcription of PvdS-dependent genes. In this research, we investigated proteolytic degradation of PvdS in response to the signaling pathway. Proteolysis of PvdS was observed in strains of P. aeruginosa in which FpvR had anti-sigma factor activity due to the absence of pyoverdine or the FpvA receptor protein or overproduction of FpvR. Suppression of antisigma activity by addition of pyoverdine or through the absence of FpvR prevented detectable proteolysis of PvdS. The amounts of PvdS were less in bacteria in which proteolysis was observed, and reporter gene assays showed that this reduction was not due to decreased expression of PvdS. In wild-type bacteria, there was an average of 730 molecules of PvdS per cell in late exponential growth phase. Our results show that proteolysis and amounts of PvdS are affected by the antisigma factor FpvR and that this activity of FpvR is controlled by the cell surface signaling pathway.

Differential mechanisms of binding of anti-sigma factors Escherichia coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA to E. coli RNA polymerase lead to diverse physiological consequences

Anti-sigma factors Escherichia coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA bind to the essential housekeeping sigma factor, sigma(70), of E. coli. Though both factors are known to interact with the C-terminal region of sigma(70), the physiological consequences of these interactions are very different. This study was undertaken for the purpose of deciphering the mechanisms by which E. coli Rsd and bacteriophage T4 AsiA inhibit or modulate the activity of E. coli RNA polymerase, which leads to the inhibition of E. coli cell growth to different amounts. It was found that AsiA is the more potent inhibitor of in vivo transcription and thus causes higher inhibition of E. coli cell growth. Measurements of affinity constants by surface plasmon resonance experiments showed that Rsd and AsiA bind to sigma(70) with similar affinity. Data obtained from in vivo and in vitro binding experiments clearly demonstrated that the major difference between AsiA and Rsd is the ability of AsiA to form a stable ternary complex with RNA polymerase. The binding patterns of AsiA and Rsd with sigma(70) studied by using the yeast two-hybrid system revealed that region 4 of sigma(70) is involved in binding to both of these anti-sigma factors; however, Rsd interacts with other regions of sigma(70) as well. Taken together, these results suggest that the higher inhibition of E. coli growth by AsiA expression is probably due to the ability of the AsiA protein to trap the holoenzyme RNA polymerase rather than its higher binding affinity to sigma(70).

Temporal transcriptomic analysis of the Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e sigmaB regulon

Background

The opportunistic food-borne gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can exist as a free-living microorganism in the environment and grow in the cytoplasm of vertebrate and invertebrate cells following infection. The general stress response, controlled by the alternative sigma factor, σ^B, has an important role for bacterial survival both in the environment and during infection. We used quantitative real-time PCR analysis and immuno-blot analysis to examine σ^B expression during growth of L. monocytogenes EGD-e. Whole genome-based transcriptional profiling was used to identify σ^B-dependent genes at different growth phases.

Results

We detected 105 σ^B-positively regulated genes and 111 genes which appeared to be under negative control of σ^B and validated 36 σ^B-positively regulated genes in vivo using a reporter gene fusion system.

Conclusion

Genes comprising the σ^B regulon encode solute transporters, novel cell-wall proteins, universal stress proteins, transcriptional regulators and include those involved in osmoregulation, carbon metabolism, ribosome- and envelope-function, as well as virulence and niche-specific survival genes such as those involved in bile resistance and exclusion. Ten of the σ^B-positively regulated genes of L. monocytogenes are absent in L. innocua. A total of 75 σ^B-positively regulated listerial genes had homologs in B. subtilis, but only 33 have been previously described as being σ^B-regulated in B. subtilis even though both species share a highly conserved σ^B-dependent consensus sequence. A low overlap of genes may reflects adaptation of these bacteria to their respective environmental conditions.

Trigger enzymes: bifunctional proteins active in metabolism and in controlling gene expression

All regulatory processes require components that sense the environmental or metabolic conditions of the cell, and sophisticated sensory proteins have been studied in great detail. During the last few years, it turned out that enzymes can control gene expression in response to the availability of their substrates. Here, we review four different mechanisms by which these enzymes interfere with regulation in bacteria. First, some enzymes have acquired a DNA-binding domain and act as direct transcription repressors by binding DNA in the absence of their substrates. A second class is represented by aconitase, which can bind iron responsive elements in the absence of iron to control the expression of genes involved in iron homoeostasis. The third class of these enzymes is sugar permeases of the phosphotransferase system that control the activity of transcription regulators by phosphorylating them in the absence of the specific substrate. Finally, a fourth class of regulatory enzymes controls the activity of transcription factors by inhibitory protein-protein interactions. We suggest that the enzymes that are active in the control of gene expression should be designated as trigger enzymes. An analysis of the occurrence of trigger enzymes suggests that the duplication and subsequent functional specialization is a major pattern in their evolution.

Isolation and characterization of putative Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis promoters

Novel plasmids were constructed for the analysis of DNA fragments from the rumen bacterium Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis. Five previously unidentified promoters were characterized using a novel primer extension method to identify transcription start sites. The genes downstream of these promoters were not identified, and their activity in expression of genomic traits in wild-type P. ruminis remains putative. Comparison with promoters from this and closely related species revealed a consensus sequence resembling the binding motif for the RNA polymerase sigma(70)-like factor complex. Consensus -35 and -10 sequences within these elements were TTGACA and ATAATATA respectively, interspaced by 15-16 bp. The consensus for the -10 element was extended by one nucleotide upstream and downstream of the standard hexamer (indicated in bold). Promoter strengths were measured by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and beta-glucuronidase assays. No correlation was found between the composition and context of elements within P. ruminis promoters, and promoter strength. However, a mutation within the -35 element of one promoter revealed that transcriptional strength and choice of transcription start site were sensitive to this single nucleotide change.

Identification of promoters recognized by RNA polymerase-sigmaE holoenzyme from Thermus thermophilus HB8

Thermus thermophilus sigma(E), an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8, bound to the RNA polymerase core enzyme and showed transcriptional activity. With the combination of in vitro transcription assay and GeneChip technology, we identified three promoters recognized by sigma(E). The predicted consensus promoter sequence for sigma(E) is 5'-CA(A/T)(A/C)C(A/C)-N(15)-CCGTA-3'.

RsmA is an anti-sigma factor that modulates its activity through a [2Fe-2S] cluster cofactor

The rsmA gene of Streptomyces coelicolor lies directly upstream of the gene encoding the group 3 sigma factor sigma(M). The RsmA protein is a putative member of the HATPase_c family of anti-sigma factors but is unusual in that it contains seven cysteine residues. Bacterial two-hybrid studies demonstrate that it interacts specifically with sigma(M), and in vitro studies of the purified proteins by native PAGE and transcription assays confirmed that they form a complex. Characterization of RsmA revealed that it binds ATP and that, as isolated, it contains significant quantities of iron and inorganic sulfide, in equal proportion, with spectroscopic properties characteristic of a [2Fe-2S] cluster-containing protein. Importantly, the interaction between RsmA and sigma(M) is dependent on the presence of the iron-sulfur cluster. We propose a model in which RsmA regulates the activity of sigma(M). Loss of the cluster, in response to an as yet unidentified signal, activates sigma(M) by abolishing its interaction with the anti-sigma factor. This represents a major extension of the functional diversity of iron-sulfur cluster proteins.

CsrA of Bacillus subtilis regulates translation initiation of the gene encoding the flagellin protein (hag) by blocking ribosome binding

The global regulatory Csr (carbon storage regulator) and the homologous Rsm (repressor of secondary metabolites) systems of Gram-negative bacteria typically consist of an RNA-binding protein (CsrA/RsmA) and at least one sRNA that functions as a CsrA antagonist. CsrA modulates gene expression post-transcriptionally by regulating translation initiation and/or mRNA stability of target transcripts. While Csr has been extensively studied in Gram-negative bacteria, until now Csr has not been characterized in any Gram-positive organism. csrA of Bacillus subtilis is the last gene of a flagellum biosynthetic operon. In addition to the previously identified sigma(D)-dependent promoter that controls expression of the entire operon, a sigma(A)-dependent promoter was identified that temporally controls expression of the last two genes of the operon (fliW-csrA); expression peaks 1 h after cell growth deviates from exponential phase. hag, the gene encoding flagellin, was identified as a CsrA-regulated gene. CsrA was found to repress hag'-'lacZ expression, while overexpression of csrA reduces cell motility. In vitro binding studies identified two CsrA binding sites in the hag leader transcript, one of which overlaps the hag Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Toeprint and cell-free translation studies demonstrate that bound CsrA prevents ribosome binding to the hag transcript, thereby inhibiting translation initiation and Hag synthesis.

Clostridium difficile toxin expression is inhibited by the novel regulator TcdC

Clostridium difficile, an emerging nosocomial pathogen of increasing clinical significance, produces two large protein toxins that are responsible for the cellular damage associated with the disease. The precise mechanisms by which toxin synthesis is regulated in response to environmental change have yet to be discovered. The toxin genes (tcdA and tcdB) are located in a pathogenicity locus (PaLoc), along with tcdR and tcdC. TcdR is an alternative RNA polymerase sigma factor that directly activates toxin gene expression, while the inverse relationship between expression of tcdR, tcdA and tcdB genes on the one hand and tcdC on the other has led to the suggestion that TcdC somehow interferes with toxin gene expression. This idea is further supported by the finding that many recent C. difficile epidemic strains in which toxin production is increased carry a common tcdC deletion mutation. In this report we demonstrate that TcdC negatively regulates toxin synthesis both in vivo and in vitro. TcdC destabilizes the TcdR-containing holoenzyme before open complex formation, apparently by interaction with TcdR or TcdR-containing RNA polymerase holoenzyme or both. In addition, we show that the hypertoxigenicity phenotype of C. difficile epidemic strains is not due to their common 18 bp in-frame deletion in tcdC.

The extracytoplasmic function-type sigma factor SigM of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 is involved in transcription of disulfide stress-related genes

The gene for the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor SigM was deleted from the chromosome of the gram-positive soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum to elucidate the role of the SigM protein in the regulation of gene expression. Comparative DNA microarray hybridizations of the C. glutamicum wild type and sigM-deficient mutant C. glutamicum DN1 revealed 23 genes with enhanced expression in the sigM-proficient strain, encoding functions in the assembly of iron-sulfur clusters (suf operon), thioredoxin reductase (trxB), thioredoxins (trxC, trxB1), chaperones (groES, groEL, clpB), and proteins involved in the heat shock response (hspR, dnaJ, grpE). Deletion of the sigM gene rendered the C. glutamicum cells more sensitive to heat, cold, and the presence of the thiol oxidant diamide. Transcription of the sigM gene increased under different stress conditions, including heat shock, cold shock, and disulfide stress caused by diamide treatment, suggesting a regulatory role for SigM under thiol-oxidative stress conditions. Stress-responsive promoters were determined upstream of the suf operon and of the trxB, trxC, and trxB1 genes. The deduced SigM consensus promoter is characterized by the -35 hexamer gGGAAT and the -10 hexamer YGTTGR. Transcription of the sigM gene is apparently controlled by the ECF sigma factor SigH, since a sigH mutant was unable to enhance the expression of sigM and the SigM regulon under thiol-oxidative stress conditions. A typical SigH-responsive promoter was mapped upstream of the sigM gene. The ECF sigma factor SigM is apparently part of a regulatory cascade, and its transcription is controlled by SigH under conditions of thiol-oxidative stress.

Keeping signals straight in transcription regulation: specificity determinants for the interaction of a family of conserved bacterial RNA-protein couples

Regulatory systems often evolve by duplication of ancestral systems and subsequent specialization of the components of the novel signal transduction systems. In the Gram-positive soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis, four homologous antitermination systems control the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of glucose, sucrose and β-glucosides. Each of these systems is made up of a sensory sugar permease that does also act as phosphotransferase, an antitermination protein, and a RNA switch that is composed of two mutually exclusive structures, a RNA antiterminator (RAT) and a transcriptional terminator. We have studied the contributions of sugar specificity of the permeases, carbon catabolite repression, and protein–RAT recognition for the straightness of the signalling chains. We found that the β-glucoside permease BglP does also have a minor activity in glucose transport. However, this activity is irrelevant under physiological conditions since carbon catabolite repression in the presence of glucose prevents the synthesis of the β-glucoside permease. Reporter gene studies, in vitro RNA–protein interaction analyzes and northern blot transcript analyzes revealed that the interactions between the antiterminator proteins and their RNA targets are the major factor contributing to regulatory specificity. Both structural features in the RATs and individual bases are important specificity determinants. Our study revealed that the specificity of protein–RNA interactions, substrate specificity of the permeases as well as the general mechanism of carbon catabolite repression together allow to keep the signalling chains straight and to avoid excessive cross-talk between the systems.

Comparative and functional genomics of Listeria spp

The genus Listeria comprises a group of non-sporulating, Gram-positive, soil bacteria belonging to the low G+C group of microorganisms. The genus consists of only six species, L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, L. seeligeri, L. innocua, L. welshimeri, and L. grayi.L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii are the only known pathogens of this group. Comparative whole-genome sequencing of representative strains comprising the entire genus is currently being performed and nearing completion. In the genus Listeria, genome reduction has led to the generation of non-pathogenic species from pathogenic progenitor strains. Indeed, many of the regions absent in the non-pathogenic species represent commonly deleted genes. Speciation and diversity of strains has been achieved by horizontal gene transfer of DNA encoding novel genes probably required for niche specific survival. The sequencing of several listerial genomes has also been accompanied by studies using global strategies involving whole-genome transcriptional profiling and proteomics to examine the adaptative changes of L. monocytogenes to growth in different environments and to catalogue the genes mediating these responses. We review this data and present information on the expression profile of L. monocytogenes EGD-e inside the vacuolar and the cytosolic environments of the host cell using whole-genome microarray analysis. Of the 484 genes regulated during intracellular growth 41 genes are species-specific, being absent from the genome of the non-pathogenic L. innocua CLIP 11262 strain. There were 25 genes that are strain-specific i.e. absent from the genome of the L. monocytogenes F2365 serotype 4b strain suggesting heterogeneity in the gene pool required for intracellular survival of L. monocytogenes in host cells.

Crl facilitates RNA polymerase holoenzyme formation

The Escherichia coli Crl protein has been described as a transcriptional coactivator for the stationary-phase sigma factor sigma(S). In a transcription system with highly purified components, we demonstrate that Crl affects transcription not only by the Esigma(S) RNA polymerase holoenzyme but also by Esigma(70) and Esigma(32). Crl increased transcription dramatically but only when the sigma concentration was low and when Crl was added to sigma prior to assembly with the core enzyme. Our results suggest that Crl facilitates holoenzyme formation, the first positive regulator identified with this mechanism of action.

FlgM anti-sigma factors: identification of novel members of the family, evolutionary analysis, homology modeling, and analysis of sequence-structure-function relationships

FlgM proteins, also known as Anti-sigma-28 factor (sigma28), are negative regulators of flagellin synthesis. Recently, a three-dimensional structure of the Aquifex aeolicus sigma28/FlgM complex (PDB code: 1rp3) was determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.3 A resolution. Furthermore, experimental data on bacterial FlgM, including site-directed mutagenesis and structural characterization by NMR are also available. However, an interpretation of the sequence-structure-function relationships combining X-ray and NMR data with the evolutionary information extracted from the increasing number of FlgM-related sequences annotated in databases is not available. In the present study, we combined database sequence searches and sequence-analysis tools to update the multiple sequence alignment of a previously characterized cluster of orthologs (COG2747) and the PFAM classification of protein domains (PF04316) for the FlgM family. A phylogenetic analysis of 77 protein sequences revealed the presence of at least three major sequence clades within the FlgM family. Besides, we predicted functional residues using a SequenceSpace method. We also generated homology models for Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium FlgM proteins, for which sequence-structure-function relationship data are available, and used the docking program ClusPro to hypothesize about the dimer association between FlgM proteins. In conclusion, the analysis presented in this work will be useful in designing new experiments to understand better protein-protein interactions between FglM, sigma factors, and putative molecules from the flagellar export apparatus. Electronic Supplementary Material is available in the online version of this article at http://link.springer.de/

Mutational analysis of an extracytoplasmic-function sigma factor to investigate its interactions with RNA polymerase and DNA

The extracytoplasmic-function (ECF) family of sigma factors comprises a large group of proteins required for synthesis of a wide variety of extracytoplasmic products by bacteria. Residues important for core RNA polymerase (RNAP) binding, DNA melting, and promoter recognition have been identified in conserved regions 2 and 4.2 of primary sigma factors. Seventeen residues in region 2 and eight residues in region 4.2 of an ECF sigma factor, PvdS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were selected for alanine-scanning mutagenesis on the basis of sequence alignments with other sigma factors. Fourteen of the mutations in region 2 had a significant effect on protein function in an in vivo assay. Four proteins with alterations in regions 2.1 and 2.2 were purified as His-tagged fusions, and all showed a reduced affinity for core RNAP in vitro, consistent with a role in core binding. Region 2.3 and 2.4 mutant proteins retained the ability to bind core RNAP, but four mutants had reduced or no ability to cause core RNA polymerase to bind promoter DNA in a band-shift assay, identifying residues important for DNA binding. All mutations in region 4.2 reduced the activity of PvdS in vivo. Two of the region 4.2 mutant proteins were purified, and each showed a reduced ability to cause core RNA polymerase to bind to promoter DNA. The results show that some residues in PvdS have functions equivalent to those of corresponding residues in primary sigma factors; however, they also show that several residues not shared with primary sigma factors contribute to protein function.

The RsbRST Stress Module in Bacteria: A Signalling System That May Interact with Different Output Modules

In the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the activity of the alternative sigma factor sigma(B) is triggered upon exposure of the bacteria to environmental stress conditions or to nutrient limitation. sigma(B) activity is controlled by protein-phosphorylation-dependent interactions of anti-sigma with anti-anti-sigma factors. Under stress conditions, the phosphatase RsbU triggers release of sigma(B) and thus induces the expression of stress genes. RsbU activity is controlled by three proteins, RsbR, RsbS and RsbT which form a supramolecular complex called the stressosome. Here we review the occurrence of the genes encoding the stressosome proteins (called the RsbRST module) in a wide variety of bacteria. While this module is linked to the gene encoding sigma(B) and its direct regulators in B. subtilis and its close relatives, genes encoding two-component regulatory systems and more complex phosphorelays are clustered with the RsbRST module in bacteria as diverse as cyanobacteria, bacteroidetes, proteobacteria, and deinococci. The conservation of the RsbRST module and its clustering with different types of regulatory systems suggest that the stressosome proteins form a signal sensing and transduction unit that relays information to very different output modules.

Holoenzyme Switching and Stochastic Release of Sigma Factors from RNA Polymerase In Vivo

We investigated the binding of E. coli RNA polymerase holoenzymes bearing sigma70, sigma(S), sigma32, or sigma54 to the ribosomal RNA operons (rrn) in vivo. At the rrn promoter, we observed "holoenzyme switching" from Esigma70 to Esigma(S) or Esigma32 in response to environmental cues. We also examined if sigma factors are retained by core polymerase during transcript elongation. At the rrn operons, sigma70 translocates briefly with the elongating polymerase and is released stochastically from the core polymerase with an estimated half-life of approximately 4-7 s. Similarly, at gadA and htpG, operons that are targeted by Esigma(S) and Esigma32, respectively, we find that sigma(S) and sigma32 also dissociate stochastically, albeit more rapidly than sigma70, from the elongating core polymerase. Up to approximately 70% of Esigma70 (the major vegetative holoenzyme) in rapidly growing cells is engaged in transcribing the rrn operons. Thus, our results suggest that at least approximately 70% of cellular holoenzymes release sigma70 during transcript elongation. Release of sigma factors during each round of transcription provides a simple mechanism for rapidly reprogramming polymerase with the relevant sigma factor and is consistent with the occurrence of a "sigma cycle" in vivo.

Interactions of anti-sigma factor antagonists of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the yeast two-hybrid system

Anti-sigma factor antagonists (anti-anti-sigma factors) play critical roles in regulating the expression of alternative sigma factors in response to specific stress signals. The Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) database has identified the existence of six genes, Rv0516c, Rv1364c, Rv1365c, Rv1904, Rv2638 and Rv3687c (grouped under the cluster COG1366), encoding potential anti-sigma factor antagonists in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These molecules are speculated to regulate the expression of sigma factor SigF of M. tuberculosis in response to stress signals. Since signaling occurs via physical interactions of proteins (protein-protein interaction), we investigated whether the anti-sigma factor antagonists of M. tuberculosis interact with anti-sigma factor RsbW (Rv3287c) or the sigma factor SigF (Rv3286c) in the yeast two-hybrid system. The results revealed that most of the anti-sigma factor antagonists interact with either RsbW or SigF or both. In addition, some anti-sigma factor antagonists also displayed limited interactions between themselves. These interactions suggest that they possibly transduce some signals to SigF and between themselves.

Interactions between partner switcher orthologs BtrW and BtrV regulate type III secretion in Bordetella

We have recently described a multicomponent cascade that regulates type III secretion in Bordetella. This cascade includes a group of proteins, BtrU, BtrW, and BtrV, that contain an array of domains that define partner-switching complexes previously characterized in gram-positive bacteria. BtrU contains a PP2C-like serine phosphatase domain, BtrW contains a serine kinase/anti-sigma factor motif, and BtrV includes an anti-sigma factor antagonist domain. On the basis of genetic studies and sequence similarity with the RsbU-RsbW-RsbV and SpoIIE-SpoIIAB-SpoIIAA partner switchers of Bacillus subtilis, a series of interactions between Bordetella orthologs have been proposed. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis, tagged protein pull-downs, and in vitro phosphorylation assays were used to characterize interactions between BtrW and BtrV. In addition, BtrV mutants predicted to mimic a constitutively phosphorylated form of BtrV or to be nonphosphorylatable and BtrW mutants defective in serine kinase activity or the ability to bind BtrV were constructed and analyzed. Our results demonstrate that (i) BtrW and BtrV interact with each other, (ii) BtrW phosphorylates BtrV at serine S55, (iii) the conserved serine residue S55 of BtrV plays a key role in BtrV-BtrW interactions, and (iv) the ability of BtrW to phosphorylate BtrV and disrupt BtrV-BtrW binding is essential for the type III secretion process.

Regulation of sigmaB by an anti- and an anti-anti-sigma factor in Streptomyces coelicolor in response to osmotic stress

sigmaB, a homolog of stress-responsive sigmaB of Bacillus subtilis, controls both osmoprotection and differentiation in Streptomyces coelicolor A3 (2). Its gene is preceded by rsbA and rsbB genes encoding homologs of an anti-sigma factor, RsbW, and its antagonist, RsbV, of B. subtilis, respectively. Purified RsbA bound to sigmaB and prevented sigmaB-directed transcription from the sigBp1 promoter in vitro. An rsbA-null mutant exhibited contrasting behavior to the sigB mutant, with elevated sigBp1 transcription, no actinorhodin production, and precocious aerial mycelial formation, reflecting enhanced activity of sigmaB in vivo. Despite sequence similarity to RsbV, RsbB lacks the conserved phosphorylatable serine residue and its gene disruption produced no distinct phenotype. RsbV (SCO7325) from a putative six-gene operon (rsbV-rsbR-rsbS-rsbT-rsbU1-rsbU) was strongly induced by osmotic stress in a sigmaB-dependent manner. It antagonized the inhibitory action of RsbA on sigmaB-directed transcription and was phosphorylated by RsbA in vitro. These results support the hypothesis that the rapid induction of sigmaB target genes by osmotic stress results from modulation of sigmaB activity by the kinase-anti-sigma factor RsbA and its phosphorylatable antagonist RsbV, which function by a partner-switching mechanism. Amplified induction could result from a rapid increase in the synthesis of both sigmaB and its inhibitor antagonist.

Phage T4 early promoters are resistant to inhibition by the anti-sigma factor AsiA

Phage T4 early promoters are transcribed in vivo and in vitro by the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme Esigma(70). We studied in vitro the effects of the T4 anti-sigma(70) factor AsiA on the activity of several T4 early promoters. In single-round transcription, promoters motB, denV, mrh.2, motA wild type and UP element-deleted motA are strongly resistant to inhibition by AsiA. The alpha-C-terminal domain of Esigma(70) is crucial to this resistance. DNase I footprinting of Esigma(70) and Esigma(70)AsiA on motA and mrh.2 shows extended contacts between the holoenzyme with or without AsiA and upstream regions of these promoters. A TG --> TC mutation of the extended -10 motif in the motA UP element-deleted promoter strongly increases susceptibility to inhibition by AsiA, but has no effect on the motA wild-type promoter: either the UP element or the extended -10 site confers resistance to AsiA. Potassium permanganate reactivity shows that the two structure elements are not equivalent: with AsiA, the motA UP element-deleted promoter opens more slowly whereas the motA TC promoter opens like the wild type. Changes in UV laser photoreactivity at position +4 on variants of motA reveal an analogous distinction in the roles of the extended -10 and UP promoter elements.

Regulation of type III secretion in Bordetella

The BvgAS virulence control system regulates the expression of type III secretion genes in Bordetella subspecies that infect humans and other mammals. We have identified five open reading frames, btrS, btrU, btrX, btrW and btrV, that are activated by BvgAS and encode regulatory factors that control type III secretion at the levels of transcription, protein expression and secretion. The btrS gene product bears sequence similarity to ECF (extracytoplasmic function) sigma factors and is required for transcription of the bsc locus. btrU, btrW and btrV encode proteins predicted to contain PP2C-like Ser phosphatase, HPK (His protein kinase)-like Ser kinase and STAS anti-sigma factor antagonist domains, respectively, which are characteristic of Gram-positive partner switching proteins in Bacillus subtilis. BtrU and BtrW are required for secretion of proteins that are exported by the bsc type III secretion system, whereas BtrV is specifically required for protein synthesis and/or stability. Bordetella species have thus evolved a unique cascade to differentially regulate type III secretion that combines a canonical phosphorelay system with an ECF sigma factor and a set of proteins with domain signatures that define partner switchers, which were traditionally thought to function only in Gram-positive bacteria. The presence of multiple layers and mechanisms of regulation most likely reflects the need to integrate multiple signals in controlling type III secretion. The bsc and btr loci are nearly identical between broad-host-range and human-specific Bordetella. Comparative analysis of Bordetella subspecies revealed that, whereas bsc and btr loci were transcribed in all subspecies, only broad-host-range strains expressed a functional type III secretion system in vitro. The block in type III secretion is post-transcriptional in human-adapted strains, and signal recognition appears to be a point of divergence between subspecies.