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Shi J, Feng Z, Xu J, Li F, Zhang Y, Wen A, Wang F, Song Q, Wang L, Cui H, Tong S, Chen P, Zhu Y, Zhao G, Wang S, Feng Y, Lin W. Structural insights into the transcription activation mechanism of the global regulator GlnR from actinobacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2300282120. [PMID: 37216560 PMCID: PMC10235972 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2300282120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In actinobacteria, an OmpR/PhoB subfamily protein called GlnR acts as an orphan response regulator and globally coordinates the expression of genes responsible for nitrogen, carbon, and phosphate metabolism in actinobacteria. Although many researchers have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of GlnR-dependent transcription activation, progress is impeded by lacking of an overall structure of GlnR-dependent transcription activation complex (GlnR-TAC). Here, we report a co-crystal structure of the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of GlnR (GlnR_DBD) in complex with its regulatory cis-element DNA and a cryo-EM structure of GlnR-TAC which comprises Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase, GlnR, and a promoter containing four well-characterized conserved GlnR binding sites. These structures illustrate how four GlnR protomers coordinate to engage promoter DNA in a head-to-tail manner, with four N-terminal receiver domains of GlnR (GlnR-RECs) bridging GlnR_DBDs and the RNAP core enzyme. Structural analysis also unravels that GlnR-TAC is stabilized by complex protein-protein interactions between GlnR and the conserved β flap, σAR4, αCTD, and αNTD domains of RNAP, which are further confirmed by our biochemical assays. Taken together, these results reveal a global transcription activation mechanism for the master regulator GlnR and other OmpR/PhoB subfamily proteins and present a unique mode of bacterial transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
- Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Juncao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032Shanghai, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Yuqiong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, 510631Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, 510631Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, 523808Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
- Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Fulin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Song
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Cui
- Pasteurien College, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, 251000Soochow, China
| | - Shujuan Tong
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Peiying Chen
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Yejin Zhu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
| | - Guoping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 200032Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, 523808Dongguan, Guangdong, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190Beijing, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
- Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine and Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai200237, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023Nanjing, China
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Schmidt P, Brandt D, Busche T, Kalinowski J. Characterization of Bacterial Transcriptional Regulatory Networks in Escherichia coli through Genome-Wide In Vitro Run-Off Transcription/RNA-seq (ROSE). Microorganisms 2023; 11:1388. [PMID: 37374890 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The global characterization of transcriptional regulatory networks almost exclusively uses in vivo conditions, thereby providing a snapshot on multiple regulatory interactions at the same time. To complement these approaches, we developed and applied a method for characterizing bacterial promoters genome-wide by in vitro transcription coupled to transcriptome sequencing specific for native 5'-ends of transcripts. This method, called ROSE (run-off transcription/RNA-sequencing), only requires chromosomal DNA, ribonucleotides, RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme, and a specific sigma factor, recognizing the corresponding promoters, which have to be analyzed. ROSE was performed on E. coli K-12 MG1655 genomic DNA using Escherichia coli RNAP holoenzyme (including σ70) and yielded 3226 transcription start sites, 2167 of which were also identified in in vivo studies, and 598 were new. Many new promoters not yet identified by in vivo experiments might be repressed under the tested conditions. Complementary in vivo experiments with E. coli K-12 strain BW25113 and isogenic transcription factor gene knockout mutants of fis, fur, and hns were used to test this hypothesis. Comparative transcriptome analysis demonstrated that ROSE could identify bona fide promoters that were apparently repressed in vivo. In this sense, ROSE is well-suited as a bottom-up approach for characterizing transcriptional networks in bacteria and ideally complementary to top-down in vivo transcriptome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Schmidt
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - David Brandt
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tobias Busche
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jörn Kalinowski
- Microbial Genomics and Biotechnology, Center for Biotechnology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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53
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Harden TT, Vincent BJ, DePace AH. Transcriptional activators in the early Drosophila embryo perform different kinetic roles. Cell Syst 2023; 14:258-272.e4. [PMID: 37080162 PMCID: PMC10473017 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Combinatorial regulation of gene expression by transcription factors (TFs) may in part arise from kinetic synergy-wherein TFs regulate different steps in the transcription cycle. Kinetic synergy requires that TFs play distinguishable kinetic roles. Here, we used live imaging to determine the kinetic roles of three TFs that activate transcription in the Drosophila embryo-Zelda, Bicoid, and Stat92E-by introducing their binding sites into the even-skipped stripe 2 enhancer. These TFs influence different sets of kinetic parameters, and their influence can change over time. All three TFs increased the fraction of transcriptionally active nuclei; Zelda also shortened the first-passage time into transcription and regulated the interval between transcription events. Stat92E also increased the lifetimes of active transcription. Different TFs can therefore play distinct kinetic roles in activating the transcription. This has consequences for understanding the composition and flexibility of regulatory DNA sequences and the biochemical function of TFs. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy T Harden
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ben J Vincent
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Angela H DePace
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Zuchowski R, Schito S, Neuheuser F, Menke P, Berger D, Hollmann N, Gujar S, Sundermeyer L, Mack C, Wirtz A, Weiergräber OH, Polen T, Bott M, Noack S, Baumgart M. Discovery of novel amino acid production traits by evolution of synthetic co-cultures. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:71. [PMID: 37061714 PMCID: PMC10105947 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02078-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amino acid production features of Corynebacterium glutamicum were extensively studied in the last two decades. Many metabolic pathways, regulatory and transport principles are known, but purely rational approaches often provide only limited progress in production optimization. We recently generated stable synthetic co-cultures, termed Communities of Niche-optimized Strains (CoNoS), that rely on cross-feeding of amino acids for growth. This setup has the potential to evolve strains with improved production by selection of faster growing communities. RESULTS Here we performed adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) with a CoNoS to identify mutations that are relevant for amino acid production both in mono- and co-cultures. During ALE with the CoNoS composed of strains auxotrophic for either L-leucine or L-arginine, we obtained a 23% growth rate increase. Via whole-genome sequencing and reverse engineering, we identified several mutations involved in amino acid transport that are beneficial for CoNoS growth. The L-leucine auxotrophic strain carried an expression-promoting mutation in the promoter region of brnQ (cg2537), encoding a branched-chain amino acid transporter in combination with mutations in the genes for the Na+/H+-antiporter Mrp1 (cg0326-cg0321). This suggested an unexpected link of Mrp1 to L-leucine transport. The L-arginine auxotrophic partner evolved expression-promoting mutations near the transcriptional start site of the yet uncharacterized operon argTUV (cg1504-02). By mutation studies and ITC, we characterized ArgTUV as the only L-arginine uptake system of C. glutamicum with an affinity of KD = 30 nM. Finally, deletion of argTUV in an L-arginine producer strain resulted in a faster and 24% higher L-arginine production in comparison to the parental strain. CONCLUSION Our work demonstrates the power of the CoNoS-approach for evolution-guided identification of non-obvious production traits, which can also advance amino acid production in monocultures. Further rounds of evolution with import-optimized strains can potentially reveal beneficial mutations also in metabolic pathway enzymes. The approach can easily be extended to all kinds of metabolite cross-feeding pairings of different organisms or different strains of the same organism, thereby enabling the identification of relevant transport systems and other favorable mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rico Zuchowski
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Simone Schito
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Friederike Neuheuser
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Philipp Menke
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Daniel Berger
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Niels Hollmann
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Srushti Gujar
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lea Sundermeyer
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christina Mack
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Astrid Wirtz
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Oliver H Weiergräber
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tino Polen
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Michael Bott
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Stephan Noack
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Meike Baumgart
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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Inlow K, Tenenbaum D, Friedman LJ, Kondev J, Gelles J. Recycling of Bacterial RNA Polymerase by the Swi2/Snf2 ATPase RapA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533849. [PMID: 36993374 PMCID: PMC10055430 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Free-living bacteria have regulatory systems that can quickly reprogram gene transcription in response to changes in cellular environment. The RapA ATPase, a prokaryotic homolog of the eukaryote Swi2/Snf2 chromatin remodeling complex, may facilitate such reprogramming, but the mechanisms by which it does so is unclear. We used multi-wavelength single-molecule fluorescence microscopy in vitro to examine RapA function in the E. coli transcription cycle. In our experiments, RapA at < 5 nM concentration did not appear to alter transcription initiation, elongation, or intrinsic termination. Instead, we directly observed a single RapA molecule bind specifically to the kinetically stable post-termination complex (PTC) -- consisting of core RNA polymerase (RNAP) bound to dsDNA -- and efficiently remove RNAP from DNA within seconds in an ATP-hydrolysis-dependent reaction. Kinetic analysis elucidates the process through which RapA locates the PTC and the key mechanistic intermediates that bind and hydrolyze ATP. This study defines how RapA participates in the transcription cycle between termination and initiation and suggests that RapA helps set the balance between global RNAP recycling and local transcription re-initiation in proteobacterial genomes. SIGNIFICANCE RNA synthesis is an essential conduit of genetic information in all organisms. After transcribing an RNA, the bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) must be reused to make subsequent RNAs, but the steps that enable RNAP reuse are unclear. We directly observed the dynamics of individual molecules of fluorescently labeled RNAP and the enzyme RapA as they colocalized with DNA during and after RNA synthesis. Our studies show that RapA uses ATP hydrolysis to remove RNAP from DNA after the RNA is released from RNAP and reveal essential features of the mechanism by which this removal occurs. These studies fill in key missing pieces in our current understanding of the events that occur after RNA is released and that enable RNAP reuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koe Inlow
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Debora Tenenbaum
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Larry J. Friedman
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Jane Kondev
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
| | - Jeff Gelles
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, USA
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Hegelmeyer NK, Previti ML, Andrade J, Utama R, Sejour RJ, Gardin J, Muller S, Ketchum S, Yurovsky A, Futcher B, Goodwin S, Ueberheide B, Seeliger JC. Gene recoding by synonymous mutations creates promiscuous intragenic transcription initiation in mycobacteria. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.17.532606. [PMID: 36993691 PMCID: PMC10055193 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.17.532606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Each genome encodes some codons more frequently than their synonyms (codon usage bias), but codons are also arranged more frequently into specific pairs (codon pair bias). Recoding viral genomes and yeast or bacterial genes with non-optimal codon pairs has been shown to decrease gene expression. Gene expression is thus importantly regulated not only by the use of particular codons but by their proper juxtaposition. We therefore hypothesized that non-optimal codon pairing could likewise attenuate Mtb genes. We explored the role of codon pair bias by recoding Mtb genes ( rpoB, mmpL3, ndh ) and assessing their expression in the closely related and tractable model organism M. smegmatis . To our surprise, recoding caused the expression of multiple smaller protein isoforms from all three genes. We confirmed that these smaller proteins were not due to protein degradation, but instead issued from new transcription initiation sites positioned within the open reading frame. New transcripts gave rise to intragenic translation initiation sites, which in turn led to the expression of smaller proteins. We next identified the nucleotide changes associated with these new sites of transcription and translation. Our results demonstrated that apparently benign, synonymous changes can drastically alter gene expression in mycobacteria. More generally, our work expands our understanding of the codon-level parameters that control translation and transcription initiation. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. Previous studies have established that synonymous recoding to introduce rare codon pairings can attenuate viral pathogens. We hypothesized that non-optimal codon pairing could be an effective strategy for attenuating gene expression to create a live vaccine for Mtb . We instead discovered that these synonymous changes enabled the transcription of functional mRNA that initiated in the middle of the open reading frame and from which many smaller protein products were expressed. To our knowledge, this is the first report that synonymous recoding of a gene in any organism can create or induce intragenic transcription start sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuri K. Hegelmeyer
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Mary L. Previti
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Joshua Andrade
- Proteomics Laboratory, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Raditya Utama
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Richard J. Sejour
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Justin Gardin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie Muller
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Steven Ketchum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Alisa Yurovsky
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Bruce Futcher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Sara Goodwin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
| | - Beatrix Ueberheide
- Proteomics Laboratory, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jessica C. Seeliger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Chauviat A, Meyer T, Favre-Bonté S. Versatility of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: Ecological roles of RND efflux pumps. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14639. [PMID: 37089375 PMCID: PMC10113797 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
S. maltophilia is a widely distributed bacterium found in natural, anthropized and clinical environments. The genome of this opportunistic pathogen of environmental origin includes a large number of genes encoding RND efflux pumps independently of the clinical or environmental origin of the strains. These pumps have been historically associated with the uptake of antibiotics and clinically relevant molecules because they confer resistance to many antibiotics. However, considering the environmental origin of S. maltophilia, the ecological role of these pumps needs to be clarified. RND efflux systems are highly conserved within bacteria and encountered both in pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. Moreover, their evolutionary origin, conservation and multiple copies in bacterial genomes suggest a primordial role in cellular functions and environmental adaptation. This review is aimed at elucidating the ecological role of S. maltophilia RND efflux pumps in the environmental context and providing an exhaustive description of the environmental niches of S. maltophilia. By looking at the substrates and functions of the pumps, we propose different involvements and roles according to the adaptation of the bacterium to various niches. We highlight that i°) regulatory mechanisms and inducer molecules help to understand the conditions leading to their expression, and ii°) association and functional redundancy of RND pumps and other efflux systems demonstrate their complex role within S. maltophilia cells. These observations emphasize that RND efflux pumps play a role in the versatility of S. maltophilia.
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Wu X, Yu C, Mu W, Gu Z, Feng Y, Zhang Y. The structural mechanism for transcription activation by Caulobacter crescentus GcrA. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1960-1970. [PMID: 36715319 PMCID: PMC9976885 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Canonical bacterial transcription activators bind to their cognate cis elements at the upstream of transcription start site (TSS) in a form of dimer. Caulobacter crescentus GcrA, a non-canonical transcription activator, can activate transcription from promoters harboring its cis element at the upstream or downstream of TSS in a form of monomer. We determined two cryo-EM structures of C. crescentus GcrA-bound transcription activation complexes, GcrA TACU and GcrA TACD, which comprise GcrA, RNAP, σ70 and promoter DNA with GcrA cis elements at either the upstream or downstream of TSS at 3.6 and 3.8 Å, respectively. In the GcrA-TACU structure, GcrA makes bipartite interactions with both σ70 domain 2 (σ702) and its cis element, while in the GcrA-TACD structure, GcrA retains interaction with σ702 but loses the interaction with its cis element. Our results suggest that GcrA likely forms a functionally specialized GcrA-RNAP-σA holoenzyme, in which GcrA first locates its cis element and then facilitates RNAP to load on core promoter at its proximal region. The sequence-specific interaction of GcrA and DNA is disrupted either at the stage of RPo formation or promoter escape depending on the location of GcrA cis elements relative to TSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chengzhi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenhui Mu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Zhanxi Gu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Infectious Disease of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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Tenenbaum D, Inlow K, Friedman L, Cai A, Gelles J, Kondev J. RNA polymerase sliding on DNA can couple the transcription of nearby bacterial operons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.10.528045. [PMID: 36798213 PMCID: PMC9934669 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.10.528045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
DNA transcription initiates after an RNA polymerase (RNAP) molecule binds to the promoter of a gene. In bacteria, the canonical picture is that RNAP comes from the cytoplasmic pool of freely diffusing RNAP molecules. Recent experiments suggest the possible existence of a separate pool of polymerases, competent for initiation, which freely slide on the DNA after having terminated one round of transcription. Promoter-dependent transcription reinitiation from this pool of post-termination RNAP may lead to coupled initiation at nearby operons, but it is unclear whether this can occur over the distance- and time-scales needed for it to function widely on a bacterial genome in vivo. Here, we mathematically model the hypothesized reinitiation mechanism as a diffusion-to-capture process and compute the distances over which significant inter-operon coupling can occur and the time required. These quantities depend on previously uncharacterized molecular association and dissociation rate constants between DNA, RNAP and the transcription initiation factor σ 70 ; we measure these rate constants using single-molecule experiments in vitro. Our combined theory/experimental results demonstrate that efficient coupling can occur at physiologically relevant σ 70 concentrations and on timescales appropriate for transcript synthesis. Coupling is efficient over terminator-promoter distances up to ∼ 1, 000 bp, which includes the majority of terminator-promoter nearest neighbor pairs in the E. coli genome. The results suggest a generalized mechanism that couples the transcription of nearby operons and breaks the paradigm that each binding of RNAP to DNA can produce at most one messenger RNA. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT After transcribing an operon, a bacterial RNA polymerase can stay bound to DNA, slide along it, and reini-tiate transcription of the same or a different operon. Quantitative single-molecule biophysics experiments combined with mathematical theory demonstrate that this reinitiation process can be quick and efficient over gene spacings typical of a bacterial genome. Reinitiation may provide a mechanism to orchestrate the transcriptional activities of groups of nearby operons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Tenenbaum
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
- Simons Center for Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - Koe Inlow
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Larry Friedman
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Anthony Cai
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Jeff Gelles
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Jane Kondev
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
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Fitzgerald D, Stringer A, Smith C, Lapierre P, Wade JT. Genome-wide mapping of the Escherichia coli PhoB regulon reveals many transcriptionally inert, intragenic binding sites. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.07.527549. [PMID: 36798257 PMCID: PMC9934606 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Genome-scale analyses have revealed many transcription factor binding sites within, rather than upstream of genes, raising questions as to the function of these binding sites. Here, we use complementary approaches to map the regulon of the Escherichia coli transcription factor PhoB, a response regulator that controls transcription of genes involved in phosphate homeostasis. Strikingly, the majority of PhoB binding sites are located within genes, but these intragenic sites are not associated with detectable transcription regulation and are not evolutionarily conserved. Many intragenic PhoB sites are located in regions bound by H-NS, likely due to shared sequence preferences of PhoB and H-NS. However, these PhoB binding sites are not associated with transcription regulation even in the absence of H-NS. We propose that for many transcription factors, including PhoB, binding sites not associated with promoter sequences are transcriptionally inert, and hence are tolerated as genomic "noise". IMPORTANCE Recent studies have revealed large numbers of transcription factor binding sites within the genes of bacteria. The function, if any, of the vast majority of these binding sites has not been investigated. Here, we map the binding of the transcription factor PhoB across the Escherichia coli genome, revealing that the majority of PhoB binding sites are within genes. We show that PhoB binding sites within genes are not associated with regulation of the overlapping genes. Indeed, our data suggest that bacteria tolerate the presence of large numbers of non-regulatory, intragenic binding sites for transcription factors, and that these binding sites are not under selective pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Fitzgerald
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Anne Stringer
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Carol Smith
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Pascal Lapierre
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Joseph T. Wade
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
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61
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Xu Z, Park TJ, Cao H. Advances in mining and expressing microbial biosynthetic gene clusters. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:18-37. [PMID: 35166616 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2036099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Natural products (NPs) especially the secondary metabolites originated from microbes exhibit great importance in biomedical, industrial and agricultural applications. However, mining biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) to produce novel NPs has been hindered owing that a large population of environmental microbes are unculturable. In the past decade, strategies to explore BGCs directly from (meta)genomes have been established along with the fast development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and the powerful bioinformatics data-processing tools, which greatly expedited the exploitations of novel BGCs from unculturable microbes including the extremophilic microbes. In this review, we firstly summarized the popular bioinformatics tools and databases available to mine novel BGCs from (meta)genomes based on either pure cultures or pristine environmental samples. Noticeably, approaches rooted from machine learning and deep learning with focuses on the prediction of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) were dramatically increased in recent years. Moreover, synthetic biology techniques to express the novel BGCs in culturable native microbes or heterologous hosts were introduced. This working pipeline including the discovery and biosynthesis of novel NPs will greatly advance the exploitations of the abundant but unexplored microbial BGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeling Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tae-Jin Park
- HME Healthcare Co., Ltd, Suwon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Huiluo Cao
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Ruiz-Blas F, Muñoz-Hisado V, Garcia-Lopez E, Moreno A, Bartolomé M, Leunda M, Martinez-Alonso E, Alcázar A, Cid C. The hidden microbial ecosystem in the perennial ice from a Pyrenean ice cave. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1110091. [PMID: 36778858 PMCID: PMC9909108 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1110091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, perennial ice deposits located within caves have awakened interest as places to study microbial communities since they represent unique cryospheric archives of climate change. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the temperature has gradually increased, and it is estimated that by the end of this century the increase in average temperature could be around 4.0°C. In this context of global warming the ice deposits of the Pyrenean caves are undergoing a significant regression. Among this type of caves, that on the Cotiella Massif in the Southern Pyrenees is one of the southernmost studied in Europe. These types of caves house microbial communities which have so far been barely explored, and therefore their study is necessary. In this work, the microbial communities of the Pyrenean ice cave A294 were identified using metabarcoding techniques. In addition, research work was carried out to analyze how the age and composition of the ice affect the composition of the bacterial and microeukaryotic populations. Finally, the in vivo effect of climate change on the cellular machinery that allow microorganisms to live with increasing temperatures has been studied using proteomic techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Ruiz-Blas
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Madrid, Spain
- Section Geomicrobiology, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | | | - Ana Moreno
- Departamento de Procesos Geoambientales y Cambio Global, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología - CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Miguel Bartolomé
- Departamento de Procesos Geoambientales y Cambio Global, Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología - CSIC, Zaragoza, Spain
- Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Germany
| | - Maria Leunda
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Emma Martinez-Alonso
- Department of Investigation, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Alcázar
- Department of Investigation, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Cid
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Madrid, Spain
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63
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Chakraborty S, Singh P, Seshasayee ASN. Understanding the Genome-Wide Transcription Response To Various cAMP Levels in Bacteria Using Phenomenological Models. mSystems 2022; 7:e0090022. [PMID: 36409084 PMCID: PMC9765429 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00900-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Attempts to understand gene regulation by global transcription factors have largely been limited to expression studies under binary conditions of presence and absence of the transcription factor. Studies addressing genome-wide transcriptional responses to changing transcription factor concentration at high resolution are lacking. Here, we create a data set containing the entire Escherichia coli transcriptome in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth as it responds to 10 different cAMP concentrations spanning the biological range. We use the Hill's model to accurately summarize individual gene responses into three intuitively understandable parameters, Emax, n, and k, reflecting the sensitivity, nonlinearity, and midpoint of the dynamic range. Our data show that most cAMP-regulated genes have an n of >2, with their k values centered around the wild-type concentration of cAMP. Additionally, cAMP receptor protein (CRP) affinity to a promoter is correlated with Emax but not k, hinting that a high-affinity CRP promoter need not ensure transcriptional activation at lower cAMP concentrations and instead affects the magnitude of the response. Finally, genes belonging to different functional classes are tuned to have different k, n, and Emax values. We demonstrate that phenomenological models are a better alternative for studying gene expression trends than classical clustering methods, with the phenomenological constants providing greater insights into how genes are tuned in a regulatory network. IMPORTANCE Different genes may follow different trends in response to various transcription factor concentrations. In this study, we ask two questions: (i) what are the trends that different genes follow in response to changing transcription factor concentrations and (ii) what methods can be used to extract information from the gene trends so obtained. We demonstrate a method to analyze transcription factor concentration-dependent genome-wide expression data using phenomenological models. Conventional clustering methods and principal-component analysis (PCA) can be used to summarize trends in data but have limited interpretability. The use of phenomenological models greatly enhances the interpretability and thus utility of conventional clustering. Transformation of dose-response data into phenomenological constants opens up avenues to ask and answer many different kinds of question. We show that the phenomenological constants obtained from the model fits can be used to generate insights about network topology and allows integration of other experimental data such as chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) to understand the system in greater detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Chakraborty
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Aswin Sai Narain Seshasayee
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Alhammadi MM, Godfrey RE, Ingram JO, Singh G, Bathurst CL, Busby SJW, Browning DF. Novel organisation and regulation of the pic promoter from enteroaggregative and uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Virulence 2022; 13:1393-1406. [PMID: 35971774 PMCID: PMC9387333 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2111754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) are a large family of virulence factors commonly found in enteric bacteria. These secreted virulence factors have diverse functions during bacterial infection, including adhesion, aggregation and cell toxicity. One such SPATE, the Pic mucinase (protein involved in colonisation) cleaves mucin, allowing enteric bacterial cells to utilise mucin as a carbon source and to penetrate the gut mucus lining, thereby increasing mucosal colonisation. The pic gene is widely distributed within the Enterobacteriaceae, being found in human pathogens, such as enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and Shigella flexneri 2a. As the pic promoter regions from EAEC strain 042 and UPEC strain CFT073 differ, we have investigated the regulation of each promoter. Here, using in vivo and in vitro techniques, we show that both promoters are activated by the global transcription factor, CRP (cyclic AMP receptor protein), but the architectures of the EAEC and the UPEC pic promoter differ. Expression from both pic promoters is repressed by the nucleoid-associated factor, Fis, and maximal promoter activity occurs when cells are grown in minimal medium. As CRP activates transcription in conditions of nutrient depletion, whilst Fis levels are maximal in nutrient-rich environments, the regulation of the EAEC and UPEC pic promoters is consistent with Pic’s nutritional role in scavenging mucin as a suitable carbon source during colonisation and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munirah M Alhammadi
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Biology Department, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rita E Godfrey
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joseph O Ingram
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Gurdamanjit Singh
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Camilla L Bathurst
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Stephen J W Busby
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Douglas F Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
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65
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Butala M, Dragoš A. Unique relationships between phages and endospore-forming hosts. Trends Microbiol 2022; 31:498-510. [PMID: 36535834 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As part of their survival strategy under harsh environmental conditions, endospore-forming bacteria can trigger a sporulation developmental program. Although the regulatory cascades that precisely control the transformation of vegetative bacteria into mother cells and resilient spores have been described in detail, less is known about how bacteriophages that prey on endospore-formers exploit sporulation. Herein, we argue that phages infecting these bacteria have evolved several specific molecular mechanisms, not yet known in other bacteria, that manifest from the phage-driven alliance to negative effects on the host. We anticipate that the relationships between phages and endospore-formers outlined here will inspire studies on phage ecology and evolution, and could facilitate important advances in the development of phage therapies against pathogenic spore-formers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Butala
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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66
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Leiva LE, Elgamal S, Leidel SA, Orellana O, Ibba M, Katz A. Oxidative stress strongly restricts the effect of codon choice on the efficiency of protein synthesis in Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1042675. [DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1042675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe response of enterobacteria to oxidative stress is usually considered to be regulated by transcription factors such as OxyR and SoxR. Nevertheless, several reports have shown that under oxidative stress the levels, modification and aminoacylation of tRNAs may be altered suggesting a role of codon bias in regulation of gene expression under this condition.MethodsIn order to characterize the effects of oxidative stress on translation elongation we constructed a library of 61 plasmids, each coding for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) translationally fused to a different set of four identical codons.ResultsUsing these reporters, we observed that GFP production levels vary widely (~15 fold) when Escherichia coli K-12 is cultured in minimal media as a consequence of codon choice variations. When bacteria are cultured under oxidative stress caused by paraquat the levels of GFP produced by most clones is reduced and, in contrast to control conditions, the range of GFP levels is restricted to a ~2 fold range. Restricting elongation of particular sequences does not increase the range of GFP production under oxidative stress, but altering translation initiation rates leads to an increase in this range.DiscussionAltogether, our results suggest that under normal conditions the speed of translation elongation is in the range of the speed of initiation and, consequently, codon choice impacts the speed of protein synthesis. In contrast, under oxidative stress translation initiation becomes much slower than elongation, limiting the speed of translation such that codon choice has at most only subtle effects on the overall output of translation.
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67
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Liu H, Knox CA, Jakkula LUMR, Wang Y, Peddireddi L, Ganta RR. Evaluating EcxR for Its Possible Role in Ehrlichia chaffeensis Gene Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12719. [PMID: 36361509 PMCID: PMC9657007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a tick-transmitted intraphagosomal bacterium, is the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis. The pathogen also infects several other vertebrate hosts. E. chaffeensis has a biphasic developmental cycle during its growth in vertebrate monocytes/macrophages and invertebrate tick cells. Host- and vector-specific differences in the gene expression from many genes of E. chaffeensis are well documented. It is unclear how the organism regulates gene expression during its developmental cycle and for its adaptation to vertebrate and tick host cell environments. We previously mapped promoters of several E. chaffeensis genes which are recognized by its only two sigma factors: σ32 and σ70. In the current study, we investigated in assessing five predicted E. chaffeensis transcription regulators; EcxR, CtrA, MerR, HU and Tr1 for their possible roles in regulating the pathogen gene expression. Promoter segments of three genes each transcribed with the RNA polymerase containing σ70 (HU, P28-Omp14 and P28-Omp19) and σ32 (ClpB, DnaK and GroES/L) were evaluated by employing multiple independent molecular methods. We report that EcxR binds to all six promoters tested. Promoter-specific binding of EcxR to several gene promoters results in varying levels of gene expression enhancement. This is the first detailed molecular characterization of transcription regulators where we identified EcxR as a gene regulator having multiple promoter-specific interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Roman R. Ganta
- Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases (CEVBD), Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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68
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Anand D, Jakkala K, Nair RR, Sharan D, Pradhan A, Mukkayyan N, Ajitkumar P. Complete identity and expression of StfZ, the cis-antisense RNA to the mRNA of the cell division gene ftsZ, in Escherichia coli. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:920117. [PMID: 36338044 PMCID: PMC9628754 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.920117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria regulate FtsZ protein levels through transcriptional and translational mechanisms for proper cell division. A cis-antisense RNA, StfZ, produced from the ftsA-ftsZ intergenic region, was proposed to regulate FtsZ level in Escherichia coli. However, its structural identity remained unknown. In this study, we determined the complete sequence of StfZ and identified the isoforms and its promoters. We find that under native physiological conditions, StfZ is expressed at a 1:6 ratio of StfZ:ftsZ mRNA at all growth phases from three promoters as three isoforms of 366, 474, and 552 nt RNAs. Overexpression of StfZ reduces FtsZ protein level, increases cell length, and blocks cell division without affecting the ftsZ mRNA stability. We did not find differential expression of StfZ under the stress conditions of heat shock, cold shock, or oxidative stress, or at any growth phase. These data indicated that the cis-encoded StfZ antisense RNA to ftsZ mRNA may be involved in the fine tuning of ftsZ mRNA levels available for translation as per the growth-phase-specific requirement at all phases of growth and cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Anand
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Deepak Anand,
| | - Kishor Jakkala
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rashmi Ravindran Nair
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Deepti Sharan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Atul Pradhan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Nagaraja Mukkayyan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Shi J, Wang L, Wen A, Wang F, Zhang Y, Yu L, Li F, Jin Y, Feng Z, Li J, Yang Y, Gao F, Zhang Y, Feng Y, Wang S, Zhao W, Lin W. Structural basis of three different transcription activation strategies adopted by a single regulator SoxS. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:11359-11373. [PMID: 36243985 PMCID: PMC9638938 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription activation is established through extensive protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions that allow an activator to engage and remodel RNA polymerase. SoxS, a global transcription activator, diversely regulates subsets of stress response genes with different promoters, but the detailed SoxS-dependent transcription initiation mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of three SoxS-dependent transcription activation complexes (SoxS-TACI, SoxS-TACII and SoxS-TACIII) comprising of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP), SoxS protein and three representative classes of SoxS-regulated promoters. The structures reveal that SoxS monomer orchestrates transcription initiation through specific interactions with the promoter DNA and different conserved domains of RNAP. In particular, SoxS is positioned in the opposite orientation in SoxS-TACIII to that in SoxS-TACI and SoxS-TACII, unveiling a novel mode of transcription activation. Strikingly, two universally conserved C-terminal domains of alpha subunit (αCTD) of RNAP associate with each other, bridging SoxS and region 4 of σ70. We show that SoxS interacts with RNAP directly and independently from DNA, remodeling the enzyme to activate transcription from cognate SoxS promoters while repressing transcription from UP-element containing promoters. Our data provide a comprehensive summary of SoxS-dependent promoter architectures and offer new insights into the αCTD contribution to transcription control in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fulin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuqiong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, 510631 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Libing Yu
- Institute of Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanling Jin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhenzhen Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiacong Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yujiao Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Bensig EO, Valadez-Cano C, Kuang Z, Freire IR, Reyes-Prieto A, MacLellan SR. The two-component regulatory system CenK–CenR regulates expression of a previously uncharacterized protein required for salinity and oxidative stress tolerance in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1020932. [PMID: 36246272 PMCID: PMC9561847 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes of unknown function constitute a considerable fraction of most bacterial genomes. In a Tn5-based search for stress response genes in the nitrogen-fixing facultative endosymbiont Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti, we identified a previously uncharacterized gene required for growth on solid media with increased NaCl concentrations. The encoded protein carries a predicted thioredoxin fold and deletion of the gene also results in increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide. We have designated the gene srlA (stress resistance locus A) based on these phenotypes. A deletion mutant yields phenotypic revertants on high salt medium and genome sequencing revealed that all revertants carry a mutation in genes homologous to either cenK or cenR. srlA promoter activity is abolished in these revertant host backgrounds and in a strain carrying a deletion in cenK. We also observed that the srlA promoter is autoregulated, displaying low activity in a wildtype (wt) host background and high activity in the srl deletion mutant background. The srlA promoter includes a conserved inverted repeat directly upstream of the predicted −35 subsequence. A mutational analysis demonstrated that the site is required for the high promoter activity in the srlA deletion background. Electromobility shift assays using purified wildtype CenR response regulator and a D55E phosphomimetic derivative suggest this protein acts as a likely Class II activator by binding promoter DNA. These results document the first identified CenK–CenR regulon member in S. meliloti and demonstrate this two-component regulatory system and gene srlA influences cellular growth and persistence under certain stress-inducing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eukene O. Bensig
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, University of the Philippines Cebu, Cebu City, Philippines
| | | | - ZiYu Kuang
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | - Isabela R. Freire
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
| | | | - Shawn R. MacLellan
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Shawn R. MacLellan,
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Precise Regulation of Differential Transcriptions of Various Catabolic Genes by OdcR via a Single Nucleotide Mutation in the Promoter Ensures the Safety of Metabolic Flux. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0118222. [PMID: 36036586 PMCID: PMC9499029 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01182-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Synergistic regulation of the expression of various genes in a catabolic pathway is crucial for the degradation, survival, and adaptation of microorganisms in polluted environments. However, how a single regulator accurately regulates and controls differential transcriptions of various catabolic genes to ensure metabolic safety remains largely unknown. Here, a LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR), OdcR, encoded by the regulator gene odcR, was confirmed to be essential for 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenozate (DBHB) catabolism and simultaneously activated the transcriptions of a gene with unknown function, orf419, and three genes, odcA, odcB, and odcC, involved in the DBHB catabolism in Pigmentiphaga sp. strain H8. OdcB further metabolized the highly toxic intermediate 2,6-dibromohydroquinone, which was produced from DBHB by OdcA. The upregulated transcriptional level of odcB was 7- to 9-fold higher than that of orf419, odcA, or odcC in response to DBHB. Through an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting assay, DBHB was found to be the effector and essential for OdcR binding to all four promoters of orf419, odcA, odcB, and odcC. A single nucleotide mutation in the regulatory binding site (RBS) of the promoter of odcB (TAT-N11-ATG), compared to those of odcA/orf419 (CAT-N11-ATG) and odcC (CAT-N11-ATT), was identified and shown to enable the significantly higher transcription of odcB. The precise regulation of these genes by OdcR via a single nucleotide mutation in the promoter avoided the accumulation of 2,6-dibromohydroquinone, ensuring the metabolic safety of DBHB. IMPORTANCE Prokaryotes use various mechanisms, including improvement of the activity of detoxification enzymes, to cope with toxic intermediates produced during catabolism. However, studies on how bacteria accurately regulate differential transcriptions of various catabolic genes via a single regulator to ensure metabolic safety are scarce. This study revealed a LysR-type transcriptional activator, OdcR, which strongly activated odcB transcription for the detoxification of the toxic intermediate 2,6-dibromohydroquinone and slightly activated the transcriptions of other genes (orf419, odcA, and odcC) for 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenozate (DBHB) catabolism in Pigmentiphaga sp. strain H8. Interestingly, the differential transcription/expression of the four genes, which ensured the metabolic safety of DBHB in cells, was determined by a single nucleotide mutation in the regulatory binding sites of the four promoters. This study describes a new and ingenious regulatory mode of ensuring metabolic safety in bacteria, expanding our understanding of synergistic transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes.
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Genome-wide transcription start site mapping in the facultative intracellular pathogen Brucella melitensis by Capping-seq. Gene 2022; 844:146827. [PMID: 35995114 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis) is an important facultative intracellular bacterium that causes global zoonotic diseases. Continuous intracellular survival and replication are the main obstruction responsible for the accessibility of prevention and treatment of brucellosis. Bacteria respond to complex environment by regulating gene expression. Many regulatory factors function at loci where RNA polymerase initiates messenger RNA synthesis. However, limited gene annotation is a current obstacle for the research on expression regulation in bacteria. To improve annotation and explore potential functional sites, we proposed a novel genome-wide method called Capping-seq for transcription start site (TSS) mapping in B. melitensis. This technique combines capture of capped primary transcripts with Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology. We identified 2,369 TSSs at single nucleotide resolution by Capping-seq. TSSs analysis of Brucella transcripts showed a preference of purine on the TSS positions. Our results revealed that -35 and -10 elements of promoter contained consensus sequences of TTGNNN and TATNNN, respectively. The 5' ends analysis showed that 57% genes are associated with more than one TSS and 47% genes contain long leader regions, suggested potential complex regulation at the 5' ends of genes in B. melitensis. Moreover, we identified 52 leaderless genes that are mainly involved in the metabolic processes. Overall, Capping-seq technology provides a unique solution for TSS determination in prokaryotes. Our findings develop a systematic insight into the primary transcriptome characterization of B. melitensis. This study represents a critical basis for investigating gene regulation and pathogenesis of Brucella.
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Marshall CJ, Qayyum MZ, Walker JE, Murakami KS, Santangelo TJ. The structure and activities of the archaeal transcription termination factor Eta detail vulnerabilities of the transcription elongation complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207581119. [PMID: 35917344 PMCID: PMC9371683 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207581119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription must be properly regulated to ensure dynamic gene expression underlying growth, development, and response to environmental cues. Regulation is imposed throughout the transcription cycle, and while many efforts have detailed the regulation of transcription initiation and early elongation, the termination phase of transcription also plays critical roles in regulating gene expression. Transcription termination can be driven by only a few proteins in each domain of life. Detailing the mechanism(s) employed provides insight into the vulnerabilities of transcription elongation complexes (TECs) that permit regulated termination to control expression of many genes and operons. Here, we describe the biochemical activities and crystal structure of the superfamily 2 helicase Eta, one of two known factors capable of disrupting archaeal transcription elongation complexes. Eta retains a twin-translocase core domain common to all superfamily 2 helicases and a well-conserved C terminus wherein individual amino acid substitutions can critically abrogate termination activities. Eta variants that perturb ATPase, helicase, single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA translocase and termination activities identify key regions of the C terminus of Eta that, when combined with modeling Eta-TEC interactions, provide a structural model of Eta-mediated termination guided in part by structures of Mfd and the bacterial TEC. The susceptibility of TECs to disruption by termination factors that target the upstream surface of RNA polymerase and potentially drive termination through forward translocation and allosteric mechanisms that favor opening of the clamp to release the encapsulated nucleic acids emerges as a common feature of transcription termination mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig J. Marshall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - M. Zuhaib Qayyum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Julie E. Walker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Katsuhiko S. Murakami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Thomas J. Santangelo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
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Rohac R, Crack JC, de Rosny E, Gigarel O, Le Brun NE, Fontecilla-Camps JC, Volbeda A. Structural determinants of DNA recognition by the NO sensor NsrR and related Rrf2-type [FeS]-transcription factors. Commun Biol 2022; 5:769. [PMID: 35908109 PMCID: PMC9338935 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03745-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several transcription factors of the Rrf2 family use an iron-sulfur cluster to regulate DNA binding through effectors such as nitric oxide (NO), cellular redox status and iron levels. [4Fe-4S]-NsrR from Streptomyces coelicolor (ScNsrR) modulates expression of three different genes via reaction and complex formation with variable amounts of NO, which results in detoxification of this gas. Here, we report the crystal structure of ScNsrR complexed with an hmpA1 gene operator fragment and compare it with those previously reported for [2Fe-2S]-RsrR/rsrR and apo-IscR/hyA complexes. Important structural differences reside in the variation of the DNA minor and major groove widths. In addition, different DNA curvatures and different interactions with the protein sensors are observed. We also report studies of NsrR binding to four hmpA1 variants, which indicate that flexibility in the central region is not a key binding determinant. Our study explores the promotor binding specificities of three closely related transcriptional regulators. The crystal structure of the iron-sulfur protein NsrR from Streptomyces coelicolor bound to a gene operator fragment is reported and compared with other structures, giving insight into the structural determinants of DNA recognition by the NO sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Rohac
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Metalloproteins Unit, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Jason C Crack
- Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Eve de Rosny
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Metalloproteins Unit, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Océane Gigarel
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Metalloproteins Unit, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Nick E Le Brun
- Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Juan C Fontecilla-Camps
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Metalloproteins Unit, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Anne Volbeda
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Metalloproteins Unit, F-38000, Grenoble, France.
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75
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Yang X, Wang Y, Liu G, Deng Z, Lin S, Zheng J. Structural basis of Streptomyces transcription activation by zinc uptake regulator. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8363-8376. [PMID: 35871291 PMCID: PMC9371925 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptomyces coelicolor (Sc) is a model organism of actinobacteria to study morphological differentiation and production of bioactive metabolites. Sc zinc uptake regulator (Zur) affects both processes by controlling zinc homeostasis. It activates transcription by binding to palindromic Zur-box sequences upstream of −35 elements. Here we deciphered the molecular mechanism by which ScZur interacts with promoter DNA and Sc RNA polymerase (RNAP) by cryo-EM structures and biochemical assays. The ScZur-DNA structures reveal a sequential and cooperative binding of three ScZur dimers surrounding a Zur-box spaced 8 nt upstream from a −35 element. The ScRNAPσHrdB-Zur-DNA structures define protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions involved in the principal housekeeping σHrdB-dependent transcription initiation from a noncanonical promoter with a −10 element lacking the critical adenine residue at position −11 and a TTGCCC −35 element deviating from the canonical TTGACA motif. ScZur interacts with the C-terminal domain of ScRNAP α subunit (αCTD) in a complex structure trapped in an active conformation. Key ScZur-αCTD interfacial residues accounting for ScZur-dependent transcription activation were confirmed by mutational studies. Together, our structural and biochemical results provide a comprehensive model for transcription activation of Zur family regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yiqun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Guiyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zixin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Shuangjun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jianting Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai 200240, China
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76
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He D, You L, Wu X, Shi J, Wen A, Yan Z, Mu W, Fang C, Feng Y, Zhang Y. Pseudomonas aeruginosa SutA wedges RNAP lobe domain open to facilitate promoter DNA unwinding. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4204. [PMID: 35859063 PMCID: PMC9300723 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31871-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pae) SutA adapts bacteria to hypoxia and nutrition-limited environment during chronic infection by increasing transcription activity of an RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme comprising the stress-responsive σ factor σS (RNAP-σS). SutA shows no homology to previously characterized RNAP-binding proteins. The structure and mode of action of SutA remain unclear. Here we determined cryo-EM structures of Pae RNAP-σS holoenzyme, Pae RNAP-σS holoenzyme complexed with SutA, and Pae RNAP-σS transcription initiation complex comprising SutA. The structures show SutA pinches RNAP-β protrusion and facilitates promoter unwinding by wedging RNAP-β lobe open. Our results demonstrate that SutA clears an energetic barrier to facilitate promoter unwinding of RNAP-σS holoenzyme. SutA is a transcription factor which increases transcription activity of an RNA polymerase (RNAP). Here, authors present cryo-EM structures of SutA-bound RNAP-σS holoenzyme and SutA-bound transcription initiation complex, which reveals SutA wedging the RNAP-β lobe open to aid unwinding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingwei He
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin You
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Mu
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Chengli Fang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, and Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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77
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Romero L, Contreras-Riquelme S, Lira M, Martin AJM, Perez-Rueda E. Homology-based reconstruction of regulatory networks for bacterial and archaeal genomes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:923105. [PMID: 35928164 PMCID: PMC9344073 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.923105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene regulation is a key process for all microorganisms, as it allows them to adapt to different environmental stimuli. However, despite the relevance of gene expression control, for only a handful of organisms is there related information about genome regulation. In this work, we inferred the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of bacterial and archaeal genomes by comparisons with six organisms with well-known regulatory interactions. The references we used are: Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655, Bacillus subtilis 168, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar typhimurium LT2, and Staphylococcus aureus N315. To this end, the inferences were achieved in two steps. First, the six model organisms were contrasted in an all-vs-all comparison of known interactions based on Transcription Factor (TF)-Target Gene (TG) orthology relationships and Transcription Unit (TU) assignments. In the second step, we used a guilt-by-association approach to infer the GRNs for 12,230 bacterial and 649 archaeal genomes based on TF-TG orthology relationships of the six bacterial models determined in the first step. Finally, we discuss examples to show the most relevant results obtained from these inferences. A web server with all the predicted GRNs is available at https://regulatorynetworks.unam.mx/ or http://132.247.46.6/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Romero
- Licenciatura en Ciencias Genomicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Sebastian Contreras-Riquelme
- Laboratorio de Biología de Redes, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Lira
- Cómputo Académico, Facultad de Ciencias - UMDI-Sisal, Sede Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Yucatán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Alberto J. M. Martin
- Laboratorio de Biología de Redes, Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Alberto J. M. Martin,
| | - Ernesto Perez-Rueda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Ernesto Perez-Rueda,
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78
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Anderssen S, Naômé A, Jadot C, Brans A, Tocquin P, Rigali S. AURTHO: Autoregulation of transcription factors as facilitator of cis-acting element discovery. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194847. [PMID: 35901946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is key in bacteria for providing an adequate response in time and space to changing environmental conditions. However, despite decades of research, the binding sites and therefore the target genes and the function of most transcription factors (TFs) remain unknown. Filling this gap in knowledge through conventional methods represents a colossal task which we demonstrate here can be significantly facilitated by a widespread feature in transcriptional control: the autoregulation of TFs implying that the yet unknown transcription factor binding site (TFBS) is neighboring the TF itself. In this work, we describe the "AURTHO" methodology (AUtoregulation of oRTHOlogous transcription factors), consisting of analyzing upstream regions of orthologous TFs in order to uncover their associated TFBSs. AURTHO enabled the de novo identification of novel TFBSs with an unprecedented improvement in terms of quantity and reliability. DNA-protein interaction studies on a selection of candidate cis-acting elements yielded an >90 % success rate, demonstrating the efficacy of AURTHO at highlighting true TF-TFBS couples and confirming the identification in a near future of a plethora of TFBSs across all bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinaeda Anderssen
- InBioS - Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Aymeric Naômé
- InBioS - Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; HEDERA 22, Boulevard du Rectorat 27b, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Cédric Jadot
- InBioS - Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Brans
- InBioS - Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Pierre Tocquin
- HEDERA 22, Boulevard du Rectorat 27b, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; InBioS - PhytoSystems, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Rigali
- InBioS - Center for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium; HEDERA 22, Boulevard du Rectorat 27b, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
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79
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Brosse A, Boudry P, Walburger A, Magalon A, Guillier M. Synthesis of the NarP response regulator of nitrate respiration in Escherichia coli is regulated at multiple levels by Hfq and small RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6753-6768. [PMID: 35748881 PMCID: PMC9262595 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCS) and small RNAs (sRNA) are widespread regulators that participate in the response and the adaptation of bacteria to their environments. TCSs and sRNAs mostly act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, respectively, and can be found integrated in regulatory circuits, where TCSs control sRNAs transcription and/or sRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate TCSs synthesis. In response to nitrate and nitrite, the paralogous NarQ-NarP and NarX-NarL TCSs regulate the expression of genes involved in anaerobic respiration of these alternative electron acceptors to oxygen. In addition to the previously reported repression of NarP synthesis by the SdsN137 sRNA, we show here that RprA, another Hfq-dependent sRNA, also negatively controls narP. Interestingly, the repression of narP by RprA actually relies on two independent mechanisms of control. The first is via the direct pairing of the central region of RprA to the narP translation initiation region and presumably occurs at the translation initiation level. In contrast, the second requires only the very 5' end of the narP mRNA, which is targeted, most likely indirectly, by the full-length or the shorter, processed, form of RprA. In addition, our results raise the possibility of a direct role of Hfq in narP control, further illustrating the diversity of post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms in the synthesis of TCSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Brosse
- UMR8261, CNRS, Université de Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005Paris, France
| | - Pierre Boudry
- UMR8261, CNRS, Université de Paris Cité, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 75005Paris, France
| | - Anne Walburger
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne (UMR7283), IMM, IM2B, 13402Marseille, France
| | - Axel Magalon
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne (UMR7283), IMM, IM2B, 13402Marseille, France
| | - Maude Guillier
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +33 01 58 41 51 49; Fax: +33 01 58 41 50 25;
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80
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Horgusluoglu E, Neff R, Song W, Wang M, Wang Q, Arnold M, Krumsiek J, Galindo‐Prieto B, Ming C, Nho K, Kastenmüller G, Han X, Baillie R, Zeng Q, Andrews S, Cheng H, Hao K, Goate A, Bennett DA, Saykin AJ, Kaddurah‐Daouk R, Zhang B. Integrative metabolomics-genomics approach reveals key metabolic pathways and regulators of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:1260-1278. [PMID: 34757660 PMCID: PMC9085975 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Metabolites, the biochemical products of the cellular process, can be used to measure alterations in biochemical pathways related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relationships between systemic abnormalities in metabolism and the pathogenesis of AD are poorly understood. In this study, we aim to identify AD-specific metabolomic changes and their potential upstream genetic and transcriptional regulators through an integrative systems biology framework for analyzing genetic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic data in AD. Metabolite co-expression network analysis of the blood metabolomic data in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) shows short-chain acylcarnitines/amino acids and medium/long-chain acylcarnitines are most associated with AD clinical outcomes, including episodic memory scores and disease severity. Integration of the gene expression data in both the blood from the ADNI and the brain from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Alzheimer's Disease (AMP-AD) program reveals ABCA1 and CPT1A are involved in the regulation of acylcarnitines and amino acids in AD. Gene co-expression network analysis of the AMP-AD brain RNA-seq data suggests the CPT1A- and ABCA1-centered subnetworks are associated with neuronal system and immune response, respectively. Increased ABCA1 gene expression and adiponectin protein, a regulator of ABCA1, correspond to decreased short-chain acylcarnitines and amines in AD in the ADNI. In summary, our integrated analysis of large-scale multiomics data in AD systematically identifies novel metabolites and their potential regulators in AD and the findings pave a way for not only developing sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarkers for AD but also identifying novel molecular mechanisms of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emrin Horgusluoglu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ryan Neff
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Won‐Min Song
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Matthias Arnold
- Institute of Computational BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenGerman Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jan Krumsiek
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineInstitute for Computational BiomedicineEnglander Institute for Precision MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Beatriz Galindo‐Prieto
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsWeill Cornell MedicineInstitute for Computational BiomedicineEnglander Institute for Precision MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research InstituteBrain and Mind Research InstituteWeill Cornell MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Chen Ming
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences; Indiana Alzheimer Disease CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Gabi Kastenmüller
- Institute of Computational BiologyHelmholtz Zentrum MünchenGerman Research Center for Environmental HealthNeuherbergGermany
| | - Xianlin Han
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging StudiesUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexasUSA
| | | | - Qi Zeng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Shea Andrews
- Department of NeuroscienceRonald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's DiseaseIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Haoxiang Cheng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Alison Goate
- Department of NeuroscienceRonald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's DiseaseIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease CenterRush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Andrew J. Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences; Indiana Alzheimer Disease CenterIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Rima Kaddurah‐Daouk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Duke Institute of Brain SciencesDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of MedicineDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesMount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease ModelingIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiIcahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale BiologyNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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81
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Alviz-Gazitua P, González A, Lee MR, Aranda CP. Molecular Relationships in Biofilm Formation and the Biosynthesis of Exoproducts in Pseudoalteromonas spp. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 24:431-447. [PMID: 35486299 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-022-10097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most members of the Pseudoalteromonas genus have been isolated from living surfaces as members of epiphytic and epizooic microbiomes on marine macroorganisms. Commonly Pseudoalteromonas isolates are reported as a source of bioactive exoproducts, i.e., secondary metabolites, such as exopolymeric substances and extracellular enzymes. The experimental conditions for the production of these agents are commonly associated with sessile metabolic states such as biofilms or liquid cultures in the stationary growth phase. Despite this, the molecular mechanisms that connect biofilm formation and the biosynthesis of exoproducts in Pseudoalteromonas isolates have rarely been mentioned in the literature. This review compiles empirical evidence about exoproduct biosynthesis conditions and molecular mechanisms that regulate sessile metabolic states in Pseudoalteromonas species, to provide a comprehensive perspective on the regulatory convergences that generate the recurrent coexistence of both phenomena in this bacterial genus. This synthesis aims to provide perspectives on the extent of this phenomenon for the optimization of bioprospection studies and biotechnology processes based on these bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Alviz-Gazitua
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Avda. Fuchslocher 1305, P. Box 5290000, Osorno, Chile
| | - A González
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Avda. Fuchslocher 1305, P. Box 5290000, Osorno, Chile
| | - M R Lee
- Centro i~mar, Universidad de Los Lagos, Camino a Chinquihue km 6, P. Box 5480000, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - C P Aranda
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos, Avda. Fuchslocher 1305, P. Box 5290000, Osorno, Chile.
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82
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Shi J, Wang F, Li F, Wang L, Xiong Y, Wen A, Jin Y, Jin S, Gao F, Feng Z, Li J, Zhang Y, Shang Z, Wang S, Feng Y, Lin W. Structural basis of transcription activation by Rob, a pleiotropic AraC/XylS family regulator. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5974-5987. [PMID: 35641097 PMCID: PMC9178005 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rob, which serves as a paradigm of the large AraC/XylS family transcription activators, regulates diverse subsets of genes involved in multidrug resistance and stress response. However, the underlying mechanism of how it engages bacterial RNA polymerase and promoter DNA to finely respond to environmental stimuli is still elusive. Here, we present two cryo-EM structures of Rob-dependent transcription activation complex (Rob-TAC) comprising of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP), Rob-regulated promoter and Rob in alternative conformations. The structures show that a single Rob engages RNAP by interacting with RNAP αCTD and σ70R4, revealing their generally important regulatory roles. Notably, by occluding σ70R4 from binding to -35 element, Rob specifically binds to the conserved Rob binding box through its consensus HTH motifs, and retains DNA bending by aid of the accessory acidic loop. More strikingly, our ligand docking and biochemical analysis demonstrate that the large Rob C-terminal domain (Rob CTD) shares great structural similarity with the global Gyrl-like domains in effector binding and allosteric regulation, and coordinately promotes formation of competent Rob-TAC. Altogether, our structural and biochemical data highlight the detailed molecular mechanism of Rob-dependent transcription activation, and provide favorable evidences for understanding the physiological roles of the other AraC/XylS-family transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shi
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fulin Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Aijia Wen
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yuanling Jin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Sha Jin
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhenzhen Feng
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiacong Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuo Shang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Physics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.,Department of Pathology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210023, China.,State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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83
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Liang Y, Luo J, Yang C, Guo S, Zhang B, Chen F, Su K, Zhang Y, Dong Y, Wang Z, Fu H, Sui G, Wang P. Directed evolution of the PobR allosteric transcription factor to generate a biosensor for 4-hydroxymandelic acid. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:104. [PMID: 35501522 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03286-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxy-mandelic acid (HMA) is widely applied in pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics. In this study, we aimed to develop an allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) based biosensor for HMA. PobR, an aTF for HMA analog 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, was used to alter its selectivity and create novel aTFs responsive to HMA by directed evolution. We established a PobR mutant library with a capacity of 550,000 mutants using error-prone PCR and Megawhop PCR. Through our screening, two mutants were obtained with responsiveness to HMA. Analysis of each missense mutation indicating residues 122-126 were involved in its PobR ligand specificity. These results showed the effectiveness of directed evolution in switching the ligand specificity of a biosensor and improving HMA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- YaoYao Liang
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Enzymes and Enzyme-Like Material Engineering of Heilongjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Luo
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenhao Yang
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuning Guo
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengqianrui Chen
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kairui Su
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yulong Zhang
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Dong
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihao Wang
- Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongda Fu
- NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangchao Sui
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,Northeast Forestry University, No. 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Pengchao Wang
- School of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,Aulin College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,NEFU-China iGEM Team, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China. .,Key Laboratory for Enzymes and Enzyme-Like Material Engineering of Heilongjiang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, People's Republic of China. .,Northeast Forestry University, No. 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150000, People's Republic of China.
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84
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Hocq R, Jagtap S, Boutard M, Tolonen AC, Duval L, Pirayre A, Lopes Ferreira N, Wasels F. Genome-Wide TSS Distribution in Three Related Clostridia with Normalized Capp-Switch Sequencing. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0228821. [PMID: 35412381 PMCID: PMC9045289 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02288-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription initiation is a tightly regulated process that is crucial for many aspects of prokaryotic physiology. High-throughput transcription start site (TSS) mapping can shed light on global and local regulation of transcription initiation, which in turn may help us understand and predict microbial behavior. In this study, we used Capp-Switch sequencing to determine the TSS positions in the genomes of three model solventogenic clostridia: Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, C. beijerinckii DSM 6423, and C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052. We first refined the approach by implementing a normalization pipeline accounting for gene expression, yielding a total of 12,114 mapped TSSs across the species. We further compared the distributions of these sites in the three strains. Results indicated similar distribution patterns at the genome scale, but also some sharp differences, such as for the butyryl-CoA synthesis operon, particularly when comparing C. acetobutylicum to the C. beijerinckii strains. Lastly, we found that promoter structure is generally poorly conserved between C. acetobutylicum and C. beijerinckii. A few conserved promoters across species are discussed, showing interesting examples of how TSS determination and comparison can improve our understanding of gene expression regulation at the transcript level. IMPORTANCE Solventogenic clostridia have been employed in industry for more than a century, initially being used in the acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process for acetone and butanol production. Interest in these bacteria has recently increased in the context of green chemistry and sustainable development. However, our current understanding of their genomes and physiology limits their optimal use as industrial solvent production platforms. The gene regulatory mechanisms of solventogenesis are still only partly understood, impeding efforts to increase rates and yields. Genome-wide mapping of transcription start sites (TSSs) for three model solventogenic Clostridium strains is an important step toward understanding mechanisms of gene regulation in these industrially important bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Hocq
- IFP Energies Nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | | | - Magali Boutard
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d’Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Andrew C. Tolonen
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Université d’Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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85
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Relationship between the Chromosome Structural Dynamics and Gene Expression—A Chicken and Egg Dilemma? Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050846. [PMID: 35630292 PMCID: PMC9144111 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prokaryotic transcription was extensively studied over the last half-century. A great deal of data has been accumulated regarding the control of gene expression by transcription factors regulating their target genes by binding at specific DNA sites. However, there is a significant gap between the mechanistic description of transcriptional control obtained from in vitro biochemical studies and the complexity of transcriptional regulation in the context of the living cell. Indeed, recent studies provide ample evidence for additional levels of complexity pertaining to the regulation of transcription in vivo, such as, for example, the role of the subcellular localization and spatial organization of different molecular components involved in the transcriptional control and, especially, the role of chromosome configurational dynamics. The question as to how the chromosome is dynamically reorganized under the changing environmental conditions and how this reorganization is related to gene expression is still far from being clear. In this article, we focus on the relationships between the chromosome structural dynamics and modulation of gene expression during bacterial adaptation. We argue that spatial organization of the bacterial chromosome is of central importance in the adaptation of gene expression to changing environmental conditions and vice versa, that gene expression affects chromosome dynamics.
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86
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Baptista ISC, Kandavalli V, Chauhan V, Bahrudeen MNM, Almeida BLB, Palma CSD, Dash S, Ribeiro AS. Sequence-dependent model of genes with dual σ factor preference. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194812. [PMID: 35338024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli uses σ factors to quickly control large gene cohorts during stress conditions. While most of its genes respond to a single σ factor, approximately 5% of them have dual σ factor preference. The most common are those responsive to both σ70, which controls housekeeping genes, and σ38, which activates genes during stationary growth and stresses. Using RNA-seq and flow-cytometry measurements, we show that 'σ70+38 genes' are nearly as upregulated in stationary growth as 'σ38 genes'. Moreover, we find a clear quantitative relationship between their promoter sequence and their response strength to changes in σ38 levels. We then propose and validate a sequence dependent model of σ70+38 genes, with dual sensitivity to σ38 and σ70, that is applicable in the exponential and stationary growth phases, as well in the transient period in between. We further propose a general model, applicable to other stresses and σ factor combinations. Given this, promoters controlling σ70+38 genes (and variants) could become important building blocks of synthetic circuits with predictable, sequence-dependent sensitivity to transitions between the exponential and stationary growth phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines S C Baptista
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Vinodh Kandavalli
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 752 37, Sweden
| | - Vatsala Chauhan
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Mohamed N M Bahrudeen
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Bilena L B Almeida
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Cristina S D Palma
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Suchintak Dash
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Andre S Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Biosystem Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere 33520, Finland; Center of Technology and Systems (CTS-Uninova), NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte de Caparica, Portugal.
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87
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Involvement of E. coli 6S RNA in Oxidative Stress Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073653. [PMID: 35409013 PMCID: PMC8998176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
6S RNA, a small non-coding RNA present in almost all bacteria, inhibits transcription via direct binding to RNA polymerase holoenzymes. The mechanism of 6S RNA action was investigated to a large extent in E. coli, however, lack of 6S RNA (ΔssrS) was demonstrated to be unfavorable but not essential for cell survival under various growth conditions. In the present study, we revealed, for the first time, a lethal phenotype of the ΔssrS strain in the presence of high concentrations of H2O2. This phenotype was rescued by complementation of the ssrS gene on a plasmid. We performed comparative qRT-PCR analyses on an enlarged set of mRNAs of genes associated with the oxidative stress response, allowing us to identify four genes known to be involved in this pathway (soxS, ahpC, sodA and tpx) that had decreased mRNA levels in the ΔssrS strain. Finally, we performed comparative proteomic analyses of the wild-type and ΔssrS strains, confirming that ΔssrS bacteria have reduced levels of the proteins AhpC and Tpx involved in H2O2 reduction. Our findings substantiate the crucial role of the riboregulator 6S RNA for bacterial coping with extreme stresses.
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88
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Roles of zinc-binding domain of bacterial RNA polymerase in transcription. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:710-724. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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89
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Development of highly characterized genetic bioparts for efficient gene expression in CO2-fixing Eubacterium limosum. Metab Eng 2022; 72:215-226. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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90
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Hothersall J, Lai S, Zhang N, Godfrey RE, Ruanto P, Bischoff S, Robinson C, Overton TW, Busby SJW, Browning DF. Inexpensive protein overexpression driven by the NarL transcription activator protein. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1614-1623. [PMID: 35211956 PMCID: PMC9314961 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Most Escherichia coli overexpression vectors used for recombinant protein production (RPP) depend on organic inducers, for example, sugars or simple conjugates. However, these can be expensive and, sometimes, chemically unstable. To simplify this and to cut the cost of RPP, we have developed vectors controlled by the Escherichia coli nitrate‐responsive NarL transcription activator protein, which use nitrate, a cheap, stable, and abundant inorganic ion, to induce high‐level controlled RPP. We show that target proteins, such as green fluorescent protein, human growth hormone, and single‐chain variable region antibody fragments can be expressed to high levels using our promoter systems. As nitrate levels are high in many commercial fertilizers, we demonstrate that controlled RPP can be achieved using readily available and inexpensive garden products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Hothersall
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sandie Lai
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Nan Zhang
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rita E Godfrey
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Patcharawarin Ruanto
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Sarah Bischoff
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Ingram Building, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Colin Robinson
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Ingram Building, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Tim W Overton
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Stephen J W Busby
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Douglas F Browning
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK
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91
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Skakun VV, Nikolaichik YA. Development of a bacterial regulatory motif database. INFORMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.37661/1816-0301-2022-19-1-59-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
O b j e c t i v e s . The amount of data generated by modern methods of high-throughput sequencing is such that their analysis is performed mainly in automatic mode. In particular, the use of newly decoded genomic sequences is possible only after the annotation of functional elements of the genome, which, as a rule, is performed by automatic pipelines. Such annotation pipelines do a good job to identify the genes, but none of them annotate regulatory elements. Without these elements it is not possible to understand when and how genes can be expressed. Information on the regulatory elements of bacteria is collected in several specialized databases (RegulonDB, CollecTF, Prodoric2, etc.), however, only a part of this information can be used for annotation of regulatory elements, and only for a very limited range of bacteria. Previously, we proposed a clear formal criterion for applying regulatory information to any bacterial genome. Such a criterion is the CR tag, a sequence of amino acid residues of a transcriptional regulator that specifically contacts the nitrogenous bases of regulatory element in genomic DNA. The mathematical model of a regulatory element (motif) associated with a CR tag can be correctly applied to annotate similar elements in any genomes encoding a transcriptional regulator with an identical CR tag. The accumulation of motifs associated with CR tags raised the question of their ordered storage for the convenience of subsequent use in the annotation of genomic sequences. Since no one of well-known databases uses the concept of CR tags, a new database ought to be developed. Thus, the goal of this work is to create a database with information about bacterial transcription factors and DNA sequences recognized by them, suitable for annotation of regulatory sequences in bacterial genomes.M e t h o d s . Infological modeling of the subject area was carried out using the IDEF1X methodology. The database was developed using the Microsoft SQL Server DBMS. A cross-platform application for importing data into a database is written in C++ using Qt technology.Re s u l t s . As a result of the study of the subject area, a relational data model was developed and implemented in the Microsoft SQL Server DBMS, which allows holistic storage of information about accumulated transcription regulation motifs in bacteria, including information about the publications confirming their correctness. To automate the process of entering accumulated data, a cross-platform application was developed for importing structured data on transcription factors.Co n c l u s i o n . The main difference of the developed database is the use of CR-tag concept. Records of mathematical models of regulatory elements (motifs) in the database are associated with a CR tag and, therefore, can be correctly used to annotate similar elements in any genomes encoding a transcriptional regulator with an identical CR tag. The developed database will provide structured and holistic data storage, as well as their quick search when used in the pipeline for automatic annotation of regulatory elements in bacterial genomic sequences.
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92
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Oliveira Monteiro LM, Saraiva JP, Brizola Toscan R, Stadler PF, Silva-Rocha R, Nunes da Rocha U. PredicTF: prediction of bacterial transcription factors in complex microbial communities using deep learning. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2022; 17:7. [PMID: 35135629 PMCID: PMC8822659 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-021-00394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins controlling the flow of genetic information by regulating cellular gene expression. A better understanding of TFs in a bacterial community context may open novel revenues for exploring gene regulation in ecosystems where bacteria play a key role. Here we describe PredicTF, a platform supporting the prediction and classification of novel bacterial TF in single species and complex microbial communities. PredicTF is based on a deep learning algorithm. RESULTS To train PredicTF, we created a TF database (BacTFDB) by manually curating a total of 11,961 TF distributed in 99 TF families. Five model organisms were used to test the performance and the accuracy of PredicTF. PredicTF was able to identify 24-62% of the known TFs with an average precision of 88% in our five model organisms. We demonstrated PredicTF using pure cultures and a complex microbial community. In these demonstrations, we used (meta)genomes for TF prediction and (meta)transcriptomes for determining the expression of putative TFs. CONCLUSION PredicTF demonstrated high accuracy in predicting transcription factors in model organisms. We prepared the pipeline to be easily implemented in studies profiling TFs using (meta)genomes and (meta)transcriptomes. PredicTF is an open-source software available at https://github.com/mdsufz/PredicTF .
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Affiliation(s)
- Lummy Maria Oliveira Monteiro
- Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Computer Science, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Prêto, Brazil
| | | | | | - Peter F. Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Computer Science, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rafael Silva-Rocha
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Prêto, Brazil
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93
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Hao M, Ye F, Jovanovic M, Kotta‐Loizou I, Xu Q, Qin X, Buck M, Zhang X, Wang M. Structures of Class I and Class II Transcription Complexes Reveal the Molecular Basis of RamA-Dependent Transcription Activation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103669. [PMID: 34761556 PMCID: PMC8811837 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Transcription activator RamA is linked to multidrug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae through controlling genes that encode efflux pumps (acrA) and porin-regulating antisense RNA (micF). In bacteria, σ70 , together with activators, controls the majority of genes by recruiting RNA polymerase (RNAP) to the promoter regions. RNAP and σ70 form a holoenzyme that recognizes -35 and -10 promoter DNA consensus sites. Many activators bind upstream from the holoenzyme and can be broadly divided into two classes. RamA acts as a class I activator on acrA and class II activator on micF, respectively. The authors present biochemical and structural data on RamA in complex with RNAP-σ70 at the two promoters and the data reveal the molecular basis for how RamA assembles and interacts with core RNAP and activates transcription that contributes to antibiotic resistance. Further, comparing with CAP/TAP complexes reveals common and activator-specific features in activator binding and uncovers distinct roles of the two C-terminal domains of RNAP α subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hao
- Institute of AntibioticsHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of AntibioticsNational Health Commission of the People's Republic of ChinaShanghai200040China
- Section of Structural BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseasesImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Fuzhou Ye
- Section of Structural BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseasesImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Milija Jovanovic
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | | | - Qingqing Xu
- Institute of AntibioticsHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of AntibioticsNational Health Commission of the People's Republic of ChinaShanghai200040China
| | - Xiaohua Qin
- Institute of AntibioticsHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of AntibioticsNational Health Commission of the People's Republic of ChinaShanghai200040China
| | - Martin Buck
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Section of Structural BiologyDepartment of Infectious DiseasesImperial College LondonLondonSW7 2AZUK
| | - Minggui Wang
- Institute of AntibioticsHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200040China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of AntibioticsNational Health Commission of the People's Republic of ChinaShanghai200040China
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94
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Moratti CF, Scott C, Coleman NV. Synthetic Biology Approaches to Hydrocarbon Biosensors: A Review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 9:804234. [PMID: 35083206 PMCID: PMC8784404 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.804234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monooxygenases are a class of enzymes that facilitate the bacterial degradation of alkanes and alkenes. The regulatory components associated with monooxygenases are nature's own hydrocarbon sensors, and once functionally characterised, these components can be used to create rapid, inexpensive and sensitive biosensors for use in applications such as bioremediation and metabolic engineering. Many bacterial monooxygenases have been identified, yet the regulation of only a few of these have been investigated in detail. A wealth of genetic and functional diversity of regulatory enzymes and promoter elements still remains unexplored and unexploited, both in published genome sequences and in yet-to-be-cultured bacteria. In this review we examine in detail the current state of research on monooxygenase gene regulation, and on the development of transcription-factor-based microbial biosensors for detection of alkanes and alkenes. A new framework for the systematic characterisation of the underlying genetic components and for further development of biosensors is presented, and we identify focus areas that should be targeted to enable progression of more biosensor candidates to commercialisation and deployment in industry and in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia F. Moratti
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Colin Scott
- CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Nicholas V. Coleman
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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95
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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Li J, Wang C, Du G, Kang Z. Construction of Strong Promoters by Assembling Sigma Factor Binding Motifs. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2461:137-147. [PMID: 35727448 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2152-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Development of strong promoters is of growing interest in the field of biotechnology and synthetic biology. Here we present a protocol for the construction of strong prokaryotic promoters that can be recognized by designated multiple sigma factors by interlocking their cognate binding motifs on DNA strands. Strong and stress responsive promoters for Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis have been created following the presented protocol. Customized promoters could be easily developed for fine-tuning gene expression or overproducing enzymes with prokaryotic cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yang Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianghua Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Wuxi, China
| | - Chao Wang
- The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guocheng Du
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhen Kang
- The Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Wuxi, China.
- The Science Center for Future Foods, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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96
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Ledesma L, Hernandez-Guerrero R, Perez-Rueda E. Prediction of DNA-Binding Transcription Factors in Bacteria and Archaea Genomes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2516:103-112. [PMID: 35922624 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2413-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) play a central role in the gene expression of all organisms, from viruses to humans, including bacteria and archaea. The role of these proteins is the fate of gene expression in the context of environmental challenges. Because thousands of genomes have been sequenced to date, predictions of the encoded proteins are validated through the use of bioinformatics tools to obtain the necessary experimental, posterior knowledge. In this chapter, we describe three approaches to identify TFs in protein sequences. The first approach integrates the results of sequence comparisons and PFAM assignments, using as reference a manually curated collection of TFs. The second approach considers the prediction of DNA-binding structures, such as the classical helix-turn-helix (HTH); and the third approach considers a deep learning model. We suggest that all approaches must be considered together to increase the possibility of identifying new TFs in bacterial and archaeal genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ledesma
- Posgrado en Ciencia e Ingeniería de la Computación, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rafael Hernandez-Guerrero
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Perez-Rueda
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
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97
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Bheemireddy S, Srinivasan N. Computational Study on the Dynamics of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis RNA Polymerase Assembly. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2516:61-79. [PMID: 35922622 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2413-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Gene regulation is an intricate phenomenon involving precise function of many macromolecular complexes. Molecular basis of this phenomenon is highly complex and cannot be fully understood using a single technique. Computational approaches can play a crucial role in overall understanding of functional and mechanistic features of a protein or an assembly. Large amounts of structural data pertaining to these complexes are publicly available. In this project, we took advantage of the availability of the structural information to unravel functional intricacies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase upon interaction with RbpA. In this article, we discuss how the knowledge on protein structure and dynamics can be exploited to study function using various computational tools and resources. Overall, this article provides an overview of various computational methods which can be efficiently used to understand the role of any protein. We hope especially the nonexperts in the field could benefit from our article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Bheemireddy
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
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98
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Machado LFM, Dixon N. Directed Evolution of Transcription Factor-Based Biosensors for Altered Effector Specificity. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2461:175-193. [PMID: 35727451 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2152-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor-based biosensors are important tools in Synthetic Biology for the sensing of industrially valuable molecules and clinically important metabolites, therefore presenting applications in the bioremediation, industrial biotechnology, and biomedical fields. The directed evolution of allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) with the aim of altering effector specificity has the potential for the development of new biosensors to detect natural and nonnatural molecules, expanding the scope of available aTF-based biosensors. In this chapter, we delineate a general method for the directed evolution of aTFs. The theory of library design is discussed, along with the detailed methodology for an improved transformation of combined libraries, and the experimental search space by counterselection using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is presented.
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99
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Zhao N, Liu H, Yan F. Oscillation dynamic mechanism driven by time delays in the competent gene regulatory circuit of B. subtilis. INT J BIOMATH 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793524522500176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus subtilis with competent states absorbs DNA and may improve the growth of bacteria by integrating new genetic material. Therefore, it is important to clarify how the genes interact in the circuit so that cells enter into a competent state or return to a vegetative state. The gene regulatory circuit consists of two positive feedback loops and one negative feedback loop. In this paper, a mathematical model is developed by considering transcription time delays to further study dynamic behavior of the B. subtilis competent gene regulatory network. Combined with theoretical calculation and numerical simulation, it is verified that the time delay in indirect transcription inhibition indeed has the effect of inducing the periodic oscillation of the B. subtilis competent system. In addition, some important chemical reaction rates can also regulate system dynamic behavior. However, under the control of time delay, the effects of the important chemical reaction rates have changed significantly. In particular, the time delay can advance critical value of the important chemical reaction rates where vibration occurs and can also weaken or even eliminate the effect of the important chemical reaction rates. These results will help us to analyze the competent state of B. subtilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhao
- Department of Mathematics, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Complex System Modeling and Application, for Universities in Yunnan, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Haihong Liu
- Department of Mathematics, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Complex System Modeling and Application, for Universities in Yunnan, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
| | - Fang Yan
- Department of Mathematics, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Complex System Modeling and Application, for Universities in Yunnan, Kunming 650500, P. R. China
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100
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Wood DM, Dobson RC, Horne CR. Using cryo-EM to uncover mechanisms of bacterial transcriptional regulation. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2711-2726. [PMID: 34854920 PMCID: PMC8786299 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the principal control point for bacterial gene expression, and it enables a global cellular response to an intracellular or environmental trigger. Transcriptional regulation is orchestrated by transcription factors, which activate or repress transcription of target genes by modulating the activity of RNA polymerase. Dissecting the nature and precise choreography of these interactions is essential for developing a molecular understanding of transcriptional regulation. While the contribution of X-ray crystallography has been invaluable, the 'resolution revolution' of cryo-electron microscopy has transformed our structural investigations, enabling large, dynamic and often transient transcription complexes to be resolved that in many cases had resisted crystallisation. In this review, we highlight the impact cryo-electron microscopy has had in gaining a deeper understanding of transcriptional regulation in bacteria. We also provide readers working within the field with an overview of the recent innovations available for cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation and image reconstruction of transcription complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Wood
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Renwick C.J. Dobson
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre and School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher R. Horne
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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