Subdivision of the helix-turn-helix GntR family of bacterial regulators in the FadR, HutC, MocR, and YtrA subfamilies

Type I pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzymatic domains embedded within multimodular nonribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase assembly lines

BACKGROUND

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes of fold type I, the most studied structural class of the PLP-dependent enzyme superfamily, are known to exist as stand-alone homodimers or homotetramers. These enzymes have been found also embedded in multimodular and multidomain assembly lines involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides (PKS) and nonribosomal peptides (NRPS). The aim of this work is to provide a proteome-wide view of the distribution and characteristics of type I domains covalently integrated in these assemblies in prokaryotes.

RESULTS

An ad-hoc Hidden Markov profile was calculated using a sequence alignment derived from a multiple structural superposition of distantly related PLP-enzymes of fold type I. The profile was utilized to scan the sequence databank and to collect the proteins containing at least one type I domain linked to a component of an assembly line in bacterial genomes. The domains adjacent to a carrier protein were further investigated. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the presence of four PLP-dependent families: Aminotran_3, Beta_elim_lyase and Pyridoxal_deC, occurring mainly within mixed NRPS/PKS clusters, and Aminotran_1_2 found mainly in PKS clusters. Sequence similarity to the reference PLP enzymes with solved structures ranged from 24 to 42% identity. Homology models were built for each representative type I domain and molecular docking simulations with putative substrates were carried out. Prediction of the protein-protein interaction sites evidenced that the surface regions of the type I domains embedded within multienzyme assemblies were different from those of the self-standing enzymes; these structural features appear to be required for productive interactions with the adjacent domains in a multidomain context.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides a systematic view of the occurrence of type I domain within NRPS and PKS assembly lines and it predicts their structural characteristics using computational methods. Comparison with the corresponding stand-alone enzymes highlighted the common and different traits related to various aspects of their structure-function relationship. Therefore, the results of this work, on one hand contribute to the understanding of the functional and structural diversity of the PLP-dependent type I enzymes and, on the other, pave the way to further studies aimed at their applications in combinatorial biosynthesis.

Crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis GabR, an autorepressor and transcriptional activator of gabT

Bacillus subtilis GabR is a transcription factor that regulates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism. GabR is a member of the understudied MocR/GabR subfamily of the GntR family of transcription regulators. A typical MocR/GabR-type regulator is a chimeric protein containing a short N-terminal helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain and a long C-terminal pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-binding putative aminotransferase domain. In the presence of PLP and GABA, GabR activates the gabTD operon, which allows the bacterium to use GABA as nitrogen and carbon sources. GabR binds to its own promoter and represses gabR transcription in the absence of GABA. Here, we report two crystal structures of full-length GabR from B. subtilis: a 2.7-Å structure of GabR with PLP bound and the 2.55-Å apo structure of GabR without PLP. The quaternary structure of GabR is a head-to-tail domain-swap homodimer. Each monomer comprises two domains: an N-terminal winged-helix DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal PLP-binding type I aminotransferase-like domain. The winged-helix domain contains putative DNA-binding residues conserved in other GntR-type regulators. Together with sedimentation velocity and fluorescence polarization assays, the crystal structure of GabR provides insights into DNA binding by GabR at the gabR and gabT promoters. The absence of GabR-mediated aminotransferase activity in the presence of GABA and PLP, and the presence of an active site configuration that is incompatible with stabilization of the GABA external aldimine suggest that a GabR aminotransferase-like activity involving GABA and PLP is not essential to its primary function as a transcription regulator.

Host and viral transcriptional regulators in Sulfolobus: an overview

The genus Sulfolobus includes microorganisms belonging to the domain Archaea, sub-kingdom Crenarchaeota, living in geographically distant acidic hot springs. Their adaptation to such particular habitats requires finely regulated mechanisms of gene expression, among which, those modulated by sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) play a key role. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the repertoires of TFs found in Sulfolobus spp. and their viruses, focusing on the description of their DNA-binding domains and their structure-function relationship.

Regulation of virulence in Brucella: an eclectic repertoire of transcription factors defines the complex architecture of the virB promoter

Many intracellular bacterial pathogens use type IV secretion systems to deliver effector molecules and subvert the eukaryotic host cell defenses. The genus Brucella comprises facultative intracellular bacteria that cause brucellosis, a disease affecting a wide range of mammals including humans. The virB operon codes for a type IV secretion system that plays a central role in intracellular survival and replication of Brucella within the host. Expression of the virB genes is under the control of various transcription factors that allow this system to respond to different types of environmental signals, and display binding site structures and arrangements that define the intrinsic complexity of the virB promoter. This review focuses on summarizing the current state of research concerning regulation of the Brucella virB operon, with special emphasis on describing the nature and function of the implicated regulatory elements and examining the involved protein–DNA interactions.

Complex regulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene pck and characterization of its GntR-type regulator IolR as a repressor of myo-inositol utilization genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum

DNA affinity chromatography with the promoter region of the Corynebacterium glutamicum pck gene, encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, led to the isolation of four transcriptional regulators, i.e., RamA, GntR1, GntR2, and IolR. Determination of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity of the ΔramA, ΔgntR1 ΔgntR2, and ΔiolR deletion mutants indicated that RamA represses pck during growth on glucose about 2-fold, whereas GntR1, GntR2, and IolR activate pck expression about 2-fold irrespective of whether glucose or acetate served as the carbon source. The DNA binding sites of the four regulators in the pck promoter region were identified and their positions correlated with the predicted functions as repressor or activators. The iolR gene is located upstream and in a divergent orientation with respect to a iol gene cluster, encoding proteins involved in myo-inositol uptake and degradation. Comparative DNA microarray analysis of the ΔiolR mutant and the parental wild-type strain revealed strongly (>100-fold) elevated mRNA levels of the iol genes in the mutant, indicating that the primary function of IolR is the repression of the iol genes. IolR binding sites were identified in the promoter regions of iolC, iolT1, and iolR. IolR therefore is presumably subject to negative autoregulation. A consensus DNA binding motif (5'-KGWCHTRACA-3') which corresponds well to those of other GntR-type regulators of the HutC family was identified. Taken together, our results disclose a complex regulation of the pck gene in C. glutamicum and identify IolR as an efficient repressor of genes involved in myo-inositol catabolism of this organism.

Characterization of the biocontrol activity of pseudomonas fluorescens strain X reveals novel genes regulated by glucose

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain X, a bacterial isolate from the rhizosphere of bean seedlings, has the ability to suppress damping-off caused by the oomycete Pythium ultimum. To determine the genes controlling the biocontrol activity of strain X, transposon mutagenesis, sequencing and complementation was performed. Results indicate that, biocontrol ability of this isolate is attributed to gcd gene encoding glucose dehydrogenase, genes encoding its co-enzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), and two genes (sup5 and sup6) which seem to be organized in a putative operon. This operon (named supX) consists of five genes, one of which encodes a non-ribosomal peptide synthase. A unique binding site for a GntR-type transcriptional factor is localized upstream of the supX putative operon. Synteny comparison of the genes in supX revealed that they are common in the genus Pseudomonas, but with a low degree of similarity. supX shows high similarity only to the mangotoxin operon of Ps. syringae pv. syringae UMAF0158. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that transcription of supX is strongly reduced in the gcd and PQQ-minus mutants of Ps. fluorescens strain X. On the contrary, transcription of supX in the wild type is enhanced by glucose and transcription levels that appear to be higher during the stationary phase. Gcd, which uses PQQ as a cofactor, catalyses the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid, which controls the activity of the GntR family of transcriptional factors. The genes in the supX putative operon have not been implicated before in the biocontrol of plant pathogens by pseudomonads. They are involved in the biosynthesis of an antimicrobial compound by Ps. fluorescens strain X and their transcription is controlled by glucose, possibly through the activity of a GntR-type transcriptional factor binding upstream of this putative operon.

Molecular and cytological analysis of the expression of Streptomyces sporulation regulatory gene whiH

The whiH gene is required for the orderly sporulation septation that divides aerial hyphae into spores in Streptomyces coelicolor. Here, we use a whiHp-mCherry transcriptional reporter construct to show that whiHp is active specifically in aerial hyphae, fluorescence being dependent on sporulation sigma factor WhiG. The results show that the promoter is active before the septation event that separates the subapical compartment from the tip compartment destined to become a spore chain. We conclude that WhiG-directed RNA polymerase activity, which is required for whiH transcription, must precede this septation event and is not restricted to apical sporogenic compartment of the aerial hyphae. Further, it is demonstrated that WhiH, a predicted member of the GntR family of transcription factors, is able to bind specifically to a sequence in its own promoter, strongly suggesting that it acts as an autoregulatory transcription factor. Finally, we show by site-directed mutagenesis and a genetic complementation test that whiH is translated from a start codon overlapping with the previously identified transcription start point, implying leaderless transcription.

Analysis and characterization of eight estradiol inducible genes and a strong promoter from the steroid degrading marine bacterial strain S19-1

Buttiauxella strain S19-1 is a new marine bacterium, isolated from the Baltic Sea, which can degrade steroids. In this report, a meta-genomic approach was used to isolate estradiol inducible genes from S19-1. SalI-fragments from the chromosomal DNA of S19-1 were ligated into plasmid pKEGFP2 bearing an EGFP gene as the reporter system. All resulting plasmids harboring SalI-fragments were transformed into Escherichia coli HB101 to measure the relative fluorescent units (RFU). E. coli cells showing higher RFU after estradiol induction than those without estradiol induction, were selected and the respective plasmids were sequenced. Sequences of 8 positive plasmids were analyzed and aligned by BLAST. Among the predicted genes we found similarities to the major facilitator superfamily, glycerol dehydratase activator, formate acetyltransferase activating enzyme, histidinol-phosphate/aromatic aminotransferase, ABC-transporter, transcriptional regulator nadR, lipoate-protein ligase A, and alcohol phosphatidyl-transferase. Interestingly, one of the E. coli cell clones (containing plasmid p302) showed up in green color by normal light microscopy, which indicated that a strong promoter was present in this plasmid. Sequencing and deletion-mutagenesis revealed that the putative promoter comprises a 108 bp DNA fragment within p302, from which the putative -10 and -35 regions are TTTGAT and TTGGTT, respectively. The promoter might be used to construct S19-1 mutants in which steroid degradation occurs at high levels.

Expression of a novel P22 ORFan gene reveals the phage carrier state in Salmonella typhimurium

We discovered a novel interaction between phage P22 and its host Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 that is characterized by a phage mediated and targeted derepression of the host dgo operon. Upon further investigation, this interaction was found to be instigated by an ORFan gene (designated pid for phage P22 encoded instigator of dgo expression) located on a previously unannotated moron locus in the late region of the P22 genome, and encoding an 86 amino acid protein of 9.3 kDa. Surprisingly, the Pid/dgo interaction was not observed during strict lytic or lysogenic proliferation of P22, and expression of pid was instead found to arise in cells that upon infection stably maintained an unintegrated phage chromosome that segregated asymmetrically upon subsequent cell divisions. Interestingly, among the emerging siblings, the feature of pid expression remained tightly linked to the cell inheriting this phage carrier state and became quenched in the other. As such, this study is the first to reveal molecular and genetic markers authenticating pseudolysogenic development, thereby exposing a novel mechanism, timing, and populational distribution in the realm of phage-host interactions.

Spacing between core recognition motifs determines relative orientation of AraR monomers on bipartite operators

Transcription factors modulate expression primarily through specific recognition of cognate sequences resident in the promoter region of target genes. AraR (Bacillus subtilis) is a repressor of genes involved in L-arabinose metabolism. It binds to eight different operators present in five different promoters with distinct affinities through a DNA binding domain at the N-terminus. The structures of AraR-NTD in complex with two distinct operators (ORA1 and ORR3) reveal that two monomers bind to one recognition motif (T/ANG) each in the bipartite operators. The structures show that the two recognition motifs are spaced apart by six bases in cases of ORA1 and eight bases in case of ORR3. This increase in the spacing in the operators by two base pairs results in a drastic change in the position and orientation of the second monomer on DNA in the case of ORR3 when compared with ORA1. Because AraR binds to the two operators with distinct affinities to achieve different levels of repression, this observation suggests that the variation in the spacing between core recognition motifs could be a strategy used by this transcription modulator to differentially influence gene expression.

The PaaX-type repressor MeqR2 of Arthrobacter sp. strain Rue61a, involved in the regulation of quinaldine catabolism, binds to its own promoter and to catabolic promoters and specifically responds to anthraniloyl coenzyme A

The genes coding for quinaldine catabolism in Arthrobacter sp. strain Rue61a are clustered on the linear plasmid pAL1 in two upper pathway operons (meqABC and meqDEF) coding for quinaldine conversion to anthranilate and a lower pathway operon encoding anthranilate degradation via coenzyme A (CoA) thioester intermediates. The meqR2 gene, located immediately downstream of the catabolic genes, codes for a PaaX-type transcriptional repressor. MeqR2, purified as recombinant fusion protein, forms a dimer in solution and shows specific and cooperative binding to promoter DNA in vitro. DNA fragments recognized by MeqR2 contained a highly conserved palindromic motif, 5'-TGACGNNCGTcA-3', which is located at positions -35 to -24 of the two promoters that control the upper pathway operons, at positions +4 to +15 of the promoter of the lower pathway genes and at positions +53 to +64 of the meqR2 promoter. Disruption of the palindrome abolished MeqR2 binding. The dissociation constants (K(D)) of MeqR2-DNA complexes as deduced from electrophoretic mobility shift assays were very similar for the four promoters tested (23 nM to 28 nM). Anthraniloyl-CoA was identified as the specific effector of MeqR2, which impairs MeqR2-DNA complex formation in vitro. A binding stoichiometry of one effector molecule per MeqR2 monomer and a K(D) of 22 nM were determined for the effector-protein complex by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses suggested that MeqR2 is a potent regulator of the meqDEF operon; however, additional regulatory systems have a major impact on transcriptional control of the catabolic operons and of meqR2.

Phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomics of purine riboswitch distribution in prokaryotes

Riboswitches are regulatory RNA that control gene expression by undergoing conformational changes on ligand binding. Using phylogenetic analysis and comparative genomics we have been able to identify the class of genes/operons regulated by the purine riboswitch and obtain a high-resolution map of purine riboswitch distribution across all bacterial groups. In the process, we are able to explain the absence of purine riboswitches upstream to specific genes in certain genomes. We also identify the point of origin of various purine riboswitches and argue that not all purine riboswitches are of primordial origin, and that some purine riboswitches must have originated after the divergence of certain Firmicute orders in the course of evolution. Our study also reveals the role of horizontal transfer events in accounting for the presence of purine riboswitches in some gammaproteobacterial species. Our work provides significant insights into the origin, distribution and regulatory role of purine riboswitches in prokaryotes.

Transcription factor family-based reconstruction of singleton regulons and study of the Crp/Fnr, ArsR, and GntR families in Desulfovibrionales genomes

Accurate detection of transcriptional regulatory elements is essential for high-quality genome annotation, metabolic reconstruction, and modeling of regulatory networks. We developed a computational approach for reconstruction of regulons operated by transcription factors (TFs) from large protein families and applied this novel approach to three TF families in 10 Desulfovibrionales genomes. Phylogenetic analyses of 125 regulators from the ArsR, Crp/Fnr, and GntR families revealed that 65% of these regulators (termed reference TFs) are well conserved in Desulfovibrionales, while the remaining 35% of regulators (termed singleton TFs) are species specific and show a mosaic distribution. For regulon reconstruction in the group of singleton TFs, the standard orthology-based approach was inefficient, and thus, we developed a novel approach based on the simultaneous study of all homologous TFs from the same family in a group of genomes. As a result, we identified binding for 21 singleton TFs and for all reference TFs in all three analyzed families. Within each TF family we observed structural similarities between DNA-binding motifs of different reference and singleton TFs. The collection of reconstructed regulons is available at the RegPrecise database (http://regprecise.lbl.gov/RegPrecise/Desulfovibrionales.jsp).

A copper-responsive global repressor regulates expression of diverse membrane-associated transporters and bacterial drug resistance in mycobacteria

Sequencing of entire bacterial genomes has led to the identification of many membrane-associated transporters, including several multidrug resistance transport proteins, in recent years. However, the regulators and signaling pathways involved in the expression of these genes remain largely unknown. In this study, we have identified Ms2173, a GntR/FadR family transcription factor, as a novel global regulator in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Ms2173 was found to specifically recognize a 15-bp palindromic motif and to broadly regulate expression of 292 genes, including 37 genes that encode membrane-associated transport proteins. Copper ions induced Ms2173 to form inactive proteins lacking DNA-binding activity. Ms2173 was shown to function as a repressor of its target genes. Interestingly, we found that the function of Ms2173 was linked to mycobacterial drug resistance. Compared with the substantially enhanced drug resistance in the Ms2173-deleted mutant strain, the strains overexpressing Ms2173 were more sensitive to anti-tuberculosis drugs than the wild-type strain. Additionally, copper ions could partially counteract the in vivo function of Ms2173. We have thus characterized the first mycobacterial GntR/Fad-like transcription factor that functions as a copper ion-responsive global repressor that we have renamed GfcR. These findings further enhance our understanding of membrane-associated transporter regulation and drug resistance in mycobacteria.

YdfH identified as a repressor of rspA by the use of reduced genome Escherichia coli MGF-01

We have reported the construction of 1 Mb reduced genome Escherichia coli MGF-01 by a 28-step operation. This time, transcriptome analysis of MGF-01 was performed. Although the transcriptome profiles of the exponential phase in parental strain W3110red were well-conserved in MGF-01, the rspAB operon was highly expressed. A LacZ reporter assay of a series of stepwise deletion strains prepared in the course of MGF-01 construction indicated that rspA was highly expressed after the 5th step. Further analysis indicated that Δ29, one of the deleted regions at the 5th step, relates to an increase in rspA expression, and that transcriptional regulator ydfH, in the Δ29 region, is responsible for the expression of rspA, gel shift assay indicated that YdfH bound directly to the upstream region of rspA. Based on these results, it was concluded that YdfH is a transcriptional repressor of the rspAB operon.

Characterization of RarA, a novel AraC family multidrug resistance regulator in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Transcriptional regulators, such as SoxS, RamA, MarA, and Rob, which upregulate the AcrAB efflux pump, have been shown to be associated with multidrug resistance in clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria. In addition to the multidrug resistance phenotype, these regulators have also been shown to play a role in the cellular metabolism and possibly the virulence potential of microbial cells. As such, the increased expression of these proteins is likely to cause pleiotropic phenotypes. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major nosocomial pathogen which can express the SoxS, MarA, Rob, and RamA proteins, and the accompanying paper shows that the increased transcription of ramA is associated with tigecycline resistance (M. Veleba and T. Schneiders, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 56:4466-4467, 2012). Bioinformatic analyses of the available Klebsiella genome sequences show that an additional AraC-type regulator is encoded chromosomally. In this work, we characterize this novel AraC-type regulator, hereby called RarA (Regulator of antibiotic resistance A), which is encoded in K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter sp. 638, Serratia proteamaculans 568, and Enterobacter cloacae. We show that the overexpression of rarA results in a multidrug resistance phenotype which requires a functional AcrAB efflux pump but is independent of the other AraC regulators. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments show that rarA (MGH 78578 KPN_02968) and its neighboring efflux pump operon oqxAB (KPN_02969_02970) are consistently upregulated in clinical isolates collected from various geographical locations (Chile, Turkey, and Germany). Our results suggest that rarA overexpression upregulates the oqxAB efflux pump. Additionally, it appears that oqxR, encoding a GntR-type regulator adjacent to the oqxAB operon, is able to downregulate the expression of the oqxAB efflux pump, where OqxR complementation resulted in reductions to olaquindox MICs.

Regulation and evolution of malonate and propionate catabolism in proteobacteria

Bacteria catabolize malonate via two pathways, encoded by the mdc and mat genes. In various bacteria, transcription of these genes is controlled by the GntR family transcription factors (TFs) MatR/MdcY and/or the LysR family transcription factor MdcR. Propionate is metabolized via the methylcitrate pathway, comprising enzymes encoded by the prp and acn genes. PrpR, the Fis family sigma 54-dependent transcription factor, is known to be a transcriptional activator of the prp genes. Here, we report a detailed comparative genomic analysis of malonate and propionate metabolism and its regulation in proteobacteria. We characterize genomic loci and gene regulation and identify binding motifs for four new TFs and also new regulon members, in particular, tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters. We describe restructuring of the genomic loci and regulatory interactions during the evolution of proteobacteria.

Lactate utilization is regulated by the FadR-type regulator LldR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

NAD-independent L-lactate dehydrogenase (l-iLDH) and NAD-independent D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-iLDH) activities are induced coordinately by either enantiomer of lactate in Pseudomonas strains. Inspection of the genomic sequences of different Pseudomonas strains revealed that the lldPDE operon comprises 3 genes, lldP (encoding a lactate permease), lldD (encoding an L-iLDH), and lldE (encoding a D-iLDH). Cotranscription of lldP, lldD, and lldE in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain XMG starts with the base, C, that is located 138 bp upstream of the lldP ATG start codon. The lldPDE operon is located adjacent to lldR (encoding an FadR-type regulator, LldR). The gel mobility shift assays revealed that the purified His-tagged LldR binds to the upstream region of lldP. An XMG mutant strain that constitutively expresses D-iLDH and L-iLDH was found to contain a mutation in lldR that leads to an Ile23-to-serine substitution in the LldR protein. The mutated protein, LldR(M), lost its DNA-binding activity. A motif with a hyphenated dyad symmetry (TGGTCTTACCA) was identified as essential for the binding of LldR to the upstream region of lldP by using site-directed mutagenesis. L-Lactate and D-lactate interfered with the DNA-binding activity of LldR. Thus, L-iLDH and D-iLDH were expressed when the operon was induced in the presence of L-lactate or D-lactate.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the function diversity of transcriptional factor IclR family

The IclR family transcriptional factor is widespread and involves in diverse bacterial physio-pathological events, such as primary and secondary metabolism, virulence, quorum sensing, sporulation. Unlike other transcriptional factors which function as either activators or repressors, IclR can assume both role simutaneously. Its N-terminal domain possesses a helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif which can dimerize or tetramerize to bind target promoters, while the C-terminal domain is for the effector binding. The function of IclR varies with the effectors bound. Escherichia coli transcription factor IclR is the archetype of this family, which regulates the aceBAK operon responsible for the glyoxylate shunt. The sophisticated regulatory mechanisms underlying iclR was largely based on E. coli iclR. Information concerning the pathogen IclR, especially those of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is poor, and is pivotal to our understanding of its biology and development of new effective TB control measures.

High-throughput screening and analysis of genes of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri involved in citrus canker symptom development

Citrus canker is caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri and is one of the most devastating diseases on citrus plants. To investigate the virulence mechanism of this pathogen, a mutant library of strain 306 containing approximately 22,000 mutants was screened for virulence-deficient mutants in grapefruit (Citrus paradise). Eighty-two genes were identified that contribute to citrus canker symptom development caused by X. citri subsp. citri. Among the 82 identified genes, 23 genes were classified as essential genes, as mutation of these genes caused severe reduction of bacterial growth in M9 medium. The remaining 59 genes were classified as putative virulence-related genes that include 32 previously reported virulence-related genes and 27 novel genes. The 32 known virulence-related genes include genes that are involved in the type III secretion system (T3SS) and T3SS effectors, the quorum-sensing system, extracellular polysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide synthesis, and general metabolic pathways. The contribution to pathogenesis by nine genes (pthA4, trpG, trpC, purD, hrpM, peh-1, XAC1230, XAC1548, and XAC3049) was confirmed by complementation assays. We further validated the mutated genes and their phenotypes by analyzing the EZ-Tn5 insertion copy number using Southern blot analysis. In conclusion, we have significantly advanced our understanding of the putative genetic determinants of the virulence mechanism of X. citri subsp. citri by identifying 59 putative virulence-related genes, including 27 novel genes.

Bioinformatic characterization of the 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family of transmembrane proteins

The ubiquitous sequence diverse 4-Toluene Sulfonate Uptake Permease (TSUP) family contains few characterized members and is believed to catalyze the transport of several sulfur-based compounds. Prokaryotic members of the TSUP family outnumber the eukaryotic members substantially, and in prokaryotes, but not eukaryotes, extensive lateral gene transfer occurred during family evolution. Despite unequal representation, homologues from the three taxonomic domains of life share well-conserved motifs. We show that the prototypical eight TMS topology arose from an intragenic duplication of a four transmembrane segment (TMS) unit. Possibly, a two TMS α-helical hairpin structure was the precursor of the 4 TMS repeat unit. Genome context analyses confirmed the proposal of a sulfur-based compound transport role for many TSUP homologues, but functional outliers appear to be prevalent as well. Preliminary results suggest that the TSUP family is a member of a large novel superfamily that includes rhodopsins, integral membrane chaperone proteins, transmembrane electron flow carriers and several transporter families. All of these proteins probably arose via the same pathway: 2→4→8 TMSs followed by loss of a TMS either at the N- or C-terminus, depending on the family, to give the more frequent 7 TMS topology.

Genomic distribution and heterogeneity of MocR-like transcriptional factors containing a domain belonging to the superfamily of the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent enzymes of fold type I

Bacterial proteins belonging to the MocR/GabR family are chimeric proteins incorporating a short N-terminal helix-turn-helix containing domain with DNA-binding properties, and a long C-terminal domain belonging to the superfamily of the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate enzymes of fold type I. The first purpose of this report is to give an overview of the distribution of these factors among the different taxonomical bacterial divisions and to determine the degree of conservation of the main structural features of the PLP binding domain. Complete proteomes of bacteria phyla were scanned with a hidden Markov model representative of the MocR family. Results indicate that presence of MocR factors is heterogeneous even within the single bacterial phylum: some species miss completely the factors, while others possess one or even more regulators. Absence of MocR factors is distinctive of some phyla such as Chlamydiae. The genomic distribution of MocR is, as expected, highly correlated to the size of the genome. At variance, phyla missing MocR regulators generally are characterized by compact genomes, of the order of 1.0-2.0 Mb, such as the case of Mollicutes or Chlamydiae. Apparently, the minimum genome size compatible with the presence of MocR genes is around 2.0-2.5 Mb. Conservation of the residues corresponding to those involved in the interaction with the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate in the homologous 2-aminoadipate aminotransferase, was analyzed in the multiple sequence alignments of MocR within each phyla considered. In the vast majority of cases, residues are conserved or conservatively replaced. This result suggests that, in most cases, MocR factors preserve at least ability to bind the cofactor and very likely some catalytic abilities.

Mycobacterium smegmatis RoxY is a repressor of oxyS and contributes to resistance to oxidative stress and bactericidal ubiquitin-derived peptides

The mycobactericidal properties of macrophages include the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and the delivery of bacteria to a hydrolytic lysosome enriched in bactericidal ubiquitin-derived peptides (Ub-peptides). To better understand the interactions of ubiquitin-derived peptides with mycobacteria and identify putative mycobacterial intrinsic resistance mechanisms, we screened for transposon mutants with increased susceptibility to the bactericidal Ub-peptide Ub2. We isolated 27 Mycobacterium smegmatis mutants that were hypersusceptible to Ub2. Two mutants were isolated that possessed mutations in the msmeg_0166 gene, which encodes a transcriptional regulator. The msmeg_0166 mutants were also hypersusceptible to other host antimicrobial peptides and oxidative stress. In characterizing msmeg_0166, we found that it encodes a repressor of oxyS, and therefore we have renamed the gene roxY. We demonstrate that RoxY and OxyS contribute to M. smegmatis resistance to oxidative stress. An ahpD transposon mutant was also isolated in our screen for Ub-peptide hypersusceptibility. Overexpression of oxyS in M. smegmatis reduced transcription of the ahpCD genes, which encode a peroxide detoxification system. Our data indicate that RoxY, OxyS, and AhpD play a role in the mycobacterial oxidative stress response and are important for resistance to host antimicrobial peptides.

Transcriptional profiling analysis of the global regulator NorG, a GntR-like protein of Staphylococcus aureus

The GntR-like protein NorG has been shown to affect Staphylococcus aureus genes involved in resistance to quinolones and β-lactams, such as those encoding the NorB and AbcA transporters. To identify the target genes regulated by NorG, we carried out transcriptional-profiling assays using S. aureus RN6390 and its isogenic norG::cat mutant. Our data showed that NorG positively affected the transcription of global regulators mgrA, arlS, and sarZ. The three putative drug efflux pump genes most positively affected by NorG were the NorB efflux pump (5.1-fold), the MmpL-like protein SACOL2566 (5.2-fold), and the BcrA-like drug transporter SACOL2525 (5.7-fold) genes. The S. aureus predicted MmpL protein showed 53% homology with the MmpL lipid transporter of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the putative SACOL2525 protein showed 87% homology with the bacitracin drug transporter BcrA of Staphylococcus hominis. Two pump genes most negatively affected by NorG were the NorC (4-fold) and AbcA (6-fold) genes. Other categories of genes, such as those participating in amino acid, inorganic ion, or nucleotide transporters and metabolism, were also affected by NorG. Real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assays for mgrA, arlS, sarZ, norB, norC, abcA, mmpL, and bcrA-like were carried out to verify microarray data and showed the same level of up- or downregulation by NorG. The norG mutant showed a 2-fold increase in resistance to norfloxacin and rhodamine, both substrates of the NorC transporter, which is consistent with the resistance phenotype conferred by overexpression of norC on a plasmid. These data indicate that NorG has broad regulatory function in S. aureus.

Systematic mutagenesis of all predicted gntR genes in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris reveals a GntR family transcriptional regulator controlling hypersensitive response and virulence

The GntR family is one of the most abundant and widely distributed groups of helix-turn-helix transcriptional regulators in bacteria. Six open reading frames in the genome of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris were predicted to encode GntR regulators. All six of the predicted GntR-encoding genes were individually mutagenized and mutants from five of them were successfully obtained. Plant disease response assays revealed that one, whose product belongs to the YtrA subfamily and has been named HpaR1, is involved in the hypersensitive response (HR) and virulence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and in vitro transcription assays revealed that HpaR1 could repress its own transcription level through binding to its promoter sequence, indicating an autoregulatory feedback inhibition mechanism for HpaR1 expression. Promoter-gusA reporter and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that HpaR1 positively and negatively affects the expression of HR and pathogenicity (hrp) genes in host plant and standard media, respectively. Constitutive expression of the key hrp regulator, hrpG, in the hpaR1 mutant could bypass the requirement of HpaR1 for the induction of wild-type HR, suggesting that HpaR1 regulates the expression of hrp genes that encode the type III secretion system via hrpG.

The Bacillus subtilis GntR family repressor YtrA responds to cell wall antibiotics

The transglycosylation step of cell wall synthesis is a prime antibiotic target because it is essential and specific to bacteria. Two antibiotics, ramoplanin and moenomycin, target this step by binding to the substrate lipid II and the transglycosylase enzyme, respectively. Here, we compare the ramoplanin and moenomycin stimulons in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. Ramoplanin strongly induces the LiaRS two-component regulatory system, while moenomycin almost exclusively induces genes that are part of the regulon of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σ(M). Ramoplanin additionally induces the ytrABCDEF and ywoBCD operons, which are not part of a previously characterized antibiotic-responsive regulon. Cluster analysis reveals that these two operons are selectively induced by a subset of cell wall antibiotics that inhibit lipid II function or recycling. Repression of both operons requires YtrA, which recognizes an inverted repeat in front of its own operon and in front of ywoB. These results suggest that YtrA is an additional regulator of cell envelope stress responses.

Genome wide identification of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (ATCC 23270) transcription factors and comparative analysis of ArsR and MerR metal regulators

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a chemolithoautotrophic acidophilic bacterium that obtains its energy from the oxidation of ferrous iron, elemental sulfur, or reduced sulfur minerals. This capability makes it of great industrial importance due to its applications in biomining. During the industrial processes, A. ferrooxidans survives to stressing circumstances in its environment, such as an extremely acidic pH and high concentration of transition metals. In order to gain insight into the organization of A. ferrooxidans regulatory networks and to provide a framework for further studies in bacterial growth under extreme conditions, we applied a genome-wide annotation procedure to identify 87 A. ferrooxidans transcription factors. We classified them into 19 families that were conserved among diverse prokaryotic phyla. Our annotation procedure revealed that A. ferrooxidans genome contains several members of the ArsR and MerR families, which are involved in metal resistance and detoxification. Analysis of their sequences revealed known and potentially new mechanism to coordinate gene-expression in response to metal availability. A. ferrooxidans inhabit some of the most metal-rich environments known, thus transcription factors identified here seem to be good candidates for functional studies in order to determine their physiological roles and to place them into A. ferrooxidans transcriptional regulatory networks.

GntR family regulators of the pathogen of fish tuberculosis Mycobacterium marinum

Mycobacterium marinum is a slow-growing pathogenic mycobacterium. It was first isolated by Aronson in 1926 from fish, fish mycobacteriosis or called fish tuberculosis is the common causative agent of bacterial disease in many species of freshwater and marine fish. M. marinum can infect wild fish, aquaculture and ornamental fish, and it has a close relative of the causative agent of human tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The recently sequenced genome of M. marinum has been shown to contain several putative GntR regulators. This family named after gluconate regulator has a helix-turn-helix structure. Characterization of transcription regulators and their network is an important step towards the complete understanding of cellular physiology. The regulator of this family shares a similar and conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain, but has a highly diverse C-terminal effector-binding and oligomerization domain. According to the heterogeneity, we classify the M. marinum GntR family to four subfamilies: FadR, HutC, MocR, and YtrA, and these regulators are encoded by 8, 3, 1 and 1 genes, respectively. Thus this study extends the annotation of M. marinum GntR family proteins, and can help to understand the pathogenic role of this family in M. marinum and facilitate future drug design against this pathogen.

Insights into the Rrf2 repressor family--the structure of CymR, the global cysteine regulator of Bacillus subtilis

The global regulator CymR represses the transcription of a large set of genes involved in cystine uptake and cysteine biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. This repressor belongs to the widespread and poorly characterized Rrf2 family of regulators. The crystal structure of CymR from B. subtilis reveals a biologically active dimer, where each monomer folds into two tightly packed domains: a DNA-binding domain, which houses a winged helix-turn-helix (wHTH) motif; and a long dimerization domain, which places the wHTH motifs at the extremes. This architecture explains how these small regulators can span 23-27-bp DNA targets. The wHTH motif of CymR resembles those of the GntR superfamily of regulators, such as FadR and HutC. Superimposing the FadR wHTH motifs bound to their DNA fragments onto the wHTH motifs of the CymR dimer structure suggests that the DNA target and/or the protein must undergo some conformational changes upon binding. The CymR structure also hints at a possible location of the Fe-S centre associated with several Rrf2-type regulators.

Diversity and distribution of transcription factors: their partner domains play an important role in regulatory plasticity in bacteria

The ability of bacteria to deal with diverse environmental changes depends on their repertoire of genes and their ability to regulate their expression. In this process, DNA-binding transcription factors (TFs) have a fundamental role because they affect gene expression positively and/or negatively depending on operator context and ligand-binding status. Here, we show an exhaustive analysis of winged helix-turn-helix domains (wHTHs), a class of DNA-binding TFs. These proteins were identified in high proportions and widely distributed in bacteria, representing around half of the total TFs identified so far. In addition, we evaluated the repertoire of wHTHs in terms of their partner domains (PaDos), identifying a similar trend, as with TFs, i.e. they are abundant and widely distributed in bacteria. Based on the PaDos, we defined three main groups of families: (i) monolithic, those families with little PaDo diversity, such as LysR; (ii) promiscuous, those families with a high PaDo diversity; and (iii) monodomain, with families of small sizes, such as MarR. These findings suggest that PaDos have a very important role in the diversification of regulatory responses in bacteria, probably contributing to their regulatory complexity. Thus, the TFs discriminate over longer regions on the DNA through their diverse DNA-binding domains. On the other hand, the PaDos would allow a great flexibility for transcriptional regulation due to their ability to sense diverse stimuli through a variety of ligand-binding compounds.

Regulon of the N-acetylglucosamine utilization regulator NagR in Bacillus subtilis

N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is the most abundant carbon-nitrogen biocompound on earth and has been shown to be an important source of nutrients for both catabolic and anabolic purposes in Bacillus species. In this work we show that the GntR family regulator YvoA of Bacillus subtilis serves as a negative transcriptional regulator of GlcNAc catabolism gene expression. YvoA represses transcription by binding a 16-bp sequence upstream of nagP encoding the GlcNAc-specific EIIBC component of the sugar phosphotransferase system involved in GlcNAc transport and phosphorylation, as well as another very similar 16-bp sequence upstream of the nagAB-yvoA locus, wherein nagA codes for N-acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate deacetylase and nagB codes for the glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P) deaminase. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GlcN-6-P acts as an inhibitor of YvoA DNA-binding activity, as occurs for its Streptomyces ortholog, DasR. Interestingly, we observed that the expression of nag genes was still activated upon addition of GlcNAc in a ΔyvoA mutant background, suggesting the existence of an auxiliary transcriptional control instance. Initial computational prediction of the YvoA regulon showed a distribution of YvoA binding sites limited to nag genes and therefore suggests renaming YvoA to NagR, for N-acetylglucosamine utilization regulator. Whole-transcriptome studies showed significant repercussions of nagR deletion for several major B. subtilis regulators, probably indirectly due to an excess of the crucial molecules acetate, ammonia, and fructose-6-phosphate, resulting from complete hydrolysis of GlcNAc. We discuss a model deduced from NagR-mediated gene expression, which highlights clear connections with pathways for GlcNAc-containing polymer biosynthesis and adaptation to growth under oxygen limitation.

Genetic control of amadori product degradation in Bacillus subtilis via regulation of frlBONMD expression by FrlR

Bacillus subtilis is capable of degrading fructosamines. The phosphorylation and the cleavage of the resulting fructosamine 6-phosphates is catalyzed by the frlD and frlB gene products, respectively. This study addresses the physiological importance of the frlBONMD genes (formerly yurPONML), revealing the necessity of their expression for growth on fructosamines and focusing on the complex regulation of the corresponding transcription unit. In addition to the known regulation by the global transcriptional regulator CodY, the frl genes are repressed by the convergently transcribed FrlR (formerly YurK). The latter causes repression during growth on substrates other than fructosamines. Additionally, we identified in the first intergenic region of the operon an FrlR binding site which is centrally located within a 38-bp perfect palindromic sequence. There is genetic evidence that this sequence, in combination with FrlR, contributes to the remarkable decrease in the transcription downstream of the first gene of the frl operon.

Transcriptional regulation of the gene cluster encoding allantoinase and guanine deaminase in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Purines can be used as the sole source of nitrogen by several strains of K. pneumoniae under aerobic conditions. The genes responsible for the assimilation of purine nitrogens are distributed in three separated clusters in the K. pneumoniae genome. Here, we characterize the cluster encompassing genes KPN_01787 to KPN_01791, which is involved in the conversion of allantoin into allantoate and in the deamination of guanine to xanthine. These genes are organized in three transcriptional units, hpxSAB, hpxC, and guaD. Gene hpxS encodes a regulatory protein of the GntR family that mediates regulation of this system by growth on allantoin. Proteins encoded by hpxB and guaD display allantoinase and guanine deaminase activity, respectively. In this cluster, hpxSAB is the most tightly regulated unit. This operon was activated by growth on allantoin as a nitrogen source; however, addition of allantoin to nitrogen excess cultures did not result in hpxSAB induction. Neither guaD nor hpxC was induced by allantoin. Expression of guaD is mainly regulated by nitrogen availability through the action of NtrC. Full induction of hpxSAB by allantoin requires both HpxS and NAC. HpxS may have a dual role, acting as a repressor in the absence of allantoin and as an activator in its presence. HpxS binds to tandem sites, S1 and S2, overlapping the -10 and -35 sequences of the hpxSAB promoter, respectively. The NAC binding site is located between S1 and S2 and partially overlaps S2. In the presence of allantoin, interplay between NAC and HpxS is proposed.

Identification and characterization of the Streptomyces globisporus 1912 regulatory gene lndYR that affects sporulation and antibiotic production

Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of the Streptomyces globisporus 1912 gene lndYR, which encodes a GntR-like regulator of the YtrA subfamily. Disruption of lndYR arrested sporulation and antibiotic production in S. globisporus. The results of in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that the ABC transporter genes lndW-lndW2 are targets of LndYR repressive action. In Streptomyces coelicolor M145, lndYR overexpression caused a significant increase in the amount of extracellular actinorhodin. We suggest that lndYR controls the transcription of transport system genes in response to an as-yet-unidentified signal. Features that distinguish lndYR-based regulation from other known regulators are discussed.

Interaction of transcriptional repressor ArgR with transcriptional regulator FarR at the argB promoter region in Corynebacterium glutamicum

In Corynebacterium glutamicum, the ArgR protein, a transcriptional repressor, affects the expression level of the argB gene through binding to its promoter region. The argB promoter region (positions -77 to -25) has been found by in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) results and in silico analysis to be important for the DNA binding of ArgR. Proline supplementation prevented the DNA binding of ArgR to the argB promoter region and triggered an increase of the argB mRNA level. Additional mutational analyses of the argB promoter region found nucleotides critical for ArgR binding (G located at position -58, C at position -55, and A at position -41 of the argB promoter) in that region. Another transcriptional repressor, FarR, was also demonstrated to bind to the argB promoter region. This binding was delimited to positions -57 to -77 on the argB promoter. FarR has only one putative binding domain located at positions -57 to -77, but this region exactly overlapped with the binding region located from positions -55 to -77 for the binding of ArgR within the argB promoter; thus, if ArgR bound with the argB promoter first, the binding of FarR was not observed in this region. However, if FarR bound to the binding domain located at positions -57 to -77 first, ArgR could bind other binding sites located at positions -49 to -25 within the argB promoter. Finally, this study suggests that ArgR can affect FarR binding to the argB promoter region, as protein binding is dominated by the protein most able to do so.

Characterization of the RND family of multidrug efflux pumps: in silico to in vivo confirmation of four functionally distinct subgroups

We have developed a generalized profile that identifies members of the root-nodulation-cell-division (RND) family of efflux pumps and classifies them into four functional subfamilies. According to Z-score values, efflux pumps can be grouped by their metabolic function, thus making it possible to distinguish pumps involved in antibiotic resistance (group 1) from those involved in metal resistance (group 3). In silico data regarding efflux pumps in group 1 were validated after identification of RND efflux pumps in a number of environmental microbes that were isolated as resistant to ethidium bromide. Analysis of the Pseudomonas putida KT2440 genome identified efflux pumps in all groups. A collection of mutants in efflux pumps and a screening platform consisting of 50 drugs were created to assign a function to the efflux pumps. We validated in silico data regarding efflux pumps in groups 1 and 3 using 9 different mutants. Four mutants belonging to group 2 were found to be more sensitive than the wild-type to oxidative stress-inducing agents such as bipyridyl and methyl viologen. The two remaining mutants belonging to group 4 were found to be more sensitive than the parental to tetracycline and one of them was particularly sensitive to rubidium and chromate. By effectively combining in vivo data with generalized profiles and gene annotation data, this approach allowed the assignment, according to metabolic function, of both known and uncharacterized RND efflux pumps into subgroups, thereby providing important new insight into the functions of proteins within this family.

Positive transcriptional control of the pyridoxal phosphate biosynthesis genes pdxST by the MocR-type regulator PdxR of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032

The pdxR (cg0897) gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 encodes a regulatory protein belonging to the MocR subfamily of GntR-type transcription regulators and consisting of an amino-terminal winged helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain and a carboxy-terminal aminotransferase-like domain. A defined deletion in the pdxR gene resulted in the decreased expression of the divergently orientated pdxST genes coding for the subunits of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate synthase. The pdxST mutant C. glutamicum NJ0898 and the pdxR mutant C. glutamicum AMH17 showed vitamin B(6) auxotrophy that was restored by supplementing the growth medium with either pyridoxal, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate or pyridoxamine. The genetic organization of the 89 bp pdxR-pdxST intergenic region was elucidated by mapping the 5' ends of the respective transcripts, followed by detection of typical promoter sequences. Bioinformatic pattern searches and comparative genomics revealed three DNA motifs with the consensus sequence AAAGTGGW(-/T)CTA, overlapping the deduced promoter sequences and serving as candidate DNA-binding sites for PdxR. DNA band shift assays with the purified PdxR protein demonstrated the specific binding of the transcription regulator to double-stranded 40-mer sequences containing the detected motifs, thereby confirming the direct regulatory role of PdxR in activating the expression of the pdxST genes.

Identification of hydrogen peroxide production-related genes in Streptococcus sanguinis and their functional relationship with pyruvate oxidase

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), an important substance produced by many members of the genus Streptococcus, plays important roles in virulence and antagonism within a microbial community such as oral biofilms. The spxB gene, which encodes pyruvate oxidase, is involved in H₂O₂ production in many streptococcal species. However, knowledge about its regulation and relation with other genes putatively involved in the same pathway is limited. In this study, three genes – ackA, spxR and tpk – were identified as contributing to H₂O₂ production in Streptococcus sanguinis by screening mutants for opaque colony appearance. Mutations in all three genes resulted in significant decreases in H₂O₂ production, with 16–31 % of that of the wild-type. H₂O₂ production was restored in the complemented strains. Antagonism against Streptococcus mutans by these three S. sanguinis mutants was reduced, both on plates and in liquid cultures, indicating the critical roles of these three genes for conferring the competitive advantage of S. sanguinis. Analysis by qPCR indicated that the expression of spxB was decreased in the ackA and spxR mutants and significantly increased in the tpk mutant.

Regulation of the biosynthesis of the macrolide antibiotic spiramycin in Streptomyces ambofaciens

Streptomyces ambofaciens synthesizes the macrolide antibiotic spiramycin. The biosynthetic gene cluster for spiramycin has been characterized for S. ambofaciens. In addition to the regulatory gene srmR (srm22), previously identified (M. Geistlich et al., Mol. Microbiol. 6:2019-2029, 1992), three putative regulatory genes had been identified by sequence analysis. Gene expression analysis and gene inactivation experiments showed that only one of these three genes, srm40, plays a major role in the regulation of spiramycin biosynthesis. The disruption of srm22 or srm40 eliminated spiramycin production while their overexpression increased spiramycin production. Expression analysis was performed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for all the genes of the cluster in the wild-type strain and in the srm22 (srmR) and srm40 deletion mutants. The results from the expression analysis, together with the ones from the complementation experiments, indicated that Srm22 is required for srm40 expression, Srm40 being a pathway-specific activator that controls most, if not all, of the spiramycin biosynthetic genes.

A proteomic analysis reveals differential regulation of the σ(S)-dependent yciGFE(katN) locus by YncC and H-NS in Salmonella and Escherichia coli K-12

The stationary phase sigma factor σ(S) (RpoS) controls a regulon required for general stress resistance of the closely related enterobacteria Salmonella and Escherichia coli. The σ(S)-dependent yncC gene encodes a putative DNA binding regulatory protein. Application of the surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (SELDI-TOF) ProteinChip technology for proteome profiling of wild-type and mutant strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium revealed potential protein targets for YncC regulation, which were identified by mass spectrometry, and subsequently validated. These proteins are encoded by the σ(S)-dependent operon yciGFEkatN and regulation of their expression by YncC operates at the transcriptional level, as demonstrated by gene fusion analyses and by in vitro transcription and DNase I footprinting experiments with purified YncC. The yciGFE genes are present (without katN) in E. coli K-12 but are poorly expressed, compared with the situation in Salmonella. We report that the yciGFE(katN) locus is silenced by the histone-like protein H-NS in both species, but that σ(S) efficiently relieves silencing in Salmonella but not in E. coli K-12. In Salmonella, YncC acts in concert with σ(S) to activate transcription at the yciG promoter (pyciG). When overproduced, YncC also activated σ(S)-dependent transcription at pyciG in E. coli K-12, but solely by countering the negative effect of H-NS. Our results indicate that differences between Salmonella and E. coli K-12, in the architecture of cis-acting regulatory sequences upstream of pyciG, contribute to the differential regulation of the yciGFE(katN) genes by H-NS and YncC in these two enterobacteria. In E. coli, this locus is subject to gene rearrangements and also likely to horizontal gene transfer, consistent with its repression by the xenogeneic silencer H-NS.