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A role for accessory genes rI.-1 and rI.1 in the regulation of lysis inhibition by bacteriophage T4. Virus Genes 2010; 41:459-68. [PMID: 20945083 PMCID: PMC2962797 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-010-0532-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lysis inhibition (LIN) is a known feature of the T-even family of bacteriophages. Despite its historical role in the development of modern molecular genetics, many aspects of this phenomenon remain mostly unexplained. The key element of LIN is an interaction between two phage-encoded proteins, the T holin and the RI antiholin. This interaction is stabilized by RIII. In this report, we demonstrate the results of genetic experiments which suggest a synergistic action of two accessory proteins of bacteriophage T4, RI.-1, and RI.1 with RIII in the regulation of LIN.
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Narajczyk M, Barańska S, Szambowska A, Glinkowska M, Węgrzyn A, Węgrzyn G. Modulation of lambda plasmid and phage DNA replication by Escherichia coli SeqA protein. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:1653-1663. [PMID: 17464080 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2006/005546-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
SeqA protein, a main negative regulator of the replication initiation of the Escherichia coli chromosome, also has several other functions which are still poorly understood. It was demonstrated previously that in seqA mutants the copy number of another replicon, the lambda plasmid, is decreased, and that the activity of the lambda p(R) promoter (whose function is required for stimulation of ori lambda) is lower than that in the wild-type host. Here, SeqA-mediated regulation of lambda phage and plasmid replicons was investigated in more detail. No significant influence of SeqA on ori lambda-dependent DNA replication in vitro was observed, indicating that a direct regulation of lambda DNA replication by this protein is unlikely. On the other hand, density-shift experiments, in which the fate of labelled lambda DNA was monitored after phage infection of host cells, strongly suggested the early appearance of sigma replication intermediates and preferential rolling-circle replication of phage DNA in seqA mutants. The directionality of lambda plasmid replication in such mutants was, however, only slightly affected. The stability of the heritable lambda replication complex was decreased in the seqA mutant relative to the wild-type host, but a stable fraction of the lambda O protein was easily detectable, indicating that such a heritable complex can function in the mutant. To investigate the influence of seqA gene function on heritable complex- and transcription-dependent lambda DNA replication, the efficiency of lambda plasmid replication in amino acid-starved relA seqA mutants was measured. Under these conditions, seqA dysfunction resulted in impairment of lambda plasmid replication. These results indicate that unlike oriC, SeqA modulates lambda DNA replication indirectly, most probably by influencing the stability of the lambda replication complex and the transcriptional activation of ori lambda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Narajczyk
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Sylwia Barańska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Szambowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Monika Glinkowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
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3
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Arabolaza A, Banchio C, Gramajo H. Transcriptional regulation of the macs1-fadD1 operon encoding two acyl-CoA synthases involved in the physiological differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2006; 152:1427-1439. [PMID: 16622059 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.28553-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The long-chain acyl-CoA synthase (ACS) FadD1 plays an important role in timing the levels of antibiotic production in Streptomyces coelicolor. fadD1 and macs1, encoding a putative medium-chain ACS, are part of a two-gene operon, whose expression is induced during the stationary phase of growth. Here it is reported that transcription of the macs1-fadD1 operon is positively regulated by AcsR, a LuxR-type transcriptional regulator. In an acsR mutant, expression of the macs1-fadD1 genes loses its normal up-regulation and the mutant becomes deficient in antibiotic production, in a clear correlation with the phenotype shown by a fadD1 null mutant. The absence of macs1-fadD1 induction in the acsR mutant was restored by complementation with a wild-type copy of the acsR gene, showing a strict link between AcsR and induction of the macs1-fadD1 operon. Gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting indicated that AcsR binds to specific sequences about +162 nucleotides downstream of the macs1 transcriptional start site. In the putative operator sequence three almost identical direct tandem repeats of seven nucleotides were identified where the central sequence is essential for AcsR recognition and binding. Transcriptional fusions of the divergent pacsR and pmacs1 promoters indicated that AcsR does not regulate its own transcription, and that it binds to the operator region to control exclusively the growth-phase induction of the macs1-fadD1 operon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Arabolaza
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, (S2002LRK) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Claudia Banchio
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, (S2002LRK) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Hugo Gramajo
- Microbiology Division, IBR (Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, (S2002LRK) Rosario, Argentina
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Wegrzyn G, Wegrzyn A. Genetic switches during bacteriophage lambda development. PROGRESS IN NUCLEIC ACID RESEARCH AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2005; 79:1-48. [PMID: 16096026 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6603(04)79001-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Wegrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
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Słomińska M, Konopa G, Barańska S, Wegrzyn G, Wegrzyn A. Interplay between DnaA and SeqA proteins during regulation of bacteriophage lambda pR promoter activity. J Mol Biol 2003; 329:59-68. [PMID: 12742018 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(03)00378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
DnaA and SeqA proteins are main regulators (positive and negative, respectively) of the chromosome replication in Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, both these replication regulators were found recently to be also transcription factors. Interestingly, both DnaA and SeqA control activity of the bacteriophage lambdap(R) promoter by binding downstream of the transcription start site, which is unusual among prokaryotic systems. Here we asked what are functional relationships between these two transcription regulators at one promoter region. Both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that DnaA and SeqA can activate the p(R) promoter independently and separately rather than in co-operation, however, increased concentrations of one of these proteins negatively influenced the transcription stimulation mediated by the second regulator. This may suggest a competition between DnaA and SeqA for binding to the p(R) regulatory region. The physiological significance of this DnaA and SeqA-mediated regulation of p(R) is demonstrated by studies on lambda plasmid DNA replication in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Słomińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Klz.shtsls;adki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
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Wegrzyn G, Wegrzyn A. Stress responses and replication of plasmids in bacterial cells. Microb Cell Fact 2002; 1:2. [PMID: 12076355 PMCID: PMC115368 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-1-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2002] [Accepted: 05/13/2002] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids, DNA (or rarely RNA) molecules which replicate in cells autonomously (independently of chromosomes) as non-essential genetic elements, play important roles for microbes grown under specific environmental conditions as well as in scientific laboratories and in biotechnology. For example, bacterial plasmids are excellent models in studies on regulation of DNA replication, and their derivatives are the most commonly used vectors in genetic engineering. Detailed mechanisms of replication initiation, which is the crucial process for efficient maintenance of plasmids in cells, have been elucidated for several plasmids. However, to understand plasmid biology, it is necessary to understand regulation of plasmid DNA replication in response to different environmental conditions in which host cells exist. Knowledge of such regulatory processes is also very important for those who use plasmids as expression vectors to produce large amounts of recombinant proteins. Variable conditions in large-scale fermentations must influence replication of plasmid DNA in cells, thus affecting the efficiency of recombinant gene expression significantly. Contrary to extensively investigated biochemistry of plasmid replication, molecular mechanisms of regulation of plasmid DNA replication in response to various environmental stress conditions are relatively poorly understood. There are, however, recently published studies that add significant data to our knowledge on relations between cellular stress responses and control of plasmid DNA replication. In this review we focus on plasmids derived from bacteriophage lambda that are among the best investigated replicons. Nevertheless, recent results of studies on other plasmids are also discussed shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Wegrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdansk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sw. Wojciecha 5, 81-347 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Alicja Wegrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdansk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland
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Glinkowska M, Konopa G, Węgrzyn A, Herman-Antosiewicz A, Weigel C, Seitz H, Messer W, Węgrzyn G. The double mechanism of incompatibility between lambda plasmids and Escherichia coli dnaA(ts) host cells. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2001; 147:1923-1928. [PMID: 11429468 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-7-1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
For plasmids derived from bacteriophage lambda, the initiation of bidirectional DNA replication from orilambda depends on the stimulation of transcription from the p(R) promoter by the host replication initiator protein DnaA. Certain Escherichia coli dnaA(ts) mutants cannot be transformed by wild-type lambda plasmids even at the temperature permissive to cell growth. This plasmid-host incompatibility appeared to be due to inefficient stimulation of transcription from the p(R) promoter by the mutant DnaA protein. This paper shows that there is a second mechanism for the incompatibility between lambda plasmids and dnaA(ts) hosts, exemplified in this study by the dnaA46 mutant. This is based on the competition between the lambda P protein and the host DnaA and DnaC proteins for DnaB helicase. Both mechanisms must be operative for the incompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Glinkowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland1
| | - Grażyna Konopa
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland1
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Polish Academy of Sciences, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland2
| | | | - Christoph Weigel
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany3
| | - Harald Seitz
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany3
| | - Walter Messer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73, D-14195 Berlin-Dahlem, Germany3
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Marine Biology Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Wojciecha 5, 81-347 Gdynia, Poland4
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland1
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Slomińska M, Wegrzyn A, Konopa G, Skarstad K, Wegrzyn G. SeqA, the Escherichia coli origin sequestration protein, is also a specific transcription factor. Mol Microbiol 2001; 40:1371-9. [PMID: 11442835 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The SeqA protein is a negative regulator of initiation of DNA replication in the Escherichia coli chromosome. Here, we demonstrate that SeqA stimulates transcription from the bacteriophage lambda pR promoter both in vivo and in vitro. The activity of the lambda pL promoter was found not to be affected by this protein. SeqA-mediated stimulation of pR was dependent on the state of template methylation: transcription was activated on fully methylated and hemimethylated templates but not on an unmethylated template. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and electron microscopy, we demonstrated that SeqA interacts specifically with a pR promoter region located on both fully methylated and hemimethylated DNA molecules, but not on unmethylated DNA. The activity of SeqA was found to affect the initiation of lambda plasmid replication positively in vivo, probably via pR-dependent expression of lambda replication genes and transcriptional activation of ori lambda. We conclude that, apart from its function in the control of DNA replication, SeqA is also a specific transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Slomińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kladki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
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9
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Barańska S, Gabig M, Węgrzyn A, Konopa G, Herman-Antosiewicz A, Hernandez P, Schvartzman JB, Helinski DR, Węgrzyn G. Regulation of the switch from early to late bacteriophage lambda DNA replication. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2001; 147:535-547. [PMID: 11238961 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-3-535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There are two modes of bacteriophage lambda DNA replication following infection of its host, Escherichia coli. Early after infection, replication occurs according to the theta (theta or circle-to-circle) mode, and is later switched to the sigma (sigma or rolling-circle) mode. It is not known how this switch, occurring at a specific time in the infection cycle, is regulated. Here it is demonstrated that in wild-type cells the replication starting from orilambda proceeds both bidirectionally and unidirectionally, whereas in bacteria devoid of a functional DnaA protein, replication from orilambda is predominantly unidirectional. The regulation of directionality of replication from orilambda is mediated by positive control of lambda p(R) promoter activity by DnaA, since the mode of replication of an artificial lambda replicon bearing the p(tet) promoter instead of p(R) was found to be independent of DnaA function. These findings and results of density-shift experiments suggest that in dnaA mutants infected with lambda, phage DNA replication proceeds predominantly according to the unidirectional theta mechanism and is switched early after infection to the sigma mode. It is proposed that in wild-type E. coli cells infected with lambda, phage DNA replication proceeds according to a bidirectional theta mechanism early after infection due to efficient transcriptional activation of orilambda, stimulated by the host DnaA protein. After a few rounds of this type of replication, the resulting increased copy number of lambda genomic DNA may cause a depletion of free DnaA protein because of its interaction with the multiple DnaA-binding sites in lambda DNA. It is proposed that this may lead to inefficient transcriptional activation of orilambda resulting in unidirectional theta replication followed by sigma type replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Barańska
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Gabig
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alicja Węgrzyn
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Grażyna Konopa
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Herman-Antosiewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Pablo Hernandez
- Departamento de Biologı́a Celular y del Desarrollo, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Velázquez 144, 28006 Madrid, Spain3
| | - Jorge B Schvartzman
- Departamento de Biologı́a Celular y del Desarrollo, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Velázquez 144, 28006 Madrid, Spain3
| | - Donald R Helinski
- Center for Molecular Genetics and Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA4
| | - Grzegorz Węgrzyn
- Marine Biology Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Wojciecha 5, 81-347 Gdynia, Poland5
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk1 and Laboratory of Molecular Biology (affiliated with the University of Gdańsk), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences2, Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland
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Konopa G, Barańska S, Wegrzyn A, Wegrzyn G. Bacteriophage and host mutants causing the rolling-circle lambda DNA replication early after infection. FEBS Lett 2000; 472:217-20. [PMID: 10788614 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There are two modes of bacteriophage lambda DNA replication during its lytic development in Escherichia coli cells. The circle-to-circle (theta) replication predominates at early stages of the phage growth, whereas rolling-circle (sigma) replication occurs late after infection to produce long concatemers that serve as substrates for packaging of lambda DNA into phage proheads. The mechanism regulating the switch from theta to sigma replication remains unknown. Our previous genetic studies indicated that the bacteriophage lambda Pts1piA66 mutant cannot replicate at 43 degrees C in the wild-type E. coli host, but it can replicate in the dnaA46(ts) mutant. Density shift experiments suggested that the parental DNA molecules of the infecting phage enter sigma replication. Here, using electron microscopy, we demonstrate that as soon as 5 min after infection of the dnaA46(ts) mutant by the lambdaPts1piA66 phage at 43 degrees C, the sigma replication intermediates are highly predominant over theta replication intermediates, contrary to the wild-type conditions (wild-type bacteria infected with the lambdaP(+) phage). The initiation of replication of the lambdaPts1piA66 mutant at 43 degrees C was strongly inhibited in the dnaA(+) host, as demonstrated by electron microscopy and by pulse-labeling of the phage-derived plasmid replicon. Implications for the mechanism of the regulation of the switch from theta to sigma replication mode are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Konopa
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kladki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland
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Glinkowska M, Wegrzyn A, Wegrzyn G. Replication of bacteriophage lambda in the Escherichia coli dnaA Deltarac hosts. Genetics 1999; 151:1633-4. [PMID: 10328680 PMCID: PMC1460563 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/151.4.1633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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