Inducible transcription of the dnaA gene from Streptomyces lividans 66

Transcriptional Activity of the Bacterial Replication Initiator DnaA

In bacteria, DnaA is the most conserved DNA replication initiator protein. DnaA is a DNA binding protein that is part of the AAA+ ATPase family. In addition to initiating chromosome replication, DnaA can also function as a transcription factor either as an activator or repressor. The first gene identified to be regulated by DnaA at the transcriptional levels was dnaA. DnaA has been shown to regulate genes involved in a variety of cellular events including those that trigger sporulation, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation. DnaA's dual functions (replication initiator and transcription factor) is a potential mechanism for DnaA to temporally coordinate diverse cellular events with the onset of chromosome replication. This strategy of using chromosome replication initiator proteins as regulators of gene expression has also been observed in archaea and eukaryotes. In this mini review, we focus on our current understanding of DnaA's transcriptional activity in various bacterial species.

Reference genome and comparative genome analysis for the WHO reference strain for Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish, the present tuberculosis vaccine

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (M. bovis BCG) is the only vaccine available against tuberculosis (TB). In an effort to standardize the vaccine production, three substrains, i.e. BCG Danish 1331, Tokyo 172-1 and Russia BCG-1 were established as the WHO reference strains. Both for BCG Tokyo 172-1 as Russia BCG-1, reference genomes exist, not for BCG Danish. In this study, we set out to determine the completely assembled genome sequence for BCG Danish and to establish a workflow for genome characterization of engineering-derived vaccine candidate strains.

RESULTS

By combining second (Illumina) and third (PacBio) generation sequencing in an integrated genome analysis workflow for BCG, we could construct the completely assembled genome sequence of BCG Danish 1331 (07/270) (and an engineered derivative that is studied as an improved vaccine candidate, a SapM KO), including the resolution of the analytically challenging long duplication regions. We report the presence of a DU1-like duplication in BCG Danish 1331, while this tandem duplication was previously thought to be exclusively restricted to BCG Pasteur. Furthermore, comparative genome analyses of publicly available data for BCG substrains showed the absence of a DU1 in certain BCG Pasteur substrains and the presence of a DU1-like duplication in some BCG China substrains. By integrating publicly available data, we provide an update to the genome features of the commonly used BCG strains.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate how this analysis workflow enables the resolution of genome duplications and of the genome of engineered derivatives of the BCG Danish vaccine strain. The BCG Danish WHO reference genome will serve as a reference for future engineered strains and the established workflow can be used to enhance BCG vaccine standardization.

Architecture of bacterial replication initiation complexes: orisomes from four unrelated bacteria

Bacterial chromosome replication is mediated by single initiator protein, DnaA, that interacts specifically with multiple DnaA boxes located within the origin (oriC). We compared the architecture of the DnaA-origin complexes of evolutionarily distantly related eubacteria: two Gram-negative organisms, Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori, and two Gram-positive organisms, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptomyces coelicolor. Their origins vary in size (from approx. 200 to 1000 bp) and number of DnaA boxes (from 5 to 19). The results indicate that: (i) different DnaA proteins exhibit various affinities toward single DnaA boxes, (ii) spatial arrangement of two DnaA boxes is crucial for the H. pylori and S. coelicolor DnaA proteins, but not for E. coli and M. tuberculosis proteins, and (iii) the oriC regions are optimally adjusted to their cognate DnaA proteins. The primary functions of multiple DnaA boxes are to determine the positioning and order of assembly of the DnaA molecules. Gradual transition from the sequence-specific binding of the DnaA protein to binding through co-operative protein-protein interactions seems to be a common conserved strategy to generate oligomeric initiator complexes bound to multiple sites within the chromosomal, plasmid and virial origins.

Recruitment of terminal protein to the ends of Streptomyces linear plasmids and chromosomes by a novel telomere-binding protein essential for linear DNA replication

Bidirectional replication of Streptomyces linear plasmids and chromosomes from a central origin produces unpaired 3'-leading-strand overhangs at the telomeres of replication intermediates. Filling in of these overhangs leaves a terminal protein attached covalently to the 5' DNA ends of mature replicons. We report here the essential role of a novel 80-kD DNA-binding protein (telomere-associated protein, Tap) in this process. Biochemical studies, yeast two-hybrid analysis, and immunoprecipitation/immunodepletion experiments indicate that Tap binds tightly to specific sequences in 3' overhangs and also interacts with Tpg, bringing Tpg to telomere termini. Using DNA microarrays to analyze the chromosomes of tap mutant bacteria, we demonstrate that survivors of Tap ablation undergo telomere deletion, chromosome circularization, and amplification of subtelomeric DNA. Microarray-based chromosome mapping at single-ORF resolution revealed common endpoints for independent deletions, identified amplified chromosomal ORFs adjacent to these endpoints, and quantified the copy number of these ORFs. Sequence analysis confirmed chromosome circularization and revealed the insertion of adventitious DNA between joined chromosome ends. Our results show that Tap is required for linear DNA replication in Streptomyces and suggest that it functions to recruit and position Tpg at the telomeres of replication intermediates. They also identify hotspots for the telomeric deletions and subtelomeric DNA amplifications that accompany chromosome circularization.

Transcription analysis of the dnaA gene and oriC region of the chromosome of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and its regulation by the DnaA protein

The regions flanking the Mycobacterium dnaA gene have extensive sequence conservation, and comprise various DnaA boxes. Comparative analysis of the dnaA promoter and oriC region from several mycobacterial species revealed that the localization, spacing and orientation of the DnaA boxes are conserved. Detailed transcriptional analysis in M. smegmatis and M. bovis BCG shows that the dnaN gene of both species and the dnaA gene of M. bovis BCG are transcribed from two promoters, whereas the dnaA gene of M. smegmatis is transcribed from a single promoter. RT-PCR with total RNA showed that dnaA and dnaN were expressed in both species at all growth stages. Analysis of the promoter activity using dnaA-gfp fusion plasmids and DnaA expression plasmids indicates that the dnaA gene is autoregulated, although the degree of transcriptional autorepression was moderate. Transcription was also detected in the vicinity of oriC of M. bovis BCG, but not of M. smegmatis. These results suggest that a more complex transcriptional mechanism may be involved in the slow-growing mycobacteria, which regulates the expression of dnaA and initiation of chromosomal DNA replication.

The bacterial replication initiator DnaA. DnaA and oriC, the bacterial mode to initiate DNA replication

The initiation of replication is the central event in the bacterial cell cycle. Cells control the rate of DNA synthesis by modulating the frequency with which new chains are initiated, like all macromolecular synthesis. The end of the replication cycle provides a checkpoint that must be executed for cell division to occur. This review summarizes recent insight into the biochemistry, genetics and control of the initiation of replication in bacteria, and the central role of the initiator protein DnaA.

Sequence recognition, cooperative interaction, and dimerization of the initiator protein DnaA of Streptomyces

Using a combined PCR-gel retardation assay, the preferred recognition sequence of the Streptomyces initiator protein DnaA was determined. The protein showed a preference toward DNA containing two Escherichia coli-like DnaA boxes in a head-to-head arrangement (consensus sequence TTATCCACA, whereas the consensus sequence of the DnaA boxes found in the Streptomyces oriC region is TTGTCCACA). In quantitative band shift experiments, the kinetics of the Streptomyces DnaA-DnaA box interaction was characterized. The DnaA protein can form dimers while binding to a single DnaA box; dimer formation is mediated by the domain III of the protein, and the dissociation constant of this process was between 35 and 115 nm. Streptomyces initiator protein DnaA interacts in a cooperative manner with DNA containing multiple binding sites. For the cooperativity effect, which seems to be independent of the distance separating the DnaA boxes, domain I (or I and II) is responsible. The cooperativity constant is moderate and is in the range of 20-110.

Connection between foreign DNA replication and induced expression of the restriction-modification system in Streptomyces aureofaciens

Tetracycline-producing strains of Streptomyces aureofaciens expressed SauLPI restriction-modification (R-M) system, which recognized specific DNA sequence 5'-GCCGGC-3' (isoschizomer Nael). The activation of the second R-M system SauLPII (5'-GAGCTC-3', isoschizomer of XhoI), which was silent during the growth cycle, after a foreign DNA transfer into this strain was observed. This phenomenon was tentatively explained as a response of the cells against the exogenous DNA entering the cells. The involvement of a SOS-like response in induction of R-M system genes in S. aureofaciens strains has been considered.

Inhibition of chromosome replication in Mycobacterium smegmatis: effect of the rpmH-dnaA promoter region

In a previous study a functional mycobacterial origin of replication, oriC, was isolated on a plasmid. However, it was found that origin function was inhibited by the presence of the adjacent dnaA gene or its regulatory region, so that plasmids containing both of these regions next to the origin did not yield transformants. This inhibition could be due either to overexpression of dnaA on a plasmid being toxic, the transcription of dnaA into the downstream origin topologically inhibiting its function, or to the DnaA boxes upstream of dnaA somehow interacting with the DnaA boxes in the origin to prevent its function. To distinguish between these possibilities, plasmids were constructed lacking different parts of the dnaA gene: the promoter, the DnaA boxes, or both. Additionally, the putative dnaA promoter region was replaced by mycobacterial sequences that exhibit weaker or null promoter activity. The results indicate that the rpmH-dnaA promoter region, but not the DnaA boxes, is the principal cause of the incompatibility observed and suggest that this region could be playing a role in the inhibition of chromosome replication.

Architecture of the Streptomyces lividans DnaA protein-replication origin complexes

The Streptomyces oriC region contains two clusters of 19 DnaA boxes separated by a spacer (134 bp). The Streptomyces DnaA protein consists, like all other DnaA proteins, of four domains: domain III and the carboxyterminal part (domain IV) are responsible for binding of ATP and DNA, respectively. Binding of the DnaA protein to the entire oriC region analysed by electron microscopy showed that the DnaA protein forms separate complexes at each of the clusters of DnaA boxes, but not at the spacer separating them. In vivo mutational analysis revealed that the number of DnaA boxes and the presence of the spacer linking both groups of DnaA boxes seem to be important for a functional Streptomyces origin. We suggest that the arrangement of DnaA boxes allows the DNA-bound DnaA protein to induce bending and looping of the oriC region. As it was shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and "one hybrid system", two domains, I and III, facilitate interactions between DnaA molecules. We postulate that domain I and domain III could be involved in cooperativity at distant and at closely spaced DnaA boxes, respectively. The long domain II extends the range over which N termini (domain I) of DNA-bound DnaA protein can form dimers. Thus, interactions between DnaA molecules may bring two clusters of DnaA boxes separated by the spacer into functional contact by loop formation. Removal of the spacer region or deletion of domains I and II resulted, respectively, in nucleoprotein complexes which are not fully developed, or huge nucleoprotein aggregates.

Interactions of the Streptomyces lividans initiator protein DnaA with its target

The Streptomyces lividans DnaA protein (73 kDa) consists, like other bacterial DnaA proteins, of four domains; it binds to 19 DnaA boxes in the complex oriC region. The S. lividans DnaA protein differs from others in that it contains an additional stretch of 120 predominantly acidic amino acids within domain II. Interactions between the DnaA protein and the two DnaA boxes derived from the promoter region of the S. lividans dnaA gene were analysed in vitro using three independent methods: Dnase-I-footprinting experiments, mobility-shift assay and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The Dnase-I-footprinting analysis showed that the wild-type DnaA protein binds to both DnaA boxes. Thus, as in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, the S. lividans dnaA gene may be autoregulated. SPR analysis showed that the affinity of the DnaA protein for a DNA fragment containing both DnaA boxes from the dnaA promoter region (KD = 1.25 nM) is 10 times higher than its affinity for the single 'strong' DnaA box (KD = 12.0 nM). The mobility-shift assay suggests the presence of at least two classes of complex containing different numbers of bound DnaA molecules. The above data reveal that the DnaA protein binds to the two DnaA boxes in a cooperative manner. To deduce structural features of the Streptomyces domain II of DnaA protein, the amino acid DnaA sequences of three Streptomyces species were compared. However, according to the secondary structure prediction, Streptomyces domain II does not contain any common relevant secondary structural element(s). It can be assumed that domain II of DnaA protein can play a role as a flexible protein spacer between the N-terminal domain I and the highly conserved C-terminal part of DnaA protein containing ATP-binding domain III and DNA-binding domain IV.

Structural elements of the Streptomyces oriC region and their interactions with the DnaA protein

Streptomycetes differ from other prokaryotic organisms in their mycelial life cycle and in possessing a large, linear, GC-rich chromosome. To deduce structural features of the Streptomyces origin of chromosomal replication, the oriC sequences of three Streptomyces species (S. antibioticus, S. chrysomallus and S. lividans) were compared. In Streptomyces, the oriC region contains 19 DnaA boxes whose location, orientation and spacing are conserved. The consensus sequence of the DnaA box identified within Streptomyces oriC is (T/C)(T/C)(G/A/C)TCCACA (preferred bases underlined). The interactions of DnaA with DNA fragments containing single, two or three DnaA boxes were studied using surface plasmon resonance. The dissociation constant (KD) for specific binding of individual DnaA boxes varied between 12 and 78 nM. Streptomyces oriC does not contain the three AT-rich 13-mer direct repeats present in the 5' part of the Escherichia coli oriC region. However, short AT-rich sequences are distributed among the DnaA boxes of Streptomyces oriC. Repeated attempts to unwind Streptomyces oriC have been unsuccessful. It remains to be elucidated whether DnaA interacts with putative accessory proteins which help in unwinding Streptomyces oriC.

Purification and characterization of the Streptomyces lividans initiator protein DnaA

The Streptomyces lividans DnaA protein (73 kDa) consists, like the Escherichia coli DnaA protein (52 kDa), of four domains. The larger size of the S. lividans protein is due to an additional stretch of 120 predominantly acidic amino acids within domain II. The S. lividans protein was overproduced as a His-tagged fusion protein. The purified protein (isoelectric point, 5.7) has a weak ATPase activity. By DNase I footprinting studies, each of the 17 DnaA boxes (consensus sequence, TTGTCCACA) in the S. lividans oriC region was found to be protected by the DnaA fusion protein. Purified mutant proteins carrying a deletion of the C-terminally located helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif or with amino acid substitutions in helix A (L577G) or helix B (R595A) no longer interact with DnaA boxes. A substitution of basic amino acids in the loop of the HLH motif (R587A or R589A) entailed the formation of S. lividans mutant DnaA proteins with little or no capacity for binding to DnaA boxes. Thus, like in E. coli, the C-terminally located domain IV is absolutely necessary for the specific binding of DnaA. A mutant protein lacking a stretch of acidic amino acids corresponding to domain II is not affected in its DNA binding capacity. Whether the acidic domain II interacts with accessory proteins remains to be elucidated.

Inducible synthesis of the mitomycin C resistance gene product (MCRA) from Streptomyces lavendulae

The mcr locus from Streptomyces lavendulae confers high level resistance (> 100 micrograms/ml) to mitomycin C (MC) and related mitomycins when cloned into Streptomyces lividans. Production of the mcrA gene product (MCRA) was shown to be MC-inducible by identification of MCRA (M(r) of 54 kDa) using Western blot analysis and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The magnitude of MCRA production was dependent on MC concentration, with primary induction starting at 0.1 microgram/ml and maximum induction at 10 micrograms/ml of the drug. Different levels of MCRA production were observed when other mitomycin metabolites were used as inducers, and the level of induction related directly to aziridine ring substitution on the individual molecules. Moreover, inducible synthesis of the mcr A gene product was unique to this structural class since production of MCRA did not occur as a general response to DNA damaging agents. The time profile of intracellular MCRA synthesis correlated with MC production in S. lavendulae, suggesting coordinated regulation of MC resistance and biosynthetic genes.

Organization of the origins of replication of the chromosomes of Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis and isolation of a functional origin from M. smegmatis

The genus Mycobacterium is composed of species with widely differing growth rates ranging from approximately three hours in Mycobacterium smegmatis to two weeks in Mycobacterium leprae. As DNA replication is coupled to cell duplication, it may be regulated by common mechanisms. The chromosomal regions surrounding the origins of DNA replication from M. smegmatis, M. tuberculosis, and M. leprae have been sequenced, and show very few differences. The gene order, rnpA-rpmH-dnaA-dnaN-recF-orf-gyrB-gyrA, is the same as in other Gram-positive organisms. Although the general organization in M. smegmatis is very similar to that of Streptomyces spp., a closely related genus, M. tuberculosis and M. leprae differ as they lack an open reading frame, between dnaN and recF, which is similar to the gnd gene of Escherichia coli. Within the three mycobacterial species, there is extensive sequence conservation in the intergenic regions flanking dnaA, but more variation from the consensus DnaA box sequence was seen than in other bacteria. By means of subcloning experiments, the putative chromosomal origin of replication of M. smegmatis, containing the dnaA-dnaN region, was shown to promote autonomous replication in M. smegmatis, unlike the corresponding regions from M. tuberculosis or M. leprae.

Computer assisted identification and classification of streptomycete promoters

Short sequences that were over represented in a database of Streptomyces promoter region sequences were identified. These sequences and others that were selected on the basis of the characteristics of known promoters, were tested to determine if they were found predominantly at particular distances from the transcription start site. In several cases obvious clusters were recorded. This has allowed the objective identification of potential promoter core sequences. In some cases these may define novel promoter classes. 150 Streptomyces promoters have been listed and grouped on this basis. A new and extended consensus sequence for the Streptomyces E.coli sigma 70-like promoters was determined. It showed differences from that of E.coli, both in sequence and in the spacing between the -35 and -10 regions.

Minimal requirements of the Streptomyces lividans 66 oriC region and its transcriptional and translational activities

Deletion analysis of a previously constructed minichromosome revealed that a stretch of DNA which is longer than 623 bp but shorter than 837 bp is required for autonomous replication of the Streptomyces lividans chromosome. Each of the dnaA and dnaN genes flanking the oriC region is individually transcribed from two promoters. Within the intergenic, nontranslatable region between the dnaA and dnaN genes, five main transcripts and several less abundant transcripts of various lengths as well as one of the promoters were identified. The introduction of additional DnaA boxes in S. lividans led to a significant increase in dnaA gene transcripts and to an enhanced level of the DnaA (73-kDa) protein. In summary, the data suggest that dnaA gene transcription is autoregulated and that initiation of the S. lividans chromosome is tightly controlled.