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Guiza Beltran D, Wan T, Zhang L. WhiB-like proteins: Diversity of structure, function and mechanism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119787. [PMID: 38879133 PMCID: PMC11365794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The WhiB-Like (Wbl) proteins are a large family of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster-containing transcription factors exclusively found in the phylum Actinobacteria, including the notable genera like Mycobacteria, Streptomycetes and Corynebacteria. These proteins play pivotal roles in diverse biological processes, such as cell development, redox stress response and antibiotic resistance. Members of the Wbl family exhibit remarkable diversity in their sequences, structures and functions, attracting great attention since their first discovery. This review highlights the most recent breakthroughs in understanding the structural and mechanistic aspects of Wbl-dependent transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Guiza Beltran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, N138 Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Tao Wan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, N138 Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - LiMei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, N138 Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, N138 Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, N138 Beadle Center, 1901 Vine Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
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Li Y, Guo Y, Niu F, Gao H, Wang Q, Xu M. Regulation of oxidative stress response and antioxidant modification in Corynebacterium glutamicum. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:267. [PMID: 39004689 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04066-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
As an efficient and safe industrial bacterium, Corynebacterium glutamicum has extensive application in amino acid production. However, it often faces oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to diminished production efficiency. To enhance the robustness of C. glutamicum, numerous studies have focused on elucidating its regulatory mechanisms under various stress conditions such as heat, acid, and sulfur stress. However, a comprehensive review of its defense mechanisms against oxidative stress is needed. This review offers an in-depth overview of the mechanisms C. glutamicum employs to manage oxidative stress. It covers both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems, including antioxidant enzymes, regulatory protein families, sigma factors involved in transcription, and physiological redox reduction pathways. This review provides insights for advancing research on the antioxidant mechanisms of C. glutamicum and sheds light on its potential applications in industrial production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueshu Li
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Yuanyi Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Fangyuan Niu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Hui Gao
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Qing Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Meijuan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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Jeong H, Kim Y, Lee HS. CdbC: a disulfide bond isomerase involved in the refolding of mycoloyltransferases in Corynebacterium glutamicum cells exposed to oxidative conditions. J Biochem 2024; 175:457-470. [PMID: 38227582 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In Corynebacterium glutamicum cells, cdbC, which encodes a protein containing the CysXXCys motif, is regulated by the global redox-responsive regulator OsnR. In this study, we assessed the role of the periplasmic protein CdbC in disulfide bond formation and its involvement in mycomembrane biosynthesis. Purified CdbC efficiently refolded scrambled RNaseA, exhibiting prominent disulfide bond isomerase activity. The transcription of cdbC was decreased in cells grown in the presence of the reductant dithiothreitol (DTT). Moreover, unlike wild-type and cdbC-deleted cells, cdbC-overexpressing (P180-cdbC) cells grown in the presence of DTT exhibited retarded growth, abnormal cell morphology, increased cell surface hydrophobicity and altered mycolic acid composition. P180-cdbC cells cultured in a reducing environment accumulated trehalose monocorynomycolate, indicating mycomembrane deformation. Similarly, a two-hybrid analysis demonstrated the interaction of CdbC with the mycoloyltransferases MytA and MytB. Collectively, our findings suggest that CdbC, a periplasmic disulfide bond isomerase, refolds misfolded MytA and MytB and thereby assists in mycomembrane biosynthesis in cells exposed to oxidative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haeri Jeong
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, 2511, Sejong-ro, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
| | - Younhee Kim
- Department of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon, 65, Semyeong-ro, Chungbuk 27136, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Shick Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, 2511, Sejong-ro, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, 2511, Sejong-ro, Sejong 30019, Republic of Korea
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Gao Y, Zhang X, Xu G, Zhang X, Li H, Shi J, Xu Z. Enhanced L-serine production by Corynebacterium glutamicum based on novel insights into L-serine exporters. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300136. [PMID: 37971189 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The L-serine exporters ThrE and SerE play important roles in L-serine production by Corynebacterium glutamicum. Deletion of both thrE and serE decreased L-serine titer by 60%, suggesting the existence of other L-serine exporters. A comparative transcriptomics identified NCgl0254 and NCgl0255 as novel L-serine exporters. Further analysis of the contributions of ThrE, SerE, NCgl0254, and NCgl0255 found that SerE was the major L-serine exporter in C. glutamicum and these four L-serine exporters were responsible for 79.7% of L-serine export. Deletion of one L-serine exporter upregulated the transcription levels of the other three, which might be coursed by increased intracellular concentrations of L-serine. Overexpression of NCgl0254 and NCgl0255 increased L-serine titer by 20.8% in C. glutamicum A36, while overexpression of the four L-serine exporters increased L-serine production by 31.9% (41.1 g·L-1 ) in C. glutamicum A36. The identification of novel L-serine exporters in C. glutamicum will help to improve industrial production of L-serine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Gao
- Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Life Science and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Guoqiang Xu
- Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Hui Li
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Life Science and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jinsong Shi
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Life Science and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhenghong Xu
- Biotechnology of Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Cereal Fermentation and Food Biomanufacturing, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Li Y, Guan H, Li J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Li J, Tan H. An intricate regulation of WblA controlling production of silent tylosin analogues and abolishment of expressible nikkomycin. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:612-625. [PMID: 36607495 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2199-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Genome sequencing has revealed that actinomycetes possess the potential to produce many more secondary metabolites than previously thought. The existing challenge is to devise efficient methods to activate these silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In Streptomyces ansochromogenes, disruption of wblA, a pleiotropic regulatory gene, activated the expression of cryptic tylosin analogues and abolished nikkomycin production simultaneously. Overexpressing pathway-specific regulatory genes tylR1 and tylR2 can also trigger the biosynthesis of silent tylosin analogues, in which TylR1 exerted its function via enhancing tylR2 expression. Bacterial one-hybrid system experiments unveiled that WblA directly inhibits the transcription of tylR1 and tylR2 to result in the silence of tylosin analogues BGC. Furthermore, WblA can activate the nikkomycin production through up-regulating the transcription of pleiotropic regulatory gene adpA. More interestingly, AdpA can activate sanG (an activator gene in nikkomycin BGC) but repress wblA. Our studies provide a valuable insight into the complex functions of pleiotropic regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Hanye Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jine Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Huarong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Park JC, Jeong H, Kim Y, Lee HS. Trehalose biosynthetic gene otsB of Corynebacterium glutamicum is regulated by whcE in response to oxidative stress. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35040429 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The gene whcE of Corynebacterium glutamicum plays a positive role in oxidative stress responses and the WhcE protein interacts with SpiE. By utilizing 2D-PAGE analysis, we identified the otsB gene to be under the control of whcE. The transcription of otsB, encoding trehalose 6-phosphatase, was stimulated by oxidative stress, and whcE and spiE were involved in diamide-mediated transcriptional stimulation. The ΔotsB strain was created and found to be sensitive to the thiol-specific oxidant diamide, suggesting a role of the gene in stress responses. Genes located upstream of otsB, such as NCgl2534 and otsA, formed an operon and purified WhcE was able to bind to the promoter region of the operon (PNCgl2534), but the binding was only possible in the presence of the oxidant diamide. In addition, the transcriptional activation of PNCgl2534 by WhcE was demonstrated in in vivo assays and the transcription was stimulated in cells exposed to the oxidant diamide. These findings indicate that WhcE is a transcriptional activator, and otsB, which is involved in trehalose biosynthesis, has a role in oxidative stress responses in C. glutamicum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Chul Park
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeri Jeong
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Republic of Korea
| | - Younhee Kim
- Department of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, Jecheon, Chungbuk 390-711, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Shick Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 339-700, Republic of Korea
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The osnR gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum plays a negative regulatory role in oxidative stress responses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 46:241-248. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-018-02126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Among the Corynebacterium glutamicum ORFs that have been implicated in stress responses, we chose ORF cg3230, designated osnR, and analyzed it further. Unlike the osnR-deleted strain (ΔosnR), the osnR-overexpressing strain (P180-osnR) developed growth defects and increased sensitivity to various oxidants including H2O2. Transcription in the P180-osnR strain of genes such as sodA (superoxide dismutase), ftn (ferritin biosynthesis), and ahpD (alkyl hydroperoxide reductase; cg2674), which are involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species, was only 40% that of the wild type. However, transcription of katA, encoding H2O2-detoxifying catalase, was unchanged in this strain. Genes such as trxB (thioredoxin reductase) and mtr (mycothiol disulfide reductase), which play roles in redox homeostasis, also showed decreased transcription in the strain. 2D-PAGE analysis indicated that genes involved in redox reactions were considerably affected by osnR overexpression. The NADPH/NADP+ ratio of the P180-osnR strain (1.35) was higher than that of the wild-type stain (0.78). Collectively, the phenotypes of the ΔosnR and P180-osnR strains suggest a global regulatory role as well as a negative role for the gene in stress responses, particularly in katA-independent oxidative stress responses.
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Bush MJ. The actinobacterial WhiB-like (Wbl) family of transcription factors. Mol Microbiol 2018; 110:663-676. [PMID: 30179278 PMCID: PMC6282962 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The WhiB‐like (Wbl) family of proteins are exclusively found in Actinobacteria. Wbls have been shown to play key roles in virulence and antibiotic resistance in Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria, reflecting their importance during infection by the human pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. In the antibiotic‐producing Streptomyces, several Wbls have important roles in the regulation of morphological differentiation, including WhiB, a protein that controls the initiation of sporulation septation and the founding member of the Wbl family. In recent years, genome sequencing has revealed the prevalence of Wbl paralogues in species throughout the Actinobacteria. Wbl proteins are small (generally ~80–140 residues) and each contains four invariant cysteine residues that bind an O2‐ and NO‐sensitive [4Fe–4S] cluster, raising the question as to how they can maintain distinct cellular functions within a given species. Despite their discovery over 25 years ago, the Wbl protein family has largely remained enigmatic. Here I summarise recent research in Mycobacteria, Corynebacteria and Streptomyces that sheds light on the biochemical function of Wbls as transcription factors and as potential sensors of O2 and NO. I suggest that Wbl evolution has created diversity in protein–protein interactions, [4Fe–4S] cluster‐sensitivity and the ability to bind DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Bush
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
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Lee DS, Kim Y, Lee HS. The whcD gene of Corynebacterium glutamicum plays roles in cell division and envelope formation. Microbiology (Reading) 2017; 163:131-143. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Seok Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, 2511 Sejong-ro, Sejong-si 339-700, Republic of Korea
| | - Younhee Kim
- Department of Korean Medicine, Semyung University, 65 Semyung-ro, Jecheon-si, Chungbuk 390-711, Republic of Korea
| | - Heung-Shick Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, 2511 Sejong-ro, Sejong-si 339-700, Republic of Korea
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