Translational control of prokaryotic gene expression

SGI1 excludes IncA and IncC plasmids

SGI1 and its many variant forms are integrative mobilizable elements that rely on IncA or IncC plasmids for transfer functions. However, the coexistence of SGI1 with the plasmid is unstable in the longer term. Here, we have investigated the effect of SGI1 type integrative elements on the initial entry of these plasmids. Using two transfer proficient IncC plasmids and the IncA plasmid RA1, exclusion indices were 40-100-fold for SGI1-I or SGI1-D which have a complete backbone. Using the SGI1-K and SGI1-LK1 variants that lack backbone segments, loss of a region of 5793 bp that includes the traHG transfer genes and the downstream open reading frame S010 was found to abolish exclusion. S010 was shown to be co-transcribed with traHG and hence also under the control of an AcaDC inducible promoter. However, complementation with a 5.2 kbp fragment that included the traHG-S010 operon did not restore exclusion activity to SGI1-LK1. Part of S013 that encodes a small polypeptide of unknown function, was also lost from SGI1-LK1. S013 and the adjacent S014 gene were also co-transcribed. However complementation with S013-S014 did not restore exclusion activity to SGI1-LK1. Hence, the precise cause of the SGI1-mediated plasmid exclusion remains elusive.

Rapid, Sensitive, and Specific Microbial Whole-Cell Biosensor for the Detection of Histamine: A Potential Food Toxin

Histamine is a biogenic amine; its level indicates food quality, as elevated levels cause food poisoning. Therefore, monitoring food at each step during processing until it reaches the consumer is crucial, but current techniques are complicated and time-consuming. Here, we designed a Pseudomonas putida whole-cell biosensor using a histamine-responsive genetic element expressing a fluorescent protein in the presence of the cognate target. We improved the performance of the proposed biosensor by optimizing the chassis, genetic regulatory element, and reporter gene. A sensitive and rapid biosensor variant was obtained with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.39 ppm, manifesting a linear response (R2 = 0.98) from 0.28 to 18 ppm in 90 min. The biosensor showed minimal cross-reactivity with other biogenic amines and amino acids prevalent in food, making it highly specific. The biosensor effectively quantified histamine in spiked fish, prawn, and wine samples with a satisfactory recovery. Additionally, a colorimetric sensor variant PAlacZ was developed enabling histamine quantification in seafood via a smartphone application, with an LODgray of 0.23 ppm, exhibiting a linear response from 0 to 2.24 ppm. Overall, this study reports an efficient, specific, and highly sensitive biosensor with strong potential for the on-site detection of histamine, ensuring food safety.

Architecture of the biofilm-associated archaic Chaperone-Usher pilus CupE from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chaperone-Usher Pathway (CUP) pili are major adhesins in Gram-negative bacteria, mediating bacterial adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces. While classical CUP pili have been extensively characterized, little is known about so-called archaic CUP pili, which are phylogenetically widespread and promote biofilm formation by several human pathogens. In this study, we present the electron cryomicroscopy structure of the archaic CupE pilus from the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that CupE1 subunits within the pilus are arranged in a zigzag architecture, containing an N-terminal donor β-strand extending from each subunit into the next, where it is anchored by hydrophobic interactions, with comparatively weaker interactions at the rest of the inter-subunit interface. Imaging CupE pili on the surface of P. aeruginosa cells using electron cryotomography shows that CupE pili adopt variable curvatures in response to their environment, which might facilitate their role in promoting cellular attachment. Finally, bioinformatic analysis shows the widespread abundance of cupE genes in isolates of P. aeruginosa and the co-occurrence of cupE with other cup clusters, suggesting interdependence of cup pili in regulating bacterial adherence within biofilms. Taken together, our study provides insights into the architecture of archaic CUP pili, providing a structural basis for understanding their role in promoting cellular adhesion and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.

The Influence of the Nucleotide Composition of Genes and Gene Regulatory Elements on the Efficiency of Protein Expression in Escherichia coli

Recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli are widely used in biochemical research and industrial processes. At the same time, achieving higher protein expression levels and correct protein folding still remains the key problem, since optimization of nutrient media, growth conditions, and methods for induction of protein synthesis do not always lead to the desired result. Often, low protein expression is determined by the sequences of the expressed genes and their regulatory regions. The genetic code is degenerated; 18 out of 20 amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. Choosing between synonymous codons in the coding sequence can significantly affect the level of protein expression and protein folding due to the influence of the gene nucleotide composition on the probability of formation of secondary mRNA structures that affect the ribosome binding at the translation initiation phase, as well as the ribosome movement along the mRNA during elongation, which, in turn, influences the mRNA degradation and the folding of the nascent protein. The nucleotide composition of the mRNA untranslated regions, in particular the promoter and Shine-Dalgarno sequences, also affects the efficiency of mRNA transcription, translation, and degradation. In this review, we describe the genetic principles that determine the efficiency of protein production in Escherichia coli.

Proteomic profiling spotlights the molecular targets and the impact of the natural antivirulent umbelliferone on stress response, virulence factors, and the quorum sensing network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa easily adapts to newer environments and acquires several genome flexibilities to overcome the effect of antibiotics during therapeutics, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. During adaptation to the host system, the bacteria employ various tactics including virulence factor production and biofilm formation to escape from the host immune system and resist antibiotics. Hence, identifying alternative strategies to combat recalcitrant pathogens is imperative for the successful elimination of drug-resistant microbes. In this context, this study portrays the anti-virulence efficacy of umbelliferone (UMB) against P. aeruginosa. UMB (7-hydroxy coumarin) is pervasively found among the plant family of Umbelliferae and Asteraceae. The UMB impeded biofilm formation in the P. aeruginosa reference strain and clinical isolates on polystyrene and glass surfaces at the concentration of 125 µg/ml. Global proteomic analysis of UMB-treated cells revealed the downregulation of major virulence-associated proteins such as RhlR, LasA, AlgL, FliD, Tpx, HtpG, KatA, FusA1, Tsf, PhzM, PhzB2, CarB, DctP, MtnA, and MscL. A functional interaction study, gene ontology, and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that UMB could modulate the global regulators, enzymes, co-factors, and transcription factors related to quorum sensing (QS), stress tolerance, siderophore production, motility, and microcolony formation. In vitro biochemical assays further affirmed the anti-virulence efficacy of UMB by reducing pyocyanin, protease, elastase, and catalase production in various strains of P. aeruginosa. Besides the antibiofilm activity, UMB-treated cells exhibited enhanced antibiotic susceptibility to various antibiotics including amikacin, kanamycin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and cefotaxime. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity analysis revealed the biocompatibility of UMB, and the IC₅₀ value was determined to be 249.85 µg/ml on the HepG2 cell line. Altogether, the study substantiates the anti-virulence efficacy of UMB against P. aeruginosa, and the proteomic analysis reveals the differential expression of the regulators related to QS, stress response, and motility factors.

Signal Amplification of araC pBAD Using a Standardised Translation Initiation Region

araC pBAD is a genetic fragment that regulates the expression of the araBAD operon in bacteria, which is required for the metabolism of L-arabinose. It is widely used in bioengineering applications because it can drive regulatable and titratable expression of genes and genetic pathways in microbial cell factories. A notable limitation of araC pBAD is that it generates a low signal when induced with high concentrations of L-arabinose (the maximum ON state). Herein we have amplified the maximum ON state of araC pBAD by coupling it to a synthetically evolved translation initiation region (TIR^EVOL). The coupling maintains regulatable and titratable expression from araC pBAD and yet increases the maximal ON state by >5-fold. The general principle demonstrated in the study can be applied to amplify the signal from similar genetic modules.

Graphical Abstract

Integron Functionality and Genome Innovation: An Update on the Subtle and Smart Strategy of Integrase and Gene Cassette Expression Regulation

Integrons are considered hot spots for bacterial evolution, since these platforms allow one-step genomic innovation by capturing and expressing genes that provide advantageous novelties, such as antibiotic resistance. The acquisition and shuffling of gene cassettes featured by integrons enable the population to rapidly respond to changing selective pressures. However, in order to avoid deleterious effects and fitness burden, the integron activity must be tightly controlled, which happens in an elegant and elaborate fashion, as discussed in detail in the present review. Here, we aimed to provide an up-to-date overview of the complex regulatory networks that permeate the expression and functionality of integrons at both transcriptional and translational levels. It was possible to compile strong shreds of evidence clearly proving that these versatile platforms include functions other than acquiring and expressing gene cassettes. The well-balanced mechanism of integron expression is intricately related with environmental signals, host cell physiology, fitness, and survival, ultimately leading to adaptation on the demand.

Implementing Novel Designs in pET Expression Plasmids that Increase Protein Production

pET expression plasmids are widely used in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and basic research sectors for the production of recombinant proteins. Typically, they are used off-the-shelf because they support high production titers; however, we have identified two design flaws in many pET plasmids that limit their production capacity. We used modern methods of DNA assembly and directed evolution to identify improved designs for these modules and demonstrated that these designs support higher protein production yields. Herein, we present two PCR protocols for implementing the designs and increasing protein production from existing pET expression plasmids. Graphic abstract: A simple workflow for implementing novel designs in pET expression plasmids.

Quantitative Control for Stoichiometric Protein Synthesis

Bacterial protein synthesis rates have evolved to maintain preferred stoichiometries at striking precision, from the components of protein complexes to constituents of entire pathways. Setting relative protein production rates to be well within a factor of two requires concerted tuning of transcription, RNA turnover, and translation, allowing many potential regulatory strategies to achieve the preferred output. The last decade has seen a greatly expanded capacity for precise interrogation of each step of the central dogma genome-wide. Here, we summarize how these technologies have shaped the current understanding of diverse bacterial regulatory architectures underpinning stoichiometric protein synthesis. We focus on the emerging expanded view of bacterial operons, which encode diverse primary and secondary mRNA structures for tuning protein stoichiometry. Emphasis is placed on how quantitative tuning is achieved. We discuss the challenges and open questions in the application of quantitative, genome-wide methodologies to the problem of precise protein production. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Aminoglycoside riboswitch control of the expression of integron associated aminoglycoside resistance adenyltransferases

The proliferation of antibiotic resistance has its origins in horizontal gene transfer. The class 1 integrons mediate gene transfer by assimilating antibiotic-resistance genes through site-specific recombination. For the class 1 integrons the first assimilated gene normally encodes an aminoglycoside antibiotic resistance protein which is either an aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (AAC), nucleotidyltransferase - (ANT), or adenyl transferase (AAD). An aminoglycoside-sensing riboswitch RNA in the leader RNA of AAC/AAD that controls the expression of aminoglycoside resistance genes has been previously described. Here we explore the relationship between the recombinant products of integron recombination and a series of candidate riboswitch RNAs in the 5' UTR of aad (aminoglycoside adenyltransferases) genes. The RNA sequences from the 5' UTR of the aad genes from pathogenic strains that are the products of site-specific DNA recombination by class 1 integrons were investigated. Reporter assays, MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST) and covariance analysis revealed that a functional aminoglycoside-sensing riboswitch was selected at the DNA level through integron-mediated site-specific recombination. This study explains the close association between integron recombination and the aminoglycoside-sensing riboswitch RNA.

Engineering and standardization of posttranscriptional biocircuitry in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This short review considers to what extent posttranscriptional steps of gene expression can provide the basis for novel control mechanisms and procedures in synthetic biology and biotechnology. The term biocircuitry is used here to refer to functionally connected components comprising DNA, RNA or proteins. The review begins with an overview of the diversity of devices being developed and then considers the challenges presented by trying to engineer more scaled-up systems. While the engineering of RNA-based and protein-based circuitry poses new challenges, the resulting 'toolsets' of components and novel mechanisms of operation will open up multiple new opportunities for synthetic biology. However, agreed procedures for standardization will need to be placed at the heart of this expanding field if the full potential benefits are to be realized.

A Translation-Aborting Small Open Reading Frame in the Intergenic Region Promotes Translation of a Mg2+ Transporter in Salmonella Typhimurium

Translation initiation regions in mRNAs that include the ribosome-binding site (RBS) and the start codon are often sequestered within a secondary structure. Therefore, to initiate protein synthesis, the mRNA secondary structure must be unfolded to allow the RBS to be accessible to the ribosome.

Bacterial mRNAs often harbor upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs). Translation of the uORF usually affects downstream gene expression at the levels of transcription and/or translation initiation. Unlike other uORFs mostly located in the 5′ UTR, we discovered an 8-amino-acid ORF, designated mgtQ, in the intergenic region between the mgtC virulence gene and the mgtB Mg²⁺ transporter gene in the Salmonella mgtCBRU operon. Translation of mgtQ promotes downstream mgtB Mg²⁺ transporter expression at the level of translation by releasing the ribosome-binding sequence of the mgtB gene that is sequestered in a translation-inhibitory stem-loop structure. Interestingly, mgtQ Asp2 and Glu5 codons that induce ribosome destabilization are required for mgtQ-mediated mgtB translation. Moreover, the mgtQ Asp and Glu codons-mediated mgtB translation is counteracted by the ribosomal subunit L31 that stabilizes ribosome. Substitution of the Asp2 and Glu5 codons in mgtQ decreases MgtB Mg²⁺ transporter production and thus attenuates Salmonella virulence in mice, likely by limiting Mg²⁺ acquisition during infection.

The Ribosome as a Switchboard for Bacterial Stress Response

As free-living organisms, bacteria are subject to continuous, numerous and occasionally drastic environmental changes to which they respond with various mechanisms which enable them to adapt to the new conditions so as to survive. Here we describe three situations in which the ribosome and its functions represent the sensor or the target of the stress and play a key role in the subsequent cellular response. The three stress conditions which are described are those ensuing upon: a) zinc starvation; b) nutritional deprivation, and c) temperature downshift.

Tunable Gene Expression System Independent of Downstream Coding Sequence

Fine control of the expression levels of proteins constitutes a major challenge in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. However, the dependence of translation initiation on the downstream coding sequence (CDS) obscures accurate prediction of the protein expression levels from mRNA sequences. Here, we present a tunable gene-expression system comprising 24 expression cassettes that produce predefined relative expression levels of proteins ranging from 0.001 to 1 without being influenced by the downstream CDS. To validate the practical utility of the tunable expression system, it was applied to a synthetic circuit displaying three states of fluorescence depending on the difference in protein expression levels. To demonstrate the suitability of application to metabolic engineering, this system was used to diversify the levels of key metabolic enzymes. As a result, expression-optimized strains were capable of producing 2.25 g/L of cadaverine, 2.59 g/L of L-proline, and 95.7 mg/L of 1-propanol. Collectively, the tunable expression system could be utilized to optimize genetic circuits for desired operation and to optimize metabolic fluxes through biosynthetic pathways for enhancing production yields of bioproducts. This tunable system will be useful for studying basic and applied biological sciences in addition to applications in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering.

Metabolic Flux of N10-Formyltetrahydrofolate Plays a Critical Role in the Fidelity of Translation Initiation in Escherichia coli

One-carbon metabolism produces methionine and N¹⁰-formyl-tetrahydrofolate (N¹⁰-fTHF) required for aminoacylation and formylation of initiator tRNA (i-tRNA), respectively. In Escherichia coli, N¹⁰-fTHF is made from 5, 10-methylene-THF by a two-step reaction using 5,10-methylene-THF dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase (FolD). The i-tRNAs from all domains of life possess a highly conserved sequence of three consecutive G-C base pairs (3GC pairs) in their anticodon stem. A 3GC mutant i-tRNA (wherein the 3GC pairs are mutated to those found in elongator tRNA^Met) is incompetent in initiation in E. coli (even though it is efficiently aminoacylated and formylated). Here, we show that E. coli strains having mutations in FolD (G122D or C58Y or P140L) allow a plasmid encoded 3GC mutant i-tRNA to participate in initiation. In vitro, the FolD mutants are highly compromised in their dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase activities leading to reduced production of N¹⁰-fTHF and decreased rates of i-tRNA formylation. The perturbation of one-carbon metabolism by trimethoprim (inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase) phenocopies FolD deficiency and allows initiation with the 3GC mutant i-tRNA. This study reveals an important crosstalk between one-carbon metabolism and the fidelity of translation initiation via formylation of i-tRNA, and suggests that augmentation of the age old sulfa drugs with FolD inhibitors could be an important antibacterial strategy.

Phenotypic effects of paralogous ribosomal proteins bL31A and bL31B in E. coli

Ribosomes are essential macromolecular complexes conducting protein biosynthesis in all domains of life. Cells can have heterogeneous ribosomes, i.e. ribosomes with various ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein (r-protein) composition. However, the functional importance of heterogeneous ribosomes has remained elusive. One of the possible sources for ribosome heterogeneity is provided by paralogous r-proteins. In E. coli, ribosomal protein bL31 has two paralogs: bL31A encoded by rpmE and bL31B encoded by ykgM. This study investigates phenotypic effects of these ribosomal protein paralogs using bacterial strains expressing only bL31A or bL31B. We show that bL31A confers higher fitness to E. coli under lower temperatures. In addition, bL31A and bL31B have different effects on translation reading frame maintenance and apparent translation processivity in vivo as demonstrated by dual luciferase assay. In general, this study demonstrates that ribosomal protein paralog composition (bL31A versus bL31B) can affect cell growth and translation outcome.

Improved designs for pET expression plasmids increase protein production yield in Escherichia coli

The pET series of expression plasmids are widely used for recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli. The genetic modules controlling transcription and translation in these plasmids were first described in the 1980s and have not changed since. Herein we report design flaws in these genetic modules. We present improved designs and demonstrate that, when incorporated into pET28a, they support increases in protein production. The improved designs are applicable to most of the 103 vectors in the pET series and can be easily implemented.

Patrick Shilling et al. increase the protein production yield from the pET28a expression plasmid by modifying the genetic modules that control transcription and translation initiation. These improved designs are applicable to most vectors in the pET series and can be easily implemented.

Increased production of periplasmic proteins in Escherichia coli by directed evolution of the translation initiation region

Background

Recombinant proteins are often engineered with an N-terminal signal peptide, which facilitates their secretion to the oxidising environment of the periplasm (gram-negative bacteria) or the culture supernatant (gram-positive bacteria). A commonly encountered problem is that the signal peptide influences the synthesis and secretion of the recombinant protein in an unpredictable manner. A molecular understanding of this phenomenon is highly sought after, as it could lead to improved methods for producing recombinant proteins in bacterial cell factories.

Results

Herein we demonstrate that signal peptides contribute to an unpredictable translation initiation region. A directed evolution approach that selects a new translation initiation region, whilst leaving the amino acid sequence of the signal peptide unchanged, can increase production levels of secreted recombinant proteins. The approach can increase production of single chain antibody fragments, hormones and other recombinant proteins in the periplasm of E. coli.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that signal peptide performance is coupled to the efficiency of the translation initiation region.

Alternative ORFs and small ORFs: shedding light on the dark proteome

Traditional annotation of protein-encoding genes relied on assumptions, such as one open reading frame (ORF) encodes one protein and minimal lengths for translated proteins. With the serendipitous discoveries of translated ORFs encoded upstream and downstream of annotated ORFs, from alternative start sites nested within annotated ORFs and from RNAs previously considered noncoding, it is becoming clear that these initial assumptions are incorrect. The findings have led to the realization that genetic information is more densely coded and that the proteome is more complex than previously anticipated. As such, interest in the identification and characterization of the previously ignored 'dark proteome' is increasing, though we note that research in eukaryotes and bacteria has largely progressed in isolation. To bridge this gap and illustrate exciting findings emerging from studies of the dark proteome, we highlight recent advances in both eukaryotic and bacterial cells. We discuss progress in the detection of alternative ORFs as well as in the understanding of functions and the regulation of their expression and posit questions for future work.

Host-Induced Silencing of Some Important Genes Involved in Osmoregulation of Parasitic Plant Phelipanche aegyptiaca

Broomrape is an obligate root-parasitic weed that acts as a competitive sink for host photoassimilates. Disruption of essential processes for growth of broomrape using host plant-mediated systemic signals can help to implement more specific and effective management plans of this parasite. Accordingly, we tested the possibility of transient silencing three involved genes (PaM6PR, PaCWI, and PaSUS1) in osmoregulation process of broomrape using syringe agroinfiltration of dsRNA constructs in tomato. The highest decrease in mRNA levels, enzyme activity, and amount of total reducing sugars was observed in Phelipanche aegyptiaca when grown on agroinfiltrated tomato plants by PaM6PR dsRNA construct than control. In addition, PaSUS1 dsRNA construct showed high reduction in mRNA abundance (32-fold fewer than control). The lowest decrease in mRNA levels was observed after infiltration of PaCWI dsRNA construct (eightfold fewer than control). While the highest reduction in PaM6PR and PaSUS1 expression levels was detected in the parasite at 3 days post-infiltration (dpi), the maximum reduction in both of the total reducing sugars amount and M6PR and SUS1 activities was observed at 8 dpi. On the contrary, CWI activity, PaCWI expression level, and amount of total reducing sugars in broomrape shoots simultaneously decreased at the day 3 after the dsRNA construct infiltration against PaCWI. On the whole, our results indicated that the three studied genes especially PaM6PR may constitute appropriate targets for the development of transgenic resistance in host plants using silencing strategy.

Unraveling the role of the CbrA histidine kinase in the signal transduction of the CbrAB two-component system in Pseudomonas putida

The histidine kinase CbrA of the CbrAB two-component system of Pseudomonas putida is a key element to recognise the activating signal and mediate auto- and trans-phosphorylation of the response element CbrB. CbrA is encoded by the gene cbrA which is located downstream of a putative open reading frame we have named cbrX. We describe the role of the CbrX product in the expression of CbrA and show there is translational coupling of the genes. We also explore the role of the transmembrane (TM) and PAS domains of CbrA in the signal recognition. A ΔcbrXA mutant lacking its TM domains is uncoupled in its growth in histidine and citrate as carbon sources, but its overexpression restores the ability to grow in such carbon sources. In these conditions ΔTM-CbrA is able to respond to carbon availability, thus suggesting an intracellular nature for the signal sensed.

Impact of the Chinese herbal medicines on dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics outcomes and related mechanisms in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin (ASA) and clopidogrel (CLP) has been consistently shown clinical effectiveness in patients with coronary artery disease. According to the literature, four traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs effective for prevention cardiovascular diseases, namely Radix Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Red sage root, Danshen), Radix Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu root, Gegen), Radix Angelica Sinensis (Angelica root, Danggui), and Rhizoma Ligusticum chuanxiong (Szehuan lovage rhizome, Chuanxiong), are of high potential to be co-administered during DAPT. Since all these herbs are blood vitalizing medicines and can promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis, it was hypothesized that they may potentially alter the clinical outcomes of DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin.

AIM OF STUDY

The current study is proposed aiming to preliminarily evaluate the impact of these four commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the combination therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin and its relevant outcomes and mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to mimic the standard dosing regimen for DAPT in human, various Sprague-Dawley rats treatment groups were received a bolus oral dose of DAPT on day 1 followed by DAPT for consecutive 13 days in absence and presence of orally co-administered four TCM herbs (Danshen, Gegen, Danggui and Chuanxiong) at their low and high doses. On day 14, serial blood samples were collected after dosing to obtain the plasma concentrations of ASA, CLP and their corresponding metabolites by LC/MS/MS. At the end of last blood sampling point of each rat, about 4.5 ml of whole blood were collected to estimate the prothrombin time from each treatment groups. After all the blood sampling, the rats were sacrificed followed by collecting their livers for evaluations of enzyme activities and expressions in the related liver microsome preparations and stomach tissues for evaluations of their potential ulcer index. In addition, gene expression and protein levels of related biomarkers (COX-1, COX-2, P2Y12) in rat livers were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, and compared among different treatment groups.

RESULTS

Co-administration of Gegen and Danggui significantly altered the pharmacokinetics of ASA and CLP in DAPT with increased systemic exposure of ASA and CLP respectively. Although minimal impact on aspirin esterase activity for all co-administered herbs, significant inhibition on rCyp2c11 and carboxylesterase activities were observed for DAPT with Danshen, Gegen and Danggui co-treatment. In addition, significantly longer PT were found in all DAPT treatment groups. However, a trend of decrease in PT of DAPT in presence of Gegen, Danggui and Chuanxiong was noticed. Nevertheless, all the treatments did not cause detectable changes in COX and P2Y12 mRNA and protein expressions.

CONCLUSION

Among the four studied TCMs, it was demonstrated that co-administration of Gegen and Danggui could lead to altered pharmacokinetics of DAPT with significant inhibition on rCyp2c11 and carboxylesterase activities. Although Gegen, Danggui and Chuanxiong might potentially offset the anticoagulant activity of DAPT, the overall pharmacodynamics outcome was not considered to be harmful due to lack of risk in bleeding, which warrant further verification for its clinical impact.

Optimization of carbon and energy utilization through differential translational efficiency

Control of translation is vital to all species. Here we employ a multi-omics approach to decipher condition-dependent translational regulation in the model acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii. Integration of data from cells grown autotrophically or heterotrophically revealed that pathways critical to carbon and energy metabolism are under strong translational regulation. Major pathways involved in carbon and energy metabolism are not only differentially transcribed and translated, but their translational efficiencies are differentially elevated in response to resource availability under different growth conditions. We show that translational efficiency is not static and that it changes dynamically in response to mRNA expression levels. mRNAs harboring optimized 5'-untranslated region and coding region features, have higher translational efficiencies and are significantly enriched in genes encoding carbon and energy metabolism. In contrast, mRNAs enriched in housekeeping functions harbor sub-optimal features and have lower translational efficiencies. We propose that regulation of translational efficiency is crucial for effectively controlling resource allocation in energy-deprived microorganisms.

After the Fact(or): Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

To adapt to ever-changing environments, pathogens quickly alter gene expression. This can occur through transcriptional, posttranscriptional, or posttranslational regulation. Historically, transcriptional regulation has been thoroughly studied to understand pathogen niche adaptation, whereas posttranscriptional and posttranslational gene regulation has only relatively recently been appreciated to play a central role in bacterial pathogenesis. Posttranscriptional regulation may involve chaperones, nucleases, and/or noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) and typically controls gene expression by altering the stability and/or translation of the target mRNA. In this review, we highlight the global importance of posttranscriptional regulation to enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) gene expression and discuss specific mechanisms of how EHEC regulates expression of virulence factors critical to host colonization and disease progression. The low infectious dose of this intestinal pathogen suggests that EHEC is particularly well adapted to respond to the host environment.

Bacterial Genome Editing Strategy for Control of Transcription and Protein Stability

In molecular biology and cell factory engineering, tools that enable control of protein production and stability are highly important. Here, we describe protocols for tagging genes in Escherichia coli allowing for inducible degradation and transcriptional control of any soluble protein of interest. The underlying molecular biology is based on the two cross-kingdom tools CRISPRi and the N-end rule for protein degradation. Genome editing is performed with the CRMAGE technology and randomization of the translational initiation region minimizes the polar effects of tag insertion. The approach has previously been applied for targeting proteins originating from essential operon-located genes and has potential to serve as a universal synthetic biology tool.

Transcriptome Landscape of Mycobacterium smegmatis

The non-pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155 has been widely used as a model organism in mycobacterial research, yet a detailed study about its transcription landscape remains to be established. Here we report the transcriptome, expression profiles and transcriptional structures through growth-phase-dependent RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) as well as other related experiments. We found: (1) 2,139 transcriptional start sites (TSSs) in the genome-wide scale, of which eight samples were randomly selected and further verified by 5′-RACE; (2) 2,233 independent monocistronic or polycistronic mRNAs in the transcriptome within the operon/sub-operon structures which are classified into five groups; (3) 47.50% (1016/2139) genes were transcribed into leaderless mRNAs, with the TSSs of 41.3% (883/2139) mRNAs overlapping with the first base of the annotated start codon. Initial amino acids of MSMEG_4921 and MSMEG_6422 proteins were identified by Edman degradation, indicating the presence of distinctive widespread leaderless features in M. smegmatis mc²155. (4) 150 genes with potentially wrong structural annotation, of which 124 proposed genes have been corrected; (5) eight highly active promoters, with their activities further determined by β-galactosidase assays. These data integrated the transcriptional landscape to genome information of model organism mc²155 and lay a solid foundation for further works in Mycobacterium.

CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing for simultaneous interference with gene expression and protein stability

Interference with genes is the foundation of reverse genetics and is key to manipulation of living cells for biomedical and biotechnological applications. However, classical genetic knockout and transcriptional knockdown technologies have different drawbacks and offer no control over existing protein levels. Here, we describe an efficient genome editing approach that affects specific protein abundances by changing the rates of both RNA synthesis and protein degradation, based on the two cross-kingdom control mechanisms CRISPRi and the N-end rule for protein stability. In addition, our approach demonstrates that CRISPRi efficiency is dependent on endogenous gene expression levels. The method has broad applications in e.g. study of essential genes and antibiotics discovery.

Various mutations compensate for a deleterious lacZα insert in the replication enhancer of M13 bacteriophage

M13 and other members of the Ff class of filamentous bacteriophages have been extensively employed in myriad applications. The Ph.D. series of phage-displayed peptide libraries were constructed from the M13-based vector M13KE. As a direct descendent of M13mp19, M13KE contains the lacZα insert in the intergenic region between genes IV and II, where it interrupts the replication enhancer of the (+) strand origin. Phage carrying this 816-nucleotide insert are viable, but propagate in E. coli at a reduced rate compared to wild-type M13 phage, presumably due to a replication defect caused by the insert. We have previously reported thirteen compensatory mutations in the 5'-untranslated region of gene II, which encodes the replication initiator protein gIIp. Here we report several additional mutations in M13KE that restore a wild-type propagation rate. Several clones from constrained-loop variable peptide libraries were found to have ejected the majority of lacZα gene in order to reconstruct the replication enhancer, albeit with a small scar. In addition, new point mutations in the gene II 5'-untranslated region or the gene IV coding sequence have been spontaneously observed or synthetically engineered. Through phage propagation assays, we demonstrate that all these genetic modifications compensate for the replication defect in M13KE and restore the wild-type propagation rate. We discuss the mechanisms by which the insertion and ejection of the lacZα gene, as well as the mutations in the regulatory region of gene II, influence the efficiency of replication initiation at the (+) strand origin. We also examine the presence and relevance of fast-propagating mutants in phage-displayed peptide libraries.

Genetic toolbox for controlled expression of functional proteins in Geobacillus spp

Species of genus Geobacillus are thermophilic bacteria and play an ever increasing role as hosts for biotechnological applications both in academia and industry. Here we screened a number of Geobacillus strains to determine which industrially relevant carbon sources they can utilize. One of the strains, G. thermoglucosidasius C56-YS93, was then chosen to develop a toolbox for controlled gene expression over a wide range of levels. It includes a library of semi-synthetic constitutive promoters (76-fold difference in expression levels) and an inducible promoter from the xylA gene. A library of synthetic in silico designed ribosome binding sites was also created for further tuning of translation. The PxylA was further used to successfully express native and heterologous xylanases in G. thermoglucosidasius. This toolbox enables fine-tuning of gene expression in Geobacillus species for metabolic engineering approaches in production of biochemicals and heterologous proteins.

Deep sequencing reveals global patterns of mRNA recruitment during translation initiation

In this work, we developed a method to systematically study the sequence preference of mRNAs during translation initiation. Traditionally, the dynamic process of translation initiation has been studied at the single molecule level with limited sequencing possibility. Using deep sequencing techniques, we identified the sequence preference at different stages of the initiation complexes. Our results provide a comprehensive and dynamic view of the initiation elements in the translation initiation region (TIR), including the S1 binding sequence, the Shine-Dalgarno (SD)/anti-SD interaction and the second codon, at the equilibrium of different initiation complexes. Moreover, our experiments reveal the conformational changes and regional dynamics throughout the dynamic process of mRNA recruitment.

Enhancing full-length antibody production by signal peptide engineering

Background

Protein secretion to the periplasm of Escherichia coli offers an attractive route for producing heterologous proteins including antibodies. In this approach, a signal peptide is fused to the N-terminus of the heterologous protein. The signal peptide mediates translocation of the heterologous protein from the cytoplasm to the periplasm and is cleaved during the translocation process. It was previously shown that optimization of the translation initiation region (TIR) which overlaps with the nucleotide sequence of the signal sequence improves the production of heterologous proteins. Despite the progress, there is still room to improve yields using secretion as a means to produce protein complexes such as full-length monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

Results

In this study we identified the inefficient secretion of heavy chain as the limitation for full-length mAb accumulation in the periplasm. To improve heavy chain secretion we investigated the effects of various signal peptides at controlled TIR strengths. The signal peptide of disulfide oxidoreductase (DsbA) mediated more efficient secretion of heavy chain than the other signal peptides tested. Mutagenesis studies demonstrated that at controlled translational levels, hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic core (H-region) of the signal peptide is a critical factor for heavy chain secretion and full-length mAb accumulation in the periplasm. Increasing the hydrophobicity of a signal peptide enhanced heavy chain secretion and periplasmic levels of assembled full-length mAbs, while decreasing the hydrophobicity had the opposite effect.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that under similar translational strengths, the hydrophobicity of the signal peptide plays an important role in heavy chain secretion. Increasing the hydrophobicity of the H-region and controlling TIR strengths can serve as an approach to improve heavy chain secretion and full-length mAb production in E. coli.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0445-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cooperation between the chloroplast psbA 5'-untranslated region and coding region is important for translational initiation: the chloroplast translation machinery cannot read a human viral gene coding region

Chloroplast mRNA translation is regulated by the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Chloroplast 5'-UTRs also support translation of the coding regions of heterologous genes. Using an in vitro translation system from tobacco chloroplasts, we detected no translation from a human immunodeficiency virus tat coding region fused directly to the tobacco chloroplast psbA 5'-UTR. This lack of apparent translation could have been due to rapid degradation of mRNA templates or synthesized protein products. Replacing the psbA 5'-UTR with the E. coli phage T7 gene 10 5'-UTR, a highly active 5'-UTR, and substituting synonymous codons led to some translation of the tat coding region. The Tat protein thus synthesized was stable during translation reactions. No significant degradation of the added tat mRNAs was observed after translation reactions. These results excluded the above two possibilities and confirmed that the tat coding region prevented its own translation. The tat coding region was then fused to the psbA 5'-UTR with a cognate 5'-coding segment. Significant translation was detected from the tat coding region when fused after 10 or more codons. That is, translation could be initiated from the tat coding region once translation had started, indicating that the tat coding region inhibits translational initiation but not elongation. Hence, cooperation/compatibility between the 5'-UTR and its coding region is important for translational initiation.

Functional Analysis of Genes Involved in the Biosynthesis of Enterocin NKR-5-3B, a Novel Circular Bacteriocin

A putative biosynthetic gene cluster of the enterocin NKR-5-3B (Ent53B), a novel circular bacteriocin, was analyzed by sequencing the flanking regions around enkB, the Ent53B structural gene, using a fosmid library. A region approximately 9 kb in length was obtained, and the enkB1, enkB2, enkB3, and enkB4 genes, encoding putative biosynthetic proteins involved in the production, maturation, and secretion of Ent53B, were identified. We also determined the identity of proteins mediating self-immunity against the effects of Ent53B. Heterologous expression systems in various heterologous hosts, such as Enterococcus faecalis and Lactococcus lactis strains, were successfully established. The production and secretion of the mature Ent53B required the cooperative functions of five genes. Ent53B was produced only by those heterologous hosts that expressed protein products of the enkB, enkB1, enkB2, enkB3, and enkB4 genes. Moreover, self-immunity against the antimicrobial action of Ent53B was conferred by at least two independent mechanisms. Heterologous hosts harboring the intact enkB4 gene and/or a combination of intact enkB1 and enkB3 genes were immune to the inhibitory action of Ent53B.

IMPORTANCE

In addition to their potential application as food preservatives, circular bacteriocins are now considered possible alternatives to therapeutic antibiotics due to the exceptional stability conferred by their circular structure. The successful practical application of circular bacteriocins will become possible only if the molecular details of their biosynthesis are fully understood. The results of the present study offer a new perspective on the possible mechanism of circular bacteriocin biosynthesis. In addition, since some enterococcal strains are associated with pathogenicity, virulence, and drug resistance, the establishment of the first multigenus host heterologous production of Ent53B has very high practical significance, as it widens the scope of possible Ent53B applications.

Codon Optimizing for Increased Membrane Protein Production: A Minimalist Approach

Reengineering a gene with synonymous codons is a popular approach for increasing production levels of recombinant proteins. Here we present a minimalist alternative to this method, which samples synonymous codons only at the second and third positions rather than the entire coding sequence. As demonstrated with two membrane-embedded transporters in Escherichia coli, the method was more effective than optimizing the entire coding sequence. The method we present is PCR based and requires three simple steps: (1) the design of two PCR primers, one of which is degenerate; (2) the amplification of a mini-library by PCR; and (3) screening for high-expressing clones.

Enhanced Protein Production in Escherichia coli by Optimization of Cloning Scars at the Vector-Coding Sequence Junction

Protein production in Escherichia coli is a fundamental activity for a large fraction of academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial research laboratories. Maximum production is usually sought, as this reduces costs and facilitates downstream purification steps. Frustratingly, many coding sequences are poorly expressed even when they are codon-optimized and expressed from vectors with powerful genetic elements. In this study, we show that poor expression can be caused by certain nucleotide sequences (e.g., cloning scars) at the junction between the vector and the coding sequence. Since these sequences lie between the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the start codon, they are an integral part of the translation initiation region. To identify the most optimal sequences, we devised a simple and inexpensive PCR-based step that generates sequence variants at the vector-coding sequence junction. These sequence variants modulated expression by up to 1000-fold. FACS-seq analyses indicated that low GC content and relaxed mRNA stability (ΔG) in this region were important, but not the only, determinants for high expression.

Hybrid rotors in F1Fo ATP synthases: subunit composition, distribution, and physiological significance

The c ring of the Na+ F1Fo ATP synthase from the anaerobic acetogenic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii is encoded by three different genes: atpE1, atpE2 and atpE3. Subunit c1 is similar to typical V-type c subunits and has four transmembrane helices with one ion binding site. Subunit c2 and c3 are identical at the amino acid level and are typical F-type c subunits with one ion binding site in two transmembrane helices. All three constitute a hybrid FoVo c ring, the first found in nature. To analyze whether other species may have similar hybrid rotors, we searched every genome sequence publicly available as of 23 February 2015 for F1Fo ATPase operons that have more than one gene encoding the c subunit. This revealed no other species that has three different c subunit encoding genes but twelve species that encode one Fo- and one Vo-type c subunit in one operon. Their c subunits have the conserved binding motif for Na+. The organisms are all anaerobic. The advantage of hybrid c rings for the organisms in their environments is discussed.

Initiation of mRNA translation in bacteria: structural and dynamic aspects

Initiation of mRNA translation is a major checkpoint for regulating level and fidelity of protein synthesis. Being rate limiting in protein synthesis, translation initiation also represents the target of many post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating gene expression. The process begins with the formation of an unstable 30S pre-initiation complex (30S pre-IC) containing initiation factors (IFs) IF1, IF2 and IF3, the translation initiation region of an mRNA and initiator fMet-tRNA whose codon and anticodon pair in the P-site following a first-order rearrangement of the 30S pre-IC produces a locked 30S initiation complex (30SIC); this is docked by the 50S subunit to form a 70S complex that, following several conformational changes, positional readjustments of its ligands and ejection of the IFs, becomes a 70S initiation complex productive in initiation dipeptide formation. The first EF-G-dependent translocation marks the beginning of the elongation phase of translation. Here, we review structural, mechanistic and dynamical aspects of this process.

Quantifying absolute protein synthesis rates reveals principles underlying allocation of cellular resources

Quantitative views of cellular functions require precise measures of rates of biomolecule production, especially proteins-the direct effectors of biological processes. Here, we present a genome-wide approach, based on ribosome profiling, for measuring absolute protein synthesis rates. The resultant E. coli data set transforms our understanding of the extent to which protein synthesis is precisely controlled to optimize function and efficiency. Members of multiprotein complexes are made in precise proportion to their stoichiometry, whereas components of functional modules are produced differentially according to their hierarchical role. Estimates of absolute protein abundance also reveal principles for optimizing design. These include how the level of different types of transcription factors is optimized for rapid response and how a metabolic pathway (methionine biosynthesis) balances production cost with activity requirements. Our studies reveal how general principles, important both for understanding natural systems and for synthesizing new ones, emerge from quantitative analyses of protein synthesis.

Identification and characterization of mutant clones with enhanced propagation rates from phage-displayed peptide libraries

A target-unrelated peptide (TUP) can arise in phage display selection experiments as a result of a propagation advantage exhibited by the phage clone displaying the peptide. We previously characterized HAIYPRH, from the M13-based Ph.D.-7 phage display library, as a propagation-related TUP resulting from a G→A mutation in the Shine-Dalgarno sequence of gene II. This mutant was shown to propagate in Escherichia coli at a dramatically faster rate than phage bearing the wild-type Shine-Dalgarno sequence. We now report 27 additional fast-propagating clones displaying 24 different peptides and carrying 14 unique mutations. Most of these mutations are found either in or upstream of the gene II Shine-Dalgarno sequence, but still within the mRNA transcript of gene II. All 27 clones propagate at significantly higher rates than normal library phage, most within experimental error of wild-type M13 propagation, suggesting that mutations arise to compensate for the reduced virulence caused by the insertion of a lacZα cassette proximal to the replication origin of the phage used to construct the library. We also describe an efficient and convenient assay to diagnose propagation-related TUPS among peptide sequences selected by phage display.

Whole-cell biocatalysis for selective and productive C-O functional group introduction and modification

During the last decades, biocatalysis became of increasing importance for chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Regarding regio- and stereospecificity, enzymes have shown to be superior compared to traditional chemical synthesis approaches, especially in C-O functional group chemistry. Catalysts established on a process level are diverse and can be classified along a functional continuum starting with single-step biotransformations using isolated enzymes or microbial strains towards fermentative processes with recombinant microorganisms containing artificial synthetic pathways. The complex organization of respective enzymes combined with aspects such as cofactor dependency and low stability in isolated form often favors the use of whole cells over that of isolated enzymes. Based on an inventory of the large spectrum of biocatalytic C-O functional group chemistry, this review focuses on highlighting the potentials, limitations, and solutions offered by the application of self-regenerating microbial cells as biocatalysts. Different cellular functionalities are discussed in the light of their (possible) contribution to catalyst efficiency. The combined achievements in the areas of protein, genetic, metabolic, and reaction engineering enable the development of whole-cell biocatalysts as powerful tools in organic synthesis.

Quantifying translational coupling in E. coli synthetic operons using RBS modulation and fluorescent reporters

Translational coupling is the interdependence of translation efficiency of neighboring genes encoded within an operon. The degree of coupling may be quantified by measuring how the translation rate of a gene is modulated by the translation rate of its upstream gene. Translational coupling was observed in prokaryotic operons several decades ago, but the quantitative range of modulation translational coupling leads to and the factors governing this modulation were only partially characterized. In this study, we systematically quantify and characterize translational coupling in E. coli synthetic operons using a library of plasmids carrying fluorescent reporter genes that are controlled by a set of different ribosome binding site (RBS) sequences. The downstream gene expression level is found to be enhanced by the upstream gene expression via translational coupling with the enhancement level varying from almost no coupling to over 10-fold depending on the upstream gene's sequence. Additionally, we find that the level of translational coupling in our system is similar between the second and third locations in the operon. The coupling depends on the distance between the stop codon of the upstream gene and the start codon of the downstream gene. This study is the first to systematically and quantitatively characterize translational coupling in a synthetic E. coli operon. Our analysis will be useful in accurate manipulation of gene expression in synthetic biology and serves as a step toward understanding the mechanisms involved in translational expression modulation.

Real-time assembly landscape of bacterial 30S translation initiation complex

Initiation factors guide the ribosome in the selection of mRNA and translational reading frame. We determined the kinetically favored assembly pathway of the 30S preinitiation complex (30S PIC), an early intermediate in 30S initiation complex formation in Escherichia coli. IF3 and IF2 are the first factors to arrive, forming an unstable 30S-IF2-IF3 complex. Subsequently, IF1 joins and locks the factors in a kinetically stable 30S PIC to which fMet-tRNA(fMet) is recruited. Binding of mRNA is independent of initiation factors and can take place at any time during 30S PIC assembly, depending on the cellular concentration of the mRNA and the structural determinants at the ribosome-binding site. The kinetic analysis shows both specific and cumulative effects of initiation factors as well as kinetic checkpoints of mRNA selection at the entry into translation.

Translation levels control multi-spanning membrane protein expression

Attempts to express eukaryotic multi-spanning membrane proteins at high-levels have been generally unsuccessful. In order to investigate the cause of this limitation and gain insight into the rate limiting processes involved, we have analyzed the effect of translation levels on the expression of several human membrane proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli). These results demonstrate that excessive translation initiation rates of membrane proteins cause a block in protein synthesis and ultimately prevent the high-level accumulation of these proteins. Moderate translation rates allow coupling of peptide synthesis and membrane targeting, resulting in a significant increase in protein expression and accumulation over time. The current study evaluates four membrane proteins, CD20 (4-transmembrane (TM) helixes), the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs, 7-TMs) RA1c and EG-VEGFR1, and Patched 1 (12-TMs), and demonstrates the critical role of translation initiation rates in the targeting, insertion and folding of integral membrane proteins in the E. coli membrane.

Viral subversion of the host protein synthesis machinery

Although viruses encode many of the functions that are required for viral replication, they are completely reliant on the protein synthesis machinery that is present in their host cells.

Recruiting cellular ribosomes to translate viral mRNAs represents a crucial step in the replication of all viruses.

To ensure translation of their mRNAs, viruses use a diverse collection of strategies (probably pirated from their cellular hosts) to commandeer key translation factors that are required for the initiation, elongation and termination steps of translation.

Viruses also neutralize host defences that seek to incapacitate the translation machinery in infected cells.

Viruses rely on the translation machinery of the host cell to produce the proteins that are essential for their replication. Here, Walsh and Mohr discuss the diverse strategies by which viruses subvert the host protein synthesis machinery and regulate the translation of viral mRNAs.

Viruses are fully reliant on the translation machinery of their host cells to produce the polypeptides that are essential for viral replication. Consequently, viruses recruit host ribosomes to translate viral mRNAs, typically using virally encoded functions to seize control of cellular translation factors and the host signalling pathways that regulate their activity. This not only ensures that viral proteins will be produced, but also stifles innate host defences that are aimed at inhibiting the capacity of infected cells for protein synthesis. Remarkably, nearly every step of the translation process can be targeted by virally encoded functions. This Review discusses the diverse strategies that viruses use to subvert host protein synthesis functions and regulate mRNA translation in infected cells.

Regulation of chaperone/effector complex synthesis in a bacterial type III secretion system

Type III protein secretion systems (T3SSs), which have evolved to deliver bacterial proteins into nucleated cells, are found in many species of Gram-negative bacteria that live in close association with eukaryotic hosts. Proteins destined to travel this secretion pathway are targeted to the secretion machine by customized chaperones, with which they form highly structured complexes. Here, we have identified a mechanism that co-ordinates the expression of the Salmonella Typhimurium T3SS chaperone SicP and its cognate effector SptP. Translation of the effector is coupled to that of its chaperone, and in the absence of translational coupling, an inhibitory RNA structure prevents translation of sptP. The data presented here show how the genomic organization of functionally related proteins can have a significant impact on the co-ordination of their expression.

Minimum-free-energy distribution of RNA secondary structures: Entropic and thermodynamic properties of rare events

We study the distribution of the minimum free energy (MFE) for the Turner model of pseudoknot free RNA secondary structures over ensembles of random RNA sequences. In particular, we are interested in those rare and intermediate events of unexpected low MFEs. Generalized ensemble Markov-chain Monte Carlo methods allow us to explore the rare-event tail of the MFE distribution down to probabilities such as 10^{-70} and to study the relationship between the sequence entropy and structural properties for sequence ensembles with fixed MFEs. Entropic and structural properties of those ensembles are compared with natural RNA of the same reduced MFE ( z score).